Summer Programs
LEARNING WEEKEND for Families of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children
"I learned something new every day - even after attending five previous family weekends."
"I was very impressed with MSDB in general. I had no idea that this was such a 'gem'. Montana is very lucky."
"All of us look forward to FLW all year."
"It is great for the whole family - something for everyone!"
"The staff is absolutely incredible."
"I loved everything!"
The Learning Weekend for families of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children is a creative program that provides opportunities for families of sensory impaired children to learn about deafness, share their experiences with other families, and learn how to communicate more fully with each other in a warm, caring atmosphere.
We have had more than 100 participants at each of our previous Learning Weekends, including parents, professionals, and children of all ages, including both deaf and hard of hearing, and their siblings. Participants benefit from the wealth of information that is presented by audiologists, computer specialists, transition specialists, speech therapists, teachers of the deaf, assistive technology specialists, and parents, and especially from interacting with each other. Therefore, your presence at this weekend will help ensure that it continues to be a valuable experience for everyone involved.
The focus of the weekend is to enhance each individual's personal knowledge of deafness and how it relates to the education and development of their child. Information in the form of informal workshops, group discussions (parent groups, kids groups, siblings groups, etc.) and hands-on activities will be offered. Childcare and recreation for the children (siblings included) will also be available at no charge.
LEARNING WEEKEND for Families of Blind and Visually-Impaired Children
The Family Learning Weekend is a creative program designed to be both informative and empowering for families. The Learning Weekend provides opportunities for families to share about blindness and visual impairment, share their experiences with other families, and communicate with one another in a warm and caring atmosphere.
Participants include parents, professionals, and children of all ages, both blind and visually impaired, and their siblings. A wealth of information is presented by various specialists in the field, which includes technology and computer specialists, transition specialists, teachers of the blind, orientation and mobility specialists, and most importantly - parents. It is our hope that all participants benefit from the opportunity of getting to know one another and sharing their ideas and experiences. Therefore, your attendance enhances the experience for everyone.The weekend format is very similar to the Learning Weekend for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children.
Summer Camps
The Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind offers two separate but unique summer camps. The programs target communication, social interaction, independent living skills and use of technology for students between the ages of 9-14 (7 and 8 year-olds will be considered on a case-by-case basis for the deaf camp only) who have hearing impairments or deafness, and for those ages 9-16 who have blindness or visual impairments. The week-long programs provide room, board and entertainment at no cost to the student. Transportation to and from the program is reimbursed at state rates.
In addition to the above, structured leisure and recreational activities are provided. This includes such activities as outdoor activities, swimming, shopping, Great Falls White Sox baseball games, etc. The Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind has a complete recreation complex and the community of Great Falls provides a variety of tour sites for the children to enjoy, such as the Charles M. Russell Museum, the Air Museum at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Giant Springs Hatchery, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Paris Gibson Art Museum. The summer programs provide an effective and enjoyable opportunity for deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired students to improve competence in independent living skills and to expand socialization opportunities with other students with similar impairments.
This summer, as in the past, the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI), Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind (MSDB) and the MSDB Foundation have co-sponsored summer programs at MSDB.
Camp Eureka! Summer Natural History Camp for Students with Visual Impairments
Visit the Camp Eureka Web Site
More Information
If you would like additional information on any of these programs, please contact MSDB at 1-800-882-MSDB or at info@msdb.mt.gov.