Kids practice their native language at camp

It was quiet in room 143 inside Carson City High School Friday at noon, but hands were a blur of motion.

Eight deaf children sat in a half-moon around the day's speaker, Probation Officer Randy Rice. He smiled through out his presentation. Kids raised their hands to ask questions, sometimes laughing during Rice's responses.

The 32 deaf and hard-of-hearing children are part of the two-week long Communication Arts Day Camp. Eight-year-old Sierra Lombardo comes from Fallon. She wears purple hearing aides and red, white and blue sandals. Sometimes Sierra fidgets with her belt, other times she hides behind her translator.

So far Sierra has really enjoyed stories told by adults in American Sign Language. Her favorites were about whitewater rafting, and another about a tornado. Sierra swirled her finger into the air to sign "tornado."

Vance Dutcher, 13, attends Eagle Valley Middle School. He came to the camp to meet new friends.

Chelsea Owen-Self, soon-to-be a Carson City High School junior, has enjoyed reading and playing games.

Camp Director Gary Olsen said the program helps deaf children develop self esteem, and to be comfortable with their native language. He spoke through volunteer translator Joy Bergreen-Steiger, but he also vocalized most of his words in deep intonations.

"This helps to develop their language because they learn how to express themselves in their natural setting," he said.

For information on the camp e-mail: deafadvocate4nv2@sbcglobal.net or call 887-1060 and use text telephone or call: (800) 326-6888 to be connected with a TTY user.

Contact Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.