Summer camp brings Kildare deaf and hearing teens together
The group at the Kellie Harrington parade before there were invited to walk behind her
ATHY Sing and Sign organised an Irish Sign Language (ISL) Summer Camp, creating a vibrant space for Deaf, Hearing, and CODA youths aged 13 to 17. The camp, hosted at the trendy Generator Hostel in Smithfield, Dublin, saw 18 enthusiastic participants joining in on the fun, including nine Deaf and nine Hearing youths – two of whom were CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults).
Over the course of three action-packed days, campers enjoyed a range of dynamic activities designed to foster inclusion and build confidence. They kicked off with an engaging icebreaker workshop led by Athy Sing and Sign, followed by a team-building exercise with Lianne Quigley and Alvean Jones from the Dublin Theatre of the Deaf.
They also got to be creative through an Etching Art Workshop with Black Church Print Studio in Temple Bar, where they produced absolutely stunning prints that they have designed and etched onto a glass template.
The teens had the opportunity to explore Dublin's rich history by visiting iconic sites such as Kilmainham Gaol and Henrietta Street, as well as cultural museums like the National Gallery of Ireland and the Hugh Lane Gallery. They also visited Croke Park and walked the Skyline which gave an amazing panoramic view of Dublin’s fair city. This was voted the most favourite activity of the camp!
A highlight of the camp came unexpectedly when the teens had the chance to see double Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington during her homecoming parade. One camper, a neighbour of Harrington's, learned of the event and the group had the privilege of walking behind the champion, an experience that left everyone feeling “super excited!”
The group also got to participate in a Dragon Boating session on the picturesque Dublin Docks, with the Dublin Vikings Dragon Boat Club’. Campers learned essential paddling techniques and enjoyed a spirited competition between two boats, which many described as one of their favourite moments of the camp.
Amy Knowles from Athy Sign and Sign said she had great fun over the three days. “I made loads of friends and had lots of fun,” she said. “Some of my favourite things were the workshops in the DVI, Croke Park, Kilmainham Gaol and the art workshop. Overall I thought it was an amazing week and I would 100% go again.”
In a bid to enhance social interaction, the camp implemented a one-hour limit on mobile phone use per day, allowing participants to connect in person and share experiences – similar to a Gaeltacht, but instead of speaking Irish, participants used ISL!
The core mission of the ISL Summer Camp is to promote self-confidence, enhance Irish Sign Language skills, and foster team building among participants. Leaders and peers alike witnessed great improvements across the board, as teens collaborated together despite differences in communication styles.
They engaged in team activities, creating a sign story and completed an ISL trail quiz together. They celebrated all the achievements of participants with special prizes for the best interactions: one for the hearing participant who effectively engaged with the deaf, and another for the best deaf participant who connected with the hearing.
They would like to thank Reach Deaf Services for their continued support and for funding the ISL camp, and Kildare Sports Partnership for providing each camper with backpacks. Special thanks also goes to the two ISL interpreters, Aoife Harrington and Michelle McNulty, as well as Aoife McLoughlin, a fourth-year ISL Interpreter student from the Centre of Deaf Studies. They ensured that the ISL Camp was fully inclusive and accessible for all.
Maggie Owens, chairperson of the Athy Sing and Sign Club, would like to extend a special thanks to the leaders Linda Dobbyn, Mary Byrne, and Gráinne English. Their support played a crucial role in making the camp a tremendous success! It was an incredible experience for all the youth involved. Feedback from participants shows that they loved it and clearly indicates a desire for more, especially for a longer camp experience.
They were delighted to hear that some of the teens will be meeting up again at their upcoming ISL Festival on 29 September. This ISL Summer Camp signifies a hopeful future for more ISL youth programmes in the community where each young person can thrive, connect and be empowered to embrace their unique voices.
