Enrollments to Begin for Wheelchair Camp

A sports camp program for disabled youngsters returns to Cal State Northridge this summer.

Kids enrolled in the 11th Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp for Physically Challenged Youth, running from June 24 to 28, will learn a variety of sports, including tennis, track and field, basketball, archery, swimming and floor hockey.

The camp grew out of an awareness developed after the 1984 Olympics of an absence of training programs for disabled youth interested in competitive sports.

Nick Breit, a CSUN kinesiology professor and camp director, said he has watched many children over the last decade obtain their first sense of accomplishment.

“We only have them for one week,” he said, “but we’ve had some miracles in that small amount of time.”

The weeklong camp is co-sponsored by the Adaptive Sports and Recreation, an organization that runs a year-round program.

The summer course is designed to generate interest in sports and help kids develop a greater sense of independence.

“Many of the kids we introduced to wheelchair sports . . . have gone on into national competition,” Breit said.

But, he said, competition is not the main focus of the camp, but rather for each student “to have fun and reach their own personal best.”

All the instructors and counselors are disabled and understand how to motivate and inspire the youngsters, Breit said.

The camp is free for first-timers and $150 for returning campers.

But Breit said financial status will not be an obstacle.

Campers must be between the ages of 7 and 21, have good use of their upper extremities, have independent bathroom and feeding skills, and have a bathing suit, towel and water bottle.

The deadline for registration is next Friday.

For more information, call (818) 885-3462.