For more information please contact: 303-778-1130 or 1-800-401-4632

The exciting programs offered at the Colorado Center for the Blind for youth of all ages provide the experience of a lifetime! Students interact with other blind kids their own age to discover that their lives are not limited by their blindness. We fully believe in the importance of breaking the myths around blindness by confidence building, skills development, and learning from positive, blind role models.

There are four different summer programs in which blind kids can participate. These are:

• Confidence Camp for Kids Elementary School Program
• Initiation to Independence Middle School Program
• Earn and Learn High School Program
• Summer for Success College Program

Each of these programs has their own distinct and special areas of focus however they all share these core classes:

• Braille
• Orientation and mobility
• Home management
• Adaptive technology

The students live with counselors in two bedroom, two bath apartments located near the Center and will work on all aspects of managing an apartment. Students are well supervised by their counselors at a ratio of 3:1. They will also use public transportation to travel to and from the Center each day. There are usually 2-3 students per apartment and they will work together on such things as cleaning, cooking, food storage, grocery store shopping using customer clerks, budgeting money, and sharing chores.

Activities such as white water rafting, rock climbing and other events like major league baseball games or trips to amusement parks are an integral part of our summer programs. The students always have a great time tackling these challenges that are generally perceived as inaccessible to blind kids.

All students participate in discussion groups where they talk about what it's like to be a blind teenager. Topics of discussion may include dating, dealing with parents and teachers, ways to integrate effectively into all school activities, and various social situations. Students learn how to problem solve and take control of their lives.

One of the high points of the high school and college summer programs is traveling to the National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention. This is the largest gathering of blind people in the world and the students get the chance to meet many successful blind adults and other kids from all around the country. At this convention, they learn about the newest technology and adaptive devices and experience some of the details of staying in a world-class hotel. We will travel by plane giving them a good experience in independently traveling through unfamiliar airports, packing and checking luggage, etc. They will attend a formal banquet at the end of the convention and appropriate dress clothing is the norm at this event.

This two-week day program serves children aged five through ten who live in the Denver metro area. In addition to the four core classes, students will prepare lunch each day and focus on household chores like bed making, vacuuming, washing dishes, and sweeping. Not only will the students work on building their skills but, even more importantly, they will gain confidence in themselves by participating in many, exciting activities such as swimming, hiking, picnicking, and going to an amusement park.

This is a three-week residential program for students aged 12-14. In addition to the core classes, this is an opportunity for this age group to live in apartments with other students and a counselor, getting real world experiences in their home away from home. Students will meet successful, working adults in order to learn about various professions. These students are excited to have so many new experiences.

This eight-week residential program serves students aged 14-18. Not only do these students take the core classes, but they have the opportunity to participate in exciting, paid work experiences. We work to match students with jobs they find both interesting and challenging. It is exhilarating for the students to get their first paycheck.

This comprehensive eight-week residential program will fully prepare each student to handle all aspects of a university or vocational program. Participants will have instruction on using readers and Disabled Students Services, applying for scholarships, and meeting and talking with blind adults who have gone through the college experience. Several college instructors will work with students on developing alternative techniques in order to take courses including math, statistics, and sciences.