Wouldn't the world be a better place if every child got to go to camp? That is our dream at Camp Wonder Hands. Created specifically for children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, Camp Wonder Hands provides an environment that celebrates the unique culture of these beautiful youngsters.

Consider the value of this setting. Deaf and hard-of-hearing children are the majority — perhaps for the first time in their lives. Successful, confident adults who share their challenges serve as counselors and role models. Every day, in every activity, their beautifully expressive language is celebrated.

Add to this the many benefits of a summer camp experience, and it's easy to see why Camp Wonder Hands has grown so remarkably.

Marolyn Amick knows the isolation these children sometimes feel. A Child Life Specialist at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, Marolyn is hard-of-hearing and has a child who is deaf. In 1996, she began a summer program in her home. Seven deaf and hard-of-hearing children came to her house each Monday — Marolyn's day off. People from the community embraced the idea and offered their help.

Today, Camp Wonder Hands is a five-day, four-night camp for children ages 7–15. Held at Camp Kinard, near Batesburg- Leesville, the camp is a program of Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. Each camper attends on a scholarship provided by Children's Hospital or private, civic and corporate donations. There is no cost to the family.

Statistics from the Department of Education and the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind indicate that the approximate number of deaf and hard-of-hearing children statewide is between 1,000 and 1,500. We 'd like to serve at least 100 children, not only in the core 17 counties served by Children's Hospital, but from all counties across the state. Our dream is to expand to a six-day, five-night camp.

If you are the parent, educator or mentor of a child who is deaf or hard-of-hearing, please contact us for enrollment materials and to find out about the availability of scholarships for this year's camp.

If you are interested in being a counselor or volunteer, we would love to hear from you. You do not have to be deaf, hard-of-hearing or possess the ability to sign. We provide training during an orientation session, typically held just prior to the camp.

Camp Wonder Hands and Palmetto Health Children's Hospital would like to thank Riggs, Crowson Stone Printing and David Hunt Creative for providing the Camp Wonder Hands brochure as a project of CreateAThon 2003. CreateAThon, the brainchild of Cathy Monetti of Riggs in Columbia, SC, is a 24-hour blitz of creative energy focused on benefiting local non-profit organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.createathon.com/.