The camp was held in Grand Valley State University’s fieldhouse in Allendale.
Athletes across the Midwest gathered in Grand Rapids this week for Mary Free Bed’s Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. The annual camp, hosted by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (MFB) is an opportunity for kids with varying abilities to participate in a myriad of sports.
MFB said 50 campers ages seven through 18 participated this year, welcoming campers from all over Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
16-year-old camper, Cole Connelley told WGVU it was a unique opportunity to enjoy adaptive sports while making friends.
“I felt everyone was being included no matter their limitations or whatever. The people here can help you overcome that,” Connelley said.
This marked MFB’s 38th year hosting the camp. Attendees enjoyed 15 different sports this year -- including basketball, cycling, dodgeball, field games, football, frisbee golf, kayaking, lacrosse, sled hockey, softball, team handball and tennis.
This year brought out 40 volunteers to the program. Brad Dion, who is serving as a mentor and camp counselor, was once a camper himself. Being involved in the camp for the past 29 years, Dion told WGVU he wants to give kids the same experience he had as a kid.
“I was very nervous because I was seven years old and I had no idea that this world existed. I come from an able-bodied world where I’m the minority,” he recalled. “…I just want to give these next generations the same opportunities I had and to pass down the same life skills and lessons passed down to me.”
