This week, 20 legally blind campers from Wyoming, Montana and Colorado are gathering at the Allen H. Stewart Lions Camp to learn about their condition, become more independent, and meet others with vision disabilities at the Wyoming Lions School for the Visually Impaired.

"This is a place they know they can interact with others who are visually impaired," said camp director Terry Cometto. "Our hope is that they can take these lessons home and continue them in their normal lives."

Justine Aragon, 16, and Allison Utter, 14, came from Fort Collins, Colo., to attend the camp. Though they barely knew each other before this week, a long car ride and a passion for music brought them together.

Justine taught herself to play piano when she was very young and has recently started taking professional lessons. Allison, who is completely blind, plays the flute. She can read music through braille but said she plays better by ear.

The girls said they were bored one day during free time, and Justine started plunking a few notes on the piano. Allison pulled out her flute and improvised an accompaniment to Justine's tune. Now the girls are planning to perform at the talent show later this week as soon as they come up with a name for their piece.

The girls are both taking music classes at the camp and said they are loving it so far. Students have the option to sign up for specific classes including woodworking, photography, pottery and assistive technology.

Wyoming has no low vision specialists, but at the camp students have access to Judy van Naerssen, a certified low-vision therapist and occupational therapist from Pennsylvania. She gives many campers their first low-vision screening and offers professional advice on specific technology and adaptations they can use to become self-sufficient.

"What I want is to help the kids become functional using the vision that they do have," she said. "We help these kids understand their eye condition so they can be self-advocates."

She said many visually-impaired people go into a drug store and buy a magnifying glass expecting to solve their vision problems. It doesn't work, and they need to understand their own personal preferences for lighting, color and contrast with an eye care specialist.

The 10 students who are taking van Naerssen's class will be able to test drive equipment to help improve their vision quality. At the end of the camp, they will receive a detailed recommendation from van Naerssen on their vision status and the devices that are best suited to their needs.

Other camp festivities include archery lessons, bowling, crafts, kickball, Frisbee, and roasting s'mores.

"They're doing things they were told they'd never be able to do," Cometto said. "We tell them, 'You can do everything. Don't let anybody tell you that you have a limitation.'"

Reach reporter Riane Menardi at (307) 266-0610 or riane.menardi@trib.com