BURTON, Texas (KBTX) – Summer camps are a beloved tradition for many students, and this season, kids from across Texas are finding new ways to shine at Camp For All in Burton. This camp is specially designed for children who use wheelchairs, helping them build confidence, develop skills, and showcase their abilities in a supportive environment.
At Camp Xtreme, part of the TIRR Foundation, campers are proudly wearing shirts with “Wheeled Warriors” or “Rolling Renegades” emblazoned across them. This camp is dedicated to children and young adults who rely on wheelchairs, offering a space where a wheelchair is never a barrier to having fun and participating fully.
Genny Gomez, Director of Camp Xtreme, explains, “This is our Xtreme Camp, so all our kiddos are really independent.” The camp aims to provide an experience without limits, allowing kids to engage in activities just like any other camp.
Allen McBride, Director of Camp For All, emphasizes the camp’s impact: “For many of our campers, it’s the first time they meet others with Spina bifida and get to play sports with other wheelchair users. It helps them realize that their disability doesn’t define them.”
With the Paris Paralympic Games coming up in August, many campers are getting a taste of competitive sports through the camp’s Paralympic Trials. Activities include wheelchair sprints, wheelchair basketball, and archery. Gomez notes, “We have some counselors who are getting professional wheelchair basketball offers, and we’re thrilled to have former counselors and campers competing in the Paralympics this year.”
Addison Omar, a dedicated camper from Rosenberg, is attending Camp Xtreme for the third time. She shares her enthusiasm, saying, “I love all the sports opportunities here, and I keep coming back for the friends and the activities.”
Omar, who previously used a power chair, finds a strong sense of purpose at the camp. “It’s perfect to come here and see people who do the same things as you,” she says.
Also Read:
- 23XI Racing Responds to Significant NASCAR Fine Imposed on Bubba Wallace Following Chicago Race
- Rockford Gears Up for Exciting High School Football Season Opener
Campers also had the chance to participate in a mile race, aiming to beat their previous times or complete the race for the first time. For Omar, it was another way to experience the joy and sense of accomplishment that Camp For All offers.
