Summer Academies

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Summer Academies provide students with the opportunity to have fun, address elements of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), utilize technology, and build social skills. Nearly all the courses for this summer will be held in-person and on-campus at California School for the Blind (CSB). Students can attend only one course per week but frequently participate in more than one week.

Information about all courses can be provided in different languages via telephone interpreters. Please contact our Short-term programs team for any language support at csb.shortcourses@csb-cde.ca.gov.

See the Summer Academies Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Visit our Facebook Group Page to see the current news about Summer Academies and Short Courses where we feature pictures of the adventures the students are experiencing while on our campus.

Summer Academy 2025

The California School for the Blind is proud to announce Summer Academy courses for June 2025!! For questions, please contact us csb.shortcourses@csb-cde.ca.gov or feel free to call or text at 510-951-1889.

Priority Deadline: Fill out an 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form) by April 15th, 2025. Participants will receive a reward for priority enrollment.
Late Deadline: Fill out an Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form) by May 12th, 2025.

Space in our courses is limited. Students will be assigned to courses in order of completed registration forms received.

Dates for Summer Academies 2025:

Week 1: June 9 - June 13 (Ages 13+) All courses In-Person Unless Otherwise Noted

Week 2: June 16 - June 20 (Ages 9 - 13)

Week 3: June 23 - June 27 (Ages 13+)

Week 1: June 9th - 13th (Ages 13+)
All Courses In-Person Unless Otherwise Noted

Camp Abilities

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Join Camp Abilities California for an experience, combining outdoor adventure, sports, and physical activity in an inclusive environment. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in skateboarding with GoGo Skateboarding and kayaking with BORP (Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program). Blind tennis offers a unique challenge, with adaptive equipment to ensure an enjoyable and competitive experience for all levels. Hiking adventures will connect participants with nature, fostering physical activity while promoting wellness and social interaction.

In addition to these outdoor activities, participants will enjoy swimming sessions, Goalball, a Paralympic sport with special guest Paralympian, Brandon Young.

Camp Abilities also includes a tandem biking workshop with Fremont Schwinn, where participants will ride with a pilot, experiencing the teamwork and trust needed to cycle together. Each activity is designed to promote physical activity, self-advocacy skills, and personal growth while ensuring accessibility and inclusive for everyone involved.

Prerequisites:
Basic Swim Skills

Cane to Canine: Is a Guide Dog Right for You (Ages 15+)

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

CSB is excited to partner with Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) to offer an Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Immersion Program! Students will work on O&M skills important for guide dog mobility such as the use of non-tactile feedback, auditory information, and time-distance estimation for indoor and outdoor travel. They will also experience Juno (i.e., simulated guide dog) routes and take a trip to the GDB campus! Students will participate in daily hands-on activities with dogs and learn about the responsibilities of dog ownership. Get ready for a tail-wagging good week, and find out if a guide dog is right for you. Activities in this course will support developing orientation and mobility, independent living skills, self-determination, sensory efficiency, and social interaction skills.

Prerequisites:
Age 15+, complete a Prerequisite Questions Form (Google Form) to determine appropriate fit and eligibility. Must be able to walk 0.5 miles, be legally blind, and willing to interact with dogs.

Code a Car

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Code a Car! Ever thought of putting together a car? Making it move? Using your computer to control it? Remote control it? Race against other students??? Well, if the answer is yes, and you feel confident in your typing ability, join Code a Car!

Students will use their skills to build a small robot, learning the mechanics of electric motors in the process. They will be learning Python to control the robots, where the focus will be on logic, syntax, and critical thinking skills to solve mazes, perform stunts, and create challenges for other students. Everyone will also have opportunities to visit local facilities to explore more technology, how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is helping coders, and so much more!

Prerequisites:
Students should have mastered touch typing, enabling them to type letters, numbers, and special characters without looking at the keyboard. They should also be proficient in using essential keyboard shortcuts, including copy, paste, and undo. Strong computer navigation skills are necessary, such as managing files and folders and navigating menus.

Familiarity with Job Access With Speech (JAWS) (or use of a computer with appropriate accessibility features) is essential, with a focus on efficient navigation. Students should know how to navigate through different elements, troubleshoot issues, and efficiently read and edit large amounts of text. They should also be comfortable multitasking, such as switching between tools and tracking progress while using their screen reader or accessibility tools.

Finally, a willingness to problem-solve through exploration and trial and error is key! Familiarity with JAWS or other appropriate accessibility features for computers. Comfortable with switching between tools while using a screen reader or accessibility tools.

Build a Band

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

In this week-long intensive student musicians will join their talents together in the spirit of collaboration to form a musical ensemble. We will explore musical material of various styles and genres, learn new ways to deepen our musicianship and develop a hands-on understanding of managing live sound. And have lots of fun playing music together!

This course is open to musicians of any instrument and background, including voice, with an intermediate level of experience. For example, students should have at least 2 years of active study on their main instrument with the ability to play a variety of songs, chords and scales, and rhythms. Students interested in participating in the Build a Band music short course must submit a demo.

Prerequisites:
Demo Guidelines: The demo should demonstrate your main instruments and abilities in music. Any instruments and multiple instruments are acceptable.
Please share two pieces of contrasting style or feel.
Performance can be solo, with an accompanist or group, or with a backing track.

The demo can be an audio or visual recording. Please share in the way that's best for you. You can email (clloyd@csb-cde.ca.gov) or Google share demos (to c.lloyd@g.csb-cde.ca.gov). Sharing a YouTube link is also ok.

Admittance will be based on creating a balanced ensemble of instrumentation and ability.

We will conclude our program with a performance in the CSB theater. Please reach out to CSB music teacher Charles Lloyd via email at clloyd@csb-cde.ca.gov or call at 510-936-5580 with any questions.

Mixed Media Art Exploration

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Unleash your creativity in this immersive art course, designed to explore a variety of materials and techniques across multiple art forms! Through hands-on projects, students will experiment with diverse mediums including ceramics, paint, plaster, wire, and more to create dynamic, multi-layered artworks. Each day introduces a new technique - from pottery and glazing to abstract painting and wire sculpting - while encouraging personal expression and tactile exploration. This course is ideal for students interested in expanding their artistic skills and developing unique, textured creations. Adaptive tools and guidance will be available to ensure accessibility for students with visual impairments, making this a fully inclusive art experience.

Prerequisites:
Interest in hands-on art-making and willingness to explore different materials and textures.

Week 1: June 9th - 13th (Ages 13+)
Online

Educational Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

A course for beginners to the Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game, published by Wizards of the Coast. We will focus on teaching the basic mechanics of the game using pre-generated characters at first. We'll continue by teaching the players how to develop their conversational, mathematics, critical thinking, decision-making, and storytelling skills as they develop their characters together and discover a joint storytelling experience with their fellow students.

Prerequisites:
Students must possess a basic understanding of English as a spoken and written language.

Week 2: June 16th - 20th, Intensive Track, (Ages 9 - 13)
All courses In-Person

Students who want to focus on one passion or skill throughout the week. This format allows students to fully immerse themselves in a single course, gaining in-depth knowledge, honing their abilities, and building confidence in a focused and supportive environment:

Camp Abilities

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Join Camp Abilities California for an experience, combining outdoor adventure, sports, and physical activity in an inclusive environment. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in skateboarding with GoGo Skateboarding and kayaking with Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP). Blind tennis offers a unique challenge, with adaptive equipment to ensure an enjoyable and competitive experience for all levels. Hiking adventures will connect participants with nature, fostering physical activity while promoting wellness and social interaction.

In addition to these outdoor activities, participants will enjoy swimming sessions, Goalball, a Paralympic sport with special guest Paralympian, Brandon Young. Camp Abilities also includes a tandem biking workshop with Fremont Schwinn, where participants will ride with a pilot, experiencing the teamwork and trust needed to cycle together. Each activity is designed to promote physical activity, self-advocacy skills, and personal growth while ensuring accessibility and inclusive for everyone involved.

Prerequisites:
Basic Swim Skills

Doggy Paddle

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Do you love dogs and swimming? Doggy Paddle is a week of creating unforgettable moments in the pool with two-legged friends and on land with four-legged friends. Spend part of the day in CSB's pool practicing water safety, learning swimming techniques, and playing games. Then shake off the water and experience the ins and outs of dog ownership, care, and training. Come ready to make a splash and have a dog-gone good time. Activities in this course will support developing the following Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) areas: recreation and leisure, orientation and mobility, independent living, compensatory, self-determination, sensory efficiency, and social interaction skills.

Prerequisites:
All swimming levels are welcome (beginner to expert). Students must be willing to get in the pool and interact with dogs. Nervousness is okay; this week is about learning and building confidence.

Week 2: June 16th - 20th, Rotation Track, (Ages 9 - 13)
All courses In-Person

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Students rotate through a series of activity stations with their assigned group, allowing them to explore different interests, learn new skills, and have tons of fun! List of rotated academies below:

Mixed Media Art Exploration

Unleash your creativity in this immersive art course, designed to explore a variety of materials and techniques across multiple art forms! Through hands-on projects, students will experiment with diverse mediums including ceramics, paint, plaster, wire, and more to create dynamic, multi-layered artworks. Each day introduces a new technique - from pottery and glazing to abstract painting and wire sculpting - while encouraging personal expression and tactile exploration. This course is ideal for students interested in expanding their artistic skills and developing unique, textured creations. Adaptive tools and guidance will be available to ensure accessibility for students with visual impairments, making this a fully inclusive art experience.

Prerequisites:
Interest in hands-on art-making and willingness to explore different materials and textures.

Educational Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons

A course for beginners to the Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game, published by Wizards of the Coast. We will focus on teaching the basic mechanics of the game using pre-generated characters at first. We'll continue by teaching the players how to develop their conversational, mathematics, critical thinking, decision-making, and storytelling skills as they develop their characters together and discover a joint storytelling experience with their fellow students.

Prerequisites:
Students must possess a basic understanding of English as a spoken and written language.

Animal Eyes

Get ready for an exciting week of exploration as we dive into the fascinating world of vision through the eyes of animals! Through fun hands-on activities, project-based learning, and lively class discussions, students will discover how different animals' eyes work. Students will get to create their own animal eye models while learning details of eye anatomy and structure. But that's not all - brace yourselves for an unforgettable experience as we dissect a real cow eye! This is a unique chance to see firsthand how eyes function and to uncover the mysteries of vision. We'll also take a close look at low vision tools and cutting-edge technologies that help people see better. With lots of teamwork and creativity, students will walk away with a deeper understanding of how vision works and why it's so important. Join us for an adventure that's both educational and fun-don't miss out!

Prerequisites:
None

Music Makers

In our music program, students will embark on an exciting journey through the vibrant world of music, getting hands-on experience with a variety of musical styles and instruments. From the lively beats of drumming to singing popular songs and exploring harmony, students will discover the joy of making music together. They'll try their hand at various instruments like percussion while gaining a taste of musical traditions from different genres. Through group music-making and improvisation, students will build teamwork skills, boost their confidence, and express their creativity. By the end of the week, they'll leave with a deeper appreciation for music, newfound skills, and memories that resonate long after Summer Academy ends!

Prerequisites:
None

Week 3: June 23rd - 27th (Ages 13+)
All Courses In-Person

Paws and Pools

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Dip into a week of aquatic and canine fun. Join us for a unique blend of swimming pool activities and learning about pet-dog companionship. Get ready to review water safety and play games in the pool! When not swimming, students will explore and practice the responsibilities of dog ownership through hands-on learning. Don't miss the chance to make a splash in the pool and build camaraderie with both two- and four-legged friends. Activities in this course will support developing the following ECC skill areas: recreation and leisure, orientation and mobility, sensory efficiency, career development, independent living, compensatory, social interaction, and self-determination.

Prerequisites:
All swimming levels are welcome (beginner to expert). Students must be willing to get in the pool and interact with dogs. Nervousness is okay; this week is about learning and building confidence.

Guitar Week

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

This short course will be a musically intensive week long workshop focused on learning and playing guitar. We will explore the many styles and traditions of guitar from around the world with group instruction, ensemble playing, practice sessions, jams, and individual study. Students will have the opportunity to explore the many varieties of acoustic and electric models of guitar, sound equipment, and their related global traditions, including classical, folk, jazz, rock, and experimental. Other activities may include composition, arranging, and songwriting.

This course is designed for students who have already begun to learn guitar and are interested in a musically intensive workshop. The skill level is open to moderate beginners to advanced-level students. If you are interested in participating please connect with CSB Music Teacher Charles Lloyd by email or phone to share your experience with guitar, and prepare a musical piece to share either with a video or audio recording (more information below).

Prerequisites:
Demo guidelines: Two musical items demonstrating your progress on the guitar. This can include a song, composition, chord progression, scales, or riffs.
The demo can be an audio or visual recording. Please share in the way that's best for you. You can email (clloyd@csb-cde.ca.gov) or Google share demos (to c.lloyd@g.csb-cde.ca.gov). Sharing a YouTube link is also ok.
Admittance will be based on creating a balanced ensemble of instrumentation and ability.

We will conclude our program with a performance in the CSB theater. Please reach out to CSB music teacher Charles Lloyd via email at clloyd@csb-cde.ca.gov or call at 510-936-5580 with any questions.

Camp Abilities

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Join Camp Abilities California for an experience, combining outdoor adventure, sports, and physical activity in an inclusive environment. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in skateboarding with GoGo Skateboarding and kayaking with BORP (Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program). Blind tennis offers a unique challenge, with adaptive equipment to ensure an enjoyable and competitive experience for all levels. Hiking adventures will connect participants with nature, fostering physical activity while promoting wellness and social interaction.

In addition to these outdoor activities, participants will enjoy swimming sessions, Goalball, a Paralympic sport with special guest Paralympian, Brandon Young. Camp Abilities also includes a tandem biking workshop with Fremont Schwinn, where participants will ride with a pilot, experiencing the teamwork and trust needed to cycle together. Each activity is designed to promote physical activity, self-advocacy skills, and personal growth while ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for everyone involved.

Prerequisites:
Basic Swim Skills

Code a Car

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Code a Car! Ever thought of putting together a car? Making it move? Using your computer to control it? Remote control it? Race against other students??? Well, if the answer is yes, and you feel confident in your typing ability, join Code a Car!

Students will use their skills to build a small robot, learning the mechanics of electric motors in the process. They will be learning Python to control the robots, where the focus will be on logic, syntax, and critical thinking skills to solve mazes, perform stunts, and create challenges for other students. Everyone will also have opportunities to visit local facilities to explore more technology, how AI is helping coders, and so much more!

Prerequisites:
Students should have mastered touch typing, enabling them to type letters, numbers, and special characters without looking at the keyboard. They should also be proficient in using essential keyboard shortcuts, including copy, paste, and undo. Strong computer navigation skills are necessary, such as managing files and folders and navigating menus.

Familiarity with JAWS is essential, with a focus on efficient navigation. Students should know how to navigate through different elements, troubleshoot issues, and efficiently read and edit large amounts of text. They should also be comfortable multitasking, such as switching between tools and tracking progress while using their screen reader. Finally, a willingness to problem-solve through exploration and trial and error is key!

Mixed Media Art Exploration

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

Unleash your creativity in this immersive art course, designed to explore a variety of materials and techniques across multiple art forms! Through hands-on projects, students will experiment with diverse mediums including ceramics, paint, plaster, wire, and more to create dynamic, multi-layered artworks. Each day introduces a new technique - from pottery and glazing to abstract painting and wire sculpting - while encouraging personal expression and tactile exploration. This course is ideal for students interested in expanding their artistic skills and developing unique, textured creations. Adaptive tools and guidance will be available to ensure accessibility for students with visual impairments, making this a fully inclusive art experience.

Prerequisites:
Interest in hands-on art-making and willingness to explore different materials and textures.

Educational Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons

Register: 2025 Summer Academy Interest Form (Google Form)

A course for beginners to the Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game, published by Wizards of the Coast. We will focus on teaching the basic mechanics of the game using pre-generated characters at first. We'll continue by teaching the players how to develop their conversational, mathematics, critical thinking, decision-making, and storytelling skills as they develop their characters together and discover a joint storytelling experience with their fellow students.

Prerequisites:
Students must possess a basic understanding of English as a spoken and written language.

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