Posted on July 25, 2022
Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is in Session
Fifty kids with varying abilities are preparing for the much-awaited summer tradition of Mary Free Bed’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. Campers ages 7-18 will participate in sports like lacrosse, kayaking and basketball. Campers and staff alike look forward to this week every year for the unique opportunity to spend time enjoying adaptive activities with their peers and making lifelong friendships.
When: Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29
Where: Grand Valley State University, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI (Lot C West)
A new highlight for this year will be “Minute to Survive It!” The new competition is modeled after the popular television show “Minute to Win It” and countless do-it-at-home variations. Wheelchair Sports Camp will feature a version that will bring campers of all ages and ability levels into teams to compete.
Junior Wheelchair Sports camp will include 15 different sports this year – including basketball, cycling, dodgeball, field games, football, frisbee golf, kayaking, lacrosse, sled hockey, softball, team handball and tennis. The sport sessions run daily from 8:30am – 3:30pm.
Mary Free Bed’s Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports program hosts the 38th year of camp and welcomes campers from all over Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Out of the 50 campers, 12 will be first timers. Camp is led by instructors who are also competitive wheelchair athletes. Every year, former campers return as volunteers to help mentor and encourage the younger kids.
This year, 40 volunteers offer their time and energy to help make camp happen for the participants. Many volunteers return year after year, including members of the Mary Free Bed Guild who provide and serve lunch daily.
