Suzanna Dillon, PhD, and Della Molloy-Daugherty, PhD, were TWU faculty involved in Camp Abilities Texas (CATX) this year - Dillon as a course instructor with graduate students enrolled in a Professional Affiliation (KINS 5123) through CATX, and Molloy-Daugherty as a Camp Coach.

Camp Abilities is a week-long educational sports camp that takes place around the world designed specifically for children and youth with visual impairments and blindness. The camp teaches children between 9 and 18 what they can do in sports and recreation. 

"I am able to witness the progress that the campers are making across the week," Dillon said. "The interdisciplinary exchanges that occur between Adapted PE teachers, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, and others while at camp; the professional growth of my students/coaches; and the authentic relationships that are built between everyone involved in CATX. It's a pretty wonderful thing to be a part of." 

CATX is hosted on the TWU campus, mostly at Pioneer Hall but also at the Fitness and Recreation Center and the softball complex.

"I volunteered as a camp coach for the first time this summer," Molloy-Daugherty said. "I'm so very happy I was able to connect to this community. The majority of my clinical background as a music therapist, as well as my research background and interests, is with people with visual impairments. Being a camp coach allowed me to re-ground myself in a close-up way with people who have visual impairments and connect me to the local community in ways that would likely not happen without this experience.

"It allowed me to give back and be involved in this community and to engage with my campus in ways that I do not encounter during my regular work duties. I have a much richer view of my workplace at TWU due to this volunteer experience."

Each athlete is supported by a coach, many of whom are TWU adapted physical education graduate students and alumni.

"I truly appreciate talking with the campers about their CATX experiences and time at TWU," Dillon said. "As a TWU alumni and current professor, it's important to me that the campers, coaches, and staff feel welcomed to campus, comfortable in our TWU community, and have a positive experience while at CATX. This time at TWU may influence a camper or a coach (non-TWU student) to consider TWU for their post-secondary education."