About Us
Our Goal is to Provide an Inclusive, Positive and Fun Atmosphere That Encourages Bonding Between Deaf and KODA kids.
Bridging Hands Camps
Our Mission
Bridging Hands Camps, Inc. provides day and overnight camp experiences for deaf/hard of hearing children, and children of deaf adults. Our camps promote communication access and positive interactions between various groups within the diverse, multicultural, and multilingual deaf community.
Our Staff
Camp counselors are a combination of Deaf and CODA counselors, staff from Adventure Links, and interpreters. The counselors running our camp are motivated to educate youth in the outdoors. They create experiences that provide the backdrop for individual and team development through the use of high adventure, environmental and team building activities.
Our Camp Director
JB Begue is an experienced camper, having worked with both KODA and Deaf children in a camping environment, and in various capacities. Born Deaf in Ohio to a non-signing family, he teaches American Sign Language at Towson University and in Washington, DC. JB has a BA degree in psychology and MA degree in Sign Language Education, both from Gallaudet University. He loves goats and hopes to one day have a mini goat farm in his backyard.
Our Board
Amy Crumrine
President
Amy is a teacher for the deaf and an ASL teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. She is also a therapist who works with deaf clients across the state. Amy’s passion lies within the teenage field and within the Cued Speech community by providing support to and education to those about this unique opportunity-both deaf and hearing. Amy founded Maryland KODA in 1998 and the National KODA Family Conference in 2000. Amy majored in deaf studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, studied social work at NTID and obtained her Masters degrees from Rochester Institute of Technology and Gallaudet University. She and her husband, Roy, have two hearing teenagers.
Debby Patkin
Vice President
Debby is a civil rights attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of deaf and hard of hearing Americans to access education, entertainment, social services, banking and all other aspects of society. In her pursuit to optimize deaf education, she also serves on school boards. When she’s not fighting in court, she can be found mediating between her two young KODAs or rooting for her beloved Boston sports teams.
Krista Epps
Secretary
Krista has experience working in the mental health field for several years before switching careers to work in the legal field. She has a B.S. in Psychology from Rochester Institute of Technology and an M.A. in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University. She is a member of Deaf Women United organization. Krista enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her two young KODAs and husband.
Kari Hansen
Treasurer
Kari is a professor of statistics at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. She is also completing her dissertation on statistics in educational assessments from University of Maryland, and will graduate this upcoming December. Kari’s future research will focus on the statistics of deaf education and overall, in collaboration with organizations like NAD and WFD. When not working, Kari roots for her SF Giants and travels the world.
Rachel McConnell
PR/Communications Director
Rachel is an avid mediaphile who grew up with a keyboard in her hands. With a a B.A. in Sociology from Gallaudet University, and a M.A. in Media, Culture, and Communication from New York University, she has always loved being a part of various organizations. Prior to becoming a stay to home mom, she worked in business development and communications roles. She is a native of the DC area and currently lives in Maryland with her husband and Deaf son, plus one on the way.
Niki Warman
Fundraising Chair
Niki hails from the Bay Area and now is a SAHM in MD to two KODA boys. Niki and her boys love meeting with other KODA families for play dates. Friends who know her often put up with her passion for the San Francisco Giants. Niki tries to do at least 3 road games each year and cheer for her favorite team. She is a proud alumni of Galluaudet University with a BA in History. She is currently on the MDKODA Board as theirEvents Coordinator. Niki feels it’s very important to balance younger and older KODAS and provide events to meet their needs.
Vacant
CODA Liaison
Please contact us if you are interested.