Got Skills?

Overview

Designed for deaf and hard of hearing middle school students who will be in the 7th-9th grades in the fall. Campers will design their own camp experience by choosing between blocks of programs. All campers will experience instruction in team building and leadership.

Here’s what you will be doing:

Choose specific activities to participate in, choices include the below:

Volleyball
Football
Soccer
Basketball
Academic Bowl
Debate
D.C. Tour
On the 6th day, we will host the Bison Games, an olympics-like competition that includes sports and academic events.
We will also have an outing to Six Flags: America!

Date of program: This camp will not be available during the summer of 2024.

Program fee: $600

Who can attend: Deaf and hard of hearing middle school students who are entering the 7th-9th grades in the fall.

Note: A limit of 32 campers will be accepted into Got Skills? A maximum of 5 students from each school will be accepted.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) support varies by state. You may ask your VR counselor for financial assistance in camp registration fee or transportation to/from DC. You may use this justification letter with your VR counselor.

FAQs

Policies and Information

Will my Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselor be able to pay for the registration fee for the Got Skills? camp?

What is covered by the program fee?

The program fee covers program instruction, housing, three meals a day, transportation, outings, recreation fees, and camp t-shirt. We do not cover airfare or travel costs to and from Washington, DC.

Are accommodations available to parents who accompany their child and wish to stay overnight?

Residence Life provides visitors housing. Please contact visitor housing directly for the housing registration form. The Kellogg Conference Hotel is also available on campus. You can make reservations by contacting Kellogg Conference Hotel at (202) 651-6000.

Can I do a payment plan for Got Skills?

Yes. We accept payment plans in two installments. A minimum $200 deposit needs to be made as soon as possible to secure your child’s spot. Full payment is due within a few months in order to guarantee your child’s spot in their program of choice. We will send an email to update you on the status of processed payments as well. Alternative payment plans may be discussed.

Is there financial assistance available for Got Skills? participants?

No, we do not offer financial assistance for Got Skills Program participants.

Common Questions

Are linens provided for my child at camp?

Yes, one set of sheets, a pillow, and a set of towels (towel and washcloth) are provided. Your child may also bring their own linens.

At which airport should I my child arrive?

Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the closest to Gallaudet. It is also Metro accessible and taxi-friendly. We will have a camp counselor meet your child at the baggage claim and accompany them on their way to Gallaudet.

Which activities can campers choose during the daytime?

Campers can choose between volleyball, football, basketball, soccer, Academic Bowl, debate, and a D.C. Tour.

On Day 6, all campers will participate in the Bison Games, an Olympics-like competition with sports and academics events.

All campers will be able to participate in team-building and leadership development activities.

Can you tell me a little more about each activity as some of them are not familiar to me?

Volleyball: Campers will do volleyball drills and scrimmage under the supervision of Gallaudet’s volleyball coaches.

Football: Campers will do football drills and scrimmage (flag football-style) under Gallaudet’s football coaches’ supervision.

Basketball: Campers will do basketball drills and scrimmage under the supervision of Gallaudet’s basketball coaches.

Soccer: Campers will do soccer drills and scrimmage under the supervision of Gallaudet’s soccer coaches.

Academic Bowl: Campers will challenge each other in a trivia-style competition, testing them on their knowledge of math, science, social studies, current events, arts and entertainment, popular culture, and sports.

Debate: Campers will learn some debating techniques and debate each other on various topics.

Tour: Campers will visit well-known D.C. monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and Washington Monument; as well as the Smithsonian Museums, and National Zoo.

How do we choose the activities after we have registered?

We will send you an online form for you to fill out. This form will allow you to choose the activities your child wants to attend.

Can we make any changes after we have submitted the online form to choose my child’s activities?

Yes, please contact us for more information if you want to make changes. Your child can also make changes while at camp.

Where on campus are campers housed?

Campers are housed together in the Ballard West dorm on campus.

Are campers supervised?

Campers are supervised 24/7 by camp staff and qualified camp counselors specifically assigned to the Youth programs. Additionally, all dorms have Resident Advisors on duty in the main office.

How much spending money should my child bring?

Yes, for snacks in the evenings and for off-campus events. Campers will also be able to purchase snacks and Gallaudet attire at the campus bookstore.

When are check-in and check-out dates/times?

Check in is on June 20th and check out is on June 27th. Check in times may vary due to flight times but we ask that campers arrive between 12:00pm and 4:00pm. Campers must check out of the dorms no later than 10:00am on June 27th.

What do participants in the Got Skills program do each day?

Campers are up and at breakfast by 8:00 am. Our daily program starts at 9:00 am. After a noon lunch break, campers return to classes for their afternoon programs. We’ve planned for various activities and social events during the evenings, including an excursion into Washington, D.C. Have have planned exciting days filled with learning opportunities in an environment rich in cultural diversity.

Services and Support

Is there a bookstore on campus?

A bookstore on campus sells a variety of items typically sold in a small bookstore. It is closed on the weekends.

Preparing to Apply

What else is required other than submitting an application online?

After submitting an application online, we will require two completed evaluation forms from a teacher or administrator. The evaluation form will be sent to you to share with a teacher. The completed evaluation forms can be e-mailed to Contact here with the camper’s name in the subject of the e-mail. After we get the application and evaluation form, we will then inform you if your child is accepted to the camp or not.

What is the application deadline timeline?

The deadline is May 1, 2021. However, spots do fill up quickly, so the sooner we receive everything, the better. The Got Skills? camp will accept a maximum of 30 campers.