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Youth Programs

Competitions
Summer Programs

Shaping Your Tomorrow

The Gallaudet University Youth Programs office empowers deaf and hard of hearing students through programs and competitions designed to ignite academic excellence, foster learning opportunities, and cultivate vibrant social interaction among deaf and hard of hearing youth.

Have what it takes to shine?

Summer Programs
Competitions
Other Programs

Competitions

Our competitions promote a spirit of academic competition and good sportsmanship while encouraging critical thinking skills amongst deaf and hard of hearing students.

Academic Bowl
Battle of the Books
National Literary Competition
Youth Esports Series
Youth Debate Bowl
National Deaf Juniors Pickleball Tournament
A team is huddled together.
Four students with black sweatshirts sitting at a blue table smiling and writing

Academic Bowl

For teams of deaf and hard of hearing high school students

Teams compete in quiz-bowl style matches testing their knowledge in the following categories: Arts and Entertainment; Current Events; Language and Literature; Mathematics; Social Studies; Pop Culture, Leisure, and Sports; Potpourri; and Science and Technology.

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Battle of the Books

For teams of deaf and hard of hearing middle school students

The Battle of the Books is a reading competition where students read the same assigned books and compete against each other through true or false, short answer, multiple choice and presentation style questions based on the content of the books.
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Three students sitting at a table with white boards in their hands
brown-skinned young woman with glasses being filmed signing on an iphone

National Literary Competition

For deaf and hard of hearing students in the 2nd-12th grades

Create original written or ASL submissions aligned with the theme of the year for a chance to win exciting prizes.
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Youth Esports Series

For deaf and hard of hearing high school students

The Youth Esports Series provides a dynamic platform for young participants to engage in competitive esports, fostering teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital sportsmanship. Game on, Bison!
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Esports gaming
A young debater is presenting on stage.

Youth Debate Bowl

For deaf and hard of hearing middle and high school students

Young minds showcase their critical thinking and public speaking skills through spirited debates on a variety of topics.
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National Deaf Juniors Pickleball Tournament

For deaf and hard of hearing student-athletes in middle school and high school

Compete with other deaf and hard of hearing pickleball players from all over the country in this exciting and fun tournament hosted by Gallaudet University Athletics.

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Two pairs of young athletes are exchanging paddles at a pickleball court, with one player wearing a dark shirt and the other in a blue jersey. In the background, a crowd is visible, indicating an event or competition atmosphere.

Summer Programs

Our Summer Camps let middle and high school students experience stimulating learning and activities in an ASL/English environment minutes from the U.S. Capitol.

Discover College and Careers (DC²)
DC² in STEM
Financial Wizards
GenCyber
Got Skills?
Immerse Into ASL
Tide Trekkers
Campo Listo: ¡Medramos!
Bison Filmmakers
A group photo of campers and staff.

Discover College and Careers (DC²)

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12

Not sure what life will look like after high school? Come to Gallaudet University and discover our college programs and explore potential careers in Washington, D.C.!
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A light skinned high school student is signing in front of a powerpoint screen
A group of four students, wearing gloves, gather around to examine petri dishes with excitement. Two students are smiling and looking closely at the dishes, while the others watch with interest. The setting appears to be a laboratory or classroom with scientific equipment in the background.

Discover College and Careers in STEM

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12

Not sure what life after high school holds? Come to Gallaudet University and explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors and careers in the heart of Washington, D.C.!

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Financial Wizards

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12

Unlock the secrets of the stock market and become a financial wizard with Financial Wizards Bootcamp 2.0, hosted by CSD Learns – where magic meets money mastery!

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Financial Wizards Logo with text: "Financial Wizard$ Bootcamp. There are hand shapes and lighting bolts around the text.
A young person with black hair sits at a computer, focused on the screen. In the background, two other individuals are visible, one wearing a cap and the other with glasses, both also engaged with their computers. The setting appears to be a classroom or study area with multiple workstations.

GenCyber

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 9-12

This free program, available for qualified applicants, explores the world of information technology and cybersecurity. Explore topics such as cryptography, hacking, and security and bring home awesome tech kits!
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Two campers are playing basketball.

Got Skills?

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 7-9

Design YOUR OWN camp! Choose from a variety of activities tailored to your passions, whether it’s sports, arts, or exploring the nation’s capital. Empower yourself to create a personalized experience and make memories that last a lifetime!

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Immerse Into ASL

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12

New signers are welcomed to Gallaudet to immerse themselves in an American Sign Language environment. Learn from Deaf instructors, engage in ASL conversations with new friends, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
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Two young men are engaged in conversation outdoors, surrounded by a diverse group of people. One man has light hair with pink tips and wears glasses, while the other has blonde hair and is wearing a blue shirt. Both appear to be smiling and using hand gestures, suggesting a lively exchange. In the background, there are buildings and greenery.
A smiling individual holds several small sea turtles in their hands, standing on a sandy beach with a cloudy sky in the background. They are wearing a dark blue shirt with a logo.

Tide Trekkers

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 9 - 12

In partnership with Loggerhead Marine Camp, become a marine biologist for the week in Juno Beach, Florida!

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Campo Listo: ¡Medramos!

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12

An empowering opportunity for Deaf Latine students to explore their heritage, embrace their identity, and build skills for a successful future.

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A camper is sitting and smiling.
A student is looking at the director’s clapboard.

Bison Filmmakers

For deaf and hard of hearing students entering grades 10-12

First-ever Film camp at Gallaudet! This immersive experience builds filmmaking skills using Apple’s cutting-edge technology. Unleash your creativity and shape the future of storytelling!

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Other Programs

Supporting deaf and hard of hearing learners from early childhood through high school, these programs offer academic enrichment and resources that help students grow and succeed.

High School Dual Enrollment
K-12 School Programs
A classroom scene with several students engaged in discussions and studying. Two students at the forefront are seated at a table, one gesturing while talking, and the other focused on a book. In the background, a teacher is interacting with other students. The walls are decorated with educational materials, and there are several tables and chairs arranged for collaborative work.

High School Dual Enrollment

For high school students earning college credit while still in school

Want to jumpstart your college journey? Gallaudet’s Charge Ahead Dual Enrollment (CADE) lets deaf and hard of hearing high school students take college-level courses and earn Gallaudet credits before graduating.

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A group of six students and a bison mascot pose together in a classroom setting, all giving thumbs up. The students are seated at desks, with a television screen in the background displaying the word "INFORMATION." The bison mascot, wearing a jersey with the word "BISON," stands at the center of the group.
A group of four young girls, dressed in colorful clothing, are walking together in a hallway. A woman in a yellow sweater and gray skirt is leading them, while another woman in a purple top stands behind them, smiling and raising her hand. The walls are painted in soft colors, and there are doors in the background.

K-12 School Programs

For deaf and hard of hearing students from early childhood through high school

Discover comprehensive education and support for deaf and hard of hearing learners with the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center’s K-12 offerings.

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Meet the Youth Programs Team
Chanel Bonheyo

Manager, Youth Programs
Alison O'Hara

Youth Programs Coordinator
Casey Johnson-Pasqua

Youth Programs Coordinator

Why Gallaudet?

Gallaudet University, the world’s only four-year liberal arts university serving deaf and hard-of-hearing students, serves as the educational, social, and political engine of Deaf America. The duty of the university to foster disagreement, debate, and civic engagement is embedded in its role as a higher education institution.

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Contact Us

  • Youth Programs
  • Edward Miner Gallaudet Memorial Building | #112 & #111
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  • (202) 651-2474
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