Empowering Voices: Memphis Launch of Camp Dream, Speak, Live

“The focus isn’t on ‘fixing’ stuttering, but on empowering the whole person.”

 

This summer, the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center proudly launched the city’s first Camp Dream, Speak, Live (Camp DSL), a transformative experience for school-aged children and teens who stutter. This summer, the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center proudly launched the city’s first Camp Dream, Speak, Live (Camp DSL), a transformative experience for school-aged children and teens who stutter. Rooted in the Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research’s CARE Model™ (Communication, Advocacy, Resiliency, and Education), Camp DSL emphasizes self-acceptance, identity, and personal growth over increasing fluency. "Campers are encouraged to stutter openly, speak confidently, and build meaningful connections in a supportive environment," shared the camp’s organizers Katherine Mendez and Julie Marshall.

The inspiration to bring Camp DSL, active in 27 countries, to Memphis arose from recognizing a gap in community-based experiences for youth who stutter, especially programs that validate stuttering as a form of communication rather than a problem to be corrected. Drawing from the Blank Center’s philosophy and successful implementations in other states, Mendez and Marshall tailored the experience to the unique needs of the Memphis community. Their hope was to provide an experience focusing on identity, empowerment, and resilience to ultimately reshape how stuttering is understood and supported by families, educators, peers, and other members of the community. At its core, the camp is about building confidence, connection, and advocacy, both for the campers and for the people around them.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., each day of this week-long camp blends fun with personal growth and connection. Campers engage in team-building games, small group discussions, and creative activities, all intentionally designed to build resilience and self-advocacy. Each day is anchored in a theme related to stuttering facts, communication, navigating adversity, stuttering openly, or self-advocacy, helping campers develop both insight and confidence. Whether sharing stories, speaking in a group, or participating in expressive arts, campers explore what it means to self-reflect, try new things, and show up authentically and bravely. Additionally, the core principles of the CARE Model are woven into each activity. Campers learn how to keep going when something feels hard, how to support each other through challenges, and how to believe in themselves. 

Unlike clinical settings that may prioritize performance or fluency, the DSL camp creates meaningful opportunities for participants to express themselves without judgment or pressure. “They’re not asked to change who they are or hide how they speak,” said the camp organizers. “They’re encouraged to speak up, connect, and be themselves.” The result is a dynamic and nurturing space where communication growth and emotional confidence go hand in hand.

Mendez and Marshall hope Camp Dream, Speak, Live will become an annual tradition in Memphis. Plans are underway to expand the camp’s reach, invite returning campers to mentor newcomers, and foster a year-round sense of community for families and children who stutter.

Mendez shared, “Even in just a short time, we’ve seen the potential this camp has to create a space where kids feel understood, supported, and proud of who they are. It has reminded us how important it is to build environments where children who stutter can feel fully accepted and celebrated.”