Molly Greer focuses on her work as she paints superhero logos on her lantern during arts and crafts at Deaf Camp.

In front camper Shane Miller works on his Flash paper lantern, having painted the superhero’s face on one side. His fellow campers, in back, Mercy Lederach, left, and Jason Dady work on their own lantern projects.

Indiana Deaf Camp has again returned to the Milford area, giving deaf and partially deaf children — plus their hearing siblings and children with deaf parents — fun camp experiences that have had them returning year after year both as campers and counselors.

This year marks 41 years of the camp’s operations with the camp opening in 1973. It was founded by Grace Nunery and Joyce Smith, and was originally hosted at Epworth Forest before it eventually moved to Camp Alexander Mack, where it has returned for the week of July 20-25.

Since its inception, Deaf Camp has drawn campers from around the world, and for many, they can never get enough. Such is the case for retired camp director, Phil Harden, who keeps returning to help; current camp director, Curtis Sigafoose; and many of the counselors on hand.

Harden has been with the camp serving in many capacities since Nunery first asked him to help with the younger kids. His positions have included serving as a counselor, becoming assistant camp director and serving upon Nunery’s request as the camp’s director. This year he has passed the reins over to Sigafoose, stating he thought the camp needed to have a younger leader.

“Curtis is a wonderful man,” said Phil. “He’s gone out of his way to help Deaf Camp.”

Deaf camps continues to grow and offer new activities. From swimming, fishing and boating to arts and crafts, a climb wall, zip line, exciting games and great food, campers have plenty to write home about. New this year, the kids will get to make a pizza in a Dutch oven, plus make handmade cornbread.

Campers will also get to be superheroes with the 2014 camp’s theme being “Superhero Week.” Even counselors are getting into the action, wearing capes with their groups’ colors. Such is the case with purple group, which consists of children 10-12, where lead counselor Casey Analco dons a purple cape and assistant counselor Matt Holsinger wears a Flash T-shirt.

The theme is continued by their charges during an arts and craft session where they decorate Chinese lanterns with superhero logos or faces.

When asked about their favorite activities, purple group campers Lucas, a two-year camper; Joseph, a seven-year camper; Kyle, second-year camper; and Corbyn, a six-year camper are quick to sign they love swimming, plus arts and crafts. And after some thought, they added they like the flying squirrel, a game called Lala and playing in the grass, too.

All four boys agree they love Deaf Camp and are quick to sign yes, they want to become counselors one day.

Indiana Lions Club is a major sponsor for Indiana Deaf Camp and provides camperships so kids no matter their financial situation can attend camp.

For information, Indiana Deaf Camps Foundation at (317) 846-3404, ext. 305, email [email protected] or visit indeafcamps.org.