Cupertino camp for disabled unveils new sports field

A Cupertino-based camp serving children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families marked the renovation of its outdoor sports field Aug. 2 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The sports field was designed to advance Camp Via West’s mission to develop innovative social and recreational programs that promote inclusion and provide new opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The field features multi-use turf with football and soccer lines and will be used for volleyball and other recreational activities. It will have ADA-compliant bathrooms, concession stand, tents for shade and new sports equipment with storage.

The renovations allow for community partnerships with organizations like Special Olympics Northern California, which announced a new collaboration with Camp Via West at the Aug. 2 event. Other nonprofit organizations can utilize Camp Via West for group retreats and educational activities.

Camp Via West is located on county-owned land at 13851 Stevens Canyon Road. The sports field renovation was made possible by grants from Santa Clara County, Helpers Community and private donations. Supervisor Joe Simitian proposed county support for the project.

Camp Via West, an affiliate program of the nonprofit AbilityPath, offers sessions specifically designed for young people ages 5 -17 and specific sessions geared to adults, including seniors, with activities including swimming, arts and crafts, sports and games and gardening. The camp typically serves about 800 campers each summer. For more information, visit https://viaservices.org/programs/camp-via-west.