Immersion Weekend

Escape to the scenic town of Estes Park, Colorado to immerse yourself in a weekend of signing. Nestled at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park, this getaway is a unique opportunity to experience some of the best scenery that Colorado has to offer while improving your signing skills and making friends.

We want people of ALL signing levels and interests to have a positive and entertaining learning experience. While bridging both worlds, we create a new one where signers and non-signers alike can unify, communicate, and share a vision of the world.

Our events have ASL Deaf signers as well as quality, vetted workshops led by incredible presenters. Above all, we are committed to creating and growing a powerful passion for ASL in all people.

Thank you to all who joined us for our latest immersion weekend. Stay tuned for details on the next one!

FAQ:

Where is the ASLVibe Silent Weekend held?

The ASLVibe Immersion Weekend happens at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. When you arrive, there will be ASL Vibe signs guiding you to our cabin.

The YMCA cabin information will not be available until we receive it from the main building, so please feel free to check in with the main building and/or call them for more information if you feel lost!

Their address is 2515 Tunnel Rd, Estes Park, CO 80511.

Estes Park YMCA Phone Number: (970) 586-3341

How good does my signing have to be?

We encourage everyone from beginners to fluent interpreters to feel encouraged to join. The more diverse the signing environment, the better.

Beginners, have no fear. You will not be left out or lost. Instead, you will find that the immersive environment helps you grow in your signing skills and confidence.

Can I use my voice?

This is an immersion weekend where we really work to develop signing skills. Using voice interferes with that aim for everyone. Voices stay off the entire weekend. If you don’t know sign very well, don’t worry! We encourage you (challenge you!) to find other ways to communicate what you’re trying to say. We also provide materials you can write on if you’re really stuck.

What is the plan for food? Can I bring my own?

ASLVibe is a low-budget nonprofit where the volunteers donate their money to make events happen. Even though we offer food for each meal, we aren’t able to meet everyone’s dietary needs. We do our best to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions.

You can definitely bring your own food! We encourage it because you know your diet best. We’re sign ninjas, not culinary ninjas. We might unintentionally end up baking you a sign language dictionary for dinner. There is a full kitchen with fridge and freezer space. Please label your food!

What about people under 18? Can I bring them?

This is an event aimed for adults. We can’t be responsible for kids and teenagers (we might end up accidentally baking them along with the sign language dictionary in the last question). However, people under 18 who are excited about ASL and who are accompanied by a parent or a fully responsible guardian at all times are welcome. They must have a ticket to the event.

What are the sleeping arrangements?

The cabin offers shared bedrooms, which we separate by gender. This provides a lot of opportunity for sign language interaction for the whole weekend instead of creating an environment where people leave to their comfort zones and fall back into using their voices in private.

Each bedroom has furniture for clothes and sleeping, as well as its own bathroom. Sleeping arrangements are often double occupancy in the cabin, but we provide plenty of air mattresses for those who prefer to sleep alone. **editor’s note: these air mattresses are surprisingly comfortable! I did not wake up on the ground, nor did I have to add air for the entire weekend. I was pleasantly surprised.

If you prefer to have your own room, the YMCA does offer separate hotel-style lodging. This is unaffiliated with ASL Vibe and would need to be booked and paid for separately.

Is there any more information available?

Yes! We will provide you with an information letter that details what you need to know before you go. Take a look at your spam email if you can’t find your letter.

ASLvibe