Mary Anne White Summer Camp 2017

This year's Mary Anne White Summer Camp, a program of Blind Children's Learning Center, was full of joy, new experiences, and maximizing independence.

Hands on lessons motivated children with visual impairments to find fun while building self-sufficiency and confidence. Children ages 3-12 used real power tools (under close supervision), made real food, handled real money, and much more to expand their practical knowledge through adaptive means.

Children flexed their literacy skills, creating stories and practicing rhyming words with tactile letters and Braille. One student Brailled an imaginative story about an amusement park that comes to life. Her Braille-proficient friends loved it so much she had to keep typing to continue the story!

Summer Camp culminated to an exciting day of paddling in canoes and swimming with the Makapo Aquatics Project. Campers had a blast participating in a sport that is completely accessible to people who are sighted, visually impaired, or blind!

We are grateful to partner with volunteers from the community and the following National Charity League Chapters: Orange/Villa Park, Monarch Beach, Irvine/Vista, and North Tustin.

​Each volunteer acted as 1-on-1 buddies after attending a training to learn the techniques for steering children with visual impairments and other disabilities towards independence. Their dedication and compassion helped children learn in a safe, supporting environment.

Summer camp is in memory of a very special child, Mary Anne White. Mary Anne passed away at 15 months old and received home-based services through Blind Children's Learning Center for most of her life.

We thank Mary Anne's family for the privilege of honoring her memory and the support they have given to so many children throughout the years.
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Before next year's summer camp, our children have a full year of learning and growing to do. A gift today helps ensure that when school begins this fall, children with visual impairments have the tools, environment, and skilled teaches and therapists they need to succeed.

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