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                       Jim Allen                   Russell Kellmer

At the National Campvention of the Deaf’s [NCD] 2004 gathering in Iowa, Russell Kellmer of California and Jim Allen of Montana submitted a bid on the behalf of the Big Sky Recreation Association of the Deaf of Montana to host the national group’s 2010 event. The organization’s vote unfortunately did not turn out in their favor and they were instead asked to host in Montana in 2008 - a request the two men declined due to lack of assistance.

Later that year, and after years of organizing Deaf Snowbirds events, a discussion began between the two men on the subject of a cost-effective alternative for Western campers to the mostly Eastern sites chosen by the NCD; a decision was made to test the waters for interest in a Western region group with an initial gathering in Montana in 2007. With over 200 campers in attendance at that event, their idea was met with great success. So much so, in fact, that a consensus was reached amongst the participants that they should continue holding events in the Western region, and it was then that Western States Deaf Campers [WSDC] was born. Other individuals claim credit for major involvement with the organization’s beginnings, but a lack of evidence proves otherwise.

WSDC is a democratic group with two representatives from each of the following states; Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Gatherings are held biennially at locations decided upon by a majority vote of the representatives-the next will be hosted by the Colorado Deaf Camping club at Estes Park, CO on June 7th - 13th , 2009. 273 people have already registered for ninety-one rigs and cabins, making the prospects for another successful event very promising. The 2011 WSDC get-together will be hosted by the Utah Deaf Campers in Moab, UT.