Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be blind?

Locals will have the opportunity at an upcoming fundraiser, aptly called Dining in the Dark, to raise money for the annual Extreme Experience Retreat held at Blue Lake Methodist Camp.

The fundraiser is sponsored by the Covington VIP Lions Club and will be held at David’s Catfish on Aug. 25.

Wanda Sasser-Scroggins of the group said this is the first year for the event, but said the event will raise money for scholarships for blind and low-vision individuals to attend the retreat.

“Most people who attend EER are very economically challenged,” she said. “For many, they can’t hold a job anymore.”

The retreat is three nights and the cost is $199 per person, and includes nine meals with activities.

Scroggins said this event will give folks an opportunity to be exposed to blind awareness, while helping sponsor scholarships.

“A lot of people think you’re born blind, but in actuality most blindness happens after age 50,” she said.

Scroggins said the event will be held in the dark.

“We are going to teach everyone what to experience,” she said. “There is a restaurant in New York City, who does this. It is a unique fundraising event. I have done it all over the United States. This is just a way of learning.”

Scroggins said the restaurant can hold up to 200 people and David’s owner Bill Spurlin has been gracious to open his business on Monday for the fundraiser.

The menu will be fish and two sides, chicken and two sides or a hamburger, she said.

Tickets are $20 per person and are available at David’s, Christopher’s, Balanced Family Care or by calling Scroggins at 428-3335.