Learning About Panning for Gold

All of us started somewhere. Remember your beginnings? This is a helpful article from one of our visitors, Ron, who would like to share his experiences observing his cousin Ted and Ted's son, Michael camping and learning to pan:

My cousin Ted has a son, Michael, who is deaf. Michael is eight years old, and he is nothing if not brave. I mean, this kid has no fears whatsoever; I've seen people of all ages balk at the kinds of things that Michael just shrugs at. Ted is never one to tell his son that he can't do something - within reason, of course - so when Michael told his father that he wanted to go panning for gold, Ted just asked, "when do you want to go?"

Now, Ted didn't know the first thing about panning for gold, prospecting, or anything related to that activity, but Ted is resourceful. Back when they learned that Michael was deaf, Ted knew that they would both have to learn sign language, and he searched for the best ways to do it. He found a series of DVDs that they used for learning - and so did I. Michael picked it up like a champ - before he could talk, He could sign, "Hey Dad, more milk, please".

So, Ted went looking for information about prospecting, panning for gold and camping with a kid who is deaf. He found a variety of excellent prospecting books, a variety of tools and supplies, and some websites that are dedicated to the art and science of finding shiny, valuable rocks out in the wilderness. He couldn't find anything about camping or prospecting with a deaf child, specifically. Maybe because it's like any other activity with a child who is deaf and uses sign language. Michael wears a whistle if he needs emergency attention, we know enough to listen for it.

This kind of thing is a real hands-on activity, something Ted and Michael know a little something about! I can't say that Ted's going to be kickstarting a new Gold Rush, but you never know.

I've been impressed at what a leader Michael is, how fast he catches on and picks up new skills. He' been researching this for some time now and is just itching to get out there and try his hand. I am really looking forward, though I'm an absolute novice. Michael has inspired me to just follow his lead. He's 8 years old, but he's in charge of this trip.

We're going in a few weeks! Ted and Michael figured they'd make an event out of it. They, I, my brother Dan, and our friends Barbara and Dinah are going to spend the weekend at a spot Ted found. We're gathering our gear and supplies, and who knows? Maybe we'll come back rich! After all, there's gotta be gold in them thar hills, right?