About the Program

Dive into the dolphin world at DRC by joining a Dolphin Lab specially designed for deaf and hard of hearing children, a separate and intensive program interfaced with their daily activities. Stay in DRC's dormitory housing next to the DRC center. Sleep and eat in view of the beautiful Florida Keys bay. Parents can send their children on their own or join them in the program by watching their children engage and learn with the dolphins.

Dolphin Journeys for Deaf Children program dates vary from year to year, based on grant availability and schedules. Program fee is $1299 and includes:
• Educational workshops in dolphin physiology and the marine environment
• Therapeutic workshops including art
• One dock session interacting with members of the DRC dolphin family
• One "wade-in" session with the dolphins
• A dolphin swim
• Meals and snack
• Accommodations at the DRC dorms
Fees do NOT include transportation.

Dolphin Journeys for Deaf Children is committed to keeping our tuition fee low to make our program available to as many participants as possible. We engage in fundraising efforts to pay for costs over and above what is covered by our regular tuition. If you or someone you know would like to contribute funds to help us cover these additional costs, please email us.

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Program Objectives

• Celebrate deaf & hard of hearing children.
• Create accessible opportunities for deaf children to swim with dolphins at an established dolphin facility with a successful Dolphin Child Therapy Program.
• Develop bonding, fulfilling and exciting relationships between deaf children and dolphins.
• Encourage expression of feelings and experiences through art, movement and discussion.
• Foster positive self-esteem.
• Document the childrens' growth and experiences

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Enhancing Self-Esteem

One of our program goals is to encourage and to strengthen participants' self-esteem. The National Association of Self-Esteem defines Self-Esteem as follows:

"Self-esteem is the experience of being capable of managing life's challenges and being worthy of happiness." (1995)

We expect that by allowing children to lovingly interact with the dolphins at DRC and then expressing their experiences through art and group discussion, they will feel enriched about themselves and life in general.

Using Art and Form Expression

After each interactive session with the dolphins, the children will have the opportunity to express their feelings and experience through art mediums such as collage, drawing, creating a book, and creative movement. Participants will express ideas and feelings for which they might not have words. The main emphasis will be on the expression of thoughts, experiences and feelings, rather than artistic talent. The willingness of the group members to freely and creatively express themselves in a non-competitive, non-judgmental environment will be encouraged.

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Daily Itinerary

MERMAID AND MERMAN ACTIVITIES

Having a Blast at the 2004 Program

Day One
Through a variety of transportation options, meet at the Dolphin Research Center. Take a tour of DRC, meet the dolphins, eat dinner and settle into the Dolphin Lab dormitory.

Day Two
Participate in an exciting, educational workshop about dolphin physiology and husbandry. Learn DRC's Dolphin Hand Signals, then interact and communicate face-to-face with the dolphins from an introductory platform. Explore and share experiences through art, and group discussion. Free time activities.

Day Three
Participate a workshop about marine conservation and learn DRC's training and swim guidelines. Get closer and more familiar with the dolphins by wading waist-deep with them in their lagoon. Share feelings through art, and group discussion. Free time activities.

Day Four
Enjoy another educational and fun workshop about marine mammals and law. Then swim fully with the magnificent dolphins. Continue to discover and communicate experiences through art, and group discussion. Free time activities. Program evaluation. In preparation for departure, sign goodbye to the dolphins. Leave for home.

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Accommodations

Accommodations for this program include:
• Room and board at DRC's dormitory
• ASL interpreter staying in the dorm
• Adult supervision and guidance
• All meals and snacks
• Transportation from DRC dorm to the bay for swimming and recreation.

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Age Groups & Fees

Children from 7-19 years of age are welcome to enroll. In order to best serve your deaf or hard of hearing child, we will aim for children to be grouped by age. Parents may enroll along with their child. Fees for children are $1299.

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Intern Program

Interns will be working under the supervision of August Vanderbeek, Psy.D . This internship may be eligible for university or continuing education credit. Please call for details. Fees for the Intern program are $1125

Qualified applicants should have related experience working with the deaf and hard of hearing community and be excited about working with dolphins. Application forms should be submitted as early as possible as consideration will be of a first-come, first served basis.

Interns accepted for DJDC will be expected to:
• Create and present workshops on deaf cultural awareness for DRC staff ( may work in conjunction with local Deaf Services Bureau).
• Adapt DRC educational workshops on dolphin physiology, marine environment, etc. for various age groups (7-10yr.) (11-13 yr.) (14-19yr).
• Create supplemental, visual materials for DRC educational workshops.
• Create age-appropriate therapeutic activities (including art and movement) based on dolphin interactive experiences.
• Participate in research activitiy regarding therapeutic benefit to participants of programs.
• Participate in program evaluation.

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Check out our Program Blogs for 2004, 2006, and 2007 !

Dolphin Journeys for Deaf Children is dedicated to providing opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children to have contact with, learn about, and safely swim with dolphins, in a supportive, loving atmosphere.

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