Alegent Creighton Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center - Junior Wheelchair Sports & Recreation Camp

Overview

The Junior Wheelchair Sports & Recreation Camp offers physically challenged children the opportunity to participate in group sports and recreation activities. The camp introduces young people, ages 5 through high school, to a wide variety of adaptive sports and recreational activities while helping them improve their strength and endurance. All activities are geared toward improving self-esteem and confidence in the campers. Participants need not be active wheelchair users, but sports will be played in a manual wheelchair, and each camper must have sufficient range of motion, strength, and endurance to participate.

Impact

The camp experience enables both new and experienced wheelchair athletes to attain excellence and an enthusiasm for a rich and fulfilling life through a program of diverse sports and recreational activities. Campers enhance their coordination skills and wheelchair maneuvers, become acquainted with sports equipment, and improve athletic ability. The camp can spark enthusiasm for sports and recreation activities that can last a lifetime. It also enables young people to meet others with similar disabilities, experience independence and teamwork, and have a good time. In 2008, a junior prep team and a junior varsity team both won National Wheelchair Basketball Titles; the junior wheelchair softball team also won the National Title in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. A group of competitive veteran campers participates in various other programs throughout the year such as wheelchair basketball and wheelchair softball. They set an excellent example for fledgling wheelchair athletes.

Challenges/success factors

Fund-raising is an ongoing challenge, as is funding and coordinating transportation to and from the camp. In 2011, 38 campers used the transportation services at a total cost of $7,400.

Future direction/sustainability

Due to the generous support of sponsors, donors, and volunteers, the camp is offered at no cost to participants. This year, 50 campers from four states attended the weeklong day camp. The program will never turn away a camper who is appropriate for the program. Transportation to camp is provided from the child’s home for those within the Omaha metropolitan area and at selected pick-up sites if the child lives outside of the metro area.

Advice to others

A unique program like Immanuel Rehabilitation Center’s requires several dedicated volunteers who understand the unique nursing needs of the campers. It takes a lot of passion and patience to coordinate the camp activities, nursing assistance, and transportation; provide food service; and enroll volunteers. Camp organizers must also be connected with resources within the community for support. It is also important to find high-quality disabled athletes to teach, mentor, and inspire campers.

Contact: Jena Munson, CTRS
Lead Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Telephone: 402-572-2276
E-mail: jena.munson@alegent.org