CAMP LIONS MISSION

Our mission is for the overall growth of the individual camper in self-confidence, knowledge, independence, leadership, and creativity through a recreational experience geared to individual abilities, from the beginning camper to the returning veteran.

Camp Lions is recreational & does not teach any curriculum to campers. A ratio of 4 campers to 1 Counselor is maintained to assure safety and provide positive role modeling. Older Teen campers who are Counselors-In-Training provide extra hands to make the camp flow smoothly.

Campers enjoy swimming, canoeing, team sports, archery, fishing, horseback riding, cookouts, crafts, artwork and nature programs. Every session offers new opportunities to explore new skills. All for free!

Camp Lions of Illinois for Blind and Deaf Youth offers eligible Illinois residents a week of fun, challenging activities and an opportunity to make new friends with peers of similar abilities at our over-night camp.


Camp Lions “Vision Week”

While many activities are identical to our other camps, this session highlights activities that accommodate youth who are Blind or have low vision. Our daily schedules, posted in large print and in braille, might list many of the following choices: swimming, beeper baseball, horse riding, pontoon boat rides, beeper archery, and crafts such as painting, beading, or small handmade items. Every day is different and perfect for the creative spirit. A beach party, dance, talent show, cookouts, songs around the campfire, pool swims, braille bingo & cards plus a wide assortment of tactile games, described videos, and more fun fill the week.

Sleeping accommodations at Camp Lions “Vision Week” are in air-conditioned cabins with eight bunks to a room. Every cabin is one level and has a modern bathroom with a walk-in shower. Our Counselor to camper ratio is 1:4 to make Camp Lions a positive and safe experience. A Camp Health Officer will be on site 24/7 to assist in medications and provide basic health care.


Counselor In Training Week (C.I.T.) – Attendance Invitation only!

2024-CIT Training Days: June 16th to June 22nd
CIT Training Days are Invitation Only.

Every year, Camp Lions hosts a training for selected campers, age 15 and older, based on Counselor observations of the nominee’s personal strengths. The CIT’s attend training with Camp Lions Counselors and get a taste of all the ins and outs of being a Camp Lions Counselor. Topics range from learning how to lead small groups to instruction on safety, positive role modeling, teamwork, and other day-to-day tasks needed to make the Camp run smoothly.

The CIT’s are obligated to attend a second camp session of their choice (space providing) to use their new skills working alongside a Camp Lions Counselor. They will assist the Camp Counselor and the campers assigned to that Counselor in a wide variety of duties. Camp Lions’ hope is that with positive guided experiences, offering each CIT to assume leadership and responsibility roles, these teens will return home more self-assured & ready to take on more responsibility in their daily lives. The ultimate goal is to perhaps have them return to work with Camp Lions of Illinois as Counselors for younger blind & deaf campers.

CIT’s will be notified by e-mail from the LIF Camp Lions Registrar!


Additional Opportunity: Leader Dogs for the Blind Summer Experience Camp

Leader Dog offers a camp for blind/low vision youth age 16 and 17. Click for more information.

All Star Campers

Our campers are wonderful people who go on to do amazing things later in life!

Kyle Schulze: “The Deaf Ninja”

Kyle’s experience at Camp Lions

Click here for his video Camp Lions 2019 on YouTube

Kyle on American Ninja Warrior

Click Here for the video American Ninja Warrior on YouTube