The Utah Foundation for the Blind gave children with visual impairments an opportunity to compete in sports this week and gain important life skills that organizers say helps boost confidence.
The foundation's annual summer sports camp hosted junior high and high school students from around the state. They learned new skills, worked up a sweat and gained confidence.
"We see a lot of progress, and we see kids who realize they can do a lot of things," said Tony Jepson, Executive Director for the foundation. "We have 25 visually impaired and blind youth here from all over the state of Utah. We teach kids how to compete in swimming, in wrestling, judo, soccer and goalball."
Special tools are used to help the students with their training. Soccer balls are filled with BBs so they make a lot of noise when used.
The camp has experts and other qualified people who help the students become better athletes. But one of the biggest advantages is the opportunity for kids to meet other students like them and develop relationships.
"When the student is the only blind child in their school, it's hard for them to get always the opportunities they have from the specialist. And so it's an opportunity for us to bring them all together, work with them as groups, help them develop relationships and friends with other kids as well," said Jepson.
The boost in confidence can help students broaden their horizons once they return home.
"I started running because of goal ball and now I think I might actually go out for my track team at school," said 14-year-old Mary Bai Huking from Plain City.
The foundation also hosts several other camps that focus on blindness-related skills such as braille, employment and technology skills.
