AURORA | The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp turned 30 years old and continues to roll along strong.

The annual free camp for boys and girls with special needs in grades 1-12 celebrated its 30th anniversary with another successful week of adaptive sports at Aurora Central High School, its longtime home.

Casey Myers, 9, aims for a strike June 14 at Aurora Central High School. The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary as a place for children with special needs in grades 1-12 to experience adaptive sports. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Josh Sanderfer pushes his daughter Lilly, 8, under a parachute, June 17 at Aurora Central High School. The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary as a place for children with special needs in grades 1-12 to experience adaptive sports. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Lilly Sanderfer, 8, helps lift up a parachute, June 14 at Aurora Central High School. The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary as a place for children with special needs in grades 1-12 to experience adaptive sports. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Jose Gutierrez’s, 11, laughter fills the air as campers bounce beach balls around a parachute, June 14 at Aurora Central High School. The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary as a place for children with special needs in grades 1-12 to experience adaptive sports. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Nick Sena, 18, aims his arrow June 14, at Aurora Central High School. The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary as a place for children with special needs in grades 1-12 to experience adaptive sports. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Coach Corey Fairbanks (left) gives hitting tips to Destinee Brown, 16, June 14, at Aurora Central High School. The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary as a place for children with special needs in grades 1-12 to experience adaptive sports. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Jackson Delles, 6, sizes up his shot June 14, at Aurora Central High School. The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary as a place for children with special needs in grades 1-12 to experience adaptive sports. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Delaney Prather, 15, practices her free throw June 14, at Aurora Central High School. The Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp celebrated its 30th anniversary as a place for children with special needs in grades 1-12 to experience adaptive sports. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

Longtime camp organizer Mary Carpenter said 105 campers took part in the camp, which wrapped up Friday, while 70 volunteers assisted a number of counselors in running through a variety of sports. Besides a special cake to mark the occasion, a number of people who participated in or organized the first camp in 1983 were on hand.

Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp
Campers compete in wheelchair rugby during the 30th Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp June 14, 2013, at Aurora Central High School. (Courtney Oakes/Aurora Sentinel)

Lacrosse made its debut this season, which continues to expand the number of offerings accessible to campers, the large majority of whom have spina bifida, cerebral palsy and a variety of other special needs.

Bowling, archery, softball, basketball, rugby and fencing were among the sports campers participated in on the final day.

The camp is of no cost to participants thanks to a variety of grants and contributions, plus the donation of time and equipment from Colorado Sports for the Physically Challenged and Adaptive Adventures.

Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555

Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor and photographer with Sentinel Colorado. A Denver East High School and University of Colorado alum. He came to the Sentinel in 2001 and since then has received a number...