The 2025 k.o.d.a. (kids of deaf adults) camp season is upon us. Some kodas will be attending their first koda camp, and many others will be returning.

It’s a time of fun, excitement, celebration, growth, self reflection and self discovery.

Since its inception, CODA Midwest (CMW) has financially assisted kodas in attending summer camps of their choice. This year is no exception.

A total of 12 campers applied for the Kamper Grant. We were able to assist all of them in one amount or another.

Each applicant had to insure their camp deposit was paid, and when awarded, CODA Midwest covered varying amounts of up to $700 depending on the camp that the camper chose.

Eight campers were from within our region, with the remainder being out of region.

The camps kodas will be attending include KODA Nation (Ohio), KODA Midwest (Wisconsin), Camp Mark 7 (New York) and KODAWest (California).

In 2025 the Board budgeted $7,000.00 toward Kamper Grants. The total awarded was $5,990.00. The difference will be rolled over into next year’s Kamper Grant cycle.

CODA Midwest was also able to assist Family Services, Community Services for the Deaf (Ohio) with $300.00 toward their free CSD Koda Camp.

We have received some letters of appreciation from the camps themselves.

KODAWest said, “Thank you for supporting our campers! That is so very generous of you and your organization.”

​KODA Nation said, “Thanks to your support, more children will have the chance to build community, celebrate their identity, and grow in confidence alongside peers who share similar experiences. Your commitment to uplifting the next generation of KODAs is truly appreciated.”

Also, we've received letters of appreciation from kodas and their parents.

"He is excited that he has been accepted for the grant. Hands waving!"

"I’m really looking forward to attending [camp] and being part of a community where I can connect with others who share similar experiences."

"Thank you for the good news. [My koda] said THANK YOU!"
 
On behalf of the Board, and all those Codas who support CODA Midwest, it is our honor to support younger kodas on their journeys toward becoming the next generation of Codas.

And on a final note specifically to ALL the younger kodas attending camp this summer -  HAVE A BLAST!

​CODA Midwest appreciates our donors, supporters, and retreat attendees. We also appreciate our volunteers. 

The Awards committee, chaired by the Member-at-Large, is an important, busy, and appreciated group of volunteers. 

Their process starts in January, when the budget for each award category is approved. Amounts are budgeted based upon the previous year’s surplus, primarily from retreat and donations. 

Kamper Grant applications open in early spring, CODA Conference Stipend applications open in late spring, and Retreat Waiver applications open in late summer. 

KAMPER GRANTS
In 2023 $10,000.00 was budgeted toward supporting koda’s to attend KODA camps. From that amount $5,975.00 was spent to assist 20 kodas in attending the camp of their choice. Specifically:
~15 kodas supported to attend KODA Midwest ($5,100)
~3 kodas supported to attend KODA Camp Ohio = ($375)
~ 1 koda supported to attend KODA West = ($400)
~ 1 koda supported to attend Camp Mark 7 ($100.00)

This year, (2024) $7,500 was budgeted toward supporting kodas to attend KODA camps. From that amount $6,000.00 was spent toward assisting 17 kodas in attending the camp of their choice. Specifically:
~13 kodas supported to attend KODA Midwest ($5,500 total)
~4 kodas supported to attend KODA Camp Ohio = ($500 total)

STIPENDS TO ATTEND CODA CONFERENCE
Last year (2023) $3,000 was budgeted toward supporting Codas to attend the CODA conference. The full amount was given to CODA International and went toward assisting 3 Codas (two from Japan and one from India) in attending their first international conference.

This year (2024) $4,500 was budgeted toward supporting Codas to attend the 2024 CODA conference, and $4,000 total was awarded to 2 applicants (Indiana and California).

CODA MIDWEST RETREAT WAIVERS
Last year (2023) $5,000 was budgeted for retreat waivers. Ten applicants received waivers for a total of $2,000.00. 

As of this time, the 2024 retreat is still in the planning stages. We look to have more information after retreat. 

While CODA Midwest supports all codas, preference is given to those residing in Region 3 of CODA International (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin). 

Basic rubrics of the point-based grading system as to how applicants are graded to be chosen can be found on the CODA Midwest website at https://www.codamidwest.org/awards.html

Awards Committee volunteers have been an integral and important component of CODA Midwest since its inception. Without them, CODA Midwest could not do what it does, and countless applicants would not receive support in a fair and timely manner.

If interested in volunteering with CODA Midwest, please contact any board member, or complete the web application at https://www.codamidwest.org/join.html