2025 Summer Camp
Fun, Friendship and Weathering the Weather
Summertime always creates excitement amongst Bustin’ Barriers families and friends. This year was no exception as summertime means time for camp!
Campers, ranging from kindergarteners to young adults, were all-in. We held camps in SE and SW Portland as well as a camp in Woodburn. Campers from Marion to Multnomah County joined us as well as one camper who traveled all the way from Idaho to join the fun. In all, 128 camp slots were filled, with each camp welcoming new campers as well as BB veterans.
This year the weather entered into our usual mix of activities (playground fun, gym games, art projects and sensory activities). On extremely hot days, we stayed out of the sun, with art projects under the trees or an awning and amped-up indoor activities. On days when campers were away from the sun, they were having a cool time inside.
We were fortunate to have thoughtful, fun volunteers committed to making camp a fun experience for individuals experiencing disability. We’re equally appreciative of staff who worked with campers, provided guidance to volunteers and were able to switch gears to keep camp safe and fun as we weathered the weather. Together, the support of volunteers and staff encouraged participation, fostering fun and friendships.
Last, but not least, the 2025 summer camp experience culminated in our End of Summer Dance.
Everybody dance now . . . and they did!
Respite!
If it was Sunday morning, it was time for respite.
We just concluded our Fall Respite series, a popular program that provides a safe free-play experience for kids experiencing disability and a bit of free time for parents.
Held at Oregon Premier Futsol in Clackamas, kids and coaches enjoy soccer activities, gym games and pick-up basketball. For those who prefer quieter activities, there are puzzles, Jenga, and art projects. Our goal is to offer Respite Sundays seasonally. Look for dates for our Spring Respite after winter’s snows thaw (we’ll also be posting on Facebook and Instagram as well as sending out e-blasts).
Spring Respite is Full
Registration for Bustin’ Barriers 2024 Spring Respite Program is Now Closed.
Thank you for your interest.
Adapted Basketball Tournament
Game on – Again!
It’s become a tradition. Come February, special athletes and volunteers gather for Bustin’ Barriers’ annual Adapted Basketball Tournament. For two days, it’s spirited competition, great basketball and fun for middle, high school and transition program athletes.
This year, our special athletes (232 of them!) came from Portland, David Douglas, Centennial, Parkrose and Hillsboro school districts – 19 teams in all. Athletes ran, made their way down the court with crutches, in wheelchairs or assisted. It didn’t matter how they made their way down the court – the goal was making a basket and a lot were made. Cheers abounded! Play by play commentary, an official scoreboard and determined athletes made for two special days. Whether a basket was made in an adapted or standard hoop, seeing that basketball fall through the hoop delighted athletes, their teams, volunteers and the cheering bleachers. Pride abounded!
A heartfelt thank you to Cleveland High School, our wonderful host and annual site of the tournament. We’re equally grateful to our many volunteers who provided 172 hours of service. Awesome. They helped with setup, welcomed teams, refereed, and genuinely supported athletes as they busted barriers.
Way to go everyone!
2020 is All About Virtual Camps And Fun!
Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, we can’t have camps like we’ve had in the past. That’s not stopping us though – we’re still all about fun and friendship! Here’s the details:
- 8 weekly virtual camps from July through August
- Each camp meets on Zoom on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and has a weekly theme
- The Monday, Wednesday and Friday camps start at 10 AM and go to 10:30 AM
- Mondays – Movement Monday
- Wednesdays – Coordinated art projects and wacky surprises
- Fridays – Talent Show or Dance Party
- All registered campers have access to an activity resource bank. You’ll have videos, links and PDFs available that support gross motor skills, object control and fitness activities. You can watch them as many times as you want – morning, afternoon or night during the week.
- Weekly camp cost - $20 (scholarships available based upon need)
- You will receive Zoom login links and activity resource bank access codes before the start of your camp week.
- Questions? – Contact Andrew Yoshihara, Executive Director. Cell/Text number: 503-869-7112
- Tell your friends about camp – They can sign up and you can Zoom together
We can stay active, be together and have fun.
We can’t wait to hang out with you!