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 in reinforcing each child’s self-esteem and confidence in their ability to master specific sports, recreational, and social activities. These are often overlooked in the education and home environment and Camp Abilities Tucson may be the only opportunity some of these children have to participate in athletic activities.
Daily Sports at Camp
Beep Baseball
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Beep Baseball is a sport for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Six outfielders are on the field at a time. To score, the offense has to reach a base before the outfielders retrieve the ball. At Camp Abilities Tucson, we instruct athletes in hitting, base running, and fielding, as well as general techniques and strategies of the game.
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Athletes in the outfield follow the sound of the auditory ball to field a hit baseball.
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Swimming
Athletes receive instruction from their coaches in the pool.
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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 train all our athletes, from beginner swimmers to advanced swimmers. Our goal is to help athletes build endurance while also developing their stroke skills. At the end of the week of camp, athletes compete in an aquabike consisting of laps in the pool followed by mileage on the tandem bike.
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Strength Training
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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, and perform squats. At the end of the week, athletes compete in a team lifting challenge to try to beat their best strength and endurance lifts from the week.
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An athlete tells her coach which weight to add to her machine before she performs a chest press.
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Blind Soccer
Blindfolded athletes auditorily track a soccer ball down the field.
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Blind soccer is played with five players per team, including a sighted goalie. The field is split up into three quadrants, providing coaches and guide with different areas on the field to assist players in being aware of where they are on the field. 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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Basketball
While not a traditional blind sport, basketball is often played in PE class, at recess, and in the community. At camp, we teach elements of basketball including shooting, dribbling, passing, defense, and game play using auditory balls and hoops. |
Athletes and coaches play in a basketball game.
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Goalball
An athlete winds up to throw a 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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Other Sports Offered Throughout the Week
Tandem Biking
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Some years at camp, tandem cycling is a daily sport at camp. 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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A pilot and stoker ride around the track on a tandem bike.
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Golf
An athlete works on driving the ball while a coach gives feedback.
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With the help of awesome community partners, Camp Abilities Tucson takes off campus trips, such as 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. |
Bowling
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Another outing camp takes is to the bowling alley. Athletes and coaches socialize and learn to bowl in a fun environment. Athletes are taught bowling scoring and proper form to throw the ball. |
A coach assists an athlete in picking a bowling ball.
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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 form a conga line while the Accordion Club of Tucson plays.
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Athletes high five after a game of beep baseball.
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