OAS to hold day snow camp for teens who are deaf, hard of hearing

A young boy fell off his couch after jumping up and down with joy from finding out he would get to go to the Oregon Adaptive Sports Snow Camp for teenagers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Like this boy and many other people who are deaf and hard of hearing, live in a world that is hearing. Each day consists of navigating through a world of sound where the primary mode of communication is spoken language.

However, for one weekend, this boy and several other campers will get to experience something different on the slopes of Mt. Bachelor, a world with direct communication, direct access, and full inclusion.

Eleven volunteers with a range of ski and snowboard skills are coming from as far as the San Juan Islands to volunteer their time and energy to make the Snow Camp happen.

The special skill they all bring? Fluency in America Sign Language, giving every camper access to direct communication whether they use ASL and/or spoken language.

What’s more? Each and every one of the volunteers is deaf or hard of hearing, providing a positive role model that campers can relate to.

Thanks to the support of our eleven volunteers, local OAS volunteers, interpreters, Deaf Vibe and West Cloud, Oregon Adaptive Sports is able to implement this program that is one of a kind for the third year in a row.

“The deaf and hard of hearing population is a greatly underserved community and we, as a community are hoping to help change that,” said Cara Frank, OAS’s Office Coordinator, who is deaf and also the camp coordinator.

The weekend long event will kick-off with training at Mt. Bachelor for all the deaf volunteers helping on Friday, Feb 12. On both Saturday, Feb 13 and Sunday the 14th, campers coming from as far as Seattle and Idaho will stay in Bend and learn how to ski/snowboard and improve their skills on Mt. Bachelor through direct communication, thanks to the support of all the volunteer instructors.

ABOUT OAS:

Oregon Adaptive Sports has been breaking barriers in Central Oregon since 1996, providing people with disabilities and their families an opportunity for outdoor recreation. Our goal is to nurture the human spirit and foster self-confidence and independence. We currently offer instructional programs in alpine and Nordic skiing and snowboarding, at both Hoodoo and Mt. Bachelor ski resorts as well as summer programs throughout the greater Bend area. To prevent cost from being a barrier to participation, we rely on the support of hundreds of volunteers, businesses, donors and sponsors. www.oregonadaptivesports.org