Lighthouse Summer Camps 2025
The Lighthouse will offer two in-person camps this summer. Both camps start at 2:00 PM on the beginning Sunday and run through noon on the following Sunday. We would love to work with you to develop more capability, more confidence, and expand your community of connection and friends. You will learn, improve and have fun while experiencing beautiful Duluth in the summertime!
Below are the camp descriptions and dates. The preferred application deadline is the date by which we would prefer applications so that we can ensure a spot for you and plan for your particular needs and goals. We will accept applications after that date with no guarantee that we can accommodate you.
Come Sail Away!
Sunday, July 6 - Sunday, July 13
(Preferred application date: Monday, May 27)
Limited to 12 participants
Our transition program manager’s first interaction with someone who was blind was back in 1978 during his freshman year in college. He volunteered to read to someone who was blind and it turned out that person was a sailor preparing for a sailing exam and a solo trip across the Atlantic Ocean! Now 46 years later our manager is part of offering this camp to you. How fun is that?
On Monday through Friday of this camp week, you will learn to sail for some time each day with trained volunteers from Duluth Sailing, supported by Lighthouse staff. Learning to sail can offer you numerous benefits, physical, mental and social. Some of those benefits are:
Increased awareness of your environment
Improved body awareness
Improved fine motor skills
Increased self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment
Improved teamwork, communication skills and problem solving skills
Social interaction and connection with others
Developing independence, responsibility, and resilience
Having enjoyment and fun!
Let’s be clear: you’re not sailing across Lake Superior. You will be in the calm safety of the Duluth harbor while developing yourself, connecting with others, and having a really neat experience you don’t get every day. The program will be adapted to your comfort level and ability. We want to make sure anyone can take part and have a great week.
When you are not sailing, you will be doing some travel to develop your O&M skills, preparing meals to develop your independent living skills, and learning a bit about the soft-skills of communication, teamwork and problem-solving. You will also spend some time exploring Duluth, Minnesota’s jewel of the north!
Don’t let this camp sail by you. We know at the end of the week you’ll head home and say, “I’m really glad I didn’t miss this camp!”
O&M, TDL & TKD: Oh, My!
Sunday, July 27 – Sunday, August 3
(Preferred application date: Monday, June 2)
Limited to 12 participants
You know O&M is Orientation & Mobility, and that TDL means Techniques of Daily Living. And, then there is TKD: Tae Kwon Do, the Korean marital art.
This camp will feature daily Taekwondo classes, and at the end of the camp an optional belt promotion test. If you believe that Taekwondo really isn’t your jam, let's just say that we are very good at helping make sure you find it both fun and fulfilling. We will give you a uniform to wear for the week. You will learn exercises, unique skills, self-defense techniques, and personal safety information that will serve you in your life ahead. Classes will be taught by a certified fifth-degree black belt master instructor.
The camp will also integrate the five tenets of Taekwondo into our week, so you can think about core principles that will help you be the best person, the best student, and the best employee possible, while also feeling good about life and your choices.
Of course, there will be plenty of O&M (Orientation & Mobility) and Daily Living Skills practice during the time that you are not practicing Taekwondo. This includes areas such as cane travel, bus travel, route planning, using navigation apps, slicing vegetables, using a stove top and oven, measuring and pouring, organizing your clothes, your schedule and other areas of life. If you need practice in any or all of these areas and others, then this is the camp for you. Come earn your next belts in O&M, TDL and Taekwondo!