Ability First Sports

Ability First Sports offers sports, recreation, and leisure activities, including basketball, rugby, water skiing, tennis, hand-cycling, swimming, WCMX, kayaking, and archery. The program includes monthly virtual interactive sessions, monthly in-person activities and workshops, and a week long adapted sports summer camp that features sports instruction and training.

• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Week long adapted sports summer camp, plus year round monthly virtual sessions and in-person activities and workshops

Ability First Sports began in 1985 at California State University, Chico and has over 35 years of sports training, lifestyle coaching, and impact. It has provided sports instruction, training, and leisure opportunities to over 1,000 adapted individuals in the Western U.S. All sports, recreation, and leisure activities are provided by world-class coaches with disabilities who have had successful careers in competitive athletics at the collegiate, national, and international level. The program runs year round sports, leisure, and lifestyle workshops for both youth and adults with physical disabilities, conducts low/no cost programs, and provides adaptive equipment and instruction to ensure access for all. Its mission is to empower youth and adults with physical disabilities to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle. Ability First Sports works closely with teacher preparation programs at California State University, Chico, Butte Community College, Butte County Office of Education, and Chico Unified School District, and with local and state-wide programs that offer inclusive and adapted sports and recreation opportunities. One camper shared, “Camp taught me that anything is possible. I may need special equipment or to adapt, but there are no limits on what I can do.”

Last updated July 1, 2026.