Project Insight and Sanctuary Explorers Camp

Project Insight provides programs for the Deaf, ages 6-19, and programs for the visually impaired, also serving 6-19 year olds. The Project relies on volunteers to help with the implementation of their programs. The programs for the Deaf are recreation-based, focusing on building physical, social, and living skills, with interpretation into American Sign Language. When there is space available, they also involve hearing siblings and close relatives, making for a group of campers with a wide variety of hearing ability.

Shannon Toth, former director of Sanctuary Explorers Camp, shared some of her thoughts and challenges with working with the Project Insight groups.

A deaf student of Project Insight.

In what ways must Explorers Camp activities be adapted to fit the needs of Deaf kids?
The students were able to fully participate in all camp activities. We would simply rearrange what observation skills we focused on. So, for example, instead of listening to bird sounds, we'd use binoculars to observe them. Visual cues, such as waving flags, would have to be established before games or activities so that students knew when to stop or where to go without auditory cues. We also tried to focus on other sensory skills to help them experience the natural world around them.

What special challenges do Deaf kids present to naturalist educators?
We had to have special awareness for natural hazards such as the ocean, cliffsides, etc. If a student got too close, we couldn't rely on our voice to move them away. But, since the Deaf Community was so strong, I found that they all looked out for each other very well. More than anything, I loved the personal challenge of tuning into my other senses. Trying to find ways for students to experience the Sanctuary through touch, smell, sight, and taste helped me to appreciate the natural world in a stronger way.

How was the partnership between Project Insight and the Sanctuary brought into being?
I'm not sure about the details, but P.I. used to go to the "Sea Camp" run by the Tarlton Institute before FMSA began their own camp. When FMSA began their camp program P.I. rolled in. That's why many of their people still refer to it as Sea Camp.

How was the experience of working with Deaf kids beneficial to you as an educator? What things surprised you? Did the experience offer any profound insights?
Working with Project Insight has been one of the highlights of my career as an educator. Their picture is even taped on my Journal with other special things. I was profoundly impressed by the strong community I observed and felt a part of during their camp weeks. I think such a cohesive and special community is rare in our culture and I much enjoyed being part of it. The students all had such a glowing joy as they discovered the marine ecosystems. Their joy was complimented by a lot of playful humor, especially physical comedy, that made the community a delight.

Dru Devlin, Research Associate at the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, ran Sea Camp with the Tarlton Institute, which initially began the relationship with Project Insight. She shared her thoughts about the long relationship that been built between Sanctuary Explorers Camp and P.I.

How did the initial idea to pair up with PI come about? How were activities and field
trips adapted to work well for the Deaf Students o fPI?

TIME (Tarlton Institute for Marine Education) was working with SF Rec and Park
(1990-1997) to bring Sea Camp to underserved neighborhoods. We had already completed a
few sessions of regular Sea Camp with neighborhoods in the Tenderloin, the Mission and Hunter's Point. We were asked by Rec and Park if we would consider modifying our program for PI. At that time, there was a hearing impaired program as well as visually impaired
program the first year, and then for several years after, we did a week for each group. Since many of the campers continued with the PI program we modified each session to expand on themes or did new activities each year.

We worked directly with the PI directors before the camp to make sure our activities could be useful and meaningful. When I think back, there wasn't much we couldn't do or had to leave out. The directors really didn't want us to change it and wanted the visually and
hearing impaired to have the full experience of Sea Camp. The modification was to become more sensitive to the way we communicated. You learn how to use hand signals, big motions, get right in front of someone so they can see you or read your facial expressions or lips. We did it all...camping overnight, kayaking to Angel Island, sailing aboard a schooner, Marine World, fish printing and beach clean ups! The visually and hearing impaired are more adept in trying to live in a hearing/ seeing world than we are living in a world that has limited sound and sight. (Shannon’s answer was right on)

Project Insight staffmember interprets a Naturalist using American Sign Language.What did you learn or gain from working with Project Insight?

PI is a family. I respect the amount of time the leaders put into the lives of these kids. We had so much fun together. We need to tune into their world and to be more sensitive to the needs of others, rather than abbreviate our world for them.

Did you come up with the original ideas for fieldtrips and curriculum? Was it inspired by something else?

Sea Camp has been around since Ocean Society in the late 70’s. It has been adapted to fit the organizations organizing it. The one consistent element has been that it is an opportunity to bring children into the marine environment, with educational and experiential experiences. We hope to inspire, educate and create awareness and stewardship in their minds. My goal was always to reach at least one student a week. I think by the feedback, the hugs, thank you notes and even the longevity of the program over the years proves that we have been successful in creating the awereness and created memories that will last a life time. I am glad that Sea Camp, now called Sanctuary Explorers Camp lives on…

Project Insight's mission:

"It is our mission to provide a wide variety of quality recreation, outdoor adventure, and cultural activities for people with disabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote learning and development through recreation, focusing on teamwork, self-expression, education, and building cognitive, social, physical, and living skills. Because of their disabilities, people are often excluded from recreation experiences. Through providing special programs, Project Insight attempts to integrate people with disabilities into the general community, while supporting their independence, dignity, and cultural diversity."

 

To learn more about Project Insight, click here.

Sanctuary Explorers Camp has one session open to the general public. Learn more! >>