Jul 2, 2015

Archery, beep baseball, and soccer. These are only a few of the sports available for visually impaired youth attending Camp Abilities. Each year, some forty kids, aged 9-17 come from all across the state of Maryland to attend the camp. The camp is run by volunteers from Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, Fairfax Public Schools in Virginia and the Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) in Baltimore, Maryland.

: Amaurie Davidson, 13,left, is taught how to navigate in the street by instructor Marleen Mangre, right. She explains that following the speed bump will take you away from the dangers of passing cars. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Taylor Runion, 10, left, and Amaurie Davidson,13, hold on to each other’s shoulders while learning how to perform Judo moves at Camp Abilities, hosted at the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Shawn Abraham hangs onto the fence while waiting to bat during a game of beep baseball at Camp Abilities, hosted at the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: From left to right: Instructor Nicole Kirk, Jonathan Panasuk, 10, instructor Joey Mescall, and Aidan Hajek-Ellerman, 11, roast marsh mellows over a fire pit at Camp Abilities hosted by the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Robert Panasuk, 9, hits the baseball during a game of beep baseball at Camp Abilities, hosted at the Maryland School for the Blind. Beep baseball is modified by putting speakers into the ball and bases that alert players during game play. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Clarksville Scout leader Chris Parrish Sr. teaches Denez Johnson, 12, how to use and bow and arrow during an archery shooting activity at Camp Abilities, hosted by the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Amaurie Davidson, 13, holds onto a bed sheet while playing tug of war at Camp Abilities, hosted at the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Lynell Shaw, 13, center, jumps into a sand pit while practicing long jumps during a track and field exercise activity at Camp Abilities, hosted by the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Shawn Abraham, 15, feels his marshmallow after holding it over the campfire before making a s’more. Each night, Camp Abilities attendees attend a camp fire, marking the end of each day. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Camp Abilities attendees lock arms together while learning how to use a bow and arrow for archery activities at the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Attendees walk across campus to attend a bonfire at Camp Abilities, hosted by the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Chris Parrish Jr.,left, of the Clarksville Scouts troop 737 looks downrange as Taylor Runion, 10, center, is taught by camp instructor Matt Mescall, right, how to use a bow and arrow during an archery shooting activity at Camp Abilities, hosted by the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Joey Panasuk, 10, left, is taught by instructor Ben Hutt, right, how to play beep baseball. Beep baseball is modified by putting speakers into the ball and bases that alert players with sound during game play. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Lynell Shaw, 13, center, jumps into a sand pit while practicing long jumps during a track and field exercise activity at Camp Abilities, hosted by the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Isabelle Taylor, 9, celebrates after catching the ball during a game of beep baseball. Beep baseball is modified by putting speakers into the ball and bases that alert players with sound during game play. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Terrell Allan, 15, left, looks towards Calvin Thomas, 16, right, after making an out during a game of Beep baseball. Beep Baseball is modified by putting speakers into the ball and bases that alert players with sound during game play. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Lisa Lin walks the track at the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Amaurie Davidson, 13, looks up at a streetlight while walking to the end of day campfire at Camp Abilities, hosted at the Maryland School for the Blind. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Tori Rice, 15, takes a break from playing Goalball. Goalball is a Paralympic sport designed for the visually impaired. Bells inside the balls help orient the players, indicating the direction of the on-coming ball. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

: Attendees from Camp Abilities play GoalBall inside the Maryland School for the Blind. Goalball is a Paralympic sport designed for the visually impaired. Bells inside the balls help orient the players, indicating the direction of the on-coming ball. While being quiet, players from one side of the court must throw the ball to the other side into the nets. (Tom Brenner/ Baltimore Sun)

The camp allows the opportunity for kids to participate in an authentic summer camp experience, while focusing on teaching and developing their skills in adaptive sports, modified for the visually impaired. In many cases, attendees come from mainstream school systems that don’t have other visually impaired students. Camp Abilities is an opportunity for the students of these backgrounds to interact with other students alike.

One Comment

Stephanie
Jul 08, 2015 @ 10:23:13

My son had a blast at this camp. Thank you for the article and pictures!

Camp Abilities: summer camp for the visually impaired

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