This article comes from the May 2026 issue of Update Magazine. For audio recording and full magazine, click the links below the article.

For Morgan Estes, finding community started with a Google search for summer camps for blind teens. She discovered Leader Dogs for the Blind—with a big draw being the chance to walk with a guide dog. “When I heard I got to walk with a guide dog, I was like, this is the camp for me!”

Teen Summer Camp 2022

At 16, Morgan began her journey in Leader Dog’s Teen Orientation & Mobility (O&M) program, where she built confidence in her cane skills and independent travel. She returned the following week for Teen Summer Camp in 2022, and again as a camp counselor in 2023, forming friendships and finding connections along the way.

“I first felt a sense of community when I went to summer camp for the first time… we took a group picture and created a group chat,” she said.

That sense of belonging kept her coming back. “Everyone at Leader Dog was so kind and welcoming… they met me where I was at,” she said.

In 2025, Morgan returned to Leader Dog to be paired with her guide dog, Ivan. Together, they continue to grow as a team. “We can be silly and goofy when he’s not working, but when his harness is on, he’s on his A game,” Morgan explained.

Teen O&M

Looking ahead, Morgan plans to stay involved with Leader Dog after graduation and speak to Lions clubs in Maryland to raise awareness.

For Morgan, the Leader Dog community is simple: “Incredibly awesome people who really care about making sure you feel welcome.”