A Loss of Sight, Never A Loss of Vision!
Children with visual impairments have been shown to have lower levels of health-related physical fitness than their peers. Camp Abilities Tucson strives to support enjoyment, independence, and self-determination through sport and physical activity.
Beep Baseball
A coach gives instruction on batting swing.
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Beep Baseball is a sport for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. To score, the offense has to reach a base before one of the 6 outfielders retrieve the ball. Camp Abilities Tucson instructs athletes in hitting, base running, and fielding, as well as general techniques and strategies of the game.
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An athlete hits a pitched ball.
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Swimming
Athletes and coaches get into the huddle position in lifejackets.
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Every day at camp, we jump in the pool to cool off, relax, and develop our swim skills. At Camp Abilities Tucson, we focus on water competency skills needed to stay safe in and around water. Our oldest athletes and Coaches in Training also work towards Red Cross water safety certifications.
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Athletes learn a reaching assist to help someone in trouble in the water.
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Strength Training
A coach demonstrates how to do a squat jump.
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Strength training is a lifetime physical activity that contributes to success in other sports, as well as muscular strength and endurance. Athletes learn proper form to deadlift a bar, throw medicine balls, perform squats, and use other types of fitness equipment. |
An athlete deadlifts a trap bar.
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Blind Soccer
A coach sets up an auditory ball for an athlete to kick.
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Blind soccer is played with five players per team, including a sighted goalie. In this game, all participants except the goalies must wear eye shades. The goalies may also help with giving simple and direct instructions to their teammates on the field.
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An athlete and coach practice attacking and defending the ball.
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Goalball
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Goalball is a sport designed for blind athletes. The sport is played 3v3 on a court marked out with taped rope and a goal at each end. The objective of the game is to roll an auditory 12-inch ball across the 18 meter court past the opposing team. The opposing team uses their bodies to block the ball and roll it back attempting to score. Goalball encourages athletes to use their orientation and sensory efficiency skills, as well as work as a team.
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An athlete winds up to throw a goalball.
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Horseback Riding
Two athletes pose on horseback.
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Camp Abilities Tucson takes a trip to the ranch during camp, due to the generous support of the Foreseeable Future Foundation. At the ranch, we go for a trail ride, and have also participated in archery, shooting (bb guns), horse care, and leatherworking.
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An athlete on horseback holds up his hand in the "I love you" sign.
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Golf
Two athletes putt a ball on the putting green.
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Camp Abilities Tucson takes an annual trip to the First Tee of Tucson. Golf at camp includes instruction in driving, putting, and chipping techniques, as well as general knowledge of the game.
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A coach gives an athlete instruction on chipping.
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Hiking
An athlete and two coaches hike up Tumamoc Hill.
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Coaches and athletes pose at the top of Tumamoc.
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Athletics
Athletes and coaches line up on the track to participate in a relay.
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At camp, we participate in aspects of athletics including running and field events. Running events include learning to use a guide runner during both track and cross-country. During the throwing activities at camp, athletes have exposure to shot put and discus.
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A coach helps an athlete align to throw a javelin.
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For more information about guide running, check out Guide Running: A Primer for Educators and Coaches, an article written by our leadership team.
Tandem Biking
An athlete and coach start their ride on a side-by-side tandem bike.
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Thanks to a partnership with Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports, athletes are able to participate in tandem biking. At Camp Abilities Tucson, we coach athletes on how to be a "stoker", the rider on the back of a tandem bike, and work as a team with their pilot. We offer a variety of racing style and developmental tandem bikes.
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An athlete and coach ride on the track on a side-by-side tandem bike.
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Team Building
Being an athlete is about more than just playing sports; it is about working as a team. At Camp Abilities Tucson, athletes and coaches learn to be members of a team to play, compete, and work towards a common goal.
Coaches and athletes cheer on their teams during Color Wars
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Coaches and athletes work together to raise a parachute.
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Athletes high five after a game of beep baseball.
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