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Visit Our Cleveland Sight Center Highbrook Camp Website
216-658-4593
camp[AT]clevelandsightcenter.org
12944 Aquilla Road
Chardon, Ohio 44070
WINTER (OFF-SEASON) OFFICE ADDRESS:
Cleveland Sight Center
ATTN: Highbrook Camp
1909 East 101 Street
Cleveland, OH 44106
CAMPER AGES: 8 through adult, families too
TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight/Sleepaway.
CAMPER GENDER(S): Coed Campers.
SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPERS: Good things are happening at Highbrook Lodge. Operated by the Cleveland Sight Center since 1928, it offers separate programs for children, families and adults who are living with vision impairments or blindness. Children’s programs include sessions for 6 to 9 years old, 10 to 12 year old and teenagers 13 to 18. Highbrook’s children’s camp sessions offer an inclusive, mainstreamed setting by including friends and siblings, when space is available.
Traditional camp activities include arts and crafts, nature and outdoor activities, swimming, sports and recreation and lots of special events. Independence and self-sufficiency are encouraged as campers participate in camper council, planning the annual talent show and banquet nights, camp outs under the stars, and cabin clean-up. Special guests and programs have included adventure activities, the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame, bands, orchestras, artists, and poets.
Campers have field-trip options to horse-riding stables, fishing, nature centers and other area attractions. Children at Highbrook participate in a structured, busy activity day. There is 24-hour supervision and attention from trained staff to offer first-time and returning campers alike a memorable camp experience. Families and adults have different options available with the special needs of the child or adult who is blind or visually impaired met with adaptations and know how of the staff.
CAMP INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED:
Theater, Music/Band, Horses/Equestrian, Team Sports, Wilderness/Nature, and more. Activities At Highbrook Include A Traditional Camp Curriculum Of Arts & Crafts, Nature/outdoor Education, Music & Drama, Swimming, Sports & Recreation Activities Adapted To Include Campers With Vision Loss Or Other Disabilities.
CAMP LOCATION: Highbrook is located about 40 minutes East of Cleveland Ohio on 63 beautiful acres.
CAMP FACILITIES: We have paved pathways, 6 dormitory style cabins with indoor plumbing, 1 cabin with semi private rooms, Reinberger heated swimming pool, Wolf Arts and Nature Center, Sears Activity Hall, Robert's Recreation Hall, Smith Lodge and Dining Hall, nature paths with guide wires for people with vision impairments and much more. See our webpage and scroll down to see our video or like our facebook page to see more.
CAMP PROGRAM INFO: About the Highbrook Camp Program:
Our philosophy is simple: All people have abilities and our mission is to enable children and adults to realize their full potential through the recreation activities at Highbrook.
Safety is paramount to this mission. Our leader screening includes a criminal background check through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal investigation. All staff participates in a week-long orientation with sessions about sighted guide techniques, accessibility for people who are blind and visually impaired, and CPR and First Aid certification. Emergency drill training and procedures include weather, fire, injury, and lost camper. Children are always supervised by counselor teams, and attendance is taken several times daily. We have a resident Registered Nurse to dispense medication and carry out physician-ordered treatments for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and glaucoma, to address possible emergencies, and to educate about wellness. Geauga County Hospital is literally within walking distance. Each year we communicate with the sheriff, fire, and police departments in the area to announce our summer arrival. We are grateful for their service and assistance in maintaining a very safe environment at Highbrook Lodge.
We ask to be partners with parents in our efforts to provide a safe camp experience for their children. Our application provides ample space to provide information related to a child’s special needs including vision, behavior, health, and diet. Please be as thorough and complete with information as possible. No tidbit is too trivial when a child becomes homesick, displays anxiety or anger, or has difficulty ‘fitting’ in. In the event of injury or incidents we call home to ask your advice and inform you of any unusual circumstances. When you arrive to pick up your child at the end of their camp session our goal is that you will not have any surprises about their care.
Our program for children is structured and progressive. Our day begins at 7:00 A.M. and progresses through meals, 3- 6 activity periods depending on age group, evening program, and cabin time. Our campers are kept busy and active throughout the day and usually are ready for bed at night. Our activities and procedures are based on traditional camp experiences to instill confidence and build self-esteem, enable peer support and getting along with others in a diverse world, and trying new things and mastering old skills. Campers are challenged to be as independent as possible, make decisions about activities, make choices in their day, help others, and be active.
Every effort is taken to help a child have a successful camp experience, but we will not force a child to endure a full session if they are overwhelmed by homesickness or other anxiety.
From time to time children and teens test the limits of authority and disciplinary actions need to be imposed. Highbrook Lodge staff will first discuss and correct inappropriate behavior. If behavior is not corrected (and it most often is) and depending on the situation, a child may receive a brief time-out from an activity (never sent to their cabin or away from the group), a loss of privilege such as the camp store, or a proactive assignment such as providing extra help during cabin clean-up (but never to clean the cabin alone, for example). Corporal punishment, cabin hazing, initiations and the like are forbidden at Highbrook Lodge and should be reported immediately to the Camp Director if reported by a camper to their parents. We ask parents to discuss the golden rule with children prior to coming to camp and reinforce their need to listen and obey, get along with others, ask permission from their counselors, mind their manners, and respect others’ person and property.
Campers will be sent home for threatening physical or verbal behavior toward others, inappropriate or sexual advances, bringing alcohol, illicit drugs, weapons, or offensive materials to camp, refusing to participate or follow directions, stealing, or destruction of property.
Registration for Highbrook Lodge is required. Applications are requested no later than June 1st. As sessions tend to fill rapidly, applications are accepted on a first-come first serve basis.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Financial aid application is available in camp registration packet.
FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): Bright Future for families of children 0-6 who have a diagnosed vision impairment, and their siblings (all ages). You will enjoy the activities and facilities of Highbrook, meet other families with children with a vision impairment, and be able to speak with professional staff of the Cleveland Sight Center.
Family Sessions are available for children 6 and above with a vision impairment. Join us for a long weekend.
Cohen Syndrome Family Gathering is for children and adults diagnosed with Cohen's Syndrome. More information at Our Camp Website Link: www.facebook.com
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Highbrook offers various year round activities and weekend events for different age groups.
OTHER CAMP INFO: You are welcome to explore Highbrook for your summer camping needs. Children, Families, and adults living with a vision impairment or blindness will find we offer a session to meet their needs. In addition we are operated by Cleveland Sight Center, a comprehensive blindness rehabilitation program.
CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Visit our website for our camp schedule.
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