Celebrating its' 26th anniversary, House Research Institute's Family Camp continues to be a popular program for many families who have a child with a hearing loss. The camp is once again filled to capacity setting an attendance record.

"The Institute's Family Camp is one of the oldest camps in the country for children and their families to attend together. Our camp has a unique ability to bring families of all economic and cultural backgrounds and philosophies together in a reassuring atmosphere that often results in lifelong friendships and improved communications, both inside and outside the family unit," said Marilee Potthoff, director of community education and outreach at House Research Institute.

Families continue to come back year after year because camp offers a comfortable forum designed to be a supportive atmosphere that helps build self-esteem, friendships, and respect for each other's differences and decisions. Shortly after the first pediatric cochlear implants took place in 1980, Dr. Howard House recognized the need for families with children who had hearing loss to get together to learn and share ideas in a relaxed, safe environment.

Some children are born with hearing loss but some children experience gradual hearing loss during their school years. Stephanie Goldstein-Warner started losing her hearing in first grade and started wearing hearing aids in fifth grade. After attending camp for the first time as a teenager, Stephanie realized that she was not alone and there are other hard of hearing young people just like her.

"I don't like camp, I LOVE camp," said Warner, 21, who was a camper for 3 years and has been a counselor for 3 years. "Family Camp is the one weekend where I feel proud to use my ASL (American Sign Language) skills. Family Camp is amazing and I wish they had it all year round."

Parents have a full day of workshops on Saturday starting with "Bullies, Victims, and Bystanders Tips for Parents," led by the founders of Training & Advocacy Group, known as TAG.

A successful addition to last years' schedule will be returning this year, which is a young adult panel discussion for parents to hear how several young people have dealt with their hearing loss and are successful in their careers and personal lives.

A speech therapist will present "The Language-Literacy Connection What It Means for Children with Hearing Loss." The last session for parents on Saturday is a group sharing session which allows parents to talk with each other and a licensed family therapist about issues they experience raising a child with hearing loss.

Similar to the parent sharing session, the children will have a chance to participate in sharing/communications sessions with their age groups under the direction of a licensed family therapist.

Camp activities for the children include: a dance workshop, arts & crafts, ropes course, tennis lessons and wildlife animals. Campers are matched with counselors based on the camper's mode of communication to optimize the children's learning and enjoyment.

Family Camp will be held at Camp Hess Kramer from June 3-5 in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking northern Malibu.

Source: House Research Institute