FORSYTH, Ga. — 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 this July, she 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.
“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.
Coffan’s granddaughter, Rebecca Bronson, and grandson Matthew Bronson were on staff at Kaleo and she thought sending Bryleigh to the day camp would be challenging, but really good for her. The camp agreed. Coffan contacted her long-time friend, Smith, to see if they could send Bryleigh to camp.
Smith helps lead a deaf ministry at East Thomaston, and Bryleigh comes and visits often. “They love Bryleigh,” said Smith.
Smith regularly spends time with Bryleigh doing different activities, such as cooking. Smith helps her to read printed English by reading the recipes, which is very difficult for the deaf.
Smith felt some independent time away from the family on her own would be a positive thing. “She loved and embraced the opportunity.”
Bryleigh was excited to be going to a Christian camp, said Coffan. “This was new ground for her.” Bryleigh recently got saved and baptized.
Smith picked up Bryleigh from camp some days, and they talked about her experience. “She definitely enjoyed herself and felt very special.”
Smith said Bryleigh liked the afternoon tradition of a soda and a candy bar. “You pay $12 for the week and you get these every afternoon.”
East Thomaston provided money for Bryleigh to spend at the camp store and for other needs. She got a t-shirt, hat, and scarf. “That was really exciting to her,” said Smith.
Smith hopes that being around the example of the college-age Christian camp staffers who love the Lord will inspire Bryleigh and help her relationship with Christ.
Bryleigh participated in everything the rest of the campers did, including the rope swing and bridge jumping, in addition to the worship, said interim camp director Hope Castillo.
Coffan, Matthew Bronson, who had just learned sign language, and other camp staff members interpreted for Bryleigh. “We didn’t have to adjust any programming necessarily, but our staff who were working with her YouTubed some training. We didn’t ask them to.” Castillo added, “I was proud of them for jumping in like that.”
In the past, Kaleo has had a visually-impaired group and a men's deaf retreat, but to Castillo’s knowledge, Bryleigh is the first deaf camper.
Castillo said it was a learning experience for the other campers to be around someone who could not hear or speak.
Castillo said the staff grew, got out of their comfort zones, and learned to rely on the Lord and not rely on themselves. “I think it was beneficial to them. And, I know the campers felt that as well.”
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