KODA Camp Staff Changes

Jennifer Legg has stepped down as program director of the Camp Mark Seven Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA) Camp program. Stephanie Walker and Ashley Meyer have agreed to serve as interim program co-directors for the summer of 2014. Both are “charter members” of the KODA Camp community with many years of experience.

In an early April email message to KODA parents, campers, and supporters, Jenn wrote: “For the past 14 years I have held this position gratefully. I have been fortunate to be a part of, and grow with, this program. With a committed staff, I have spent countless hours in pursuit of projects and activities designed to provide age-appropriate awareness of cultural and linguistic features within the Deaf community and a program that enables kodas to explore their bilingual/bicultural identity in a safe and healthy environment. I have never worked as hard and cared as deeply for a cause as this one and I can say I have truly loved working with the staff and campers over the years. I am eternally grateful to Camp Mark Seven for creating this opportunity for the children of deaf adults and for allowing me to connect with some of the most incredible people, and I thank you each and every one of you for your support for this program.”

Born and raised in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Stephanie Walker has been involved with KODA Camp in various capacities since 1998. From camper to assistant director, she brings many years of experience in participating, planning, and facilitating summer camp activities. With a degree in social work, Stephanie has a passion for helping koda children explore their identity, resulting in healthier and more meaningful relationships with their Deaf families and community. She says, “One of my favorite parts of KODA Camp is watching campers gain independent living and social skills as they spend two weeks away from their parents and families.” When not working at or thinking about camp, Stephanie works as a certified freelance interpreter.

Ashley Meyer was born and raised in Rochester, New York. She currently works as a Residence Coordinator in Residence Life at Rochester Institute of Technology. Ashley has been a part of KODA Camp in several different ways, starting in 1998 as a camper, going from a counselor-in-training to counselor to assistant director. Most recently, she has been a volunteer. She is excited to spend another summer having fun and making memories with the amazing KODA campers and CODA staff members!

They can be reached at kodadir@campmark7.org

The Mark Seven Deaf Foundation thanks Jenn Legg for her service and wishes her well in her future endeavors. The Foundation also thanks Stephanie and Ashley for assuming leadership of the KODA Camp program. We look forward to offering our KODA children and youth a wonderful, memorable program – one that they will treasure forever!