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November 2, 2002

Building dedication another growth step for hearing-impaired camp

From: News Chief, FL
Nov. 2, 2002

By JOHN ANTHONY KNIGHTON
anthonyk@newschief.com

DUNDEE -- For many children all across the nation, camp is a yearly adventure that provides them the opportunity to try exciting new things while building a life-time of fond memories.

But for some children, camp is not a reality, but rather an evasive dream. For families with children that have a hearing disability, camp may not even be a viable option.

In 1992, a window of opportunity for hearing impaired children opened up with Dundee's Sertoma Camp Endeavor, which today at 2 p.m. will dedicate a new administration building.

The dedication is the culmination of a vision of camp founders that has allowed Endeavor to grow successfully over the past 10 years. In that time, the camp has expanded its facilities, the latest addition being the administration building.

"With the growth of the camp, we decided we needed an administration building," said Camp Endeavor board member Thelma Henry. The building was built using donated funds and volunteer labor.

"Our Sertoma Club, joined together with other area Sertoma clubs, went to International Sertoma and got them to match our raised funds with a grant," said Henry.

The new building, according to Henry, took about a year to complete at an estimated cost of $150,000.

The new building contains a board room and an office in the center of the building as well as a boys' and girls' counselor office located at opposing ends of the building.

Along with this new building, the camp also contains three 32 person cabins and a large cafetorium.

With these facilities, the staff plans a complete camping experience for these children with activities such as drama, dance, horseback riding, arts and crafts, canoeing and swimming.

According to Henry, the camp used to be an old Girl Scout camp before Sertoma purchased it.

Today, Camp Endeavor is a camp geared to providing a camping experience to children who are deaf and hard of hearing at no cost to the parents.

Only one requirement must be met in order for a child to attend the camp: All campers must know sign language because campers participate in a large number of water sports which don't permit the wearing of hearing aids.

While campers do get a great camping experience, they also get quality mentoring by their counselors, many of whom are also hearing impaired.

"We try to give the kids a well-rounded camping experience," said Henry. "These counselors teach the kids to be themselves."

Efforts of the staff are made possible through donations and funds raised by the camp and its supporting clubs and organizations.For more information about the camp, call Henry at 324-3198.


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