About
Bustin’ Barriers Sports and Enrichment Programs includes basketball activities and hosts an Annual Adapted Basketball Tournament. During the tournament, athletes use both adapted and standard hoops, and the games feature play-by-play commentary and an official scoreboard that tracks the action. Middle school, high school, and transition program athletes participate, using various mobility methods including running, crutches, wheelchairs, or assisted movement.
• Schedule: Special athletes gather each February for the Annual Adapted Basketball Tournament.
The mission of Bustin’ Barriers is to provide safe physical activities and meaningful socialization experiences for individuals experiencing disability, creating opportunities for participants to have fun and strive toward their personal best. The program focuses on breaking barriers and building life-long experiences through sports and enrichment activities, with a commitment that individuals experiencing disability can participate regardless of financial resources or social circumstance. Youth volunteers help with the program and are expected to believe everyone has the right to be active and have fun, believe in diversity, equity and inclusion, be punctual and dependable, have a cooperative spirit, and be kind to others.
Teams have come from Portland, David Douglas, Centennial, and Parkrose school districts for the Annual Adapted Basketball Tournament, and student volunteers have helped with set-up, welcomed teams, refereed, taken photos, and supported athletes. Marilynn Rhodes was a founding board member of Bustin’ Barriers, is a retired kindergarten Special Education teacher and artist, and resigned from the board after 14 years.
Parents have described the program as a place where connection, compassion, inclusion, and laughter abound, and one parent shared that their family’s experience moved from isolation to acceptance and from awkwardness to confidence, with their child moving from camper to junior coach. Another parent stated that their children look forward to camp every summer and that Bustin’ Barriers provides a safe place to practice interaction and participation with peers, including those experiencing disability and those who are not disabled.
Last updated April 14, 2026.
• Schedule: Special athletes gather each February for the Annual Adapted Basketball Tournament.
The mission of Bustin’ Barriers is to provide safe physical activities and meaningful socialization experiences for individuals experiencing disability, creating opportunities for participants to have fun and strive toward their personal best. The program focuses on breaking barriers and building life-long experiences through sports and enrichment activities, with a commitment that individuals experiencing disability can participate regardless of financial resources or social circumstance. Youth volunteers help with the program and are expected to believe everyone has the right to be active and have fun, believe in diversity, equity and inclusion, be punctual and dependable, have a cooperative spirit, and be kind to others.
Teams have come from Portland, David Douglas, Centennial, and Parkrose school districts for the Annual Adapted Basketball Tournament, and student volunteers have helped with set-up, welcomed teams, refereed, taken photos, and supported athletes. Marilynn Rhodes was a founding board member of Bustin’ Barriers, is a retired kindergarten Special Education teacher and artist, and resigned from the board after 14 years.
Parents have described the program as a place where connection, compassion, inclusion, and laughter abound, and one parent shared that their family’s experience moved from isolation to acceptance and from awkwardness to confidence, with their child moving from camper to junior coach. Another parent stated that their children look forward to camp every summer and that Bustin’ Barriers provides a safe place to practice interaction and participation with peers, including those experiencing disability and those who are not disabled.
Last updated April 14, 2026.
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