I arrived here from the Aloha state, Hawaii, bodysurfing all the way. The idea was to wear me out so I could not be so hyperactive. It didn't work (ask the campers!). If you catch me standing still, be very quiet. I am asleep!

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I've been here a few years tormenting and testing our campers with my silliness. We have had many a good time together trying to be as messy in our camp events as possible, much to Ms. Van Horn's chagrin! This next year you'd all better look out! Parents, know that we are going to possibly be more colorful than last year as I learned my lesson on how many bottles of paint to buy!!!

"Hello! My name is Bethanie, I'm an ASL interpreter and also a TAP Manager for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center. I enjoy photography, crafts, fishing, ziplining, swimming (basically all things outdoors). I'm looking forward to helping everybody have a super fun time!  I look forward to volunteering at SoF and I'm so excited to capture all the fun we'll have this summer!"

Hello! My name is Jessie, I go to the Maryland School for the Blind in Baltimore, MD. I love my school, And my favorite subjects are math and reading. I am on the cheerleading, track, and wrestling teams at school and I love it!

My other favorite thing is Signs of Fun Camp. I love coming to Signs of Fun and I wouldn’t miss it. At camp, I like to fish and go swimming. I also like to make new friends and see old friends. Can’t wait to see everyone again this year!

Hi! My name is Makenzie. I am a student at NOVA College, working my way to becoming an ASL interpreter. This will be my first time as a volunteer at Signs of Fun. I am so excited to be a part of this. My favorite hobbies are cooking, running, and reading. 

Hello! My name is Emily, and I am from Minneapolis, MN. After graduating last year from ITP, my interpreting focus has been a mix of freelance and educational, and I am LOVING it! In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, enjoying the great outdoors and music, and exploring new places. This is my first time being involved with Signs of Fun, and I am very excited!

Hi, my name is Victoria! I am finishing my ITP at NVCC and am excited to fully immerse in ASL with you all and enjoy fun camp activities! I enjoy painting, rock climbing, and roller skating. It has been a while since I have attended summer camp, but the kid in me lives! Let's make this summer memorable.

Hello, my name is Noberto, but I also go by Bert. I enjoy coming to Signs of Fun Camp, and I’m so glad to be able to volunteer as a counselor each year! I am an ASL-English Interpreting student excited to work in K-12 and community settings. I look forward to providing a FUN environment for children to enjoy themselves in the company of others who sign! My favorite part of camp last year was watching all of the little ones laugh and enjoy their time at camp! Get ready for another summer full of laughs and awesome memories!

Hola! My name is (Janet) Arlene Van Horn. I have a BS in Special Education and a Masters of Education in Early Childhood Special Education, as well as a teacher for students that are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. I taught in the public school system in both New Jersey and Virginia for over 35 years. I was also an adjunct professor at local community colleges.

I started the Signs of fun Camp in 1995 so that my preschool students would have access to communication (ASL) in the summer and have a camp experience. The camp not only benefits the students but their parents as well. The parents have the opportunity to share and get support from each other.

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After retirement, I moved to NJ to care for my elderly parents. I continue to be active and very supportive of the Signs of Fun Camp.

 I can make the happen to make a FUN from my eyes. In the moment, I see what and create the FUN. Now, you see that we will not be bored because I am here! 

I’m Jordan from Bristow VA, and I was born hard of hearing due to Goldenhar Syndrome. I didn’t learn sign language until high school, but now I use it daily to communicate! I currently attend Radford University and major in Art Education and minor in American Sign Language.

Growing up I went to camp, but always with hearing people only, so it was pretty difficult to enjoy, but I’ve only been with Signs of Fun for a short time, and greatly enjoy working with the kids and helping them make art- with my hearing aids off!

Hello! My name is Emily and I'm so excited to be a part of Signs of Fun this year! I come to you with no sign name. Perhaps you will decide that for me after a week full of fun? Let's FIESTA!

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Hello, hello.  My name is Laura.  I don’t have a name sign yet. 

I haven’t been to camp in years, so I’m excited to be a part of this endeavor and see what fun can be had here at Signs of Fun! I can’t wait to see what you all teach me because I will definitely be learning from you! I enjoy hiking, swimming, running, I really enjoy running.  Really, I just love to get my body moving, it’s really a passion of mine.  Yea, so that’s me.  See you soon!  BYE!!!

Hunta Williams, DeafBlind, hails from New York City. He has attended four different deaf schools and graduated from Lexington School for the Deaf. Hunta received a Bachelor of Science degree in culinary management at The Art Institutes International Minnesota. He furthered his education at the graduate level by achieving a Master's degree in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University. Professionally, he has worked as an ASL teacher, Tutor, Sign Model, Deaf interpreter, Co-Navigator, Consultation, Activist, and Sign Language Specialist.
 
His professional skills have also been used in the community, where he has provided his expertise on topics such as individual and disability rights advocacy, linguistic culture and cultural competency, sensitivity, awareness, and accessibility. As though he is not busy enough, Hunta remains active in the community. Additionally, Hunta works tirelessly with the Transgender community, Black Deaf Community, DeafBlind community, and as a Community Educator.​
In his free time, he loves to play disc golf, read, watch movies, and play sports. He enjoys spending time with his old friends, nephews, and goddaughters. The most important part of his life is his wife, Sheena Williams, and their dog, Spot, an Emotional Service Animal (ESA). Also, he loves cooking international foods and specializes in Jamaican cuisine.

Hello, hello! My name is Rebecca. I have experienced Signs of Fun as a camper and I continue each year to come back as a counselor! I am looking forward to this summer!

Anyway, my two favorite parts about going to Signs of Fun camp are meeting new friends and ASL! Thanks to Signs of Fun Camp, I have met some of my best friends! And ASL, well, it's fun to learn and makes communication with others so much easier! I can't wait to meet all of you!

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Hi! My name is MaryRose Gonzalez. I was born Deaf and raised in a hearing family. This means I have a dual perspective. I can see where the parents struggle and where our campers crave role models within the deaf community. For these reasons, I am a Deaf mentor. I love showing families that acquiring language, though while a bit difficult, it can still be fun. There are so many cultural experiences I can help families obtain via my tutelage.

I am also a strong advocate for our deaf community. I am an Independent Living Skills instructor, I work in the school system with Deaf/HH children, and a family tutor/mentor for those just learning to navigate the deaf community.  I am a fierce advocate for the Deaf community and represent this via the ASL Coffee Podcast

I look forward to seeing your teens sign up to be a part of the Virginia Association of the Deaf when they turn 18.

My name is Lori.  Signs of Fun Camp has been a part of my summers for more than two decades. 
 

I have been teaching for 40+ years and I continue to educate students and parents whenever possible. Signs of Fun Camp allows me to interact in a relaxing and enjoyable setting (away from the academic constraints of testing and IEPs).

There is nothing better on earth than witnessing the spontaneous communication and true joy that I see on the faces of all of those who attend. I'm looking forward to seeing all of your smiles soon!!

Hi Campers and Families,

I am a mom of a Deaf son first and a certified interpreter second. I have been an interpreter for over 15 years, motivated by the need to communicate with my son. This has led me to great opportunities and relationships with a beautiful community of Deaf individuals and their families, too. I have been a part of SOF as a parent, counselor, and supporter on and off for more than 20 years (since my son was 4). I have seen kids come to camp as campers, enjoying a week of fun, then growing up to become counselors, giving back what they received as campers themselves. I plan to continue giving what was given to my son as a young camper. I have two dogs, who I adore, in my spare time; I love to kayak, bike, work-out and spend time outside. I love SOFC and know your kids will, too! I look forward to meeting your children and watching them interact within their own culture, sharing their experiences as Deaf youth, including those who care for them.

Hi, my name is Lucy, and I go to school at VSDB. I have attended Signs of Fun Camp for the past five years; this will be my first year as a counselor!

I love to take pictures and make dance videos. I enjoy playing Roblox. Signs of Fun Camp is something I look forward to all year long! I love seeing all of my friends and having fun together.

Hey! I'm Hannah. I live in the Fredericksburg area. I graduated from the Reynolds Community College interpreter program in 2022 and started working as a novice interpreter in 2023. This is my first year joining Signs of Fun, and I am very excited! I always look for opportunities to use sign and have fun doing it! I love the outdoors and finding adventure, big or small. I really enjoy working with kids and seeing the creative ways that their brains work. I look forward to getting to know my local community better and helping everyone have an amazing time at camp!

My name is Carlafrances Jones. I am Deaf and have Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy. Having cerebral palsy doesn’t stop me from being me. I love to cook. I love to listen and make music in my quiet time. I love to travel. I volunteer my time at the Disability Resource Center and I love working with kids

Hi my name is Bradley (B3). I've been a staff member for Acorn Acting Camp in MI for two years before moving to VA and becoming a counselor at Signs of Fun Camp! I can't tell you my favorite part because I loved it all! I'm getting ready for a big FIESTA! Are you?

Hi there! My name is Lauren. I'm a student at Liberty University and am currently declared as an ASLI Major. I am so excited to be a counselor yet again his year, especially since SOF Camp is a wonderful opportunity for me to gain more experience within the Deaf/Hoh community. Can't wait to meet you all and to have a blast this summer!

I'm back! Growing up in Signs of Fun camp was a wonderful experience. Now I'm back and hoping to lead us into new adventures!

Aloha! My name is Nalani. I was born in Hawaii and raised in Virginia, and I've been signing since I was about 8.  I graduated from Radford University in May 2021 with a major in Computer Science and a minor in ASL. I currently work as a software developer and I enjoy making websites in my free time (like this one!).