Northwest Association For Blind Athletes Launches Spring Campaign To Celebrate 10 Years Of Camp Spark -05/16/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

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

 

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes Launches Spring Campaign to Celebrate 10 Years of Camp Spark

Gifts made May 19–31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $23,500

 

Vancouver, Washington — May 16, 2025 — Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) today announced the launch of its Spring Campaign to fund Camp Spark, a week-long developmental sports and life-skills program for children and teens who are blind or visually impaired in Washington and Oregon. Running May 19 – May 31, the campaign seeks to raise $80,000—enough to send 20 campers to this transformational experience. Early supporters have created a $23,500 matching pool, doubling every donation until the match is met.

Now in its 10th year, Camp Spark remains the only program of its kind in the country. Throughout the week, campers explore tandem cycling, beep baseball, swimming, track & field, and more, while also developing vital life skills like meal preparation, personal organization, and goal-setting. The program is grounded in the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), empowering participants to master orientation & mobility, self-advocacy, social interaction, independent living, and recreation—all in a supportive community of peers who share similar experiences.

“Camp Spark is where children and youth who are blind discover that their ambitions are limitless,” said Billy Henry, Founder & CEO of NWABA. “In just ten years, we’ve watched campers rise as confident leaders—heading to college, excelling in their careers, and thriving in every facet of life. Every gift to this campaign isn’t merely a donation; it’s the spark that ignites a lifetime of achievement.”

It costs approximately $4,000 to provide one camper with tuition-free access to Camp Spark, including specialized instruction from credentialed adaptive-physical-education professionals, accessible equipment, lodging, and nutritious meals. By removing financial barriers, NWABA ensures that every eligible child—regardless of income—can participate and thrive.

How to Give: From May 19 to May 31, visit nwaba.org/campspark to make a tax-deductible donation. All contributions will be matched until the $23,500 pool is fully claimed.

 

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 more than 5,000 program and service 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/campspark or

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

Phone:  1-360-448-7254

 

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