Casa Colina Relaunches Adaptive Sports and Recreation Camp for People with Disabilities

After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare has relaunched its annual adaptive sports and recreation camp for people with disabilities. Featuring a wide array of adaptive recreation activities and more wheelchair sports than ever before, “Beat the Heat” will take place August 15 through 17 at multiple sites in Long Beach and at the Crowther Teen and Family Center in Glendora (August 16 only).

Started in 1996, Casa Colina’s original adaptive recreation camp, Land Meets Sea, brought members of the disability community together for fun, community-building adaptive sports and recreational activities. An extension of Casa Colina’s Outdoor Adventures program, Land Meets Sea attracted participants from Southern California and beyond, who descended on the City of Long Beach to meet up with old friends, make new ones, and soak up the sun.

In the same spirit as Land Meets Sea, Beat the Heat is designed to serve as an introduction to adaptive sports and recreation for individuals of all abilities, as well as an entry point for year-round Outdoor Adventures program activities. Taking place over three days, Beat the Heat will offer participants the opportunity for inclusive group interaction through adaptive activities like sea kayaking, sailing, deep-sea fishing, and hand-cycling, as well as wheelchair sports such as basketball, rugby, over-the-line, and tennis.

Camp activities will accommodate a wide variety of abilities by using specialized adaptive equipment, all operated by trained professionals. Casa Colina staff, trained volunteers, athletes, coaches, and professional outfitters will facilitate all activities, offering high levels of safety and engagement for all participants.

“We are beyond excited to bring back this wonderful adaptive sports and recreation event that has been beloved by so many for so long,” says Lisa Hilborn, MA, CAPE, Casa Colina’s new Director of Outdoor Adventures and Recreational Therapy and the camp’s principal organizer. “We welcome participants 14 and older of all ability levels who are eager to experience new outdoor activities, meet some new friends, and have a great time doing so.”

For information about attending, volunteering, or sponsoring this event, please call Casa Colina’s Outdoor Adventures staff at 909/596-7733, ext. 4161, or visit the event web page.