Camp for the visually impaired!

Slippery Rock University has taken over an annual sports camp for visually impaired youngsters, expanding some of the offerings.

Running the camp adds another dimension to the university's minor in adaptive physical activity, said Wendy Fagan, associate professor of exercise and rehabilitative sciences and camp director. That minor prepares students to adapt sports for adults and children who have physical or mental disabilities.

Bob Donaldson, Post-GazetteGuide Charlie Brantner encourages Jenna Sefcik, of Poland, Ohio, last year while they run attached by a tether as she competes in the 100-yard dash at a camp for visually impaired youngsters at Slippery Rock University.Click photo for larger image.

"This allows our adaptive physical activity students to be involved in all aspects of developing a program for not only kids who are blind and visually impaired but kids with all different types of ability," she said of the university's takeover of the camp.

In previous years, Slippery Rock ran the camp with Camp SportVision, a nonprofit Pittsburgh organization.

"We've been having sports camps and clinics for athletes here for the last three years. This year, we just formalized it so that VIP Sports has a permanent home here at the university," Ms. Fagan said.

The camp began yesterday and will end Saturday with a competition.

The 48 youngsters attending VIP Sports from Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland will participate in track and field, horseback riding, swimming, tae kwon do, rock climbing and tandem bicycling.

Some sports have been adapted specifically for people who have visual impairments, such as goal ball and beep baseball.

Goal ball uses a ball with bells inside. The players on one team roll the ball, while those on the other team dive at the sound and try to stop it.

Beep baseball uses beeping balls and bases to help guide the batters and runners.

The camp is open to those age 5 to 18. The campers stay on campus, and the sports activities run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The program will be expanded this year in several ways, Ms. Fagan said.

For one, the university has built the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center and acquired horses for the equestrian events. In the past, horses were brought to the camp in a trailer.

"All 48 athletes will get the opportunity for an hour horseback riding lesson," she said. "We have our own barn and our own horses. That's all part of the adaptive physical activity minor. We have all of it right here on campus."

Tandem cycling also will be expanded this year, with the goal of getting more kids into the competition, she said. "We want to try to get them to really understand that they can go fast."
In the tae kwon do competition, participants will break boards.

"If you could see their faces," Ms. Fagan said. "Holy cow, I almost cried last time. It's so wonderful to see these kids get so excited when they break a board."