Camp Courage, a Helen Keller Experience, begins Thursday

TUSCUMBIA-In March 1887, a young teacher arrived at the railroad depot in Tuscumbia and rode a horse-drawn carriage to a nearby home where she would become a miracle worker.

The teacher was Anne Sullivan. The home was Ivy Green, where a 6-year-old deaf and blind child, Helen Keller lived.

The miracle was Sullivan teaching Helen how to communicate, which paved the way for Keller to become a beloved author, lecturer and inspiration to disabled people worldwide.

The intensive camp, which is for youths between the ages of 7 and 14 who are visually or hearing impaired, will inspire the children to celebrate their abilities and make a difference in the world,  just as Helen Keller did.

The inaugural session of Camp Courage begins at 5:45 p.m. Thursday when the children will arrive at Tuscumbia Depot and ride to Ivy Green in a horse-drawn carriage, as Anne Sullivan did more than 126 years ago.

Over the next two days, the campers will learn about the life of Helen Keller as they create crafts, go fishing and tour attractions in Colbert and Franklin counties.

There is no charge to the children or their families for attending Camp Courage, a Helen Keller Experience.

The camp is sponsored by Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation, The American Optometric Association Foundation, Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Toyota, Helen Keller Hospital, Colbert County Community Development Fund and Timmy Horton Outdoors in conjunction with the University of North Alabama and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Plans call for Camp Courage, a Helen Keller Experience, to expand to include campers from other states and eventually other nations.

For more information contact Sue Pilkilton at 256.383.4066 or email HelenKellerBirthplace@comcast.net.