Wheelchair Sports Camp

The mission of the University of Northern Iowa’s Wheelchair Sports Camp is to give qualified young people, ages 3rd grade-high school, with various disabilities around the State of Iowa, an opportunity to participate in various types of athletic events using a wheelchair. They do not have to use a wheelchair for daily living skills. They may have an amputation, birth defect, or use crutches, braces, or prosthetic devices for ambulation. They benefit from the physical and social opportunities available at the UNI camp by being introduced to new athletic activities in a structured environment. This camp focuses on basketball, track and field, football, soccer, and rock climbing events along with weight training, and nutrition. There are opportunities for instruction, expert coaching, and the refinement of skills. Campers are encouraged to be as independent as they can, and have the freedom to interact with their peers.

The camp promotes wheelchair awareness and provides healthy recreational activities for kids with disabilities. Activities such as wheeling around campus with their teammates to meals, recreational games, other skill activities, and pure fun are important for learning. Campers enjoy traditional camp and recreation activities, while they are improving daily living, sensory-motor-perceptual, strengthening, and hand-eye coordination skills.

The camp also shows those that have been injured or born with a disability that they can be independent and productive in their community. One of our goals is to help increase the physical activity level of all young people with disabilities. Playing wheelchair sports promotes fitness as well as discipline, team work and camaraderie. Those with a disability can be very productive in school, the work place, and their community and can contribute a great deal to society. These young people have fewer alternatives for health promotion, and the UNI Sports Camp is one place that opens up opportunities for growth that last a lifetime. It also is a way that their family members greatly benefit from the independence gained by those athletes.

Questions or requests for information may be directed to:
Jack Eherenman, Coordinator for Iowa Chairiots
JEConstruction1@gmail.com
319-232-1911 or
319-493-0978

Dr. Nancy Hamilton
203 WRC
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0241
hamilton@uni.edu