SAVE THE DATES FOR 2026 Summer Sports Camp

 

 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT:

MOBALE is proud to announce that we will be partnering with the University of New Hampshire to present the …

 2026 UNH Wildcat Sports Education Camp for the Blind

 Dates: Sunday June 28 – Thursday July 2, 2026

Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H. campus, overnight lodging in safe & secure dormitories with adult supervision

 Who can participate: Boys & Girls aged 10-18 (Senior in high school) who are blind or visually impaired from Maine & other New England states

Cost per athlete: $100 – includes housing, use of athletic facilities, meals & camp Tee-shirt. NOTE: sponsorships are available for athletes from Maine and former MOBALE athletes from other states who may need financial assistance

Funding: The 2026 UNH Wildcat Sports Education Camp for the Blind is generously supported by The Gibney Family Foundation (TGFF), whose mission focuses on fostering independence for individuals who are blind by partnering with organizations to build sustainable resources. Thanks to this support, we are able to keep program costs affordable for athletes. Please reach out if the program fee creates a financial hardship.

 Registration Deadline: May 1, 2026

 WHAT WILL THE 2026 UNH WILDCAT SPORTS EDCATION CAMP OFFER TO YOUTH ATHLETES WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED?

MOBALE will take a major role in developing and directing the camp using the familiar vigorous, instructional, and FUN model of the Sports Education Camp (SEC) that we have presented for the past 10 years in Waterville, Maine.

 The SEC will provide special instructional strategies, adapted rules, equipment and playing surfaces designed to address the unique needs of youth who are blind and visually impaired to enable them to develop motor and coordination skills so they can participate in sports with knowledge, skill and confidence that they can meet any challenge they may face.  

 You will recognize competitive sports of:

·        Goalball

·        Wrestling

·        Track and Field

·        Disc Golf

  Additional sports may include:

·        Rock climbing

·        Tandem biking

·        Fitness and strength training

·        Beep kickball

·        Yoga

·        Swimming

 MOBALE staff/volunteers bring unique and robust skills and experiences of professionals in the field of education and rehabilitation of the blind as well as adults and junior counselors who are former MOBALE athletes and are themselves, blind and visually impaired.

NEW & EXCITING!

The University of New Hampshire graduate students from the Master’s Program of Kinesiology and Adapted Physical Education will join the MOBALE staff as trainers and counselors to offer their expertise which will bot challenge and support participant athletes.

CAMP BENEFITS:

In addition to offering opportunities and training in a variety of adapted sports, the SEC model actively promotes

·        Confidence-building

·        Sportsmanship

·        Leadership development

·        Self-advocacy skills

·        Orientation & mobility skills

·        Peer interactions and relationship-building

·        Safety awareness

·        Personal health and fitness habits

·        Experience a college campus environment    

And, of course . . .

FUN, FUN, FUN!

 

COMING SOON!

Please come back to visit this site for more information, updates, and a

Registration link

2025 Summer Sports Education Camp REVIEW & PHOTOS

Eight young athletes from Maine and New Hampshire gathered in Waterville, Maine on June 18-21 to participate in a diverse assortment of individual and group sports that were both challenging and FUN!

GROUP PHOTO - 2025 SEC

 2025 was the 10^th Anniversary of MOBALE Sports Education Camp (SEC) and this year followed the concept and practice of creating an experience where youth who are blind and visually impaired can explore new sports and physical activities, learn how to adapt equipment, rules, and playing fields to make them accessible, safe and FUN! In addition to participating in sports, athletes gained skills of independence in personal management during meals, travel, and “cabin time” as well as social and self-advocacy skills as they interacted with other athletes, camp counselors, and the staff of the Alfond Youth and Community Center and Camp Tracy.

WHAT DID WE DO? Can you believe . . . Soccer, Kickball, Swimming, Track & Field, Yoga, Wrestling, Archery, Disc Golf, Functional Fitness AND GOALBALL! Scroll down to see some photos of us!

We were very privileged to have fabulous volunteer counselors, Adria, Sheila, Jordan & Cheryl. Also, we were so proud to have counselors who were visually impaired, Izzy, Kyle, & Derek, who presented themselves as great role models for the young athletes. This year, we also had outstanding Junior Counselors, Gavin & Tyler, both former MOBALE athletes. 

GOALBALL - DEFENDING THE NET

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LEARNING TO PASS the GOALBALL

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ARCHERY

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NINJA ZONE-Obstacle Course

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WRESTLING

2025 Summer Sports Education Camp Award Winners

DISC GOLF, 1st Place

Will & Kayla

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 DISC GOLF, 2nd Place

Aubri & Rory

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 DISC GOLF, 3rd Place

 Opal & Delaney

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SPIRIT AWARD

Delaney K.

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ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 

Will H.

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VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 

Cheryl G.

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ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR 

Alfond Youth & Community Center

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GUEST SPEAKER: 

2014 Paralympic Ski Racer,

College Professor

Lindsay Ball