News from ATRC

If you've ever been to camp, you know how much fun it is to meet new friends and participate in fun activities. Thirteen campers attended ATRC's two-day Camp Cool. The campers ranged in age from 8 to 13 with varying disabilities including visual challenges, autism and dyslexia. Our volunteers were an equally important facet of camp and were integral in the comfort and organization of the events for both days.

On the first Saturday, Camp Cool started with an opportunity for campers to meet and greet their peers and volunteers. They took a photo with their parents, and designed their folders and name tags.

This was followed by the photography scavenger hunt called Ridiculous Riddles. Four teams scoured the halls and lanai of 414 Kuwili to find daily, random items and take as many photographs of the items as possible. Campers then edited and developed complex collages, movies and screensavers of their pictures. These were used for upcoming art projects as well as copied to a CD to show their families at home.

Kevin and camper looking at photo in camera

One of the highlights of camp was Crazy Talk. The campers were able to animate their own faces as well as add speech and movement with this software. Of course, the kids make sure to show off their creativity by animating themselves and everyone else.

At the end of the day, campers were given the opportunity to choose a favorite picture or collage to laminate and decorate. This art project was a great way to show off what had been accomplished as they left for the day.

The next Saturday, camp started with "Who Am I?" an opportunity for campers to reconnect with new friends and their counselors. Random Disney characters were taped to the back of each camper and they were then tasked with finding out who they were by asking questions to the other campers.

Our computer project was using Alice 3D, the software behind some of their favorite games and cartoons. Campers learned about 3D animation. The 3D scene builder allowed animatation of entire scenes brought forth from each participants imagination.

The art project on the second Saturday will remain a showpiece of the office for many years and will remind us all of the day at Camp. The 3-foot by 4-foot mural showcases our redesigned Camp Cool logo and the handprints and signatures of all campers, volunteers and staff present. Special thanks to Teri Fukuhara for her wonderful artwork!

Camp Cool carnival and store were a huge hit to end our camp. Throughout Camp Cool, the campers were able to earn Camp Cool dollars for good behavior, great work, and courteousness to fellow campers and for just being great campers. This money was also earned at the carnival, which featured hi- and low-tech games such as coin stacking, remote control car bowling, eye-gaze tic-tac-toe, cup stacking with reachers, mystery box grab and shave ice racing. These games were designed to be completely accessible by all campers regardless of ability.

Campers Bethany and Jantzen playing reacher game

Money was spent lavishly at the Camp Cool store. Prizes were available at various prices and all campers had an opportunity to "buy" great prizes and spend all their money.

Camp Cool came to an end with a group photo and distribution of certificates of congratulations to each camper, followed by resounding applause.

Check out a story on our Camp Cool in Sunday, January 31 Star Bulletin.

Mark your calendar for our next Camp Cool, which is scheduled for July 10, and 17, 2010. We look forward to making this event even cooler!