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 Camp
Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) Offers Blind and Visually Impaired Children
Challenges In summer 2004 in Dearborn, MI
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https://www.bridges4kids.org.
Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB), Inc., 20812 Ann
Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Larry Posont (313) 271-3058 or Bud Ferrell 810-658-1192
Loads of fun, challenges, push the envelope. These are popular
phrases not commonly associated with blind and visually impaired
kids. Camp Tuhsmeheta, 5 miles West of Greenville, MI, has 6
1-week summer camp programs for elementary through high school
(and even parents) crammed with all of this and more! For six
weeks beginning June 13 the sounds of young voices, splashing,
running feet, and the healthy sound of panting from exertion on
new challenges are all to be expected as blind and visually
impaired children experience, many for the first time, the fun
of a quality summer camping program. For more information on
camp schedules or a Camp or employment application contact Bud
Ferrell at (810) 658-1192 or Larry Posont at (313) 271-3058 or
go to www.campt.org.
If you want water, we have 5 lakes. If you want space we have
297 acres of woods with trails and fields. If you want
adventure, we have kayaks, canoes and camping. If you want
nature, we have all manner of wild flora and fauna to learn
about and appreciate. If you have ever wondered if a blind
person could climb a tree, swim a lake, build a campfire, take a
hike, identify trees around you, we will introduce you to blind
people who do all of these. You will meet lots of new friends
from all around our state who are also blind. If you have ever
wondered about any of these things, Camp T is for you.
We don't protect children, we challenge them in a safe and
supportive way that builds self confidence and self esteem, said
Larry Posont, co-director of the camp program. Posont, who is
blind knows what he is talking about. "I have canoed thousands
of miles on Michigan's rivers. We (a group of blind youth)
earned national recognition by the President for our clean-up
efforts on the Pine River near Manistee. No one told us we
couldn't do stuff. We were expected to do it."
These are the goals of Camp T. The camp will build challenges
into activities that help each child learn a little more about
themselves and their capabilities. Programs are well-supervised
and planned for a broad variety of activities from large muscle
activities like swimming, canoeing and hiking to leisure/hobby
activities in arts and crafts and woodworking. All activities
are designed to teach blind children that they can independently
accomplish their goals and be proud of it.
"These are activities that not all blind children get to
experience," Posont said. Most of the time parents and teachers
don't know what or how a blind person can function in action
oriented activities. We do know about these things; from our own
experiences"
Posont is a retired businessperson who has a passion for Camp T.
He has worked day and night to make sure there is a program this
coming summer. He and Ferrell are working for a great 2004,
after a summer without a program in 2003. "This opportunity is
too wonderful to let be unused" he said of the 30 year old
facility. The camp is in top condition. Said Bud Ferrell, Co
Director of the Camp, "Campers will stay in modern supervised
cabins that sleep up to 19 campers in each building. "One thing
that brings campers back is the food," Posont said. "We intend
to have food that the kids will remember as the best, they have
ever eaten, next to mom's, of course
"We hope to serve 100 blind children this summer and double and
triple that in the future, as the word gets out about this
hidden treasure in mid-Michigan." "We estimate that there one to
two thousand kids in Michigan who qualify for the camp," Ferrell
said.
"We also hire blind and sighted youth to work as staff and
mentors at the camp. Blind kids need to know that blind adults
are successful and do everything sighted people do, only a
little differently," Posont said.
"OUB believes that blind people, like others in society need to
give something back. OUB is doing business in Greenville. We
hope to add to the Greenville community and economy. We intend
to hire local people, use local goods and services and be good
neighbors by collaborating with local groups, organizations and
businesses. "We like the small town friendliness of Greenville.
Over the years we have built a home here for the camp. We intend
to carry that community spirit into the future," Ferrell said.
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