Newsletter Detail

The second annual Camp Abilities sponsored by the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) kicked off with the campers and counselors following an illuminated ice road into camp at sunset on Thursday, Feb. 18. With almost every camper from last year coming back and many more wanting to sign up, Camp Huntington was filled to capacity. 

Word of last year’s exciting debut spread throughout the therapeutic recreation majors and adaptive physical education students as well, and twelve SUNYCortland students signed up as counselors and staff. Working with the campers who are blind or visually impaired and professional staff from CABVI provided an excellent opportunity to put classroom theory into practice. Facing marginal snow conditions, the program added some new activities this year for campers, including a Klondike Challenge (team sled race), orienteering scavenger hunt, snow shelter demonstration and talent show. Graduate Assistant Ian White ’13 provided a great cross-country ski session on the lake with just a coating of snow, and snowshoes were donned briefly as well. The ice fishing and snowmobile rides to town were back as popular choices. 

CABVI Executive Director Kathy Beaver invited two special guests this year from Adirondack Life Magazine, Creative Director Betsy Folwell and photographer Nancie Battaglia. They spent time interviewing campers and staff and taking photos that will generate an article in a future edition. 

The staff from CABVI have done a terrific job of working with our facility and staff to make the most of the camp, so much so that they are planning two camps back-to-back next year. A third camp is now in the planning stages for adults who are visually impaired. To maximize the learning potential for Cortland students, we are hoping to combine one of next winter’s youth camps with a special topics class for Cortland students interested in working with children with disabilities.