Camp staff is composed of qualified administrative and activity coordinators, counselors and Volunteers. They must be over 18 years of age and fluent in sign language. Counselors are selected from qualified students, teachers, deaf adults and dedicated Lions. Many were once Wilderness Campers themselves. One counselor is provided for each five campers. A special Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program is provided 16-17 year olds who would like to gain the skills and experience to be future staff members. They are given training in various skills and work in groups with qualified counselors. Applications are available online.
Camp Program Director
Kayla Hori
My name is Kayla Hori. I am a biracial Asian American, mixed Japanese American, and I am Deaf with a cochlear implant. I am from the San Francisco Bay Area, now residing in the Los Angeles Valley. I have a Deaf twin brother, and growing up together as Deaf twins in a hearing family and environment has given us someone who truly understands our experiences as we navigate the world side by side.
I completed both my bachelor’s in Sports Studies and master’s in Kinesiology at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where now I teach a variety of Kinesiology courses and labs. I also hold a NOLS Wilderness First Responder certification, which I use to promote safety and emergency preparedness in Deaf camp and outdoor environments, with full access to communicate and educate through American Sign Language. My master’s thesis examined balance performance in Deaf adults across groups with no cochlear implants/hearing aids, one-sided cochlear implant & bilateral cochlear implants, and I am currently in the process of publishing this work as a journal article. I collaborate with Deaf sports psychologists and researchers to advocate for Deaf sports, Deaf youth, and the USA Deaflympics.
My connection to the Deaf community is deeply tied to Lions Camp for Deaf Children, where I have participated since 2009 as a camper, counselor-in-training, counselors, instructor and lead team member. Through Lions Camp, I first discovered the richness of Deaf culture and became fluent in American Sign Language by interacting with Deaf campers and staff each summer, and I continue to use ASL, along with spoken language, every day. The relationships and mentorship at camp, along with the opportunity to be a role model for Deaf children in building life skills, confidence, independence, and friendships, continue to motivate my commitment as a Director to making every camper feel welcomed, supported, and included.
Employment Opportunities
Interested individuals from age 18 and above who are fluent in ASL (American Sign Language) and can move along the Signed Communication continuum are encouraged to apply for employment at camp. Various positions are available: counselors; activity staff; security; interpreters; administrative staff; instructors (must have current and valid license or certificate to be lifeguards-both at pool and lakes, archery instructor, etc.) and volunteers are warmly welcomed. All participants must uphold the social theme of inclusion. Information forms are available for download.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers shall be utilized to the maximum extent possible based upon their qualifications and desires as stated on the Online Program Staff Application (Paid & Volunteer) or the Online Support Volunteer Application. Volunteers may be used in any position at camp without exception, however, the prime consideration is to provide the highest quality camp experience possible with an underlying purpose of providing employment for members of the Deaf community. Qualified members of the Deaf community shall be used in the majority of the camp activities and counselor staff positions. Vacant positions shall be first filled by qualified Lion volunteers, then by qualified non-Lion volunteers, and finally by qualified paid staff. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied and under the direct supervision of an adult parent or guardian at all times while at camp. Information forms for volunteer positions are available for download.
