Indiana University Athletics
IU Expanding Involvement with Camp Riley
6/2/2016 11:39:00 AM | General, Student-Athlete Services
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON - Indiana Athletics' fourth annual summer trip to Camp Riley will be the biggest yet.
So big, in fact, that IU will send two separate groups of student-athlete representatives to Bradford Woods to spend time with the more than 200 children between the ages of 8 and 18 with disabilities throughout Indiana and several other states.
"The campers get excited every year when this rolls around and really start looking forward to being able to spend time and do events with the athletes," said Tim Street, the Associate Director at Bradford Woods. "It's a special event."
In three previous summer trips to Bradford Woods, Indiana Athletics has been represented with a single group of student-athletes that has been growing larger and larger with each passing summer. This year, the interest was too overwhelming for one date to handle, prompting IU to schedule two trips to Camp Riley to accommodate the demand.
The first trip will take place next Monday, June 6 and is expected to be smaller and more intimate than the conventional trip. The second, larger trip will take place July 18 and will mirror the trips from previous years.
"The surge of student-athletes last year really allowed us to open up the second date," Assistant Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement Neely Slawson said. "It's one of the favorite events among the student-athletes. They just love doing it."
IU athletes arrive at the camp and get divided into different small groups that are paired with different cabins of campers. Each cabin spends the day moving between activity stations that range from physical activities like volleyball or human bowling to working on art projects inside.
The student-athletes become immersed in the activities just as much as the campers, sparking friendships and friendly competition.
"A lot of them get to engage one-on-one, share stories and really get to know each other," Street said.
Before meeting the kids, the student-athletes typically have the opportunity to hear from the camp's organizers to gain perspective of the impact they're making on the campers. Last year, a former Camp Riley camper spoke to the group about how being able to go to summer camp changed her life.
"It gives perspective that there are others that are going through difficulties in life and are able to overcome those," Slawson said. "It's just a really fun time, and I think the energy has just spread as more and more student-athletes have gone."
Camp Riley is designed to allow children to experience "life without limits" while building friendships and confidence among the confines of Bradford Woods' 2,500-acre facility.
The camp's format allows for student-athletes and campers to play, laugh and learn together without having to worry about anything else. Given the steady increase in involvement, Slawson said it's become obvious that Camp Riley is one of IU Athletics' favorite events.
"It speaks to the athletes' character that they're willing to spend their time," Street said. "It's a great way to connect with some campers that are really awesome people. It's great to put those two groups together year after year."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON - Indiana Athletics' fourth annual summer trip to Camp Riley will be the biggest yet.
So big, in fact, that IU will send two separate groups of student-athlete representatives to Bradford Woods to spend time with the more than 200 children between the ages of 8 and 18 with disabilities throughout Indiana and several other states.
"The campers get excited every year when this rolls around and really start looking forward to being able to spend time and do events with the athletes," said Tim Street, the Associate Director at Bradford Woods. "It's a special event."
In three previous summer trips to Bradford Woods, Indiana Athletics has been represented with a single group of student-athletes that has been growing larger and larger with each passing summer. This year, the interest was too overwhelming for one date to handle, prompting IU to schedule two trips to Camp Riley to accommodate the demand.
The first trip will take place next Monday, June 6 and is expected to be smaller and more intimate than the conventional trip. The second, larger trip will take place July 18 and will mirror the trips from previous years.
"The surge of student-athletes last year really allowed us to open up the second date," Assistant Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement Neely Slawson said. "It's one of the favorite events among the student-athletes. They just love doing it."
IU athletes arrive at the camp and get divided into different small groups that are paired with different cabins of campers. Each cabin spends the day moving between activity stations that range from physical activities like volleyball or human bowling to working on art projects inside.
The student-athletes become immersed in the activities just as much as the campers, sparking friendships and friendly competition.
"A lot of them get to engage one-on-one, share stories and really get to know each other," Street said.
Before meeting the kids, the student-athletes typically have the opportunity to hear from the camp's organizers to gain perspective of the impact they're making on the campers. Last year, a former Camp Riley camper spoke to the group about how being able to go to summer camp changed her life.
"It gives perspective that there are others that are going through difficulties in life and are able to overcome those," Slawson said. "It's just a really fun time, and I think the energy has just spread as more and more student-athletes have gone."
Camp Riley is designed to allow children to experience "life without limits" while building friendships and confidence among the confines of Bradford Woods' 2,500-acre facility.
The camp's format allows for student-athletes and campers to play, laugh and learn together without having to worry about anything else. Given the steady increase in involvement, Slawson said it's become obvious that Camp Riley is one of IU Athletics' favorite events.
"It speaks to the athletes' character that they're willing to spend their time," Street said. "It's a great way to connect with some campers that are really awesome people. It's great to put those two groups together year after year."
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