What summer camp options are there for children who are deaf/hard of hearing?

RMTC-DHH has curated a list of camps and summer programs from around the state and country, specifically for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). These programs focus on academic enrichment and social skill-building, providing unique opportunities for students who are DHH to interact with peers who have different hearing levels and meet role models who lead the programs.

The summer programs may be virtual, local, or require going away to their specific location. Some camps and programs are free to students, while others may offer financial assistance or scholarships to help offset the cost of the program. If there is no financial assistance available, contact your local service organizations (e.g., Sertoma, Lion’s Club, Rotary, etc.) for potential support with camp expenses. Many camps have registration deadlines, and early registration may offer discounted rates.

RMTC-DHH does not recommend one summer camp or program over another; therefore, they are listed alphabetically. This list is not exhaustive. If you know of any other summer camps or programs Florida students who are DHH may be eligible to apply for please contact us.

Summer Camps or Summer Enrichment Programs

DHH-Specific Florida Summer Camps

Camp Endeavor

This camp program strives to enhance the growth and awareness of campers by taking their attention off their phones for a short two weeks, and instead focusing on interacting with each other. It is located on 32 beautiful acres of Central Floridian landscape in Dundee that we utilize for a variety of activities such as crafts, water sports, bonfires, and outdoor games. The camp is the integration of campers and staff who are deaf or hard of hearing along with their hearing family members. All who attend Camp Endeavor have the opportunity to learn about themselves and each other in an informal and empowering setting.

Florida School for Deaf and Blind (FSDB) Summer Programs

FSDB plans a variety of academic enrichment programs for all ages/ grade levels during the summer for those students who are deaf/hard of hearing or deafblind.

NTID Regional STEM Center (NRSC) - STEM Academy Camps

STEM Academy - Decatur, Alabama
STEM Academy - Jacksonville, Florida
STEM Robotics Camp - Alabama School for the Deaf
Summer Transition Program - University of Alabama Huntsville

These camps are offered at no cost to students who are DHH entering grades 9th-12th grade who are at least 15 years old and reside in the southeast.

Silent Hope: Camp We Sign

Camp We Sign is a place for students to Laugh, Learn, and Grow. There is a huge need to make community programs accessible to DHH children and families. This is a two-week day camp for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, their hearing siblings, and children of Deaf adults. Ages 3 years old through 8th grade students will be eligible to attend camp.

DHH-Specific National Camps

American Society For Deaf Children Camp Belong

Camp Belong located in Brooklyn, MI is an ASL immersion camp designed to help students develop leadership skills through experiences with nature, expressive art, music, and dance. Instruction will be in ASL and written English. This camp is for students grades 6-8 who are not already in an ASL-immersive school setting, such as a school for the Deaf.

Aspen Camp of Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Families in Nature

The camp is for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and/or parents to experience the outdoors at the Aspen Camp’s 17 acre property along Snowmass Creek in Colorado. While children will have time to interact with each other and nature, parents will learn alongside their children. Parents or caregivers will also have opportunities to interact with other families in a mutually supportive environment.

Bridging Hands Camps

Bridging Hands Camps, Inc. located in Knoxville, MD. They provide a week-long overnight camp experiences for children who are deaf/hard of hearing, and children of deaf adults aged 7-13. The camps promote communication access and positive interactions between various groups within the deaf community.

Camp Chris Williams

Camp located in Greenville, MI serves youth ages 11-17. Building on transitional activities to adulthood, along with typical camp activities. Mixed in with wall-climbing, boating, ropes course, swimming, arts and crafts, nature hikes are leadership training, mock interviews for jobs, perhaps even creating resumes, meeting adult Deaf and hard of hearing role models, and getting to explore bits of their careers.

Camp Mark Seven

Located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of New York, Camp Mark Seven, is a peaceful, welcoming retreat with a vast array of life-affirming educational, recreational and spiritual programs for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or KODA/CODA. CM7, established in 1982, is home to outdoor and waterfront activities such as mountain hiking, kayaking, canoeing and swimming. Fun, adventure, safety, and great camaraderie in ASL are our passion for the campers. There are a variety of youth and teen camps for ages 9-16.

Camp Taloali

The summer camp program located in Stayton, OR for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, deafblind, deaf disabled, CODAs, and siblings of deaf children. It is a magical world of challenge and excitement where campers learn new skills, set goals, care for the earth and share new experiences with both old and new friends. Taloali campers develop confidence in their abilities as they discover hidden strengths and learn from mistakes. Most of all, campers learn the magic fun, excitement, adventure, challenge, friendship, memories, and much more.

Deaf Camps, Inc

Deaf Camps, Inc. located in Knoxville, MD. It is a volunteer-run non-profit organization dedicated to providing fun, safe, communication-rich camps that promote the physical, spiritual, and social development of children who are deaf/hard of hearing and children learning American Sign Language. Deaf Camps, Inc. runs camps for deaf children ages 7 to 19, alongside ASL camps for hearing children ages 8 to 18, who learn ASL through lessons and shared activities with deaf peers.

Gallaudet Summer Youth Camps

Discover College and Careers (DC²) - For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12. Not sure what life will look like after high school? Come to Gallaudet University and discover our college programs and explore potential careers in Washington, D.C.!
Discover College and Careers in STEM - For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12. Not sure what life after high school holds? Come to Gallaudet University and explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors and careers in the heart of Washington, D.C.!
Financial Wizards - For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12. Unlock the secrets of the stock market and become a financial wizard with Financial Wizards Bootcamp 2.0, hosted by CSD Learns – where magic meets money mastery!
GenCyber - For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 9-12. This free program, available for qualified applicants, explores the world of information technology and cybersecurity. Explore topics such as cryptography, hacking, and security and bring home awesome tech kits!
Got Skills? - For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 7-9. Design YOUR OWN camp! Choose from a variety of activities tailored to your passions, whether it’s sports, arts, or exploring the nation’s capital. Empower yourself to create a personalized experience and make memories that last a lifetime!
Immerse Into ASL - For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12. New signers are welcomed to Gallaudet to immerse themselves in an American Sign Language environment. Learn from Deaf instructors, engage in ASL conversations with new friends, and embark on a journey.
Campo Listo: ¡Medramos! - For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12. An empowering opportunity for Deaf Latine students.
Bison Filmmakers - For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12. First-ever Film camp at Gallaudet! This immersive experience builds filmmaking skills using Apple’s cutting-edge technology. Unleash your creativity and shape the future of storytelling!

NTID Regional STEM Center (NRSC) - STEM Academy Camps

STEM Academy - Decatur, Alabama
STEM Academy - Jacksonville, Florida
STEM Robotics Camp - Alabama School for the Deaf
Summer Transition Program - University of Alabama Huntsville

These camps are offered at no cost to students who are DHH entering grades 9th-12th grade who are at least 15 years old and reside in the southeast.

Listen CI Camp

Listen CI Camp is a one-of-a-kind program supporting pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients and their families in achieving a life of independence in a world of listening and spoken language (LSL). Through recreational activities, peer mentoring, and educational workshops, participants gain the confidence and skills needed to navigate the CI journey. Held annually in Estes Park, Colorado, the camp welcomes families for four days and three nights of sharing success. This camp is designed for CI recipients age 3 - rising high school graduates.

Rochester Institute for Technology (RIT) / National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) Camps

All onsite camps are located on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. See their website for other programs, competitions, and virtual opportunities with RIT/NTID.

Advanced Tech Careers - For deaf or hard-of-hearing students entering 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade. Advanced Tech Careers is a week-long program for students interested in taking a deep dive into advanced technology and exploring a variety of high-tech careers.
Explore Your Future™ - For deaf or hard-of-hearing students entering 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade. EYF is a six-day career awareness program where students experience college life, enjoy hands-on activities and get a taste of real-world careers in the fields of business, computing, engineering, health sciences, science and art.
Financial Wizards - For deaf or hard-of-hearing students entering 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade. Financial Wizards aims to enhance students financial literacy skills and provide an opportunity to explore various careers in finance and administration.
Health Care Careers Exploration Program™ - For students entering 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade who are interested in a career in the health care field. Learn about various careers in health care; enjoy field trips to area medical facilities; be a part of hands-on demonstrations in biology, exercise science, laboratory science, microbiology, nursing, and nutrition; become CPR certified; and more.
TechTigers™ - For students entering 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th grade who are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Students will build a high-tech gadget, create 3D designs of products, conduct laboratory experiments, and more.

Other Florida Camps & Opportunities

Florida’s Easter Seals Camping & Recreation Programs

Camp Challenge provides a unique experience for children over 6 years of age and adults of any age with disabilities and special needs to have the opportunity to actively participate in camping activities, engage in social interaction with peers, and achieve life-changing experiences. From campfires to hiking on the nature trail to climbing the high ropes course, campers engage in a variety of enriching outdoor activities in a natural Florida setting.

Career Camps

Vocational Rehab (VR) Career Camps prepare for the transition from high school to postsecondary education, training or employment. VR Providers have the flexibility to create a unique, fun Career Camp experience by delivering any combination of the following Pre-ETS in a bundled format, when school is out for at least three consecutive days (e.g., Spring, Summer and Winter breaks).

The information contained in the FAQs does not constitute legal advice. RMTC-DHH does not endorse or sponsor any one product. Please refer to the original sources listed in each FAQ for more information.