This week, Troy University is hosting Camp Success, a residential program designed to help high school students who are deaf or hard of hearing prepare for the transition to college and adulthood. 

The Sunday-through-Saturday program is a partnership between the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) and Troy University. Held annually, the immersive experience introduces students to college life while helping them build key academic, social, and self-advocacy skills. Many participants have been the only deaf or hard-of-hearing students in their high schools. Camp Success provides an opportunity to connect with peers who share similar experiences and challenges. 

Throughout the week, students live in campus dorms and attend sessions on budgeting, career and course planning, self-advocacy, accommodations, learning styles, time management, test-taking, and presentation skills. They also explore assistive technology and study techniques such as how memory works, time management strategies, and foundational college-level writing skills. 

Led by vocational rehabilitation counselors from ADRS and supported by Troy University Interpreter Training Program faculty and students, the program blends practical instruction with personal growth. Campers also participate in sessions on bullying prevention, legal rights, and mental health awareness, including how to address anxiety and depression. A midweek trip to Camp Butter and Egg in Troy adds a recreational element to the experience. 

At the end of the week, students present a career research project to the group, including their families. The project helps campers understand the steps needed to achieve meaningful employment and align their career paths with their interests and individual needs. 

“Camp Success is about giving these students not just information but confidence,” said Sabrina Wren, M.Ed., CRC, CCC, a 2-time TROY alumna and career counselor with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. “We want them to walk away with tools, strategies and a sense of belonging that can carry them through college and into successful careers.” 

ADRS is the state agency responsible for helping individuals with disabilities reach their full potential through education, training and employment services.