Adapted Football Camp coming to Elizabethton
Published 9:43 am Tuesday, August 1, 2023
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On Saturday, Sept. 23, a free Adapted Football Camp hosted by Dream Team Adapted Sports, Sidekick Therapy Partners, and Witten Huddle will be returning to Elizabethton.
This unique camp is open to third grade through high school students that cannot participate in regular season sports due to a health condition, physical disability, or other impairment. Campers will have their names announced as they run through the helmet under the Saturday night lights at Citizens Bank Stadium, rotate through football stations run by area athletes and coaches, and experience simulated game play.
This is the third adapted sports event hosted by Dream Team Adapted Sports and organizers Ryan Witten, Jessica Lenden-Holt, and Forrest Holt hope to keep the action going.
Coach Ryan Witten reflects on the start of the camp and the experience so far, “We wanted to start these Dream Team camps and provide an opportunity for adapted sports in East Tennessee and allow these athletes to participate in a game that’s taught us and our families so much. Last year’s experience was really overwhelming for me in many ways. All the volunteers did an amazing job, the campers had so much fun, and I was proud of our coaches for adapting and making the camp such a success. Throughout this past year, whenever I thought I was having a bad day, I quickly remembered all the smiles and triumphs of that day. I want the camp to follow the Witten Huddle mission statement…to provide a positive atmosphere where all athletes can further develop and improve.”
“It’s absolutely amazing how the community has come together to support these camps and athletes. We appreciate those that have reached out to volunteer and sponsor. There is not another camp like this in the state, and we are proud to host one here in Elizabethton,” says Elizabethton High School Athletic Director Forrest Holt.
Speech-language pathologist, Jessica Lenden-Holt, said that families of camp athletes have called this camp a “magical experience…something their kids have only dreamed of” and bringing this dream to life has allowed campers and volunteers to become a part of something truly special. “These kids are no longer watching or cheering from the sidelines. They are out on the field, getting to experience being coached and cheered for by a stadium full of family and fans. It is an exciting environment where they are the stars. Volunteers get as much out of this event as the campers. Seeing their smiles and hearing from families what this experience has meant to them makes all the months of planning so worth it. Everyone walks away with huge smiles after this event.” Campers can register at https://forms.office.com/r/jr7Wq9riRt
