'Pop the Balloon' Game and Wilderness Philosophy

We were sitting and chatting as we were eating our big delicious breakfast! They were pancakes filled with blueberries with syrup and different kinds of cereal! Our drinks were punch, lemonade, and milk! Our stomachs were full when breakfast was over, and we were summoned to clean up Leadership Hall for our next workshop presented by Clint Woosley. Campers were wondering what was going to happen next, as we looked at each other. Clint got up on stage and said one sentence, “Do humans connect to nature more than animals?” Campers were confused and they really did not understand why Clint had asked this. So Clint gave out more information than necessary for campers to know about how nature works in the world. Clint really wants us to know about why it is important to understand how the world works because some campers do not learn this in their schools, homes, and/or different places. At one point during his presentation, Clint mentioned about the lie detector that he tested on plants and, on the seismography, plants have showed feelings such as fear and joy.

He explained the story of how the “water” does have feelings, even though if it does not have any oxygen or cells. Because one man did an experiment on water and he wrote down two words “bad” and “good”, then he put the paper of both words on each of two cups of water and then put in a freezer overnight. Next day, he took out both of the cups of water and look down on both of them with a microscope and recognized the difference of both waters. Water that was insult by word “bad” showed that the pattern inside the water is so blurry, and water that was grateful by word “good” showed the pattern of beautiful snowflakes. So that proves that the water does have feelings and can respond to humans.

Later that afternoon, campers gathered around after dinner for the evening program. The evening program coordinators, Luba Douziech and Renca Dunn, organized this program for campers to play in! Campers were excited because Evening Program is one of their favorites! The Balloon Game was one of games campers played, it has many and many balloons and inside there are some notes, some without notes. Campers must follow the rules of this games and act out what the notes said. They had a blast! This game is similar to the musical chair game.

During the fireside, Clint has wrapped up day and night by telling his stories of his life. Campers were amazed by his words. It was short after all, but Clint was more than happy to answer all of the campers’ questions that campers wanted to know. He closed the night by doing the usual YLC Good Night tradition. Campers were tired and went to their cabins for a good night's sleep.

Clint Woosley's workshop about Wilderness Philosophy.


While Isabella Natalie is multitasking, she is fascinated by Clint's workshop.



Before the Balloon game, campers listen as Luba Douziech gives instructions.


Christine Gerard, Gabriel Carino, and Nicole Strom laugh as they play the Balloon game.


Angel Ortiz tries to act out for 30 seconds during the Balloon game.


Ricardo Smolik is acting out as a rockstar - go go Ricardo!


Kaytlyn Johnson laughs as everyone cheers on.

Raquel Grindstaff laughs as she tries to act out.


During our fireside chat, Clint Woosley shares his life stories.


Clint answers one of the campers' questions.

iDeaf News Visits YLC

Please check an amazing video produced by iDeaf News, http://vimeo.com/13944309. A virtual tour of NAD Youth Leadership Camp!

Debate Time and Outdoor Games

On our seventh day, we had a Camp Council, and Brandon Alberti and Camilla Crump were elected to be the camp Pageant Directors. Brandon and Camilla asked some of the campers to sign up as a pair to become the Masters of Ceremonies (MC). They also asked the campers to sign up to complete in the Pageant as partners. Brandon and Camilla had received many sign ups for the pageant which brought them more excitement. We also voted Cindy Siebert and Justin Bergeron as the Co-Chairpersons of ASL Night.

As the day went on, we went to Debate Time. There were four groups ( A, B, C, and D) at the Debate Time area, debating about Private Schools, Public Schools, Residential Schools, and Home schooling. Each group had an opening statement, opinions, rebuttal and closing comments to discuss the issues of their subject. We had break time and during our break time each team showed their team spirits by cheering aloud. Whoever had the loudest team of all won the bonus point.

When our heads were buried in Vlog and Blog class, we learned how to set up a place for vlogs and how to edit vlogs to make them good short movies. While all campers in class are working on the vlog, three team D campers got glued on keyboard with their hands and learn some different techniques of making a blog and those three campers ended up with close to perfect blog.

After we got tired of being stuck on the keyboard and video camera, we got an hour and half break until dinner so we decided to spread out and some girls went to take shower while all other boys dashed to open grassy field back of Leadership Hall. They started playing a game called, “Steal the Bacon” in which the boys were divided into two different teams and assigned different numbers. When a staff called out the numbers matching the numbers that boys had, boys who had the number called were challenged to capture the ball in the middle of field and dash back to their own finish line. We played for a whole hour and half! Some of us were worn out and not able to run quickly anymore. By that time dinner awaited us.

After we gained 10 pounds from eating delicious spaghetti with meat, vegetables and tomato sauce, the evening program started. We got a mystery presenter who is from Poland and his name is Johsua Weinstock. We got some laughs from him because his signing was different and funny. But then, wait an minute, he is not even from Poland, he is one of our staff. We all felt foolish for believing the staff for saying that there was a person that came from Poland. He explained to us a fun game called, “Polish Kickball.” We, campers, got very excited to play the game. We started off teaming up with team C. There was a funny part when Kylei Brooks tried to catch the ball but failed and then Alanna Laughrey ran to catch it and made it. Thanks to them for saving the ball that gave us something to laugh about. After the first game, we won together and got 25 points while the other team A and team B got 24. It was really a close game. After we all switched to play a different game, Team D got to be with Team B while the rest of us got teamed up together. We played for long time until James Wilson who had caught the ball and when the second kicker had kicked it out top the field, we all wanted to get it and again James missed it, then Travis Waala caught it and flipped into the grass, which was so hilarious. It was amazing that we won again 24 to 15, we cheered and won first place.

It started getting dark so we decided to go in Leadership Hall to have our delicious vanilla ice cream! We loved the cold thick vanilla and the taste of frozen silver spoon. Soon, Group A were called to attempt to start the fire in Fireside for our special guest. Unfortunately, the Group A were given three matches and failed three times. We had no fire for the night and it was the fourth night in a row with no fire. We were sad that we could not get the bugs out of our way because the fire was not there to protect us from those nasty bugs.

Later that night, all of the campers and the staff sat by Fireside. At the Fireside, there were two presenters Maurice Abenchuchan Jr. and Joshua Weinstock. Maurice Abenchuchan Jr, told the campers about his experience growing up. When he was little he said there was a protest at Florida School for the Deaf. Deaf people tried to protest to keep their school open. His parents, friends, and other people were at the protest. A lot of people had signs at the protest and gave some signs to children. They walked around smiling and laughing, they did not understand what the protest was all about because they were too young to understand things. Maurice’s parents and the other young children's parents fought for their deaf child’s rights to keep their school going and won! While Maurice went to a mainstream school, he had an interpreter and he felt embarrassed. He went home and told his parents to get him another interpreter because how humiliating he felt at school. As soon he got another interpreter he was not satisfied with the interpreter he had, so he continued to get another interpreter. His parents wanted to send him to a residential school with all of the other deaf students. But the state did not allow him to go to a residential school. His mother fought for his rights to get him into a residential school. Finally, he got into Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, he met other students and had the opportunity to socialize more with them. Many students asked him questions about the protest that has happened several times.

The second presenter, Joshua Weinstock, told the campers about his experience as he was growing up in school. When he was in school, he said he was one of the best writers in his class but he admits he disliked writing. When growing up, he told the campers writing is important because it helps you read better and there’s more chance that people can get into college or get a job. He asked many campers if they disliked writing, many of them raised their hands. He went to Deaflympics in Taipei, and said it was one of his best experiences. There, he learned a lot about writing skills and explained why it is important. He gave the campers his best advice: Never give up anything that you are good at because it can apply for your future experience.

When he went to Youth Leadership Camp in 2004, he learned a lot about life and how important it is growing up as a teenager entering adulthood. Before going to YLC, he did not care much about nature, school work, and the environment. While he was here he realized how much it meant to be at Youth Leadership Camp.

After a crazy and busy day at YLC, we went over to Leadership Hall to finalize everything up after Fireside’s presentation presented by Maurice Abenchuchan Jr. and Joshua Wienstock. Before we went back to our cabins, we gathered and did our tradtional 'YLC 2010, Good Night!'

Brandon Alberti, Brandon Washburn, and Lily Horta listen as Jamie Utzman shares her group's point of view during Debate Time.

Angel Ortiz, Kylei Brooks, Alanna Laughrey, and Jenna Smith are thinking and developing rational ideas.
Iris Wigley shares her group's point of view as two staff members, Mark Ramirez and Bregitt Jimenez, watch.
Keaunna Bolden and Tory Sampson are glued to the computer as their Blog Advisor, Luba Douziech, watch.
During recreation time, Angel Ortiz attempts to go after Justin Bergeron during the 'Steal the Bacon' game.
Campers are anxious to run and steal the bacon as two staff members, Mark Ramirez and Maurice Abenchuchan Jr., observe.
Nicole Strom's smile is contagious!
The energy is high - campers play Polish Kickball.
Campers cheer as Bree Crayton runs during Polish Kickball.
Campers share their positive energy!
During the Fireside chat, Maurice Abenchuchan Jr. shares his experience as a child at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.Campers watch as Joshua Weinstock talks about his experience with writing.

Beach Day

The day dawned with excitement swirling in the air.

The campers glanced at each other, knowing what would happen. Some conversations included words like waves, sun, water, sand, rocks, and boats. The campers rushed through breakfast, wanting to get to the beach as soon as possible. The campers flocked to the fireside and kept a lookout for the yellow school buses scheduled to rumble up the gravel road towards us. After roll call by the staff, the buses were loaded and we were off!

As we left Camp Taloali and embarked onto the highway, the isolated campers finally saw signs of civilization, such as houses, cars, and stores. Campers started playing games such as Captain Ship, the Hat Game, Black Magic, and luckily, Mary Beth ‘Mabe’ Baierl brought a game, called ‘Skipbo’ and other card games; the buses were loud with excited campers yelling and hooting.

After two painstaking hours of bus riding, the campers and staff finally arrived at Newport Coast, where campers grouped up then set out to explore the coastal town. Some of them went to look at sea lions, some of them went to look for something to eat for lunch, and some went for a walk and many went shopping. But that wasn’t what we were really waiting for! After approximately two hours, the campers met up again, ready for the BEACH!

Again, after another roll call by the staff, the buses were alight with the chattering, screaming, and nervous faces trying to get a peek at the next destination of the day. As we entered Newport Beach State Park, all the campers faced towards the coast, straining to see the endless Pacific Ocean, but that was not possible. A grassy, sandy hill rose, blocking our view of the ocean. The campers and staff labored up the hill of loose sand, and several campers marveled at the sand. “The sand was the best thing to touch!” Camper Amy Hesser said. Several campers and staff who arrived at the top first gasped.

Thighs burning, the travel-weary campers and staff ran down the hill, screaming and laughing. They had overcome several obstacles - the long ride, the anxiety leading up to the moment, and the hill - and it was definitely worth the wait.

The ocean was shimmering, but to our disappointment, the weather wasn’t very good, it wasn’t sunny as we visualized. But some campers, such as James Wilson, remained optimistic and said, “the beach was an enchanting place!”

As everyone ran to the shore of the Pacific ocean, many of the campers shed their clothes! Some eased themselves into the glacial waters, but most simply plunged themselves into the salty ocean and splashed about as if it were a hot day! The campers who stayed dry called the crazy swimmers the “Polar Bears of YLC ’10!”

After all the fun, the evening program coordinators, Renca Dunn, Luba Douziech, and Mark Ramirez announced that all of us have to do our group skits. After several impressive skits, the results were - Group A, B, and C got the cruel thumbs down, while Group D got the modification sideways thumb. Group D was both joyful in that they didn’t have to create a whole new profile, but disappointed because they thought that their performance should have earned the thumbs up.

Next up was the sandcastle competition. The groups dispersed to create a sandcastle that represented who they are. But as the groups started forming the base for their castle, the staff called the campers to pose for the traditional ‘YLC’ picture. The groups were frustrated but trudged up near the hill. The campers arranged into the letters, and the finicky staffers took forever to adjust the angle of the ‘Y’, the straightness of the ‘L’, and the curve of the ‘C.’ Finally, the picture was taken to our relief!

The campers ran back to our sandcastles and toiled on the sandcastle so hard that we even sweated in the cold weather! Finally, time was up. All the groups took pictures with their mighty sandcastles. We’re looking forward to tonight to find out which one of the groups is the winner. The campers then spread out to have a conversation with friends, or take pictures together, or play games.

After an hour, dinner was served, and all campers ran to line up for the deliciously grilled kabobs and vegetables, and watermelon slices. Some campers sat on the floor, some sat near the fireplace, and some sat on wooden picnic tables. For dessert we were surprised to get rice krispie treats!

The lucky birthday girl of the day was Bree Clayton, and we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to her! All of the campers were visibly satisfied with smiles and full bellies. After dinner, Staff Joshua Weinstock announced the policy of ‘LNT,’ and after several guesses to what it meant, he told us it meant ‘Leave No Trace’ so the campers then proceeded to clean up. After the park was cleared up, the shivering campers ran up to the bus, the source of warmth, where they would chatter quietly and nod off to sleep. The environment in the bus was very tranquil and the feeling of satisfaction was in the air.

After we arrived at the familiar Camp Taloali, many campers were either falling asleep or very energetic despite the spent energy at the beach. We resumed our ‘YLC 2010 Good Night’ tradition and the day ended with marvelous memories.

Campers are clustered around the buses, ready to go!
The cute sea lions that were resting by the Newport pier.
Eating at the locally famous Mo's!
Dan Brubaker decided to join us on our field trip!
Campers of YLC 2010 at the beach!
Some of the Polar Bears wanted to immortalize their sheer bravery with a picture!
Most of the Polar Bears of YLC '10!
Each team took turns enacting group name skits!
Skye Dreumont, Bradley Chappell, Kylei Brooks and Nicole Strom for Group B.
Group D presenting their fortress of a sandcastle!
Group C standing by their sprawling sandcastle.
Group B reveals their creativity with their sandcastle.
Group A proudly showing off their sandcastle!
The wonderful, spicy staff of YLC 2010!
Campers of 2010 doing the traditional YLC pose!

Camp Council and Fireside Gathering

After all the campers were done eating breakfast, many of us campers were very excited to start Camp Council. A lot of campers were motivated to participate and make the best out of our experience at YLC. A lot of campers stood up and nominated a few campers for presidency. There were a lot of good presentations. We had a hard time deciding who would be camp president for YLC for the rest of the month. We decided to vote for Jimmy Wilson from Arizona School for the Deaf, because he had a lot of experience with JrNAD, also knew the basics of parliamentary procedures, and he had a good vision for YLC and the NAD. After Jimmy was selected, we went through nominations for the vice presidency and the result is Bradley Chappell from Kentucky School for the Deaf. Most campers are excited to have him as a vice president because he showed good spirit as well as another great vision for YLC. Nikki Gleicher from Maryland School for the Deaf is our new secretary.

On this hot day a lot of campers felt so hot, so many went to swim in the pool to cool off. Girls were excited it was their turn to take a shower. Some campers did not go swimming so they chatted until dinner time. After dinner time we did not expect to do the group name skits and we all had only 15 minutes to discuss the group name, motto, sign name and plan the skit. We all got “thumbs down” from the staff for the group name, motto, sign name, and skit. We have to continue thinking of new ideas!

After relaxing for a while and playing a game of charades, it was finally time for our nightly fireside gathering. But to our dismay, the group responsible for starting the fire used up their three matches allowed for that night. Reluctantly, we sat with our groups around a fake fire made of wood and red paint. Without the warm flames to keep the irksome bugs at bay, we had to deal with them dive-bombing into our faces, creeping all over our skin and biting while we patiently watched a staff member, Rupert Dubler, recount to us his fascinating life experiences: his travels to China, his experience in hiking through Alaskan bear country, and of biking nearly 600 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. He related the idea of fear to all of these experiences and mentioned their role in them; saying that if he had not overcome his fears, he would not have all these life lessons that made him whole.

Hungry for more stories, we welcomed Shira Grabelsky to the stage to discuss her passion for drama. She related to us her successes in the area such as being chosen for an important role as Helen Keller in a play. She told us how she came off track for her focus on drama but still held on for passion’s sake to this day. That night, we went to bed smiling, with a new resolve to overcome whatever fears we had and to never give up our passion for whatever it is we love to do.

The boys of cabin M are cleaning up before inspection.
See how Jonathan Ruiz is rapt with attention?
Newly minted NAD YLC President Jimmy Wilson leading his first Camp Council meeting, with staff Joshua Weinstock giving a helping hand.
Group C acting out a skit in hopes of getting a thumbs up!
Justin Bergeron hoping his trusty sweater will give him magical skills onstage!
Group A in the middle of their skit as Cindy Siebert says "Grab every opportunity!"
Matching geek girls: Raquel Grindstaff and Sara Selzer both break out their Spongebob t-shirts
Group D in the middle of an emotional guessing during Charades for Evening Program
Brandon Washburn trying to clearly explain what he was assigned to earn group C some points!
"Oh, why didn't I think about acting that way?" Charades can be maddening!
Staff Mark Ramirez and the wooden "fail fire" dampens the environment for fireside. The campers have a challenge: only three chances to light a fire!
Staff Rupert Dubler in the middle of giving his fireside story.
Rupert was followed by Staff Shira Grabelsky who also gave an excellent fireside story!