The Lions Survivor Camp, a summer program aimed at providing physical activity to children that are deaf or hard of hearing and their hearing siblings, will be held June 4-8 at New Mexico State University.
The program is sponsored by grants from the Sunrise Lions Club and the New Mexico Commission for the Deafand Hard of Hearing and donations from local businesses. It focuses on the development of physical motor skills and fitness by emphasizing balance, agility and cardiovascular endurance.
This is the fourth year the camp will be held and about 30 children are expected to participate.
“Our goal is to facilitate communication through play,” said Jennifer Dahlgren, director of the Lions Survivor Camp. “Our program reaches not only campers, but impacts the whole family and the entire community.”
The camp is named after the “Survivor” reality television series, which featured a deaf contestant during the first season. Following exercises that teach participants new physical skills, they will compete against one another to test their progress.
The children will participate in activities such as swimming, dancing, gymnastics, horseback riding and rock climbing, as well as outdoor and gymnasium games.
Participants can stay at NMSU from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day or stay overnight in the student dormitories. Overnight campers will participate in various evening activities including bowling, star gazing and feeding the ducks at the NMSU duck pond. Students also have constant access to adults and other children who can communicate with them, whatever their preferred communication mode.
“When our campers stay in the dorms here at NMSU, they start to ask questions about their futures,” said Leah Geer, assistant director of the camp. “They see themselves going to college when they grow up.”
All of the overnight campers and the majority of the day campers have received scholarships to attend the camp. The scholarships are provided by Lions Clubs throughout the state of New Mexico and private donors from the community.
This program is part of NMSU’s continuing outreach efforts to help educate and improve the lives of the citizens of our community and state.
--------------------------------
Photo is available at
http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/lions_camp_01.jpg
CUTLINE: Hannah Goldblatt, 12, of Las Cruces, N.M., hangs from the rock climbing wall during the 2006 Lions Survivor Camp held at New Mexico State University Activity Center. This year the camp will run June 4-8. (Courtesy Photo)
Photo is available at
http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/lions_camp_02.jpg
CUTLINE: Fernando Guzman, 10, of Anthony, N.M., rides a horse during the 2006 Lions Survivor Camp held at New Mexico State University. This year the camp will run June 4-8. (Courtesy Photo)
Austin Craig
May 17, 2007
Go back to NMSU News Releases
Go back to University Communications Homepage.