Adaptive Summer Camp at Rutgers Empowers Youth with Spinal Cord Injuries
New Brunswick, NJ
This month, Rutgers University is hosting a specialized summer camp for children and teenagers living with spinal cord injuries. The program gives young participants the opportunity to try adaptive sports, grow their self-assurance, and form meaningful friendships with others who share similar experiences.
What the Camp Offers
Activities: Campers can take part in wheelchair basketball, swimming, archery, and a range of other modified sports, as well as creative arts sessions and group team-building challenges.
Expert Guidance: The camp is overseen by Rutgers faculty members and medical professionals, with support from student volunteers and licensed physical therapists.
Goal: The initiative is designed to encourage independence, regular physical activity, and lasting social bonds among young people facing mobility limitations.
Why This Program Matters
Most children with spinal cord injuries have limited access to recreational programs tailored specifically to their needs. This camp fills that gap while also offering a nurturing space where attendees can share personal stories and learn from mentors who live with similar disabilities.
How It Began
The summer camp is the result of a partnership between Rutgers’ Kessler Foundation and several local disability advocacy organizations. Organizers are already hoping to grow the program in the years ahead.
Families interested in future sessions can reach out to Rutgers’ disability services office for additional details.
