Five action packed days for 25 children with vision impairments ended with a drumming performance and awards ceremony to mark all of the sporting achievements of the campers as well as the efforts of 50 volunteers that made up CampAbilities 2011.

Organised by the CARA National Adapted Physical Activity Centre, the Institute of Technology Tralee, the National Learning Network and the National Council for the Blind the camp was held this year in Fossa Killarney where all campers and staff stayed in the majestic An Oige hostel. The decision was made to hold annual sports camps for children with vision impairments as sports participation rates among people with vision impairments is particularly low in Ireland so a camp which introduces children to various sports in a supported way will hopefully result in many of them becoming more active in future years. The camp also serves as a learning opportunity to sport, health and leisure students from the Institute of Technology Tralee and National Learning Network. It is also hoped that these future physical education teachers, sports coaches and instructors will have the knowledge and skills to include people with vision impairments in their mainstream classes and sessions.

The organisers were overwhelmed this year by the local support for the camp including transport provided free by Kennedy coaches, Buckleys and Enterprise car rentals as well as the local jarveys and their trusty horses. A number of local supermarkets, butchers and food suppliers donated much of the food. As well as this local clubs such as Kingdom Archers, Kingdom Waves, Kerry Green Sox baseball club, Fossa Scouts and Dr. Crokes helped out with the coaching. Fossa Community centre, Coral leisure centre, hotel Europe, the SEM, Fossa GAA and O’Sullivan horse riding stables provided facilities.

One of the challenges for the organisers will be to make sure that the campers have opportunities to continue their sports when they return to their communities and schools. This will be done by linking the local sports partnerships in with each of the campers as well as with national governing bodies of sport to ensure more regular opportunities are available to young people with vision impairments.

CARAS and ACTIVITY LEADERS diaries

• Swimming – “Michelle was great in the pool session. She liked ‘the bells’ which aims at getting her more comfortable with putting her ears and head into the water. She didn’t want to get out of the pool at the end of the session.”

• Camp Fire – “This was the highlight of the camp – hearing Patrick rap was amazing”. Also, “Cian got great satisfaction sitting close to the fire with his new friends and singing along with the songs. Together we toasted marshmallows.

• Soccer – “My camper told me that he did not play too much soccer back home due to his eyesight, but was delighted that he was able to participate and he really enjoyed the game.”

• Canoeing – “Keith chose the canoeing as his special project activity and he said this was his favourite activity of the week. So much so that he said that he wanted to join a club when he went home to Cork.

• Horse Riding – “This was Nikola’s special project activity and she enjoyed it immensely as she loves animals. She sang songs to the horse throughout our ride.”

• Archery – “Zara really enjoyed this activity. She had 6 shots on target and burst 4 balloons – she was so excited.”

• Drumming – This activity was a constant highlight. As the week progressed, the sessions became more focussed and all the campers were rising to the challenge and the responsibility of having to learn important lines and beats. “It was great to see the campers perform in front of their families, showing the progress made through the week.”

Cycling – All who participated in this event excelled. Most notably were Conor (CARA) and Sean. “They were just brilliant together. Conor cycled and Sean was on the front in his chair with a massive smile on his face