Camp Helen Keller is a six-week summer day camp for children ages 4 to 15 who are blind or visually impaired. Located on the grounds of Farmingdale State College in Long Island, the camp includes activities designed to improve children’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and socialization skills. Activities include indoor swimming, water and field games, arts and crafts, music and dance, adaptive computer instruction, and a variety of age-appropriate field trips. The camp is staffed by professionals in rehabilitation and education. There is a nurse or campus health center care in place for the campers, and the counselor to camp ratio is 3:1.

          Camp Helen Keller is open to eligible children from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The camp provides door-to-door transportation for campers in Nassau and West and Central Suffolk counties. Registration begins April 1 of each year.

          Edwards has been appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB), it was announced today by Richard T. Arkwright, Chairman of HKSB’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Edwards succeeds Mr. Fred W. McPhilliamy, who is retiring from HKSB after 30 years of service. Mr. McPhilliamy’s last day is December 31, 2009.

          “I want to thank Fred for his many years of service to HKSB. He was a staunch advocate and great friend of Helen Keller Services for many years,” said Mr. Arkwright. “He will be missed. We look forward to working with Tom as he takes the helm. His leadership will serve the organization well as it continues to help clients develop independence and adapt to the ever changing environment, including those in technology. Tom will guide the agency as they look for new ways to serve their clients’ needs and help them achieve their goals.”