| Congratulations on a fantastic weekend athletes, coaches, and staff! Camp Abilities PA @ WCU was featured on Comcast Summer Sports Stops on May 26, 2008! |
ABOUT CAMP ABILITIES
What is Camp Abilities PA?
Camp Abilities PA is a developmental sports camp for children ages 7-17 who are blind or have low vision. The camp is located in West Chester, PA on the West Chester University campus. This weekend overnight camp will introduce a variety of sports, and activities such as goalball, swimming, beep baseball, tandem biking, and track. The purpose of the camp is to empower children to be physically active, improve their overall health and wellness, and to develop confidence and self-esteem through sport and physical activity. Children receive one-on-one instruction during all physical activities and events.
Camp's Purpose
Camp Abilities PA’s purpose is to empower children who are blind or have low vision to be physically active and productive members of their schools, communities and society in general. Because children who are blind or have low vision have been shown to have lower levels of health-related physical fitness than their peers, the camp plays a vital role in reinforcing each child’s self-esteem and confidence in their ability to master specific sports, physical education and social activities. These are often overlooked in the education and home environment and Camp Abilities PA may be the only opportunity some of these children have to participate in athletic activities.
Camp Abilities PA is sponsored by West Chester University College of Health Sciences and the Department of Kinesiology, and co-hosted with the Blind Sports Organizations of PA and DE.
Helping Hands
Camp Abilities PA is also an opportunity for West Chester University Health and Physical Education students to learn how to teach sports and recreational activities to children who are blind or have low vision.
The camp coaches are pooled from the West Chester University Physical Education Undergraduate program. Coaches attend daytime and evening activities using adaptive sport teaching strategies and apply concepts they have learned in collegiate classes, to motivate and encourage athletes who are blind or have low vision about their abilities and potential.
Camp Abilities PA History
The Camp Abilities program was developed by Dr. Lauren Lieberman of SUNY-Brockport, an alumni of West Chester University, and Dr. Monica Lepore, a professor at West Chester University. The first camp began in 1996 at SUNY-Brockport, New York. The program was specifically designed to teach and encourage children who are blind or have low vision to be physically active, and to live healthy and independent lives.
In addition to the Camp Abilities PA at West Chester University, camps are located in Wasilla, Alaska; Tucson, Arizona; Ft. Myers, Florida; Brockport, NY; and Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Camp Abilities PA Sports Weekend
Dr. Monica Lepore
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2516
E-mail: CAMPABILITIESPA@AOL.COM
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Thanks to the Candy Planet, Danielle, and Eddie for contributing this web site!
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