Press Release
For Immediate Release - June 19, 2006

Contact: Rob Ennamorato - Communications Specialist - (410) 737-2615 rennamorato@bism.org

Blind Industries and Services of Maryland presents:
KIDS Camp: Rumble in the Jungle at Camp Pecometh - June 19-23, 2006

Centreville, MD – Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM), a unique non-profit organization that provides training and employment opportunities for blind citizens of Maryland, is excited to announce its Kids Independence Development and Skills (KIDS) Camp.

Now in its 11th year, the week-long residential camp for blind and visually impaired children takes place at Camp Pecometh in Centreville, Maryland from June 19-23.

The KIDS Camp is organized and run by the skilled BISM training staff, along with assistance from the Camp Pecometh team, and features two levels of participants. Level 1 addresses the needs and interests of elementary school-age kids, with extra focus on activities of daily living, travel and social skills. Level 2 is for middle school-age children, better known as 'Tweens,who are not quite up to the challenges of the teen world. It offers these youngsters a higher level of adventure, physical challenge and activity while keeping to the basics of blindness skills.

This is a great opportunity for media outlets to witness how BISM instills Maryland's blind children with confidence while providing a fun, memorable experience.

The bulk of activities at Camp Pecometh take place from Tuesday, June 20 to Thursday, June 22, 2006.

The following are scheduled highlights:

Tuesday June 20

Skills Rotation (Both age groups)–9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Participants are taught cane travel, crafts, independent living skills.
Fire safety skills and fire starters (Tweens)–12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Canoeing (Tweens)–2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Cook and eat dinner (Both age groups)–4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 21

Nature Hike (Elementary) – 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. – Led by Pecometh hike guide
Ropes Course (Tweens) – 9:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. – Team-building nature challenge course
Bonfire w/drum calls (Both age groups) – 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 22

Skills Class (Elementary) – 9:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Zoomobile (Both age groups) – 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. – Children will get to experience a variety of animals.
Hike ('Tweens) – 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The participants return to BISM's Baltimore facility, located on 3345 Washington Boulevard, on Friday, June 23 for a fun-filled KIDS Camp completion lunch. The lunch will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Camp Pecometh's address is 136 Bookers Wharf Road, Centreville, MD 21617. For directions and more information on Camp Pecometh, go to www.pecometh.org and click on the FAQ link, or call (410) 556-6900.