For generations, students who are visually impaired have chosen to summer at The Carroll Center because of the unique experience it affords. The Carroll Center offers a variety of programs for students’ ages 6 to 21 that empower students to develop socially, academically, and independently during the summer months. Bring your energy, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to engage and learn, and you will be sure to master skills and create memories that last a lifetime.
Whether they need to learn technology, develop travel skills, have their first summer job or get ready for college, students who come to the Carroll Center all leave with a greater sense of confidence and independence. Maintaining a highly attentive and supportive culture where students exchange perspectives on their vision loss, the Carroll Center employs sighted and blind educational and rehabilitation professionals to teach, guide and empower students to reach beyond the boundaries set by themselves and others. We encourage you to contact us for more information and plan a visit to the Center. Here are our program options:
Page Links
2012 Dates:
- CarrollKids/CarrollTeens:
July 9 – August 3 - Youth in Transition:
July 16-August 17 - Real World Work Experience:
July 2 – Aug 3 or July 9 to Aug 10 - Transition to College:
June 18—July 27 - Computing For College:
July 2 -July 13 or August 6 to August 17 - B-Safe Teens:
August 13 – 17 - Accessible iOS App Camp:
August 13-17
CarrollKids/CarrollTeens
Day and overnight options are available in one, two and four week sessions at multiple sites. Grades 1 to 10+
CarrollKids/CarrollTeens promotes the development of independent learning skills and general literacy through individualized evaluation & instruction for enrichment, remediation, skill maintenance or compensatory services in all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum. Students of ages 6-17 years receive specialized instruction to achieve improved academic, physical and social access in educational environments and to meet both district requirements and mandated statewide performance standards. Tools and techniques for both low vision and braille learners are presented. Curriculum-based classes are taught by qualified and licensed professionals.
Questions regarding Carroll Kids may be directed to:
Karen Ross, Education Director
617-969-6200, ext 237
karen.ross@carroll.org
Youth in Transition
This annual summer program for students ages 15 to 21 years, who are blind and visually impaired, promotes independence as they transition from children to young adults. This five-week residential programs enables students to strengthen organizational skills, personal and home management skills and community travel abilities through skills training, socialization and recreational opportunities. Students will attend structured classes that include daily living skills, health management, career exploration, money management, technology, and travel options to name a few. Weekly field trips enable students to experience the best of Boston’s historic sites, beaches, museums and amusement parks. A variety of clubs, evening and weekend activities allow for socialization, leadership and increased confidence.
Real World of Work Experience
Do you want to work this summer and make money while having fun with friends? Let us find your “first summer job” and help you make it a rewarding experience. Week one you will receive mobility training, job readiness classes and visit your job site. For the remaining four weeks you will work part-time, visit other employment sites and join your peers on field trips.
Students must have a photo ID, be age 16 or older, and have updated immunizations. They must have travel skills and be able to work a minimum of 15 hours per week. Previous Youth in Transition Students are given priority in this program.
Transition to College
You have the academics; now get a taste of college life so you are prepared for the college experience. During the first two-weeks students will strengthen their technology skills. In weeks 3 and 4, students will fine tune their independent skills in travel, information management, and personal and home care. The remaining two-weeks will be spent living and learning on a private college campus partaking in orientation type seminars. Learn about dorm life, disability services, managing readers, ordering books, creating a safe social life and more. Students will be required to bring a laptop computer or PDA to take notes and write documents. Eligible students must plan to graduate from high school in 2012 or 2013 or be current college students planning to live on a campus.
Computing for College
Strong written communication and computer skills are a necessity for students who attend college. In two- weeks, students advance their computer skills in internet access, email, and research, word processing tasks, and scanning with various formats. Students learn to search and download e-texts. Effective note taking skills are integrated into the classes. Demonstrations of web-based college management software will be provided. IOS device utilization such as iPods and iPads will be included.
Programs used include: MSWord, Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint & Kurzweil. Students should be current users of Windows with JAWs or Zoomtext software. Students should bring PDAs and/or laptop computers they will be using for college to this training. Students with Macintosh computers will be accommodated.
Summer Computer Courses
One or two-week computer courses will be available during the summer for students who need individualized instruction or are beginning computer users.
B-Safe Teens
B-Safe Teens is a new summer program that will address basic safety issues for high school students who are blind or visually impaired. During this overnight program, students will explore personal awareness, interaction with the public, on-line/social media interaction, police/fire safety, self-defense, first aid, eye protection, and other related issues in a supportive small group with discussions and hands-on demonstrations. In addition, students will engage in a variety of recreational activities each afternoon and evening.
Accessible iOS App Camp NEW
Whether you are a new or experienced user of an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or even an Apple TV receiver you are sure to learn new techniques and apps in the NEW APP CAMP for school-aged students. Join us and expand your abilities to use the new and exciting Apple technology. Recommended for blind and low vision students in middle or high school who use speech, magnification or braille to interact with technology. You need not have an iOS device to attend, but if you do bring them all! At the end of the week you will become an independent iOS device user.
For more information on summer programs contact:
Visit Us!
If you have never been to the Center, you are welcome to attend one of our monthly Information Days. Visit our Information Days Page for upcoming dates. We encourage all applicants to apply to our programs early in the calendar year. Programs fill up quickly. To apply contact:
Laurie Gaines, Rehabilitation Admissions Coordinator
617-969-6200 or 800-852-3131 ext. 216
laurie.gaines@carroll.org
Application Forms
To Apply to these programs, download and complete these applications: