For the past seven years, Camp Shriver at the University of Massachusetts Boston has welcomed over 700 children, half with and half without intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 8-12, from low income families in the Boston area to a free inclusive summer sports camp.
While recreational programs offered by schools and community agencies may accept children with disabilities, few are designed to enroll an equal number of children with and without disabilities. Camp Shriver at UMass Boston was established to reverse this lack of affordable inclusive recreational opportunities so that all children can play, learn and interact in meaningful ways with their peers—as equals—no matter what their disability status.
Camp Shriver’s mission is to use sports as a vehicle to bring children with and without disabilities together so that they have the opportunity to improve their motor skills, social skills and self-esteem, while developing positive peer relationships and making new friends.