FOR RELEASE:
June 4, 1999

CSUN Camp Offers Week of Fun for
Physically Challenged Youth

Participants will receive instruction and participate in a variety of sports such as tennis, track and field, basketball, archery, swimming, badminton, floor hockey and quad rugby.

The camp is the only one of its kind in the city of Los Angeles. All instructors and counselors are persons with disabilities who have overcome their challenges and serve as role models for the campers.

"It's much more than sports that we offer," said CSUN kinesiology professor Nick Breit, camp co-director. "We hope to give the campers a sense of independence so that they can participate in their chosen sport, aspire to go to college, or achieve other goals they set for their lives."

A special Family Awareness Day will take place on July 9, when campers will demonstrate their new accomplishments. The day will feature a barbecue provided by the Northridge Kiwanis Club and a demonstration by the nation's top-ranking dwarf basketball team. The keynote speaker will be Mr. Jim Knaub, former Boston Marathon wheelchair record holder and champion paralympian.

Camp is free for first-time attendees. Returning campers pay $200. Financial assistance is available.

Campers must be between the ages of 7 and 21; have fairly good use of their upper extremities (e.g. to swing a tennis or badminton racket); have supervised/assisted bathroom and feeding skills; and a bathing suit, towel, water bottle and sunscreen. Some transportation is available.

The camp is co-sponsored by the university and Adaptive Sports and Recreation, a private, non-profit therapeutic recreation program.

The registration deadline is June 15, and a late fee of $20 will be charged after that date. Registration is limited to 60.

For more information, call Dr. Jan Tolan at (818) 677-3252, or Ingrid Cleffi at (805) 581-4706.