EHC Assistant Camp Director Ellie Kneer and a little learner play with sound makers and sensory toys.

By Pam Chapin, LightHouse Little Learners Program Director

Enchanted Hills Camp (EHC) in Napa was filled with happy smiles last week as LightHouse Little Learners hosted their second annual summer family camp in June. After families settled into their lodging on Friday evening, Chef Matt and his team made sure everyone was well-nourished with roasted chicken or quinoa stuffed peppers, scalloped potatoes and cardamon roasted carrots. We enjoyed a weekend of equally delicious meals, including Linda’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies. Yes, camp food is this good!

A little learner smiles in delight at her pink, blue, and purple tie-dye creation.

Tony and the dynamic EHC Counselors, Ellie, Jamey, Cate, and Angelique led welcoming Friday night campfire songs where families learned each other’s names and favorite ice cream flavors, along with the history of Enchanted Hills Camp. The crackling fire and roasting marshmallows filled the air, followed by a chorus of frogs around the lake.

On Saturday, families explored the beautiful EHC grounds, paddled boats peacefully on the lake, went for nature hikes and swam near the redwoods in the newly refurbished pool. A Little Learner and his dad caught their first fish! Colorful tie dye shirts and bandanas dried along the Hogan fence while artistic creations like tactile painting and nature collages were made inside. Nurse Bill created a quiet time for sharing our stories, drawing on his own experience as a NICU nurse and case manager, for families to build relationships and networks of support. Children made fresh lemonade and baked cupcakes that they frosted at dinnertime.

A family plays together on a blanket by the lake.

The highlight of Saturday evening was the famous talent show! Children performed dances, piano duets, told jokes, and demonstrated their best toddler fast pitch to rounds of huge applause. Audience members even heard answers to their questions about the future from a fortune teller in a sparkly purple dress. The drum circle ended a magical evening before sleepy children were shuttled off to bed, dreaming dreams of EHC.

After Sunday breakfast, kids blew a few more bubbles and played in the ball pit one last time while families packed up for the journey home. A few playdates were made, and phone numbers exchanged so that new friends could connect after camp. It was truly an enchanted weekend!

Thank you to the Enchanted Hills staff, Team Little Learners and Ambassadors, and our friends at California Deafblind Services for making the weekend so memorable!

A Little learner poses while playing the piano.