Hello Everyone,
Welcome to the first edition of The Blind Bulletin, the new format for Blind News Victoria. When looking to the future of Blind News Victoria we wanted to create a modern format that would help connect news with the people who want to read it. In today’s high-tech world, by the time most newsletters are distributed, much of the information within is out of date, advertising events that have either passed or are coming up so soon that it is impractical for readers to attend. To that end we are going to be sending out shorter but more frequent bulletins rather than the more traditional long-form newsletters we’ve done in the past. To reflect the change, we are rebranding the publication The Blind Bulletin.
Because we value your time and inbox space, we will not be sending bulletins out more than once a week. If at any time you wish to stop receiving bulletins, simply write to with “Unsubscribe FromThe The Blind Bulletin” in the subject line and we will remove you from the distribution list.
Now for some news!!!
Our friends at Camp Bowen have been hard at work on Music Camp 2019, An Introduction to Musical Instruments for BC Youth Ages 8 to 18. The announcement follows:
Reminder: Deadline Approaching on July 15 for Registration to Music Camp 2019 for BC Youth Ages 8 to 18
Camp Bowen
As summer gets into full swing, bringing with it long days and nice weather, we’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that the new deadline to register for Camp Bowens Music Camp 2019 for Blind, Deafblind, and Low Vision BC Youth Ages 8 to 18 is fast approaching. The last day to register is July 22, 2019, under two weeks away. Campers will be accommodated on a first come first serve basis. It is important that we know how many campers are coming as soon as possible to finalize numbers and pass final counts to our activity providers.
Music Camp 2019 was made possible through the Accessibility Projects Grant funded by the Government of BC and managed by Disability Alliance BC. Camp Bowen would like to thank the Government of BC and Disability Alliance BC for their support.
Music Camp 2019 is designed to bring together low vision, blind, and Deafblind youth ages eight to eighteen from across the province for eight days on Bowen Island, BC, to learn the basics of playing musical instruments, build peer support networks, have fun, and gain confidence essential for full and equal participation in school band and other music programs in their communities alongside their sighted peers. Campers will explore the beginner band curriculum and will participate in an end of camp concert that their families, friends, and the Bowen Island community will be invited to attend. Giving campers skills and confidence in music fundamentals means campers can go on to take part in school band and community music programs.
Low vision, blind, and Deafblind students face significant challenges when beginning in music programs due to the highly visual nature of the methods commonly used in beginning band and other forms of music instruction. Our program is designed to give students a foundation of skills and confidence that they can use to bypass visual instruction by taking them through the first part of the beginner band curriculum in a non-visual manner that sets them up to succeed in mainstream band and music programs alongside their sighted peers.
Like all of Camp Bowen’s summer camp programs, Music Camp 2019 balances recreation and skills learning, with a focus on fun! At Camp Bowen, fun is at the core of what we do. Camp fires, hikes,, community outings, and board games are just some of the activities we offer. The skills taught through these fun activities prepare youth for truly life-long independence.
Full camp details can be found at the following links:
Web Version:
https://campbowen.ca/camps/music/
Printable/Downloadable PDF:
https://campbowen.ca/documents/Music_Camp_2019.pdf
We also now have a FAQ section that can be accessed at:
https://campbowen.ca/music/faqs/
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please direct them to our camp coordinator, Alex Jurgensen at: +1 (778) 512-4721 or by email at: .
Thank you in advance for helping us make sure all blind, Deafblind, and low vision BC youth ages 8 to 18.
Wrapping Up
We’d love to hear what you think of the idea of The Blind Bulletin. If you have any questions, suggestions, or articles you would like to see included, please write to with “C/O Alex Jurgensen’ in the subject line.
The Blind Bulletin Team
The Pacific Training Centre for the Blind
