4 Reasons Why You Should Choose KODA Camp Midwest This Summer


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 KODA Camp Midwest 2024 Summer Camp Registration Now Open!

Written by: Maris Dishno 

October 20, 2023

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Looking for a place to send your KODA (Kid of Deaf Adult) for the summer? 

KODA Camp Midwest located in Poynette Wisconsin is the premier place to send your Kid of Deaf Adult for the summer. KODA Camp Midwest hosts 3 camp sessions:

KODAs experience what a typical summer camp has to offer and more. Join over 500 KODAs who have come through KODA Camp Midwest and discover belonging, confidence, KODA Love, and learning more about their KODA identity.

Why chose KODA Camp Midwest?

1. Explore KODA Identity 

At KODA Camp Midwest, KODA campers learn more about Deaf history, ASL signs, have intentional discussions around KODA experiences through KODA Talk, and create ASL Music videos to show to the parents on the last day.

All KODA campers have at least one or two deaf parents/guardians. No matter if the counselors and campers are from Canada, the United Kingdom,  Africa, US: Midwest, South, East, West, North, all campers experience those same struggles of navigating the deaf and hearing world.

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2. Experience KODA Love and Belonging

KODA Love is the feeling of total inclusivity and bonding after coming to KODA Camp and experiencing what is like to find other people like them. Once a camper comes to KODA Camp, they always want to come back!

At KODA Camp Midwest, all counselors that are employed are also CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults). The counselors have experienced all the same things as these young KODAs, are a mentor and role model to the growing KODAs and typically 90% of the counselors are also previous KODA Alumni!

Image of two boy counselors smiling with a young boy camper in the middle smiling and laughing

3. Grow in self-confidence

Many KODA Campers may be the only KODA in their school or town, KODA Camp Midwest gives campers the self confidence to understand where they come from. Being at KODA Camp Midwest, all campers have similar experiences no matter the socioeconomic background, race, or other identifying factors.

At KODA Camp Midwest, one of the night activities is typically dedicated to the KODIES aka KODA Camp Midwest’s very own talent show. Campers typically show up on the first day, shy, not knowing anyone and overwhelmed by the KODA Camp Experience. By the last day, many campers grow out of their shell to perform a talent in from of their peers where they know that they have support, love and acceptance.

Image of teens cheering at tables during the KODIES

4. Make life long friendships

At KODA Camp Midwest, there are several times in a day that are dedicated to team building activities. Campers are put into groups at the beginning of camp and rotate with that group each day. Not only do KODA Campers get to know their team very well, but also all others at KODA Camp too as teams are switched in morning and afternoon activities.

Share a cabin with 14 other of KODA Camp peers of the same age and gender and get to know each other very well. Cabin time is in additional shared time to build a connection with bunk mates.

The goal at KODA Camp Midwest is for all KODA Campers to get to know each other very well. Counselors switch up teams for morning and afternoon activities, at meal times campers will swap who they sit with to engage everyone in discussions, and night activities rotate between individual, team, and full camp activities!

Ready for your child to experience the epic summer adventure of a lifetime?

Sign up your KODA today here for early bird registration*!

*Sign up before February 28th 2024 and get the early bird discount: $200 off of Teen and Youth registration! Sign ups from March 1st 2024 though May 31st are $1,200/child for Teen and Youth session and $500 for Kids session.

Image of two teen girls hugging each other on the last day of camp wearing orange KODA tshirts
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About the Author

Maris Dishno is the Business Manager at KODA Camp Midwest. Maris lives in Milwaukee, WI and you can find her frequently with a camera in her hand and working on the behind the scenes of KODA Camp Midwest. In her free time she enjoys reading YA Fiction novels, taking photos of cat & landscapes, and hanging out at the beach.