Trip - MMKODA camping

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What a weekend! over 70 families showed up! they kept saying - What a perfect place for kids to get together as well for parents! Waterpark (small one but FUN) was awesome! Easy to supervise.

We chatted most of the weekend. We had received many tips and warnings what "possible" things that we might face with our KODA kids. I will list some... I want to emphasize this.. It does NOT apply to all KODA... for some yes ... for some no...

*KODA tends to be more physical (not aggressive ways), what i mean is that KODA tends to tap other kids' shoulder for attention as they always to do with their parents. School policy does not allow any kind of physical contact (hitting, etc...). The school often will use that as physical contact when KODA try to get other kids' attention by tapping their shoulder. In few months, KODAs will learn which to tap or to call (in verbal ways).

*KODA often offers volunteer to be an interpeter for restuarant or anything. We tend to tell them no no... (we don't want our children to burden to interpter of everything). KODA get offended if we dont let them to be an interpreter. It is their pride to be one. If we ask child to be an interpreter and that child doesnt want to do it and go along with it that is burden to a child. Two different things...

*KODA tend to sign (one open hand) and say 'FINISH' means stop in Deaf Culture to hearing kids when they are fighting,picking on each other, stealing or anything. Normally, hearing kids would say 'STOP'.

*Most KODA uses to have eye contact when they have conversation with other people. (in Deaf Culture - we of course use our eye contact to make conversation) (in Hearing world - they use to ear to hear the conversation and doesnt need to have eye contact to make a conversation.). Some of KODAs feel that they are not like by those people who didn't make the eye contact while conversation. We have to explain - for deaf people - yes eye contact would be require. for hearing people - no need o have eye contact - use ear to hear.

Other they discussed - Camp for KODA only. We have around 2 or 3 KODA camp in USA. As of now, what I know - Camp Mark 7(in NY) and KODAWEST(in CA). I think Oregon and South Dakota has one (I'm not sure). H and I are hoping to send our kids to KODAWEST when they are older. I also will send our kids to Camp Mark 7 as it's closer to my parents place by an hour.

Also we learned that there will be first national KODA conference that happening next year - July second weekend I think... They haven't released the flyer or information yet. We just emailed the chairperson who happened to be our friends to see if they need extra committee :o)

We also would like to start KODA camp in our home state (Maryland) as it has a large number of KODA kids due to Gallaudet and two deaf schools in Maryland. Hope that will happen real soon.

There were so many discussion, stories and etc...

Most important of all, KODAs had a blast time! Especially waterpark and Yogi's activities.

Waterpark

Other side of waterpark

Pool with volleyball, basketball and log (shape of Y)

Most of them are KODAs - They are waiting to be open!

Mikaela and T (they always have been so close since they were little kids)


Kyron and his buddy Sp

Gathering - Saturday Morning for Donuts (gosh that donut was good! *for some of you know me that I'm not fond of eating donut but this one - you got to eat 1!)

He demanded to drive this kart!

Mikaela had so much fun!

chill out (ky and sp)

donuts - gathering

M & T

kids gathering (looking for bugs and rocks)

That's my beach ball,mine, mine.. mine...mine... thats what they said!

campfire