2026 Summer Programs
Summer Time Fun
Something for Everyone
Registration is closed!
Collaborating Partners
- Iowa School for the Deaf
- Easterseals Camp Sunnyside
- Camp Courageous
- Camp High Hopes
- Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
- County Conservation Centers
- Area Education Agencies
- Local School Districts
Why Choose Our Camps?
- Fully accessible and fun
- Campers build skills in all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum
- Staffed by teachers of the visually impaired and orientation & mobility specialists
- Open to students with visual impairments who:
- receive TVI/OMS services from IESBVI
- are on a 504 Plan or general education
- are enrolled in a 4PLUS program for Fall 2026
- Licensed nurses/certified medication managers at each camp
- Transportation available for regional day camps
- Google Classrooms share daily camp highlights
IESBVI Residential Camps
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Sun
7
2026
June 7 – June 11 2026
Camp Abilities – ages 7-21 – CAMP IS FULL – Waitlist Started
Iowa School for the Deaf Campus, Council Bluffs
(Registration Limit – 30 students)
Camp Abilities This camp focuses on physical activity with exposure and exploration of leisure and recreational hobbies/pursuits. Activities will be adapted and modified so all can participate regardless of vision level.
- Students should be predominantly independent with self-care and have few behavioral concerns.
- Students should be prepared to be active throughout the week and willing to try new activities.
Contact Caitlin Laudick
IESBVI Regional Day Camps
Must live within 45 minutes of camp location
Limited transportation will be available
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Mon
15
2026
June 15 – June 19 2026
Great Prairie Summer Quest for the Multiply Impaired (TVI referral)
Mount Pleasant
(Registration limit – 16 students)
Contact Jill Mehaffy-Nalley
Link to Great Prairie Summer Quest Flyer
Mon
15
2026
June 15 – June 18 2026
Wilderness Week at Central Park – Grades 1-8
Jones County (Eastern Iowa)
(Registration limit – 12 students)
Contact Chelsie Engelbart
Link to Wilderness Week Flyer
Mon
15
2026
June 15 – June 19 2026
Transition Life Skills – Grades 8-12+
Des Moines
(Registration limit – 16 students)
Contact Kim Stocks
Link to Transition Life Skills Flyer
Mon
15
2026
June 15 – June 18 2026
Northwest Adventures – Grades 1-12
Sioux Center
(Registration limit – 12 students)
Contact Jennifer Vortherms
Link to Northwest Adventures Flyer
Mon
22
2026
June 22 – June 26 2026
Expanding Our World Jr – Grades K-7
Des Moines
Students must be independent with their daily living skills to attend.
(Registration limit – 14 students)
Contact Shelley Smith
Link to Expanding Our World Junior Flyer
Mon
22
2026
June 22 – June 25 2026
Winding Woods & Waterways – Grades 1-12
Wapella
Students must be independent in their daily living skills & walk independently to attend.(Registration limit – 12 students)
Contact Lori Brown
Link to Winding Woods & Waterways Flyer
Other Residential Camp Opportunities
These camps are not hosted by IESBVI and have separate registration processes.
**No scholarships or camperships will be offered through IESBVI this year**
Summer
2026
Summer 2026
Camp Courageous-Youth Visual Impairment Camp (Residential)
Monticello
Camp Courageous offers a variety of services including week-long camp sessions, respite care weekends, camper trips, family camp sessions and experiential education sessions for individuals with disabilities. Eligible students will receive information to register directly with Camp Courageous.
Theme TBA
For more information and to register: Camp Courageous Registration
Summer
2026
Summer 2026
Easterseals Camp Sunnyside
Des Moines
Camp Sunnyside offers a true summer camp experience for children with higher level behavioral, health, or medical needs. Eligible students will receive information to register directly with Camp Sunnyside. Choose from residential and day camps.
VI camp week TBA
For more information and to register: Easterseals Iowa | Camp Sunnyside
Summer
2026
Summer 2026
Camp High Hopes
Sioux City
Camp High Hopes offers exceptional recreational activities for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, special needs and chronic illnesses. Camp High Hopes provides tailored programs, adaptive equipment, low staff-to-camper ratio and personalized attention. Inclusivity, empathy, respect and fun are at the core, empowering every individual to flourish and grow. Eligible students will receive information to register directly with Camp High Hopes.
Choose your week and sign up through the link below.
For more information and to register: Camp High Hopes Schedule and Information
Registration is closed. To complete camp required forms, click the buttons below
To complete the registration process, please complete the Annual Profile & Permission and Health Questionnaire forms also linked below.
Camp Abilities Spotlight
For most children in the United States, running and jumping and hanging with friends is a given. But for children who are visually impaired, nothing is a given. Until, that is, they arrive at Camp Abilities. Camp Abilities provides the environment, support and expectation that all children can participate on the ball field or in the gym. Yes, Camp Abilities is an educational sports camp with individualized instruction. But for children who are visually impaired, it’s one week where running and jumping and making new friends IS a given. Strong. Determined. Fearless. And Empowered. At Camp Abilities, children who are visually impaired embrace these descriptions. Camp Abilities is not just a week at camp. It’s a lifetime of believing in yourself.
Transition Life Skills Spotlight
Transition Life Skills camp focuses on independence. From independent living skills to job preparation, we explore it all! Campers participate in the job seeking process from application to resume to job interviews using their assistive technology. We will build their resume through volunteer experience and develop skills. Campers will explore the city while taking the city bus to various locations. Campers will engage in one adventure after another designed to develop their independent living skills.