Bison Brainiacs justification letter

Bison Brainiacs Gallaudet University June 23-30, 2019

Dear Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf/Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor:

Every summer, Gallaudet University, through its Youth Programs office, hosts several camp programs for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing youth. This year’s camps are scheduled for June 23-June 30, 2019 on our picturesque campus in Washington, D.C. Our Summer Youth Camps are designed for middle and high school students up to the age of 19. The camps provide stimulating summer learning and experiential opportunities that blend education, excitement, and enjoyment in a bilingual environment, rich in cultural diversity, located just minutes from the U.S. Capitol.

Gallaudet University is the world’s only university designed to be barrier-free for deaf and hard of hearing students. For more than 150 years, Gallaudet University has led advances in education for deaf and hard of hearing students and deaf rights worldwide. Today, students from across the United States and around the globe, diverse in perspective, backgrounds, interests, and communication styles, form an exciting learning community as they prepare for dynamic careers and a lifetime of growth.

We want to call your attention to the Bison Brainiacs camp. It is designed for college-bound deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12. Campers will explore several branches of science and technology including Biology, Chemistry, Genetics, Robotics, Brain Imaging, and Innovative Technologies.

Bison Brainiacs will benefit campers in developing their understanding of STM fields and preparing them for post-high school success. The Bison Brainiacs camp will enable campers to return to school equipped with additional skills, knowledge, and abilities that will be applicable in preparing for their future career development. The following activities have been developed to support our goal in preparing our campers both personally and professionally:

• Experience what it is like to be a student on the Gallaudet University campus.
• Learn about the various fields within STM from accomplished deaf professors from each field of study.
• Meet with successful deaf professionals during classes and learn how they prepared for their career successes.
• Attend fun and educational field trips to explore Washington, D.C.: attractions include the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian museums, The National Holocaust Memorial Museum, Union Station, and many other world-famous sights.

Bison Brainiacs meets the goals of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS/PETS) program in the following areas:

• Campers receive information on post-secondary educational opportunities.
• Campers understand the importance of self-advocacy through career classes, leadership seminars, educational field trips, team-building activities, workshops, and group discussions.

Bison Brainiacs will take place from June 23-30, 2019. The camp fee is $750. This fee covers room, board and various transportation expenses during the camp itself. Campers are responsible for their own transportation costs to and from Washington, D.C./Gallaudet University. We will provide round trip transportation to and from Union Station or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Campers are encouraged to bring their own spending money as well.

We look forward collaborating with you to support deaf and hard of hearing youth, and to start early in preparing for their future. For more information about our Summer Youth Camps, please see http://www.gallaudet.edu/youth-programs/summer-youth-camps . Also, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jesse Saunders
Director, Youth Programs