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Camp H.E.A.R
What is Camp H.E.A.R. ?
Camp H.E.A.R. (Hearing Empowerment and Adventure Retreat) is a one of its kind retreat designed specifically for children with hearing loss AND their families who are seeking a hearing and spoken language outcome. Campers and their immediate family members are invited to spend the weekend at one of our amazing partner facilities. Children will get to participate in traditional camp activities like horseback rides, waterslides, swimming, fishing, archery, zip lines, field games, dance parties, and a few special surprises.
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different states with families attended Camp H.E.A.R. in 2022.
upcoming Events
Camp H.E.A.R. is Growing!!! We are expanding to THREE camps! Long View Ranch in Mosheim TN (Our original location) will host TWO dates in 2023: May 26-28 and Sept 1-3.
We are also excited to be offering our first ever camp at Realife: Blue Springs Camp in Marianna, FL on September 29-October 1
Long View Ranch May 26-29 is currently FULL
Long View Ranch September 1-3
Blue Springs camp in Marianna FL September 29-Oct 1
About Camp H.E.A.R.
Who can attend?
Camp H.E.A.R. is open to any child age 4-15 with documented hearing loss AND their immediate family (due to space and budget limitations we ask that only two adult caregivers and siblings/children living in the same household attend) Camp is designed specifically to benefit families who seeking a hearing and spoken language outcome. Ages 16 and up are encouraged to contact us for information on becoming a Teen Leader at camp
Meet Sapheara
Sapheara is the very first superhero with a cochlear implant! When she isn’t out saving the world, she can be found hanging out with her favorite kiddos at Camp H.E.A.R. or helping Waiting to Hear accomplish their mission: To help deaf kids…HEAR!
Camp Director
Heather Morris
Heather Morris began volunteering with Waiting to Hear in 2022. She currently serves as our Camp Director for Camp H.E.A.R. She loves being able to combine her passion for all things camp, knack for planning, and her desire to see every person (big and small) have a place they feel they belong. Her favorite part of the job is making a lasting connection with every kiddo that comes to camp (and dressing as her favorite characters). When she is not planning camp, she serves as the Youth Pastor and Media Director for Judah Church in Bristol, TN. She also owns and operates 2 small businesses, including Flossy May (Cotton Candy Cart and Princess Parties) and a professional organizing business! She cannot wait to see how Camp H.E.A.R. continues to grow and thrive!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
NOTHING. Camp H.E.A.R. is provided completely FREE of charge to children with hearing loss and their families.
Any child age 4-15 with documented hearing loss, AND their immediate family. Camp is designed for families seeking a hearing and spoken language outcome.
Absolutely! We welcome campers from out of state. Campers from our immediate service area are given preference if space is limited. We plan on adding additional camps as the organization grows.
Lodging (each family is housed in their own unit with private sleeping area and their own bathroom/showers
All meals
All Camp Activities
Optional parent seminars provided by Speech/Hearing/Education specialists (these are provided for your benefit, and you are not required to attend)
Activities vary from year to year and are different at each location but here are just a few examples: Horseback Riding, Archery, Swimming, A Mountain Waterslide, Fishing, Campfires, Costume dance parties, Zip Lines, Ropes Courses, Arts and Crafts, OctoBall, Basketball court, Frisbee golf, game room, Field games and more!
There isn’t one. Our founders created Camp H.E.A.R. to provide resources and to build a community network of parents who could help each other navigate the world of hearing loss. We want to provide a fun, stress free environment for all our guests. Waiting to Hear volunteers work tirelessly all year long to raise the funds needed to provide camp. Their hard work means families can attend for free. (plus our volunteers get to have a LOT of fun too!)
Camp H.E.A.R. is a project of Waiting to Hear, a private, All VOLUNTEER, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with hearing loss (our founders have a child with bilateral cochlear implants). Our funding comes solely from donations, fundraisers, and grants/sponsorships. We do not receive funds from the government or United Way.
We want to provide a traditional camp experience for kids with hearing loss staffed by volunteers familiar with hearing technology.
We want to create a network of families who can help each other navigate the hearing loss world
We want to provide positive role models (many of our volunteers use hearing technology)
We want to provide tools for parents aimed at ensuring success in the “hearing world”
We want kids to have the opportunity to meet others who share their unique challenges.
Above all we hope you make lifelong friends and have fun.
Our original Camp H.E.A.R. : Long View Ranch is located in Northeast Tennessee approx. an hour east of Knoxville or an hour southwest of Bristol.
Dates and locations for additional camps will be announced soon.
We also offer scholarships for children to attend East Tennessee State University’s Listening and Spoken Language Camp in Johnson City TN (ETSU offers this day camp each summer)
Absolutely! We welcome volunteers age 16 and up. e-mail us at info@WaitingToHear.org to ask about current volunteer opportunities. For the safety of our campers we ask that all volunteers be willing to submit a criminal background check.
Camp H.E.A.R. is a program of Waiting To Hear. Information about camp can be found on Waiting to Hear’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube platforms.
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