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Lions club hosts camp for deaf children - Auburn Journal
Lindsey Guevel’s eyes light up as she talks about her experiences at the Lions Wilderness Camp for deaf and hard of hearing children.
Unless you saw her hearing aids it would be hard to tell that without them, Guevel wouldn’t be able to hear anything. She has never let that stop her from doing things that are more of a challenge without her hearing though — like being a part of the Auburn Mermaids synchronized swim team, or playing percussion in the school band. While Guevel hasn’t allowed her disability to get in her way, she said there are times when it makes her feel left out.
For one week a year at camp, Guevel, 13 of Auburn, gets to be a part of a group where she feels like the majority, not the minority. She can breathe a little easier knowing she is free to be 100 percent herself — and have some serious fun while she’s at it.
“I just think it’s really fun and you aren’t really left out of anything like in school,” Guevel said. “Like (we can) just let ourselves out and just be ourselves really.”
Among the whirlwind of activities, Guevel loves swimming and attending the dance at the end of camp.
Guevel’s friend, Zac Campbell, 14 of Auburn, also attends the camp held at the Gold Country Lions Camp Ross Relles, located above Nevada City. His favorite memory at camp is of a hiking and fishing adventure. When it comes down to it though, Guevel and Campbell agree that it’s the friendships they have built at camp that mean the most to them.
“It’s the only time we can actually talk to each other without the rest of the world being there and cutting in,” Campbell said. “The most difficult thing about being deaf is not understanding what people are saying, and when I am in school, I am isolated or not included with other things.”
Camp Director Rachel Mix attended the camp for 12 years before she took over the reigns. Being a part of the transformation in campers’ lives is what Mix is most proud of. She has experienced those changes firsthand.
“In those 12 years of attending, I always left with new friends, newer appreciation for who I am and the ability to accept my disability,” Mix said. “It continued into embracing being deaf and striving to break barriers that come my way. “
Mix said that with the hard work of the Lions, Lioness and Leos organizations, campers are able to attend the camp for free. Local Leos members, including Placer High senior Logan Thomsen, helped clean up Ross Relles Camp to get it ready for this month’s campers.
“Basically, if it wasn’t for the Lions and Leos involvement, this opportunity to go to camp for free would not have been possible. The Lions work all-year round, volunteering their time to fundraising and donations to make this camp happen,” Mix said.
Mix said she even gains inspiration from watching her campers. One of her campers is deaf and has cerebral palsy. He went on a 70 mile backpacking trip with his family.
“He does have some struggles, but what was inspiring about this camper is that not only is he deaf, but he has another physical disability,” Mix said. “He was having a ball during the entire week! I never once saw him upset or sad. He did not allow the disabilities to limit him.”
This year’s camp at Ross Relles takes place July 24-30. Guevel and Campbell are looking forward to the camp and hope more deaf and hard of hearing children will come in the future.
“Just come and you make new friends,” Guevel said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Lindsey Guevel’s eyes light up as she talks about her experiences at the Lions Wilderness Camp for deaf and hard of hearing children.
Unless you saw her hearing aids it would be hard to tell that without them, Guevel wouldn’t be able to hear anything. She has never let that stop her from doing things that are more of a challenge without her hearing though — like being a part of the Auburn Mermaids synchronized swim team, or playing percussion in the school band. While Guevel hasn’t allowed her disability to get in her way, she said there are times when it makes her feel left out.
For one week a year at camp, Guevel, 13 of Auburn, gets to be a part of a group where she feels like the majority, not the minority. She can breathe a little easier knowing she is free to be 100 percent herself — and have some serious fun while she’s at it.
“I just think it’s really fun and you aren’t really left out of anything like in school,” Guevel said. “Like (we can) just let ourselves out and just be ourselves really.”
Among the whirlwind of activities, Guevel loves swimming and attending the dance at the end of camp.
Guevel’s friend, Zac Campbell, 14 of Auburn, also attends the camp held at the Gold Country Lions Camp Ross Relles, located above Nevada City. His favorite memory at camp is of a hiking and fishing adventure. When it comes down to it though, Guevel and Campbell agree that it’s the friendships they have built at camp that mean the most to them.
“It’s the only time we can actually talk to each other without the rest of the world being there and cutting in,” Campbell said. “The most difficult thing about being deaf is not understanding what people are saying, and when I am in school, I am isolated or not included with other things.”
Camp Director Rachel Mix attended the camp for 12 years before she took over the reigns. Being a part of the transformation in campers’ lives is what Mix is most proud of. She has experienced those changes firsthand.
“In those 12 years of attending, I always left with new friends, newer appreciation for who I am and the ability to accept my disability,” Mix said. “It continued into embracing being deaf and striving to break barriers that come my way. “
Mix said that with the hard work of the Lions, Lioness and Leos organizations, campers are able to attend the camp for free. Local Leos members, including Placer High senior Logan Thomsen, helped clean up Ross Relles Camp to get it ready for this month’s campers.
“Basically, if it wasn’t for the Lions and Leos involvement, this opportunity to go to camp for free would not have been possible. The Lions work all-year round, volunteering their time to fundraising and donations to make this camp happen,” Mix said.
Mix said she even gains inspiration from watching her campers. One of her campers is deaf and has cerebral palsy. He went on a 70 mile backpacking trip with his family.
“He does have some struggles, but what was inspiring about this camper is that not only is he deaf, but he has another physical disability,” Mix said. “He was having a ball during the entire week! I never once saw him upset or sad. He did not allow the disabilities to limit him.”
This year’s camp at Ross Relles takes place July 24-30. Guevel and Campbell are looking forward to the camp and hope more deaf and hard of hearing children will come in the future.
“Just come and you make new friends,” Guevel said. “It’s a lot of fun.”