SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Those confined to a wheelchair are experiencing the freedom of scuba diving, a game of tennis and so much more during this year's Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp at UC Santa Barbara.
"Oh, it’s amazing to be around other people who have disabilities is such a unique experience because they just understand you … we understand each other we all know where we’re coming from what it’s like to be disabled," said volunteer Nicole Valdez of the Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. Lightweight Wheelchair
Sponsored by Cottage Health, the camp provides recreational and competitive opportunities for youth athletes who use a wheelchair.
"To be able to come out here and teach the kids the sport that I grew up with this is just a amazing opportunity, and to see the smiles on their faces and just to be able to entertain them and just kind of be a role model," said tennis coach Henry Reyes of the Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp.
"They’re in groups with counselors and coaches that are wheelchair users, so they learn how to play sports recreation but in the big picture they learn how to live life as independently as possible," said camp director Rene Vanhoorn of the Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp.
During this camp, one of the most popular activities kids are learning about is how to play a game of tennis.
"It’s important Because we need to keep these kids active we need to keep these kids and engaged and adapt to sports and spreading the word … not let the sport die down in and just keep it going. Keep the keep the moment going in the disabled community," said Reyes.
This year, a new young adult group has been added for athletes up to 21 years of age.
{Tara VanhoornCamp assistantJunior wheelchair sports camp}
"My hope coming out of camp is that we can create an environment where every day the campers feel like camp … and that’s not just gonna be the people at camp, but it depends on all of us kind of educating ourselves on how we can create a more equitable and diverse environment," said camp assistant Tara Vanhoorn of the Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp.
Sports and recreation activities include basketball, rugby, tennis, swimming, hand cycling, climbing wall and more.
The five day camp is held July 17-21 at the UCSB Recreation Center.
The camp is sponsored by Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation in Santa Barbara.
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