For 13-year-old Bryleigh Freston, who is hearing-impaired, her first Christian camp was more than just a week outdoors. At Camp Kaleo in Forsyth, Georgia, she recently found new friends, thrilling wilderness adventures, and a welcoming place to grow in her faith.
Answering questions in sign language with her mom, Melissa Mangham, acting as an interpreter, Bryleigh indicated that although she was a bit nervous, she settled in and liked all the activities — including the hiking. Her favorite part was making new friends. She also liked swimming. She learned to swim without holding her nose. She also tackled the low ropes course.
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“It took her a little while to adjust, but the minute she got on the low ropes course and proved to everybody she was the most adept, everybody fell in love with her,” said interpreter and mentor Barb Coffan. “What she felt was love, love, love, from all these campers and all these staffers.”
Fayette County hearing-impaired teacher Julie Smith has spent time with Bryleigh since she was three months old. She said the dynamics and philosophy behind a ropes course is learning to depend on others and have confidence in yourself. “I really saw her come back with that. She felt so supported by them. It just carried on to the next thing they did.”
Bryleigh likes to bird watch and look for butterflies, and got to do this a few times, she signed. She enjoyed the art projects and making bracelets. And she liked the lunchtime Mac and Cheese. The daily Bible studies made her happy.
“She just felt comfortable. She is very independent. Everybody was so nice to her. She left there happy, accepted, and she has new friends,” said Smith, whose church, East Thomaston Baptist Church, provided the funds for Bryleigh to attend camp.
Bryleigh had only been to one camp prior to Kaleo. She lives in Thomaston, but attends the Atlanta Area School For The Deaf in Clarkston, Ga. Her school had an overnight camping trip earlier this year.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jason Queen and originally published by the Christian Index.
