Category Archives: American Sign Language

Register now for Deaf/ASL Camp – financial aid available!

American Sign Language, Upcoming events

As many readers know, I have been a devoted counselor/director/interpreter mentor and Board member for Deaf Camps, Inc. for over 25 years! Please share information about camp registration with the families in your life. All hearing statuses and signing abilities welcome!

Deaf Camp and American Sign Language Camp

July 19-July 24, 2026 at Manidokan Camp and Retreat Center, Knoxville, MD

Ages: rising 2nd grade through rising 12th grade

Cost per Camper: $620

Financial aid available – applications due July 1, 2026.

Features ASL immersion opportunities for signers at any level, from beginners to fluent signers. Campers will also participate in swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, and more and learn about God’s love through morning devotions and evening worship. ASL Camp is designed for hearing campers at any signing level. Camper stay in either our cabins (bathhouse a short walk away) or our Lodges (bathrooms en suite of bedrooms) and eat most of their meals in the Dining Hall.

Campers in Deaf & ASL Camps will share lodging and all daily activities.

Age groupings & housing will be determined based age-level and registration numbers closer to camp. Younger campers are likely to stay in the lodges and older campers are likely to stay in the cabins.

More information and FAQ

REGISTER NOW

Summer Signs for Storytime

American Sign Language, eCourses and Webinars, Professional Development, Resources for Teachers and Librarians, webinars
Illustrations of a sun, watermelon, beach ball, sunglasses, beach umbrella, and flip-flops appear against a green background. Text reads: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 12-1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10-11 AM Mountain/9-10 AM Pacific. Includes recording access. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. Register at StoriesByHand.com/webinars
Little Hands Signing in Storytime: Summer Signs

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 12-1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10-11 AM Mountain/9-10 AM Pacific

Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for 30 days.

Learn basic American Sign Language and extension activities to use in summer storytimes! Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way. Certificate of completion available with successful completion of post-test.

Pricing:

  • Individual: 45.00 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live event)
  • Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for more information.
  • Optional Add-on: Individualized video feedback: 25.00. Submit a video (up to 10 min) demonstrating your planned signing activities for storytime and receive individualized feedback on sign choices, production, and more from Kathy MacMillan via return video within 14 days. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.

Register now

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All upcoming webinars and series

Feedback from workshop and webinar participants

Find out more about booking a private webinar for your group

FAQ: eCourses and Webinars

Purchase recording access to past webinars

New series from Familius Press: SIGN THE SEASONS!

American Sign Language, board books, Resources for Teachers and Librarians, Sign the Seasons series

I am so excited to finally share my new board book series with the world!

Sign the Seasons introduces babies and toddlers to early communication through the sights and traditions of the seasons. Each book features 8 essential American Sign Language signs in a simple, story-driven context.  With warm illustrations by Ekaterina Ladatko and clear signing instructions, children and caregivers can learn and practice together, turning everyday moments into opportunities for connection and language development. Perfect for families and early learning settings, the Sign the Seasons series blends seasonal fun with meaningful skill-building for little learners.

 

cover of Sign the Seasons: Fall

Sign the Seasons: Fall

Coming August 4, 2026

by Kathy MacMillan

Illustrated by Ekaterina Ladatko

ASL/Deaf Culture Advisor: Tanya Daniels

Early Childhood Education Advisor: Louise Rollins

 

“What a beautiful book! The illustrations wrap around the reader like a warm hug after a chilly fall day. This book will be perfect for anyone looking to learn about sign language for fall. I can see this being used and loved in homes, classrooms, libraries, and bookstores for interactive storytimes where children practice their motor skills and celebrate the season.” – Tracy C. Gold, author of Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby

Preorder now at Deaf Camps, Inc. Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!)  |  Bookshop.org  |  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Familius

 

Sign the Seasons: Winter

Coming November 3, 2026.

 

Sign the Seasons: Spring

Coming February 2027.

 

Sign the Seasons: Summer

Coming May 2027.

Book now for Summer Reading 2026!

American Sign Language, Resources for Teachers and Librarians, summer reading

The Collaborative Summer Reading Theme for 2026 is: Unearth a Story/Desentierra una Historia.

Stories by Hand has you covered with a high-energy, interactive program for multiple age groups:

I Dig American Sign Language. Book now for summer reading 2026! Let’s dig deep and learn basic American Sign Language for dinosaurs, diggers, and the things we love through stories, songs, and more! StoriesByHand.com/summerreading

I Dig American Sign Language

Let’s dig deep and learn basic American Sign Language for dinosaurs, diggers, and the things we love through stories, songs, and more! Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series and Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together.

This program can be presented as an all-ages program or adapted to a baby, toddler, preschooler, or school-age audience.

Indoor, outdoor, and online programs available.

  • Single program (45 minutes): $500 plus travel expenses.
  • Additional same-day sessions: $400 plus travel expenses.

Book a program for Summer 2026 by February 1, 2026 and get 15% off the single program rate!

Maryland libraries: ask about FREE programming with Arts in Education grant funding!

Availability calendar

Complete booking details

Interested in a different program theme? Check out all program offerings here.