WEBVTT 00:00:17.046 --> 00:00:21.145 If you changed the clothes, this could be 1950. 00:00:21.146 --> 00:00:24.865 There's something timeless about kids and summer camp. 00:00:24.866 --> 00:00:29.945 But tucked away in one of these rustic cabins is a very modern addition. 00:00:34.046 --> 00:00:34.875 Technology. 00:00:34.876 --> 00:00:36.775 It's a big part of life today. 00:00:36.776 --> 00:00:39.195 It gives us access to the Internet, 00:00:39.196 --> 00:00:45.525 allows us to explore the World Wide Web, get in touch with other people... 00:00:45.526 --> 00:00:48.875 It's also just plain fun I like computers. 00:00:48.876 --> 00:00:55.035 And I don't have one at home, so I wanted to see what this was all about. 00:00:55.036 --> 00:00:58.135 What you do is click where you think Waldo might be, 00:00:58.136 --> 00:01:01.345 and then It'll show you that square bigger. 00:01:01.346 --> 00:01:06.595 This is an introductory Internet class at a Muscular Dystrophy Association camp. 00:01:06.596 --> 00:01:09.265 It was the first time they'd tried something like this. 00:01:09.266 --> 00:01:12.655 It was an incredible addition to our camp this year; 00:01:12.656 --> 00:01:18.035 I hope to do it again; the kids are absolutely thrilled to have that kind 00:01:18.036 --> 00:01:22.925 of high tech information and education -- they've had a wonderful time with it. 00:01:22.926 --> 00:01:26.985 This is a chance to explore; to take a look at the possibilities. 00:01:26.986 --> 00:01:31.105 Many of these kids don't have computers available to them at home, 00:01:31.106 --> 00:01:34.335 and those that do often have never used the Internet. 00:01:34.336 --> 00:01:39.425 So we're trying to show them what's fun out there, that they can reach other people 00:01:39.426 --> 00:01:42.775 and find things that will be helpful and fun for them. 00:01:49.646 --> 00:01:51.705 This MDA camp is in the foothills 00:01:51.706 --> 00:01:55.465 of the Cascade Mountains outside Seattle, Washington. 00:01:55.466 --> 00:01:59.745 It's an old Civilian Conservation Corps project, built in the 1930s, 00:01:59.746 --> 00:02:02.825 and listed on the National Historic Register. 00:02:02.826 --> 00:02:06.475 Very picturesque, but a bit of a challenge for today's technology. 00:02:06.476 --> 00:02:08.775 Waskowitz was especially challenging 00:02:08.776 --> 00:02:15.845 because they only had four phone lines for us, and we had to figure out a way 00:02:15.846 --> 00:02:20.965 to get ten computers hooked up to the Internet, and so...we had wires dangling all 00:02:20.966 --> 00:02:23.005 over the place and coming in through the window ... 00:02:23.006 --> 00:02:25.045 and it was a big mess. 00:02:25.046 --> 00:02:26.835 Oh, I think the car wash would be kind of cool. 00:02:26.836 --> 00:02:31.085 Sheryl Burgstahler is the director of DO-IT, which stands for Disabilities, 00:02:31.086 --> 00:02:34.255 Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology. 00:02:34.256 --> 00:02:39.095 Based at the University of Washington, DO-IT staffers have helped set up Internet 00:02:39.096 --> 00:02:43.445 and college preview programs in a variety of camp locations. 00:02:43.446 --> 00:02:46.205 Besides teaching Internet and technical skills, 00:02:46.206 --> 00:02:50.455 these programs help build self-confidence and independence. 00:02:50.456 --> 00:02:54.315 Campers have opportunities to meet others with similar experiences, 00:02:54.316 --> 00:02:57.445 and they learn how to communicate year round. 00:02:57.446 --> 00:03:00.655 They're also preparing for their future. 00:03:00.656 --> 00:03:05.345 Seeing the stuff with DO-IT makes me feel like it really can happen... 00:03:05.346 --> 00:03:07.725 like nothing can stop me now. 00:03:07.726 --> 00:03:12.325 At a DO-IT summer program in Seattle, college-bound teenagers with disabilities go 00:03:12.326 --> 00:03:15.225 to "camp" on the University of Washington campus. 00:03:15.226 --> 00:03:17.175 The University of Washington, 00:03:17.176 --> 00:03:21.235 we used a lab that already had an Internet connection. 00:03:21.236 --> 00:03:25.105 The focus at this camp is on academics and careers. 00:03:25.106 --> 00:03:28.585 Computer technology provides one of the keys to success, 00:03:28.586 --> 00:03:32.355 a resource for high school, college, and employment. 00:03:32.356 --> 00:03:37.925 One thing that I learned was that I can't be afraid of computers! 00:03:37.926 --> 00:03:43.475 The aspect of computers that I really like is this whole Internet bit. 00:03:43.476 --> 00:03:46.785 It opens so many doors- and then the e-mail, too. 00:03:46.786 --> 00:03:50.115 I learned like how to do a Web page and like how 00:03:50.116 --> 00:03:55.045 to write a newsletter article and all those, it's really good. 00:03:55.046 --> 00:04:01.825 I really enjoy all of the college preparation, and being able to live 00:04:01.826 --> 00:04:05.715 on a college campus and in the dorms is a nice experience. 00:04:05.716 --> 00:04:09.965 This is an overnight camp, using college dorm rooms on campus. 00:04:09.966 --> 00:04:14.795 But a similar program could be offered as a day camp or a weekend camp. 00:04:20.636 --> 00:04:23.635 Internet activities are connected to the college, career, 00:04:23.636 --> 00:04:26.185 and social goals of the DO-IT camp. 00:04:26.186 --> 00:04:30.495 But some of the activities are just summer fun. 00:04:40.066 --> 00:04:44.105 It's important to have a balance between learning and the social, 00:04:44.106 --> 00:04:47.985 and I found that it was the dance and it was kind of topped off 00:04:47.986 --> 00:04:49.505 with the talent show the next night. 00:04:49.506 --> 00:04:51.525 It was a lot of fun. 00:04:51.526 --> 00:04:54.565 So, basically, the world is now networked. 00:04:54.566 --> 00:04:58.075 And that's what the Internet is, is it's that network. 00:04:58.076 --> 00:05:02.135 Camp Courage, near Minneapolis, is designed for kids with disabilities. 00:05:02.136 --> 00:05:06.985 In a cooperative program with DO-IT, Camp Courage offers an intensive Internet 00:05:06.986 --> 00:05:09.095 and college preview session for teens. 00:05:09.096 --> 00:05:11.905 Camp Courage rented the computers and then arranged 00:05:11.906 --> 00:05:15.025 for an Internet connection for its 10-day program. 00:05:15.026 --> 00:05:17.665 As students become more confident with technology, 00:05:17.666 --> 00:05:20.335 they also develop confidence in themselves. 00:05:20.336 --> 00:05:22.275 This is the sort of thing that a lot 00:05:22.276 --> 00:05:26.365 of these kids never get a chance at at home; they come from rural areas 00:05:26.366 --> 00:05:29.475 where there aren't other disabled kids; they come from areas 00:05:29.476 --> 00:05:34.235 where they're not getting enough encouragement; and this is an option for kids who have a lot 00:05:34.236 --> 00:05:37.475 of talent to realize that talent and go on to college 00:05:37.476 --> 00:05:40.525 and go on to live more independent lives. 00:05:40.526 --> 00:05:43.465 Every young person can benefit from these camp programs. 00:05:43.466 --> 00:05:48.625 They open up new possibilities for communication, research, and careers. 00:05:48.626 --> 00:05:54.045 The Internet has provided me with a lot of excellent resources for colleges, 00:05:54.046 --> 00:05:57.665 because you can start by looking in the admissions office, 00:05:57.666 --> 00:06:01.615 and they give you the requirements to get into the school. 00:06:01.616 --> 00:06:03.795 For high school students, there are valuable tips 00:06:03.796 --> 00:06:06.265 on how to be successful in college. 00:06:06.266 --> 00:06:10.505 Most professors have a hundred to two hundred students per quarter, 00:06:10.506 --> 00:06:12.895 and a lot of those students you just never get to know. 00:06:12.896 --> 00:06:17.625 But you get to know the ones that come up to you and ask good questions, or the ones that come up 00:06:17.626 --> 00:06:22.975 and ask for an accommodation if that's necessary; and so it's a really good chance... 00:06:22.976 --> 00:06:26.975 you know, it's a little bit intimidating to do this, but it's also an opportunity. 00:06:26.976 --> 00:06:30.505 As always, the test of success is the campers themselves. 00:06:30.506 --> 00:06:32.615 What are you doing right now? 00:06:32.616 --> 00:06:35.225 I'm in a teen chat lounge. 00:06:35.226 --> 00:06:36.975 What are you chatting about? 00:06:36.976 --> 00:06:40.045 Ah, I'm talking to a girl. 00:06:40.046 --> 00:06:42.165 My mom wanted me to go to a camp this summer, 00:06:42.166 --> 00:06:46.935 but I didn't want to do regular camp things, I wanted to learn how to go on the Internet 00:06:46.936 --> 00:06:51.565 and all the e-mail things and everything, 'cause I didn't know how to e-mail before I came here. 00:06:51.566 --> 00:06:56.325 One of the best things about summer camp is that kids get 00:06:56.326 --> 00:06:58.325 to meet others who share their experiences. 00:06:58.326 --> 00:07:03.585 And with Internet access, those friendships can continue long after camp is over. 00:07:03.586 --> 00:07:05.465 I think it's really cool. 00:07:05.466 --> 00:07:08.465 Now that I know how to do it, I can e-mail all my friends that have computers. 00:07:08.466 --> 00:07:10.395 So that's really cool. 00:07:10.396 --> 00:07:12.955 How many people right now have Internet connections? 00:07:12.956 --> 00:07:13.875 At home? 00:07:13.876 --> 00:07:18.145 To help kids stay in touch throughout the year, DO-IT offers DO-IT Pals, 00:07:18.146 --> 00:07:21.755 an Internet club for high school students with disabilities. 00:07:21.756 --> 00:07:25.685 They share resources, activities, and fun on line. 00:07:25.686 --> 00:07:27.975 They also communicate with electronic mentors. 00:07:27.976 --> 00:07:33.095 Yeah, I check my e-mail every day, and I write to a lot of the scholars, 00:07:33.096 --> 00:07:36.415 and a lot of them and I have become really close friends, and I keep in touch with them. 00:07:36.416 --> 00:07:38.355 I even see some of them in person. 00:07:38.356 --> 00:07:41.555 Making friends is really big. 00:07:41.556 --> 00:07:45.215 I have friends from all over, you know, and e-mailing them and keeping 00:07:45.216 --> 00:07:46.245 in touch with them, that's great. 00:07:46.246 --> 00:07:48.665 I like that a lot. 00:07:48.666 --> 00:07:52.445 And having my computer for school work-that's good. 00:07:52.446 --> 00:07:54.365 Very good. 00:07:54.366 --> 00:07:57.765 Any camp can make the Internet a part of its activities. 00:07:57.766 --> 00:08:04.575 To set up your camp, follow these key steps: Put together an instructional and technical team. 00:08:04.576 --> 00:08:07.955 Determine instructional goals and materials. 00:08:07.956 --> 00:08:12.575 Find a facility with computers, or make plans to rent or buy them. 00:08:12.576 --> 00:08:14.875 Arrange for Internet service. 00:08:14.876 --> 00:08:18.455 Integrate the Internet into other camp activities. 00:08:18.456 --> 00:08:20.605 Publicize the program. 00:08:20.606 --> 00:08:25.145 Once it's all in place, any camper can enjoy accessing the Internet. 00:08:25.146 --> 00:08:27.255 I'm loving every minute of it. 00:08:27.256 --> 00:08:28.195 It's really great. 00:08:28.196 --> 00:08:36.095 The people here are so nice; you can relate to them; it's been a wonderful experience. 00:08:36.096 --> 00:08:37.075 I think it's really fun and I... 00:08:37.076 --> 00:08:39.075 hopefully I'll be able to come back next year. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:57.000 For more information, contact DO-IT. 00:08:57.001 --> 00:09:05.000 On the World Wide Web: www.washington.edu/doit 00:09:05.001 --> 00:09:12.000 Phone, voice or TTY: (206) 685-DOIT 00:09:12.001 --> 00:09:16.000 Address: DO-IT, University of Washington 00:09:16.001 --> 00:09:25.000 Box 355670, Seattle, WA 98195-5670 00:09:25.001 --> 00:09:27.500 Director: Sheryl Burgstahler 00:09:27.501 --> 00:09:31.000 Funding for the creation and distribution of this videotape 00:09:31.001 --> 00:09:33.000 was provided by the National Science Foundation and 00:09:33.001 --> 00:09:35.600 the NEC Foundation of America. 00:09:35.601 --> 00:09:39.000 Special thanks to Children's Hospital and Medical Center, the 00:09:39.001 --> 00:09:44.000 Courage Center, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, PTI 00:09:44.001 --> 00:09:48.000 Communications, the Midwest Division of Kraus Anderson, and 00:09:48.001 --> 00:09:49.800 the University of Washington for supporting the internet 00:09:49.801 --> 00:09:53.000 activities at the summer camps in this video. 00:09:53.001 --> 00:09:57.500 Copyright 1998 University of Washington