Founded in 2001 and adopted by the Listen Foundation in 2018, Listen CI Camp creates wonderful opportunities for families to share the success of children ages 3-18 who use bilateral, bimodal, or unilateral cochlear implants (CI). Come be a part of the tradition and join families from across the United States for four days and three nights of recreation, education, and celebration.  Our focus is on making connections with each other, sharing our stories and experiences, and building a community that lasts a lifetime.

Camp offers a wide range of activities including:  parent education, children’s YMCA programming, family team building, climbing wall, archery, axe throwing, campfires, movie nights, mini golf, gaga ball, swimming, science and animal activities, roller skating, and more.  Families have the opportunity to meet with their CI device company as well as hearing health related organizations.  A typical day includes joining together for meals, participating in a wide variety of large and small group activities designed to foster relationships, educational sessions for parents, and time with young adult CI and sibling mentors.

Listen CI Camp is hosted on the beautiful 860-acre campus of the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado.  Registration includes all lodging, meals, and YMCA-led activities.  Optional horseback riding is offered by the stables on the YMCA campus for an additional fee.  Rooms are hotel style with two queen beds, a pullout twin mattress, and a private bath.  Occupancy is limited to five immediate family members.  Buffet style meals are served in a private dining room for our group.  Our adult volunteer staff of camp alumni mentors, audiology and speech language pathology students, and professionals in the industry will be there to greet you!

Listen CI Camp is for children ages 3 through 18 who use bilateral, bimodal, or unilateral cochlear implants along with their parents/legal guardians, and siblings up to 18 years of age only.  The two camp sessions are divided based on the age of the child(ren) who uses a cochlear implant:

  • June 27-30, 2024 CI Recipients Entering 5th Grade – 2024 High School Graduates
  • July 25-28, 2024  Recipients Age 3 – Entering 4th Grade

Registration is first come-first served for both sessions.  For siblings under three, we are able to provide cribs, highchairs, and inclusion in all the family group activities and some of the small group activities.  

Note: The YMCA is no longer licensed to care for children under five years of age; therefore, on Saturday morning parents with children under five must have one parent attend programming with their child while the other attends the Parent Education session.

We hope that you will join us!

What to Expect at Listen CI Camp and Frequently Asked Questions

CAMP MISSION:

The mission of Listen CI Camp is to continue to improve the lives of children with severe-to-profound hearing loss that have received cochlear implants by “Sharing Success” through recreation, education and connection.  The retreats are for parents, siblings, children who use cochlear implants, and young adult CI and sibling mentors from around the country to meet others “like them” so that they may share their stories and successes.  The goal is to not only bolster confidence and share best practices used in daily life by a variety of CI users, but also to inspire a sense of belonging to a community since many of these children are out in the mainstream in small numbers.  For many, the relationships of parent-to-parent and child-to-child stretch far beyond the camp boundaries.  The fun activities and recreation promote community building which happens naturally among attendees who share similar interests and stories.

CAMP IS FOR THE FAMILY:

Children who use cochlear implants aged 3-18 years
Siblings ages 0-18 years.
Parents /Legal Guardians

Our goal is to provide the camp opportunity for as many families as possible. Please do not sign up with or bring cousins, friends, grandparents, or children outside the age range. The YMCA strictly limits occupancy to 5 family members per room regardless of age. To keep camp affordable, the Listen Foundation raises 60% of the funds required for each family to attend camp.  (The family portion of the registration fee covers only 40% of the actual cost for each family to attend.)  Our fundraising is specific to our mission which is intent on parent-to-parent and child-to-child interaction with other families while our programming is based on the age range of 3-18 years.

Note: The summer of high school graduation is the last available summer to attend as a camper.  After completing a year post-graduation, camp alumni are eligible to apply as volunteers!

The YMCA is not licensed to take care of children under five years of age; therefore, on Saturday morning parents with children under five must have one parent attend programming with their child while the other attends the Parent Education session.

CAMP DATES AND TIMES:

​Check in for Listen CI Camp runs from 3:00-4:30pm (MT) Thursday, with activities beginning promptly at 5:00pm (MT).  Campers depart Sunday morning by 9:30am (MT) See the registration page for details.  The two camp sessions are divided based on the age of the child(ren) who uses a cochlear implant:

  • June 27-30, 2024 CI Recipients Entering 5th Grade – 2024 High School Graduates
  • July 25-28, 2024 CI Recipients Age 3 – Entering 4th Grade

CAMP LOCATION, VENUE, AND GETTING HERE:

Listen CI Camp is held at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado.  (See the address and map at the bottom of the webpage.)  Families are responsible for their own transportation to/from camp.  Travel options include driving or flying into Denver International Airport (DEN) and then either renting a vehicle and driving from there (approximately 1.5-2 hours) or to taking a shuttle from the airport directly to the YMCA (www.estesparkshuttle.com).  There is ample free parking on-site.

Camp takes place on the 860-acre, beautiful mountain campus of the YMCA.  We are housed in a hotel-style lodge on the YMCA campus that is dedicated just for us.  Each family will be in their own room which is equipped with two queen beds, a pullout twin mattress, and a private bath.  Occupancy is limited to five family members, regardless of age.  There are no televisions and limited Wi-Fi.  All activities take place solely on the YMCA campus.

REGISTRATION PROCESS AND FEES:

Registration is on a first come-first served basis. Space is limited and sells out every year. Camp registration generally opens in late January and payment is expected during registration.  Registration cost varies based on family size.  See the Camp Registration page for details on pricing.  The family portion of the registration fee covers 40% of the cost for each family to attend camp. To keep camp affordable for all, the Listen Foundation fundraises to cover the remaining 60% of the cost for each family. Fees cover the entire family for the four-day weekend and include lodging, dining, and Listen CI Camp activities.  Jackson Stables, on the YMCA of the Rockies property, offers horseback trail riding and hay wagon rides which are entirely optional add-ons. These can be added to your reservation in place of other Listen CI Camp sponsored activities. (Note: Jackson Stables is not affiliated with the Listen Foundation or Listen CI Camp). Regardless of circumstance, refunds are not available unless the Listen Foundation is able to fill your spot with another family. If a replacement is found, the registration fee will be refunded, less a $25 administrative fee. As such, all families are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance.

FINANCIAL AID /SCHOLARSHIP:

Financial assistance in the form of partial “camp scholarships” is available for a few families who are unable to pay the family portion of the registration fee.  Applications typically open in October, please create a camp account to receive updates. Funds raised for this purpose will determine what is available each year.  You may email the Listen Foundation (info@listenfoundation.org) for an application or call 303-781-9440.  Financial information to demonstrate need is requested (e.g. Free & Reduced Lunch programs, Medicaid insurance coverage, Listen Foundation therapy funding, etc.).  We hope to include different families from year-to-year in order to help as many families as possible.  Please see the Financial Scholarship page for additional information.

COMMUNICATION MODE:

Listen CI Camp is defined by each child using a cochlear implant, not mode of communication used at camp.  However, we are not ASL-based and most families use listening and spoken language. The YMCA and Listen CI Camp are unable to provide interpreters.

WHAT TO BRING:

Please see the What to Bring page.  Packing recommendations include casual clothing, closed toe walking shoes, toiletries, backpacks, water bottles, rain jackets, a flashlight, and snacks if desired.  Weather can range from cold nights and rainy days in the low 30s to sunny temperatures in the 90s.  There is usually great variability so layering clothing is highly recommended.  All bedding and towels are provided.  Cribs and highchairs are available upon request.  Rooms have mini refrigerators and fans, but are not air conditioned.  If you want to bring coolers, you may do so, but please fill up with ice prior to arriving at camp.

HOW MANY FAMILIES ATTEND AND FROM WHERE?

The Listen Foundation contracts with the YMCA years in advance to reserve specific lodges for our camp, so our space is limited to the contracted lodge size.  Presently, we house approximately 39 families per session.  In the past years, campers have come from 43 different states, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

ARE SPACES AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES?

Camp is not limited to U.S. families.  However, each family must provide their own transportation to/from camp.  We cannot be responsible for helping with travel documents, arrangements, or transportation scholarships.

CAN MY CHILD VOLUNTEER?

​We get asked this question a lot by families who want to bring an older sibling (>18 years) and from camp alumni who want to give back as volunteers.  Volunteers are an integral part of camp!  We give priority in recruitment to young adult camp alumni, both those who use cochlear implants and siblings.  Our mentoring program relies heavily on having former campers share their personal, educational, and work experiences.  Everyone at camp wants to meet happy, thriving cochlear implant and sibling role models.  We also like to bring in students/young professionals who are in the fields of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology so that they can learn from the population they will be serving professionally.  If our volunteer roster is not filled with these categories, we will gladly accept applications from others interested in serving with us!  We need friendly people who love serving kids, apply independent of their family, and are willing to work with all groups over the weekend.  Please see our Camp Volunteers page for more information.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST:

If you do not already have a camp account and would like to join our email list, please see our Camp Accounts & Email List page.

 

For more information and to register for Camp, visit our Registration Page.

Listen CI Camp is Grateful for the Generous Support of our Corporate Sponsors

Camp Location

 

 

YMCA of the Rockies
2525 Tunnel Rd
Estes Park, CO, USA 80511

Camp@listenfoundation.org

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Cochlear is the Presenting Sponsor for CI Camp