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The NAD YLC offers a variety of exciting wilderness adventures, including mental and physical activities. Campers are referred to as Leaders and staff members are Builders.

Our schedule includes:

  • Calisthenics: A morning routine where leaders learn the Jr. NAD motto, slogan and creed. Leaders stretch to get ready for the day while understanding more about the motto, slogan, and creed!
  • Camp Bowl/ Debate Time: Camp Bowl, similar to the College Bowl, helps leaders to refresh their minds on what they learned during classes. Debate Time helps the leaders to understand the importance of debating and develop their negotiating and positive arguing skills. This course will also elevate our leaders’ self-advocacy skills.
  • Solidarity & Leadership Development Program: This daily course introduces and explores various leadership frameworks while encouraging leaders to examine the intersectional experiences shaped by factors such as disability, sexual orientation, gender, race, identity preferences, religious background, and class. Designed to foster both leadership skills and social justice awareness, this program empowers leaders to navigate diverse environments and advocate for equity and inclusion in their communities.
  • Workshops: Presenters are deaf and hard of hearing community leaders from all over the nation, who provide their insight and knowledge, particularly in the field of leadership and advocacy based on the theme of the day. Post-secondary education and career opportunities are shared.
  • Outdoor Living Skills (OLS): A class that teaches leaders the art of the outdoors. This class will provide leaders the opportunity to appreciate nature and to cherish the earth. Leaders will learn how to become comfortable in a nature setting as well as developing environmental stewardship skills.
  • Daily Drum (Media): Leaders will be responsible to develop the camp newsletter called “Daily Drum”. During this time, leaders will write articles and design the newsletter, collect photos for Facebook, Instagram, and Flickr; and create vlogs for the daily NAD YLC blog.
  • Discovery: An outdoor team-building class to instill trust in both individuals and the group as a whole. Activities will develop teamwork, self-confidence, communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Afternoon Programs: Fun activities for teams to earn their points. Games range from physical (dodgeball) to critical thinking (charades) activities.  
  • Recreational Time: Leaders will have time to unwind and reflect on their day. This will be a great time to write letters to family and friends or to swim at the pool!
  • Canteen Break: Healthy snacks will be available for purchase. leaders can also enjoy goodies mailed from home. Mail is given out during this time.
  • Camp Council: Leaders learn to discuss topics and priorities, using their parliamentary procedure skills. Leaders run for chairperson positions and are responsible for organizing a number of special events.
  • Fireside Chat: Guest presenters will share experiences from their life journey. Leaders will interact with Deaf professionals and learn about opportunities after graduation.

Special Events
An opportunity to develop team-building skills and learn to address key issues in different capacities. Leaders will have the opportunity to lead camp projects and programs:

  • ASL Storytelling Night: Our leaders and builders will become performers for the night! Leaders and builders will share stories using A to Z, visual vernacular, and more!
  • YLC Green Table: The YLC version of the Red Table conversations. Diving deep into questions and topics submitted by leaders and builders alike!
  • Banquet: Leaders will organize and plan the Banquet on the last night of camp.
  • Camp Project: Leaders will decide what project they want to contribute to the YLC. It can be a bench, a mailbox, or something else!

On other days, we have theme days, hiking, and field trip days.

Theme Day
There are various theme days including Organizational Day and Olympics Day. This includes workshops and hands-on activities. Theme days are designed for the leaders to prepare for their contribution after YLC ends. As a result, leaders return to their home, school, and respective community as a better, productive, and positive citizen.

Field Trips
Our annual field trips include:

  • A trip to Silver Falls – A hiking trip where leaders will apply the skills they learned from Outdoor Living Skills classes.
  • A trip to Newport Beach – A day trip to Newport. Leaders will enjoy lunch at the pier and swim at the Pacific Ocean!
  • Volunteer Day – Leaders will volunteer at a selected location with community members. Leaders will learn the importance of contributing to our community.
  • Laundry and Mall Day – Leaders will have the opportunity to wash their clothes during camp and to go to the mall. This encourages independence and responsibility.
  • Outdoor Hiking Trip – Leaders will go on an off-site hiking trip where they will learn self-reliance in nature.

Based on the American Camp Association, our program will foster these developmental outcomes:

  • Affinity for Nature:
    • Leaders will become comfortable being in nature
    • Leaders will learn outdoor living skills.
  • Camp Connectedness:
    • Leaders will feel like home at camp.
  • Family Citizenship:
    • Leaders will learn how to contribute to our community.
  • Friendship Skills:
    • Leaders will develop new friendships.
    • Leaders will learn how to maintain healthy relationships.
  • Independence:
    • Leaders will learn how to advocate for themselves and members of their community.
    • Leaders will improve their problem-solving skills.
  • Interest in Exploration:
    • Leaders will be exposed to new activities and workshops on a daily basis. This is to inquire campers’ curiosity and interest.
  • Perceived Competence:
    • Leaders will learn that they can do anything they want to do in the future.
    • Leaders will develop their own leadership goals.
  • Problem Solving Confidence:
    • Leaders will develop confidence in problem solving while working with a team.
  • Responsibility:
    • Leaders will learn how to be held accountable for their actions.
    • Leaders will learn how to be responsible to abide the camp schedule.
  • Spiritual Well-Being:
    • Leaders will learn how to become comfortable in a nature setting as well as discovering oneself goals.
  • Teamwork:
    • Leaders will learn how to work with others in different situations.
    • Leaders will be placed in a team and will develop teamwork skills while working with their team members.