[NFBMI-Talk] Fwd: July 2022 Camp T Newsletter

[J.J. Meddaugh]

Donna is featured in this month's newsletter.


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	July 2022 Camp T Newsletter
Date: 	Thu, 21 Jul 2022 15:59:38 +0000
From: 	MDE-LIO <lowincidenceoutreach at gmail.com>
Reply-To: 	lowincidenceoutreach at gmail.com
To: 	jj at bestmidi.com



July 2022 Camp T Newsletter
Camp T Since 1974 logo


  Camp Tuhsmeheta
  July 2022 Newsletter


    *Letter from the Camp Tuhsmeheta Director*

My senses have been at full attention this summer. I’ve heard paddles 
striking the sides of aluminum canoes, indulged in the taste of sweet 
and refreshing watermelon, felt the intensity of itchy skin while 
recovering from poison ivy, enjoyed the smell of foil packet dinners 
cooking over an open fire, and relished the joyful bird songs filling 
the air. This summer has been a sensory overload, but each experience 
has helped me create memories I will not soon forget. (Well, I’d prefer 
to forget about the poison ivy experience.)

My hope is that our campers are making some special memories for 
themselves, too. Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) is a special place, and 
everyone who experiences it takes away their own memories to keep. For 
some, it will be catching their first fish and gathering enough courage 
to take it off the hook. For others, it may be spending a night or two 
away from their parents for the first time and not wanting to go home at 
the end of camp because they will miss their new friends. Our lives are 
full of memories, and at Camp T, our goal is for campers to make as many 
positive memories as they can. May you make many happy memories this 
summer, too!

Jill Teegardin

Camp T Director


Screen shot of Merlin Bird ID app next to a singing yellow bird. Text 
says, "Who's singing? Merlin Bird ID can tell you."

*Bird Call Identification App*

Donna Posont, this month’s Camp T Champion, is an avid birder and can 
identify many birds by their songs. When Donna visited Camp T this 
spring, she shared an amazing app with our staff. The Merlin Bird ID app 
<https://mdelio.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e26740868a48453f1cd91a067&id=14d645ef4f&e=4684ec9880>, 
developed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, can record and accurately 
identify a variety of bird songs in real time. If you want to learn more 
about the local birds in your area, Camp T's staff highly recommends 
exploring a local trail or lake with this app. Happy birding!


Merlin Bird ID App 
<https://mdelio.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e26740868a48453f1cd91a067&id=b92f364eed&e=4684ec9880> 



    What’s Happening at Camp T

Camp T alumni tell stories and reminisce around the campfire.

The Merren family paddles a canoe in Flannigan Lake.

*Camp Alumni Gather for Fun and Memories*

In early June, Camp T held its first Alumni Picnic, which welcomed back 
former campers to reminisce and share stories from years past—even 
stories from before the camp opened in 1974! Many of the stories 
featured torrential thunderstorms. Our hope is to archive some of these 
stories in our future Roth Cabin History Museum.

At the event, Camp T alumni had an opportunity to climb the climbing 
tower, shoot bows at the archery range, canoe on the lake, and walk a 
few of Camp T’s many miles of trails. Alumni were also introduced to 
Camp T’s new Oak Recreation Center, where they played goalball 
<https://mdelio.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e26740868a48453f1cd91a067&id=8ff68086f9&e=4684ec9880>. 
It was a wonderful time, and we look forward to offering this 
opportunity again.


Three boys hold tote bags and smile for a photo in Camp T's recreation 
center during Cane Quest. An adult smiles in the background.

*First Annual Michigan Regional Cane Quest Held at Camp T*

On May 14, Camp T hosted the first annual Michigan Regional Cane Quest 
competition. Cane Quest is a challenging orientation and mobility (O&M) 
contest for students, created and organized by Braille Institute.


Read Full Article 
<https://mdelio.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e26740868a48453f1cd91a067&id=65aacb0ec6&e=4684ec9880> 



    *Camp T Champion: Donna Posont*

Donna Posont demonstrates the shape of bird feet for campers.

Wearing a rain coat and using a white cane, Donna leads two campers and 
a guide dog through the woods.

For nearly five decades, Camp T has seen students grow and move on to 
build their own families and stories. Legends have been made at camp 
over that time. One legend is Donna Posont, who became a Camp T 
counselor in the early 2000s. She is an instant favorite among campers 
because of her ability, as someone who is Blind, to share the thrill of 
birding and the beauty of nature. Donna captivates students with her 
natural charm and colorful descriptions that keep campers returning just 
to hear her stories.

During her time at Camp T, Donna would often stay in the platform tent 
directly across from the White Pine Lodge to be in the center of the 
action. At one camp, the campers were asked to give themselves nicknames 
that describe who they are. Donna chose the nickname “Butterfly.” Her 
tent was dubbed “The Butterfly House” to convey the beautiful transition 
each camper makes from being in their “cocoon” at the start of camp to 
emerging at the end as a “butterfly.” At a recent event, Donna said she 
was pleased to hear that her tent is still called “The Butterfly House.” 
She was also proud of the new birding deck that was built, which will 
allow her to share her love of birds with others.

Although Donna admits that she still fears getting lost when she visits 
camp, when she’s with campers who are Blind/Visually Impaired (BVI), she 
knows they all have the confidence to get where they’re going. Donna 
shared many stories of conquering tasks at Camp T that she initially 
doubted she could do. She often shares with campers and other youth who 
are BVI that “it’s okay to be Blind." She says it is great to be around 
others who are BVI, because they can be themselves and help each other 
tackle challenges together, which is what Camp T is all about. Camp T's 
staff would like to thank Donna for her many years of service at camp, 
and we look forward to many more stories to come.


White Pine Lodge features new double doors and a fresh coat of green paint.


    *Behind the Scenes at Camp T*

As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, Camp T's staff continues 
working to ensure camper safety at each event. We regularly check for 
the latest guidance and recommendations to help prevent the transmission 
of the virus. Additionally, our staff has passed several required safety 
inspections, such as health, water, fire, and high-adventure equipment 
assessments, to make sure our systems are in peak working condition.

Just before winter, camp buildings had new energy-efficient doors 
installed. When the weather warmed up in the spring, the buildings had 
their first coat of paint. Later this summer, we expect to start 
renovating Elm Hall into of the new hands-on Nature Center and 
converting Roth Cabin into a history museum. We will also start 
constructing a new maintenance facility. In the meantime, campers always 
enjoy the garden, with its bounty of native plants, herbs, and 
ready-to-eat vegetables that are steadily growing and looking delicious. 
The work never stops at Camp T!

-Jill Teegardin


    *Events on the Horizon*

With summer events already in progress, Camp T is quickly approaching 
its busy fall and winter season. Fall is a popular time, due to the 
start of the school year combined with the shorter days, cooler nights, 
and changing leaves. Read on to learn about upcoming events at Camp T 
for students who are Blind/Visually Impaired (BVI) or Deaf/Hard of 
Hearing (DHH).

Read Full Article 
<https://mdelio.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e26740868a48453f1cd91a067&id=1fd2ba54e1&e=4684ec9880> 







      BVI Events

Closeup of marshmallows on two sticks over a fire outdoors.


      FNC: Summer Fun Camp

*Dates:* July 23–24, 2022

Families of school-age children who are BVI are invited to attend this 
overnight Family Nature Club (FNC) event. Families will enjoy campfires, 
hikes, and waterfront activities.


A boy climbs the wooden climbing tower at Camp T on a sunny summer day.


      Camp T Recreation Clinic

*Tentative Date:* October 1, 2022

Families of school-age children who are BVI are invited to attend this 
recreation clinic. Campers will learn about goalball, climbing, archery, 
and other adaptive recreation opportunities at camp.


      DHH Events

Two young girls wear life jackets while in a canoe with their parents.


      DHH Family Summer Party

*Date:* August 21, 2022

Join Camp T and Michigan Hands & Voices for some fun in the sun! 
Families with school-age children who are DHH are invited to this 
afternoon outing at camp. Participants will enjoy a variety of outdoor 
adventures at camp.


A man, woman, and two children smile as they walk through a forest on a 
sunny day.


      FNC: Back to Cool

*Date:* September 17-18, 2022

Families of school-age children who are BVI are invited to attend this 
overnight camp. Families will experience camp together with campfires, 
hikes, and outdoor fun.


Fall trees in yellow and green colors next to a lake on a sunny day.


      FNC: November Event

*Date:* November 5-6, 2022

Experience the end of daylight saving time at Camp T! Gear up for winter 
hibernation at this fun-filled overnight camp for families.



A group of teens and adults walk on a winding path through the woods.


      DHH Fall Family Camp

*Date:* October 15-16, 2022

Families of school-age children who are DHH are invited to attend this 
overnight camp. Families will experience camp together with campfires, 
hikes, and outdoor fun.

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