DHH Student Events Spring 2026

Spring 2026 Student Events

This spring, the POPDHH co-sponsored 3 regional overnight DHH student camps. We would like to thank the Elks BC Association for hosting us at their Elkgrove camp, as well as Elks Lodges 1 (Vancouver), 48 (Chilliwack), and 49 (Port Coquitlam) for their generous donations to make these events happen.

Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast – May 5th-7th, 2026 at Nanoose Bay Camp
Kootenays Konnection – May 6th-8th, 2026 at Columbia Outdoor Camp Blue Lake
Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver – May 26th-27th, 2026 at Elkgrove Camp

Across 3 camps, 77 students from 17 school districts were joined by their teachers, school staff; POPDHH Deaf Mentors Dana and David; LASW Sheila; our favourite DWP reps Gio and Kareem; and interpreters Francois, Nathalie, Hannah and Carli.

Favourite “customer review”: I want to go again! I really liked being there and I felt like I belonged. It was easier to be around other people who were Deaf and hard of hearing because it felt like I am not different. I felt included.
Would I attend again? Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In addition to regional camps, the POPDHH team has sponsored and guest starred at several annual one day events:

May 6th – North Coast DHH Connections Day – Contribution by Alisha Cameron (SD 82) & Chiara Young (SD 52): DHH Connections Day began in 2025 to bring our youth on the North Coast together to connect. Since communities are spread out, we wanted to create opportunities for students to meet and connect with other students who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing. One of our students shared how meaningful these gatherings are, saying that as a middle school student, he sometimes feels like there is no one else like him. Comments like this remind us why these events are so incredibly vital for our students.
This year, we gathered at the Terrace Bowling Lanes for a fun day together. We truly appreciate them opening early to accommodate students traveling from outside communities. Students had a wonderful time bowling, meeting new people, and building connections with one another.
A big thank you to POPDHH for supporting our event in Terrace — we deeply appreciate your ongoing support of this day. Thank you to SD 52 for providing lunch for all the students this year and to the adults who helped by driving students from outside communities.
We missed the students who were unable to attend this year, and we hope they will be able to join us for next year’s event. We thank everyone who came out to make the day so special. We are already looking forward to another great event next year!

May 22nd – Okanagan DHHDB Amazing Race: Over 30 Deaf Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind (DHHDB) students from Grades 1–12, representing communities from Revelstoke to Penticton, came together for an unforgettable Camp Day. Students worked in teams to complete fun and engaging challenges as part of the DHHDB Amazing Race, planned and led by our wonderful DHHDB community partners and student leaders. The day ended with hotdogs, freezies, laughter, and celebration. Most importantly, new friendships were formed and old friendships grew even stronger. Creating safe and inclusive DHHDB events are key to building community and student identity. A heartfelt thank you to CHHA-BC for their generous financial donations, and to PDHHS, POPDB and SD 22’s Indigenous education department for their support in making this meaningful and memorable day possible.

May 28th, 2026  – Ice cream at Gyro Beach in Victoria – even made it to the media outlets!

June 8th, 2026 – Ridge Meadows Grade 7 Day of Fun – contribution by Johanna Richards, District TDHH: SD 42 Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows DHHDepartment hosted a special fun day for their grade 7 DHH students transitioning up to high school.  Eight DHH students from different elementary schools came together at Thomas Haney Secondary to play some fun problem-solving games and activities created by DHH Grade 11 mentor student, Tarence, enjoy a pizza lunch, and engage in a cool, ASL “Crash Course” from POPDHH mentor, David McGregor. The students had a great time making new friendships, sharing their thoughts and ideas about going into grade 8, and came away with strengthened confidence, (and some awesome swag), looking forward to their transition into secondary school.

From the Community