ASL - American Sign Language

ASL Safari '08: "Grover Hot Springs"
An Advanced ASL Immersion Workshop Campout sponsored by Lifeprint.com.

What: A one-week ASL Immersion workshop / camping trip for interpreters and advanced students.
Dates: Monday June 9, 2008 through Saturday, June 14, 2008 (Monday afternoon, through Saturday morning)
Location: Grover Hot Springs Camp Ground (Near Lake Tahoe, California)
It is situated in a small alpine valley of forest and meadows at 6000'. Best known for its hot pool that is fed by hot springs. A trout creek runs through the park and hiking trails lead into scenic Forest Service lands. The campground features both a hot pool and recreation pool. Additional amenities include: Nature Trails, Hiking Trails, Fishing, Picnic Area, restrooms, showers (small fee).
Provided: Twenty workshops, food, (see menu), and a place for you to set up your tent, (or we can arrange a shared tent for you).
Cost: $225
Parking: $5 per night (Carpooling encouraged)
Registration and Payment: http://www.lifeprint.com/safari/
Prerequisites: This workshop is not for beginners. It for individuals who have completed four semesters or more of ASL courses or the equivalent.

Jennifer,
You do not qualify for the ASL Safari (Advanced ASL Immersion). Three semesters is only equivalent to "a year and a half" of ASL classes.
BUT, you certainly do qualify for a midlevel immersion (classroom based, commute from home or a hotel) that carries actual college credit.
See http://lifeprint.com/immersion for details.
Cordially,
Dr. Bill

Question: Can I bring my hearing friend or family member who doesn't know ASL?

Answer: No. Some of the staff may have hearing kids up there, but participants may not bring non-participating friends or family.

Answer: We don't need to know. If no one registers, I'll just go camping with my family and have a great time. Heh. [Based on last year's turnout I have no doubt that this year will also have a solid number of participants.]
We have a limited number of slots available. I've reserved a number of camp sites. If those fill up I'll consider reserving more camp sites and hiring more language models. If there are no more camp sites to be reserved then I'll simply take down the registration page. (One day it will simply be gone. Replaced by a "sold out" page.)
So it is on a first-pay first-served basis. You can reserve your place by paying the full amount as soon as possible.

Answer: Thank you for your donation. We appreciate it. Really.
(I have found that using this policy helps people to maintain their courage, keep their calendar clear, and stay "healthy.")
But if you can't go--and if I run the camp again next year--you are welcome to go next year at no charge.

A: You can pay online via credit card or in-person via cash. Fill out the online registration form and submit it, then submit your payment either in cash or via the online payment page. See the "Trip Website" address above.

Question: Ok, I feel funny asking this . . .but . . . are most of the participants "adults" or are they young college age? I know that sounds funny, but I remember going to a "Silent Weekend" with mostly young adults. I want to make sure I am age appropriate.

Answer: This workshop was originally conceived in response to the request of several school districts in Nevada to provide an immersive education experience for their interpreting staff who are striving to improve their receptive and expressive ASL skills sufficiently that they may pass level 4 of the EIPA (Educational Interpreters Performance Assessment). These individuals are working adults. None appear to be younger than mid-twenties. Many of them appear to be in their forties. One or two are beginning to look, ahem, distinguished--but all of them are very beautiful or handsome. [And some of them just might just be reading this. Heh.]
The first two years it has been a very eclectic group. I reckon there will be some youth participating, (in 2008 I anticipate 3 or more Deaf children, plus a handful of hearing children) but there will also be a strong showing of ~~old~~, um, I mean "individuals with considerable life experience" as well.

Answer: Lifeprint.com will provide documentation of participation in CEU format. You will need to check with your local organization regarding the extent to which they will honor Lifeprint CEU's. At this time we are not providing RID CEUs, but it is my understanding you can apply through them to receive up to a certain number of CEUs for independent study so that is a third option.

Question: What type of workshops will be offered?

Answer: We will be offering a minimum of 3 workshops a day Tuesday through Thursday. These workshops will focus on advanced aspects of ASL. For example, I'm sure most participants will already know basic "time" concepts, so we will discuss advanced time concepts such as: how do you sign "every other day," "every other Saturday," "3-days ago," "Friday, two-weeks from now" and so forth. These concepts have very specific signs that don't include the individual signs "other, from, or now."
I expect participants will already know a sign for "last year." But do they know three signs for "last year?"

In previous years the workshops covered advanced aspects of the following topics: Numbering, Math, Science, Physical Education/Sports, English (including English idioms), Classifiers, Facial expressions/Emotions, Body language, Deaf culture, Directions/locations -- traveling, Time system, Storytelling, ASL grammar, Directional verbs/Adverbial inflection (adding meaning to signs), Homonyms (multiple-sign-meanings), Mouth morphemes/Intensifiers, "Deaf-isms"/ASL idioms, Conversations, Body-and-gaze-shifting, Spatial agreement, Questions (wh/rh/y or no), advanced fingerspelling, Non-manual signs, Descriptive (people / characters / environment / landscape / etc), linguistics, and computers/technology.
I expect the participants to already have a working knowledge of the number system. What we will do at the workshop is make you faster, more fluent, and fill in gaps in your knowledge.
For example, "How do some Deaf sign 22nd?" (The answer may amaze you--and it isn't to just "drop" the "nd" nor to twist the movement.) Feel free to ask me at camp.
When is it appropriate to spell "inches?" (Almost never, I'd be happy to tell you why, -- at camp.)

Sure, you know fingerspelling, but do you know the "intricacies" of fingerspelling?
What are the four ASL versions of the letter E and when do they occur? Can you read spelling from behind? (You might think that is silly--until you are in the back seat of a car watching two people in the front seat talk about YOU, heh).
Sure, you know you are supposed to furrow your eyebrows when asking "wh" questions like who, what, and how...but do you know which everyday circumstance requires you to break this rule? (And I'm not just talking about rhetorical questions either). Again, feel free to ask me at camp.

Question: Can I sneak off to call home? I know this is a Silent week, but a week is a long time for little ones not to hear from Mommy.

Answer: Certainly. We aren't anal retentive around here. From the way you phrased your question it is obvious that you respect the silent environment for which you and your classmates are paying. Making or taking phone calls in the middle of camp is bogus, but if you want to separate yourself out of earshot from the group to take care of family or business that is fine.
Here's an idea: Go use your native language in the bathroom and post a lookout for administrators. That's what Deaf have been doing for years at oral schools.

Question: The topics look great but will there be handouts avail as of course watching and taking notes is next to impossible?

Answer: We will use a mixture of downloadable documents as well as paper handouts. Once you are registered I'll have your email address and can send you stuff that the workshop presenters send me.

Question: I know you said you will look into CEU's but I'm wondering--for the amount of time involved--is college credit a possibility?

Answer: Yes, that can be worked out, but you'll have to pay college tuition for it. I'm full-time faculty at Sacramento State and can sponsor you for 2 credits worth of independent study.

Question: I would be coming from Ohio and need to know what airport is near and what transportation is available from airport to campsite?

Answer: If parachuting doesn't work for you, I recommend Sacramento International Airport (SMF).
Regarding getting from the Airport to the campground, that is a bit expensive.
I challenge you to look into hiring a shuttle and/or cab. The expense is outrageous. But hey, find your best deal and whatever it is I'll beat it handsomely and have one of my assistants come pick you up for a lot less than you'd pay any commercial service. (For example, I challenge you to find a shuttle / cab combination from the airport to Grover Hot Springs for less than $80. I can probably coax one of my assistants into doing it for $50.

Question: Is this open to international registrations? Or is it limited to only U.S. citizens? I'm a sign language interpreter wishing to upgrade my skills for accreditation. Thank you. --Pinto George, Accra - Ghana, West Africa

Answer: Anyone who has basic conversational skills (equivalent to two years of study) in ASL is welcome to register.
Note: ASL Safari is not a college program. It is simply a group of people getting together and learning advanced sign language skills in a "camping" environment. - Dr. Bill Vicars

Question: In a message dated 3/30/2006 2:22:31 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, lindrobin@ writes:
Hello,
A colleague just e-mailed me some information about ASL Safari. It looks great! I teach ASL at a high school in Austin, TX. I would love to register, but i do have one concern...I'm not so sure about camping out for a week. Would it be okay to stay in a hotel near by?
Thanks,
Robin

Answer:
Robin,
Certainly! The Lake Tahoe region is a tourist attraction and thus has many fine hotels. You could drive over each morning and back to the hotel each night.
If you decide to do it, and go through the effort of locating a nearby hotel, let me know which one and perhaps others will be in your same shoes and stay at the same hotel.
Bill

Cynthia,
We are still accepting people.
The classes will be taught outside. Either under trees or a canopy. Lawn chairs or similar. I personally will be putting my pillow on my chair. (heh)
A couple people are bringing trailers so some of the cooking might be done "inside" but most of it will be done using outdoor propane grills.
I drove up there last week to check it out. I recall passing a motel that was six miles out from Markleeville. From Markleeville it was only about 7 minutes to the campground. So I reckon the motel is a maximum of 15 minutes from the campground.
Bill

Question:
Do you have any references for your program? Any participants that I could contact who were in the program before?

Answer: Sure. contact me. I was in the program last year and the year before. It was great.
Oh. You mean STUDENTS?!?
Nah. They all hated it. That is why a huge percent of them came back the second year. And many of those are planning to come back again on this, the third year.

Okay, okay, I asked Joanne (a previous student) for permission to post her email address (which she granted).
So feel free to contact Joanne at: joanneandron2003@yahoo.ca and ask her for her thoughts on the benefits of the program. She came all the way from Canada.

In a message dated 4/20/2006 10:51:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time, cerris@adelphia.net writes:

Dr. Vicars,
your safari sounds GREAT! Since I'm getting married this summer in England and won't be back until mid august, unfortunately I won't be able to attend, but I'd love to know if/when you'll do it again (perhaps there's a mailing list or email list I should sign up for?). I'm currently in the ITP at Pierce College, Woodland Hills, CA (taking the program very slowly, one or two classes at a time) and this seems a perfect way, as you say, to fill in some gaps and have a good time as well! I look forward to hearing from you - or I'll check back on the website to see if there's a response there. Thank you!

Have a great safari!

All the best,

Cerris

Cerris Morgan-Moyer

cerris@adelphia.net

Cerris,
So far the Safari is shaping up to be a definite success. But time will tell eh? If it goes as well as it looks like it is going to go then I'll definitely plan on next year. I'll reuse the exact same web page to announce next year's Safari so you can check there next spring.
Cordially,
Bill

In a message dated 4/21/2006 8:42:58 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, melissabell@supernet.com writes:

Will there be running water at the camp sites, and what are the restroom/shower facilities like?
We would be flying in. Do we need to pack our own camping gear like cooking supplies, snake bite kit *grin*, etc?
Melissa

Melissa,
Yes there is running water. There are pipes that come up out of the ground with handles to turn the water on and off. The restrooms are established buildings that are well cared for.
There are showers with hot water (that cost a few quarters).
Also, there is a FULL swimming pool facility up there (see the pictures at the web-site).. The cost is something like $5 for a daily pass to the hot tub and swimming pool facility.
You do not need to pack cooking supplies nor snake bit kits unless you plan to do some independent hiking.
If it were me, I'd bring a small survival kit that could be worn on a belt for hiking purposes. But hey, that's just me.
--Bill

In a message dated 4/21/2006 9:33:23 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, llaney@suhsd.net writes:

You mean there are tents available? I had thought about this before and thought that we had to bring our own.

The week before the Sarari we will survey the participants and see who needs tent space.
Then we'll go buy or borrow however many tents we need.
You will probably want to bring your own air mattress or similar, plus a sleeping bag of some sort and a pillow.
--Bill

In a message dated 5/4/2006 4:20:49 PM Pacific Daylight Time, FinkLG@piercecollege.edu writes:

Hi. I had a few concerns about the Safari that weren't addressed in the FAQ's.
I know these are a lot of annoying questions but I'm asking them anyway because it's better to be safe than sorry.
I'm not an experienced camper. In fact, I've never camped without a group who took care of ALL the details.

Dr. Bill's response: Hey, I'm with you. Ask away. if you have future questions, ask them too.

Question: 1 Who are the seasoned campers that will be there?

Response:
I grew up camping and in the Boy Scouts. Many of the staff are very adept at camping as well. Plus there are around the clock forest rangers stationed there at the camp ground. There is a pay phone within a five minute walk.

Question: 2 I'm a worry-wart - not a hypochondriac-but is there access to a health care provider? (I have a lot of seasonal allergies).

Response:
The campsite is 7 minutes from Markleeville, California. There are medical services there.
Since you have allergies you might want to schedule some time with Dr. Chatfield who (according to a web result) happens to operate out of Markleeville:
Acupuncture-Natural Health Care - Kimball Chatfield, Doctor of Oriental Medicine
225 Old Pony Express
Markleeville, CA 96120
(530) 694-2459
Dr. Chatfield is a Board Certified Acupuncturist and Professor of Botanical Medicine. His practice is of a general medicine type, treating injuries, chronic pain, digestive problems, immune and hormonal. kimball@sierra.net

Question: 3 You said the workshops are all outside. Are there chairs with backs or will we be sitting on the ground.

Response: There will be lawn chairs with backs."

Question: 4 Will there be shelter if it rains?

Response:
Overhead tarp and or one of those stand-alone structures.

Question: 5 Do you know what kind of restrictions there are regarding smoking?
If we are outdoors, will there be an area for non-smokers?

Response:

We will ask people to not smoke during the workshops, during the meals, or in the common areas.

If a person needs to smoke it is a simple thing to walk 50 steps away from the group, have a smoke, and come back. Or if you bring your own tent you can smoke there or in a shared tent if no one minds. But think about it. It is a campground. There will almost always be a fire going on in the fire pit. Fires cause a certain amount of smoke. If somebody needs a smoke then can just go sit close to the fire and suck it up. If someone is allergic he or she can avoid the campfire.

Question: 6 Are we 'on our own' after each workshop or is the Safari facilitated'

Response:

You can either go off on your own or you can hang out with the staff and play games, go hiking, go swimming, etc. Many of the staff like to roam or play. In general we eat meals together. But there is nothing to stop you from getting your chow and going somewhere else to eat, or if you are hungry just raid the "snack" box. If we run out of food one of the staff will make a food run into Carson City. The staff is constantly discussing ASL and Deaf Culture at all times of the day (and night, heh) so you can pretty much keep learning non-stop if you want to.

Question: 7 I don't have equipment to bring and will need housing (tenting). I'm ok. with tent-mates. Do you arrange this for me and if so, could I get placed in a tent with a female non-smoker?

Response:
Yes, certainly we can put you in a non-smoking tent.
You will need your own sleeping bag and pillow, plus personal toiletry items.

Question: 8 Is there hands-on practice time or are the workshops set up as lectures?

Response:
I've instructed the workshop presenters to require hands-on interaction.

Question: 9 How many hours study is there each day?

Response:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will have about 3 hours of workshops each afternoon.
That is a starting point. Depending on registrations and instructor availability I'll be setting up additional workshops.
[Note: the first year we had an insane number of workshops. The second year we backed off to the amount stated above and set up more "casual" learning situations. Response was just as positive the second year as the first.]

Question: 10 If I could come with friends (other terps) I might drive. If I come alone, I'd fly but I don't know yet. How much notice do you need if I will need transportation to the campsite?

Response:
I need about a week's notice if you fly in.

Question:
Do you have a deadline to apply, and are you still accepting applicants?

Response:
There is no "deadline." We have enough participants to run the event, so we will indeed hold it and do not anticipate any chance of canceling. If we reach 24 participants, I will check to see if additional campsites are available and if so, I will book another campsite, if not, I'll close registration.
You will know that we are still accepting applicants if the payment submission page is still posted (which it is). http://lifeprint.com/safari/payment.htm

Thank you in advance for your time. I await your reply.

Laurie Fink finklg@piercecollege.com also at Interpbeader1@aol.com