About The Retreat.
The Lighthouse For The Blind 2018 Retreat Portal.
We at the Lighthouse For The Blind have moved our retreat application online for the 2018 retreat.
Come and join us at our annual Retreat for DeafBlind adults at the Seabeck Conference Center.
Sunday August 28 – Saturday September 3, 2018! (*Date is subject to change*)
The Retreat is a week long event in a beautiful location balanced with activities, relaxation, communication and support for DeafBlind campers and qualified volunteer interpreter/guides.
There is no cost for qualified volunteer interpreter/guides. It is a good opportunity to set up Independent Study for RID CEU's.
Please apply online through our new system or contact us with the information below for paperwork about the retreat!
The DeafBlind Retreat
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
P.O. Box 14959
Seattle, WA 98114
E-mail: DBRetreat@seattlelh.org
VP: (206) 512-8501
Fax: (206) 436-2234
Voice: (206) 436-2124
Jump to a section:
Volunteer Information & Qualifications
Deafblind Campers Selection Process
Volunteer-Interpreter Acceptance Process
Registration / Applications Deadline
Internships / Training Positions
Volunteer Information & Qualifications
Important Information
The DeafBlind Retreat will be held Sunday, August 27-Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Seabeck Conference Center, in Seabeck, WA. We will have an awesome week of community building, self-discovery, and experiencing the DeafBlind way!
In February, we will send volunteer applications via e-mail and mail. Please send your completed application as soon as possible. Although there is no deadline for volunteers, we appreciate getting volunteer applications as soon as possible.
Download the 2017 DeafBlind Volunteer application - *COMING SOON*
Download the 2017 DeafBlind Volunteer application letter - *COMING SOON*
We will have an AWESEOME retreat together!
Sincerely,
DeafBlind Retreat Team 2017
Age Requirements
The Retreat is for DeafBlind adults who are:
- able to make independent decisions.
- 18 years and older OR
- 16 years and older and attending with a parent or adult friend. The parent/friend will need to meet our volunteer-interpreter qualifications and will be matched up as a volunteer-interpreter with other campers.
The Retreat is also for qualified volunteer-interpreters who aim to develop skills working with DeafBlind participants with an incredible opportunity only experienced at Seabeck.
Deafblind Campers Selection Process
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The number of DeafBlind people we accept depends on the number of qualified volunteer-interpreters that apply and are accepted. We don’t know how many DeafBlind people we can accept until we know how many qualified volunteer-interpreters we have. We usually know this by mid-June.
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Our Retreat serves DeafBlind people with a variety of backgrounds, languages and communication styles. o Examples: DB from Seattle, or from other states and countries. DB who use Pro-Tactile, ASL, signing in English order, tactile, speech with FM system, or other equipment (typing) to communicate. We include all DB who grew up with different life experiences.
- Safety issues are our primary concern. People who are considered a threat to others are not eligible.
Volunteer-Interpreter Acceptance Process
- We always welcome qualified volunteer-interpreters. Our volunteers need to have communication and guiding skills, as well as experience socializing with DeafBlind adults. We offer a review of sighted guide skills at the Retreat, as well as a refresher training the day before camp. If you have any questions about your qualifications or you are not sure, please contact us at DBRetreat@seattlelh.org or call (206) 452-7936. We appreciate your early application! Sending your application as soon as possible helps us with our planning and with knowing the number of DB people we can accept.
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There is no official deadline for volunteers. We accept applications until we have enough. Once we receive your application we will review it and let you know if you are accepted within 3 weeks so that you can make your travel arrangements. In your acceptance package you will find all the necessary details about camp, arrival times, what to bring, information and release forms.
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There is NO COST for volunteer interpreter/guides.
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It may be possible to earn RID CEUs for attending trainings offered at the retreat or if you plan an independent study project related to the retreat. Contact us for more information.
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Your employer may be willing to sponsor you to come to the Retreat. The Lighthouse is willing to write a letter on your behalf. Contact us for more information.
- We consider your application a serious commitment to attend. Cancellations causes HUGE problems for planning process, and reduce the number of DeafBlind people who can attend.
DO NOT BUY YOUR PLANE, TRAIN AND BUS TICKETS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR ACCEPTANCE LETTER!
Registration / Applications Deadline
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Please send application as soon as possible. The sooner we receive your applications, the more our preparations become efficient.
- There are also limited one day visitor spaces.
Acceptance
Letters stating your acceptance status will be mailed within three weeks after we receive your application.
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Do NOT send a check or make your travel arrangements until you get your confirmation letter!
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Letters of acceptance will include the following:
Transportation Request Form
Souvenir Information
Dietary Information
Housing
What to bring list
Wait List / Not Eligible
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If you are qualified to attend, but all spaces have been filled, we will put your name on the wait list until a space is available. You will be notified by email if you are accepted or not by July 23rd.
- If you are not eligible to attend this year, we encourage you to apply again next year. You may also want to inquire about visiting for one day.
Floyd Pitre Scholarship Fund
Floyd Pitre, one of our nation’s DeafBlind leader, loved the DeafBlind Retreat at Seabeck so much that he chose it to be the place where he spent the last days of his life.
We were honored to have Floyd with us in 1994, and in loving memory of his wonderful spirit, we have established a scholarship fund in his name.
Donations that we receive for the scholarship fund will be used for financial assistance to DeafBlind to attend the Retreat.
If you would like to donate to this fund, please make your check payable to “The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.” and write “For Floyd Pitre Fund” on the bottom of the check or on a separate note. All donations will be used for Retreat Scholarships.
Thank you for your support!
Qualifications
Primary function of volunteers is to work 1:1 with DB campers. We have few opportunities for volunteers to work with DB staff who are leading activities and events.
We need people who have both signing experience AND experience working or socializing with DeafBlind people.
We prefer our volunteers have:
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3 years of experience in American Sign Language (ASL).
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Ability to express yourself in ASL and understand others who use ASL.
- Familiarity with using ASL in the following modes: Protactile, Tactile, Tracking, and appropriate use of signing space.
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1 year of social/work experience with DB people. Examples of experience that we would accept:
- SSP with DB person at home, shopping, etc.
- SSP at WSDBC, AADB, WFDB, and other DB organizations’ events and meetings
- SSP at other DB camps
- Interpreting
- Teaching/training (please describe)
- Satisfactory completion of DB Interpreting class
- References from DB community if this is your first time (at least 1 reference should be from a DB person, the other reference could be from an Interpreter Training Program, DB program or agency, SSP coordinator, etc.)
- Ability to provide safe sighted guide*
- Positive and respectful attitude.
- Background check for all volunteers.
Exceptions to these qualifications may be made by the Retreat Team on a case by case basis.
If you feel you “almost but not quite” meet these qualifications or are not sure, please contact us and we’ll discuss.
Internships / Training Positions
We may be able to offer internship positions to who are interested in learning more about DeafBlind way. Our ability to accept people in internship/training positions depends on:
- The number of qualified volunteers and DeafBlind people we have who are able to provide guidance and support.
- The number of qualified volunteers and DeafBlind people to provide guidance and support.