Visually impaired and blind youths often don’t get the same opportunities as their peers, especially when it comes to sports and physical activity. One camp is working hard so this doesn’t have to be the case.
Camp Abilities Four Corners is a “sports and recreation camp for blind and VI youth held in northern Arizona,” according to a news release from camp director Vicki Numkena. The camp held its second camp this year June 12-17.
The camp allows students ages 9-17 with visual impairments to play a variety of sports and learn adaptations to those sports, as well as hike various trails in northern Arizona. Tuition is $200 per participant, but students are encouraged to reach out to local organizations like the Lion’s Club, churches, or schools to get help with the funding. Scholarships are also available.
“No student who wants to participate is turned away for financial reasons,” Numkena told The Journal in an email.
This year, five students attended the camp at Cameron Trading Post in Arizona. Activities included bowling, basketball, blind soccer, Taiko drumming, and more. Campers also went on several hikes in northern Arizona, including the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon. Participants also golfed at the Lake Powell National Golf Course and enjoyed water games at Thorpe Park in Flagstaff.
The camp is not only fun and games, but also educational. Participants learn useful modifications to popular sports that allow them to participate at home. Numkena explained some modifications in the email.
“In basketball, a person can tap on the backboard with a cane or broomstick to give the athlete a sound to aim for,” she stated.
For hiking, students use “all-terrain” canes. These canes are specially designed for uneven surfaces, and can support a student’s whole body. Students are also assigned “buddies” to provide descriptions of the trail ahead.
“Each student athlete has a one-on-one coach trained to use specific strategies to teach the skills of the sports,” Numkena said.
The camp hopes to increase the number of athletes it serves each year. They are also looking for more PE teachers and college students studying to be PE teachers to volunteer as coaches.
“We benefit from their expertise in teaching sports skills and we in turn teach them how to modify a variety of sports for students with VI and they can take that experience back to their school and community,” Numkena said.
The camp also wants to bring adult athletes impacted by VI or blindness to the camp to work with students. They also aim to include recreational activities like camping in tents and include arts and music.
Next year, camp will be held June 10-15. Interested families can sign their youth up on Camp Abilities Four Corners’ website.
Camp Abilities Four Corners is supported by Visually Impaired and Blind Athletes of Northern Arizona. According to the camp’s website, VIBA-NAZ is a 501c3 organization with the mission to provide sports opportunities to students affected by visual impairment, blindness, or deafblindness.
