Summer Programs for Students 2005
Virtual Voices 2005
In partnership with the Easter Seal Camping Program, SET-BC hosted Virtual Voices 2005. This fun-filled program of literacy, communication and recreational activities was held at Camp Squamish from August 31st to September 3rd, 2005.
Virtual Voices focused on an Olympics theme while building literacy, augmentative communication and technology skills. Campers used their voice output communication aids to create Olympic presentations, interview friends about favorite Olympic sports and play Olympic games.
Braille Literacy 2005
The Braille Literacy Summer Program at the CNIB Lodge on Bowen Island was once again a popular, fun-filled week for 12 BC students ranging in age from eight to twelve. The “research” theme from past camps was taken to a new level with campers in groups of two or three using a “hands-on” approach to checking out a variety of work sites on the island. Campers also interviewed personnel in each of the sites to gather information on their specific jobs and possible future employment options for individuals with blindness. Favourite work sites included the hardware and lumber yard, the Museum and Archives, the farm and butcher shop, the health and massage clinic and, of course, the veterinarian!
The field trips provided a plethora of material for creative writing activities and submissions to the camp newspaper. Campers used a wide variety of assistive technologies for their reading and writing activities and many enjoyed sharing their unique technological expertise with camping buddies. The camp continues to be a successful collaborative activity coordinated by PRCVI, SET-BC and CNIB with support from BC Blind Sports and BC Vision Teachers.
Teen Tech and Rec 2005
In keeping with the futuristic theme, the technology lab at Camp Bowen went wireless this summer. All twenty-four campers learned about VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) by installing Skype and exploring its accessibility with magnification or screen reading software. Skype soon proved to be a popular alternative to text messaging, especially with one camper who has apparently decided to pursue a career in telemarketing. Many campers also enjoyed daily chats with Cybelle, an artificial intelligence Chatbot with an excellent memory and sense of humour.
In other theme challenges, campers explored smart houses and appliances, new gadgets and Geek Chic clothing, robots at Japan’s Expo 2005, Disney’s new Virtual Reality Theme Park, and the ethics of smart bar codes, and biometric identification. With Steve Barclay (Aroga), Mallory Burton (SET-BC) and Tom Cowper (Kelowna School District) staffing the lab, students were also able to request individual instruction in technology such as Kurzweil 1000 and 3000, JAWS, Magic, PacMate, BookPort, webcams, camcorders, and Windows Movie Maker.