A week-long Educational Sports Camp Children with Visual Impairments
Summer 2025 Dates: June 28th- July 5th
Awards
Each year, several awards are given to individuals, organizations, departments, and companies at the end of the week of camp. Here are the current awards and previous winners.
Leah McFarland Award
Leah was a camper for our first two years of camp. She worked hard, tried everything, and persevered when the skills were hard. She cheered on her friends and laughed a lot. Leah was diagnosed with Battens disease and passed away a few years later. The Leah McFarland Award is given to two campers who try hard, persevere, and encourage others.
Leah McFarland Award
Leah was a camper for our first two years of camp. She worked hard, tried everything, and persevered when the skills were hard. She cheered on her friends and laughed a lot. Leah was diagnosed with Battens disease and passed away a few years later. The Leah McFarland Award is given to two campers who try hard, persevere, and encourage others.
2007: Katie Karis; Anthony Hardy
2008: Jacob Jarrell; Martha Ruether
2009: Miso Kwak; Travis Laska
2010: Cheyenne Everett; Madeline Garber; Casey Thorn; Brennan Carman
2011: Brianna Rhodes; Cody Reese
2012: n/a
2013: Josh Vanderworken; Makka Adam Djouma; Jordan Vieira
2014: Madeline Garber; Kincaid Pollock; Andrew Mead-Colegrove; Ellie Delucia
2015: Robert Crouse; Victoria Everett
2016: Thomas (TJ) Harris II; Alexander Giovanni; Morgan Cook-Sather; Silvia Liberatore
2017: Jessica Hoff; Joseph Caroselli
2018: Taylor Clarke-Vandermark; Luke Fortner
2019: Nicholas Rodd; Elora Watkins
2022: Braiden Wingrove
2023: Gavin Varieur; Katarina Terrell
2024: Bryce Stone; Anneka Pray
2008: Jacob Jarrell; Martha Ruether
2009: Miso Kwak; Travis Laska
2010: Cheyenne Everett; Madeline Garber; Casey Thorn; Brennan Carman
2011: Brianna Rhodes; Cody Reese
2012: n/a
2013: Josh Vanderworken; Makka Adam Djouma; Jordan Vieira
2014: Madeline Garber; Kincaid Pollock; Andrew Mead-Colegrove; Ellie Delucia
2015: Robert Crouse; Victoria Everett
2016: Thomas (TJ) Harris II; Alexander Giovanni; Morgan Cook-Sather; Silvia Liberatore
2017: Jessica Hoff; Joseph Caroselli
2018: Taylor Clarke-Vandermark; Luke Fortner
2019: Nicholas Rodd; Elora Watkins
2022: Braiden Wingrove
2023: Gavin Varieur; Katarina Terrell
2024: Bryce Stone; Anneka Pray
Lou Lieberman Award
Lou Lieberman was Lauren's grandfather. When she first started camp he spent many hours encouraging her, giving advice, and recommendations for fund raising and planning. At 95 years of age he bought a computer and learned how to use e-mail so he could communicate on a regular basis with her. He died at 97 years of age. The Lou Lieberman award is given to two counselors who show professional, self-less, shows integrity, and works well with their athlete all week.
Lou Lieberman was Lauren's grandfather. When she first started camp he spent many hours encouraging her, giving advice, and recommendations for fund raising and planning. At 95 years of age he bought a computer and learned how to use e-mail so he could communicate on a regular basis with her. He died at 97 years of age. The Lou Lieberman award is given to two counselors who show professional, self-less, shows integrity, and works well with their athlete all week.
2007: Phil Cocozzo; Leah Ketcheson; Judith Gombas
2008: Chol Kim; Carey Glover
2009: David Campbell; Meg Shewchuk
2010: Megan Shirey; Megan McCabe; Kyle Sochia; Justin Crossway
2011: Ruby Foote; Sarah Singer; Alex Mercer; Tim Busch
2012: Alex Shultz; Anita Moody
2013: Matt Hopkinson; Maebh Barry; Erin Kavanagh; Cody Reese
2014: Lizzie Weaver; Christian Gunn
2015: Collin Hilley; Lindsey Evans
2016: Alexander Schultz; Brian Fox; Sara Koppenhaver; Jessica Parfitt
2017: Jessica Parfitt; Jerry Thompson
2018: Sarah Martin; Wayne LeBlanc
2019: George Nikopoulos; Jennifer Sladewski
2022: Brian Kulaga
2023: Christine Conte; Megan Wood
2024: Heather Ashton; Vincent Strollo
2008: Chol Kim; Carey Glover
2009: David Campbell; Meg Shewchuk
2010: Megan Shirey; Megan McCabe; Kyle Sochia; Justin Crossway
2011: Ruby Foote; Sarah Singer; Alex Mercer; Tim Busch
2012: Alex Shultz; Anita Moody
2013: Matt Hopkinson; Maebh Barry; Erin Kavanagh; Cody Reese
2014: Lizzie Weaver; Christian Gunn
2015: Collin Hilley; Lindsey Evans
2016: Alexander Schultz; Brian Fox; Sara Koppenhaver; Jessica Parfitt
2017: Jessica Parfitt; Jerry Thompson
2018: Sarah Martin; Wayne LeBlanc
2019: George Nikopoulos; Jennifer Sladewski
2022: Brian Kulaga
2023: Christine Conte; Megan Wood
2024: Heather Ashton; Vincent Strollo
The Jim Burch Above and Beyond Award
Jim Burch was the father of Quinn Burch. He and his wife Peg enrolled Quinn who is deafblind in camp at 9 years of age and were very proud of her accomplishments. They cheered her on and helped her see that she could do anything for many years. Jim started our bowling at camp and also ran fundraisers in the Albany area. He raised a tremendous amount of awareness about camp in that area as well as a lot of money. Jim passed away from cancer. This award is given to a person, organization, department, or company who goes "above and beyond" for the benefit of Camp Abilities.
Jim Burch was the father of Quinn Burch. He and his wife Peg enrolled Quinn who is deafblind in camp at 9 years of age and were very proud of her accomplishments. They cheered her on and helped her see that she could do anything for many years. Jim started our bowling at camp and also ran fundraisers in the Albany area. He raised a tremendous amount of awareness about camp in that area as well as a lot of money. Jim passed away from cancer. This award is given to a person, organization, department, or company who goes "above and beyond" for the benefit of Camp Abilities.
2006: Don Dougherty; Cyndie & Rich Giali
2007: Brockport Lions Club; Churchville Lions Club
2008: Ryan's Big M; Marian Grimes; Colleen Donaldson
2009: Fran Whithead; The College at Brockport Facilities; Haley Schedlin
2010: Commission for the Blind & Visually Handicapped; Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired-Goodwill Industries; Judy DeRycke
2011: Erin Weaver; Flash's Tavern
2012: Greg Lund
2013: Jack Fortner
2014: The College at Brockport Research Foundation; Erin Kavanagh
2015: Golisano Foundation, NYS Commission for the Blind, Beth Foster, Gina Pucci, Lisa Hanson, Amanda Tepfer, Monica Lepore, Terry Kelly
2016: Mike Fortner, Judy Byrd, Stanley Lieberman
2017: Zelma Kotyshak, The College at Brockport Facilities, Pam Maryjanowski, Helen Root, Maureen Ruether
2018: Tristan Pierce, Tiffany Mitrakos, Andrew Mead-Colegrove, Scott Fake
2019: Dominic Cottorone, Pam Maryjanowski, Helen Root, University Police and Erin Weaver
2022: Brockport Facilities, Greg Lund, Gael Hahn, Donna Peasley, and Ginny Orzel
2023: Gwen Parks, Delta Gamma, Jim Balmer, Zeb Parks
2024: Sara Koppenhaver
2007: Brockport Lions Club; Churchville Lions Club
2008: Ryan's Big M; Marian Grimes; Colleen Donaldson
2009: Fran Whithead; The College at Brockport Facilities; Haley Schedlin
2010: Commission for the Blind & Visually Handicapped; Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired-Goodwill Industries; Judy DeRycke
2011: Erin Weaver; Flash's Tavern
2012: Greg Lund
2013: Jack Fortner
2014: The College at Brockport Research Foundation; Erin Kavanagh
2015: Golisano Foundation, NYS Commission for the Blind, Beth Foster, Gina Pucci, Lisa Hanson, Amanda Tepfer, Monica Lepore, Terry Kelly
2016: Mike Fortner, Judy Byrd, Stanley Lieberman
2017: Zelma Kotyshak, The College at Brockport Facilities, Pam Maryjanowski, Helen Root, Maureen Ruether
2018: Tristan Pierce, Tiffany Mitrakos, Andrew Mead-Colegrove, Scott Fake
2019: Dominic Cottorone, Pam Maryjanowski, Helen Root, University Police and Erin Weaver
2022: Brockport Facilities, Greg Lund, Gael Hahn, Donna Peasley, and Ginny Orzel
2023: Gwen Parks, Delta Gamma, Jim Balmer, Zeb Parks
2024: Sara Koppenhaver
The Most Spirited Award
2013: Megan Stanger
Camp Abilities Hall of Fame
2014: Martha Ruether
Additional Awards
Daily Point of Light Award 2017- Lauren Lieberman
Floater of The Year 2018- Alyssa Poawui
Helping Hands Award 2019- Landry Hanson
Outstanding Athlete Award 2023 - Ronan Christian & Isla Landon
CIT Award 2023 - Dianna Murray
Go the Extra Mile Award 2024 - Ben Leyer
Floater of The Year 2018- Alyssa Poawui
Helping Hands Award 2019- Landry Hanson
Outstanding Athlete Award 2023 - Ronan Christian & Isla Landon
CIT Award 2023 - Dianna Murray
Go the Extra Mile Award 2024 - Ben Leyer