Northwest Assn. for Blind Athletes

Emergency Messages as of 4:40 PM, Sun. Jul 12

No information currently posted.

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Northwest Assn. for Blind Athletes.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

Northwest Association For Blind Athletes Launches 11th Year Of Camp Spark - 07/12/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Billy Henry, Founder & CEO – bhenry@nwaba.org

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
805 Broadway Street, Ste 750 • Vancouver, Washington 98660
Local Phone: 1-360-448.7254 Toll Free: 1-800-880-9837
http://www.nwaba.org
bhenry@nwaba.org

 

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes Launches 11th Year of Camp Spark

 
Vancouver, Washington—July 12, 2026—Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is thrilled to announce the return of our Camp Spark program to Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon for the 11th year beginning today, July 12, 2026. This summer camp session is dedicated to Oregon and Washington youth who are blind or visually impaired. Since its launch in 2016, Camp Spark has seen remarkable growth, increasing from 18 campers in 2016 to 40 campers this year.
 

The week-long camp is tailored to meet the unique needs of each camper, offering adapted sports and activities such as tandem biking, swimming, and goalball. Campers are paired with counselors to ensure they are actively learning and developing new skills. Camp Spark emphasizes social interaction and community, providing campers with opportunities to engage with their peers in exciting and innovative ways in a residential camp setting. This session of Camp Spark concludes on Friday, July 17, 2026.
 

“Camp Spark ignites possibility,” said Billy Henry, NWABA Founder, President & CEO. “Over the past eleven years, we’ve watched campers discover independence, forge lifelong friendships, and return home ready to lead in their schools and communities. Camp Spark continues to demonstrate how transformative an immersive residential experience can be for the youth and families we serve.”


Camp Spark at a Glance

  • Who: Oregon and Washington youth ages 8–15 who are blind or visually impaired with visual impairments
  • When: July 12–17, 2026
  • Where: Linfield University, McMinnville, OR
  • Activities: Tandem biking, swimming, track & field, goalball, and more—each adapted for every camper’s ability
  • Cost to Families: Free, thanks to generous donors and partners

Campers are paired one-to-one with trained counselors and receive individualized instruction in sports, orientation & mobility, and daily living skills. Beyond athletics, the program cultivates leadership, confidence, and advocacy—skills that extend far beyond the playing field.


Help More Youth Experience Camp Spark

Camp Spark is funded through the generosity of individuals, foundations, state grants, and corporate partners. To keep camp at no-cost for families and expand its reach, NWABA seeks additional support:


Donate online: www.nwaba.org/donate  

Mail a gift: Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, 805 Broadway Street, Ste. 750, Vancouver, WA 98660


To make a gift or for more information, contact Billy Henry at bhenry@nwaba.org or 360-448-7254.

 

About NWABA: 
The mission of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. A group of students who were visually impaired formed the association in 2007 to ensure that people who are blind were participating in sports and physical activity. Today, NWABA is a rapidly expanding 501(c)(3) charitable organization that delivers nearly 6,500 program interactions annually to children, youth, adults and military veterans with visual impairments tailored programming which improves self-confidence and self-esteem, promotes independence, creates an inclusive community of supporters, and builds the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of life including school and employment.

 

For information: http://www.nwaba.org or

Contact: Billy Henry, Founder & CEO, bhenry@nwaba.org  

Phone:  1-360-448-7254

 

###

Northwest Association For Blind Athletes Launches 11th Year Of Camp Spark - 07/12/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Billy Henry, Founder & CEO – bhenry@nwaba.org

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
805 Broadway Street, Ste 750 • Vancouver, Washington 98660
Local Phone: 1-360-448.7254 Toll Free: 1-800-880-9837
http://www.nwaba.org
bhenry@nwaba.org

 

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes Launches 11th Year of Camp Spark

 
Vancouver, Washington—July 12, 2026—Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is thrilled to announce the return of our Camp Spark program to Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon for the 11th year beginning today, July 12, 2026. This summer camp session is dedicated to Oregon and Washington youth who are blind or visually impaired. Since its launch in 2016, Camp Spark has seen remarkable growth, increasing from 18 campers in 2016 to 40 campers this year.
 

The week-long camp is tailored to meet the unique needs of each camper, offering adapted sports and activities such as tandem biking, swimming, and goalball. Campers are paired with counselors to ensure they are actively learning and developing new skills. Camp Spark emphasizes social interaction and community, providing campers with opportunities to engage with their peers in exciting and innovative ways in a residential camp setting. This session of Camp Spark concludes on Friday, July 17, 2026.
 

“Camp Spark ignites possibility,” said Billy Henry, NWABA Founder, President & CEO. “Over the past eleven years, we’ve watched campers discover independence, forge lifelong friendships, and return home ready to lead in their schools and communities. Camp Spark continues to demonstrate how transformative an immersive residential experience can be for the youth and families we serve.”


Camp Spark at a Glance

  • Who: Oregon and Washington youth ages 8–15 who are blind or visually impaired with visual impairments
  • When: July 12–17, 2026
  • Where: Linfield University, McMinnville, OR
  • Activities: Tandem biking, swimming, track & field, goalball, and more—each adapted for every camper’s ability
  • Cost to Families: Free, thanks to generous donors and partners

Campers are paired one-to-one with trained counselors and receive individualized instruction in sports, orientation & mobility, and daily living skills. Beyond athletics, the program cultivates leadership, confidence, and advocacy—skills that extend far beyond the playing field.


Help More Youth Experience Camp Spark

Camp Spark is funded through the generosity of individuals, foundations, state grants, and corporate partners. To keep camp at no-cost for families and expand its reach, NWABA seeks additional support:


Donate online: www.nwaba.org/donate  

Mail a gift: Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, 805 Broadway Street, Ste. 750, Vancouver, WA 98660


To make a gift or for more information, contact Billy Henry at bhenry@nwaba.org or 360-448-7254.

 

About NWABA: 
The mission of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. A group of students who were visually impaired formed the association in 2007 to ensure that people who are blind were participating in sports and physical activity. Today, NWABA is a rapidly expanding 501(c)(3) charitable organization that delivers nearly 6,500 program interactions annually to children, youth, adults and military veterans with visual impairments tailored programming which improves self-confidence and self-esteem, promotes independence, creates an inclusive community of supporters, and builds the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of life including school and employment.

 

For information: http://www.nwaba.org or

Contact: Billy Henry, Founder & CEO, bhenry@nwaba.org  

Phone:  1-360-448-7254

 

###