MCMINNVILLE Ore. (KPTV) - Camp Spark, hosted by the Northwest Association of Blind Athletes, just wrapped up at Linfield University on Friday. The week-long summer camp is for kids ages eight through 16, who are blind or have visual impairments.
“I’ve definitely become more independent at this camp,” said Sean Bishop, an 11-year-old camper.
“Camp Spark makes me feel excited and very thrilled,” said Hugo Olsen, another 11-year-old camper.
Camp Spark connects kids who have similar experiences and uses sports and other physical activities to help campers develop life skills.
“This allows all campers to be better prepared for an adult life, to go out into the world and to say, ‘I can do these things, I can make a difference and I have the skills and the support to make that possible,’” said Kirsten French, director of Camp Spark.
This was Camp Spark’s ninth year and it’s only growing in popularity. According to the Northwest Association of Blind Athletes, Camp Spark increased from 18 campers in 2016 to 30 campers in 2024.
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Bishop and Olsen met outside of camp but said they had fun hanging out at Camp Spark over the summer. They both said Camp Spark has helped them grow as individuals.
“I’ve been able to get food by myself and get ready for bed by myself,” Bishop said.
“I set the camp record for The 3,200-meter dash,” Olsen said.
Aside from track, swimming and biking, Camp Spark also uses a visually-impaired-friendly sport to help get campers active: Goalball.
Goalball was created in 1946, to help rehabilitate soldiers who became visually impaired from fighting in World War II, according to the International Paralympic Committee. Goalball made its Paralympic debut in 1976.
“You wear eye shades, so no one can see, but the ball will have bells in it so you’ll hear it coming and have to dive to the side that you hear it coming on to try to get it and score a goal,” Bishop said.
Bishop goalball was his favorite thing to do at Camp Spark this year.
Through physical activity and by connecting with their peers, French said she’ll occasionally see campers start to push boundaries. That’s good news, she said, because it means campers are learning, growing and becoming more confident.
For French, Camp Spark’s mission is personal.
“When I started this, I was sighted,” French said. “A few years ago, [I] suddenly lost my vision and that even more so empowered me to be able to know the importance of programs such as this and make a difference in the campers’ lives. Because this is such a unique learning opportunity that goes well beyond the boundaries of camp.”