Aspen camp for deaf, hard of hearing back in business

After suspending its operations in 2018, Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing is back with expanded programming, a new executive director, and a call to community.

“We’re coming back into form,” said Stefan Vest, one of the camp’s board members. “We’re trying to make it as accessible as possible for people.”

In the valley since 1967, Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, located at 4862 Snowmass Creek Road, is aiming to get back to a place of integrated community support. Last summer was the first summer the Camp started up again after its five-year hiatus.

“Traditionally, the camp survived and thrived with really strong support from Roaring Fork locals,” Vest said. “We’re just hoping the people of that community can rally again. We’re not over the hump yet. We would love it if people could find different ways to get involved.”

Max Wilding, the camp’s executive director, echoed that they are trying to reconnect with the community. 

“We really want to publicize the camp and programs, (and) it’s not limited to the deaf.” Wilding said. “The beautiful campgrounds we have here are open to everybody here in the valley.”

The camp is currently facing facility-update needs, along with a need to expand scholarship funds to provide more students with the ability to visit and participate in programming. While Aspen has a number of students who come to the camp, many come from all around the country.

“The camp provides a different space and a different philosophy for their learning and life experience,” Wilding said. “I do feel that this camp has a huge impact on many of the campers, as well as their families, and adults, locally and nationwide.”

Wilding, who is deaf, originally worked as a program coordinator for the camp from 2012 to 2016. He then worked as an athletic director in Colorado Springs before coming back to the camp as executive director in October 2024.

Since starting in his new position, he has reestablished the camp’s childcare license and successfully had the camp pass a health inspection test, which included its water treatment system. With him at the helm, the camp continues to move full steam ahead.

“He’s really hit the ground running,” Vest said of Wilding. “It’s just the start.”

Wilding is especially excited about winter programming, as the summer comes to a close. While dates will be announced in the coming weeks, the camp is anticipating partnering with AspenOUT and Aspen Gay Ski Week to bring 40 deaf and hard of hearing community adults in for programming, and with X Games Aspen to bring out another 40 deaf and hard of hearing adults to ski and snowboard. In February, the camp will also have two youth ski and snowboard camps, and deaf Olympic athletes to instruct participants. 

Funding is a critical piece for current and future operations, primarily to update the commercial kitchen and bathhouse, among other facilities, expand the camp’s endowment, and hire full-time staff. 

“All of the funding is going to go to scholarships and improving the experience of the camp,” Wilding said.

The camp will be hosting a fundraising gala and auction at 4:30 p.m., Oct. 4 at TACAW. Special guests are Scott Lehmann and Shayna Unger, “The Deaf Couple Reaching the World’s Highest Peaks.” Tickets and more information are available at aspencamp.home.qtego.us.

“It’s a great fundraising opportunity for the camp,” Wilding said. “We’re so appreciative of all community support.”