Camp Abilities in Central New York

Camp Abilities is an empowering youth development program for children and teens who are blind or visually impaired. Our summer session is held at Utica University with a full day spent at Camp Nazareth in Woodgate and the Adirondack Mountains. Our Winter Camp is held at CABVI’s Vision Health and Wellness Center in Utica.

The program allows kids ages 8 -15 with low vision to experience traditional youth camp activities in a fun and safe environment.

Campers will engage in outdoor recreation, fitness, group adaptive sports, independent living skills training, orientation and mobility activities, and much more.

We also help prepare campers for the future with vocational experiences and informational seminars.

Our staff meets with students at home or, in their school and their communities to ensure newly acquired skills are retained and expanded.

At Camp Abilities, children and teens discover what they CAN do.

Anyone interested in working as a counselor during either week-long camp session can reach out to Nicole Fleming at 315-797-2233 ext. 1294 or email nicoleg@cabvi.org.

Summer Session: July 26 - 31, 2026

Summer Camp takes place at Utica University with a full day spent at Camp Nazareth in Woodgate and the Adirondack Mountains.
Camp Abilities is a great opportunity for kids who are blind or visually impaired to have fun, make friends, learn skills, and build confidence. Campers will enjoy tandem cycling, track and field events, soccer, beep softball and kickball, swimming, goal ball, golf, and a hike up Bald Mountain.

Winter Session: January 16 - 19, 2026

The winter session of Camp Abilities takes place at CABVI’s Vision Health and Wellness Center, located at 408 Elizabeth St. in Utica.

During this session, campers participate in fun outdoor activities like snowshoeing and skiing. There are also technology and cooking classes to help build independent living skills.

Build Confidence and Independence

Your child can experience traditional camp activities in a safe and supportive environment.

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CABVI CODE OF CONDUCT CABVI's mission is to empower children and teens with visual impairments to be physically active, to participate in leisure activities and develop skills to live independently. With this in mind, we have established a Code of Conduct to ensure campers have the best experience possible. Please review the following Code of Conduct with your child so that you both understand what is expected at camp. Once reviewed, please sign, date, and return with all the other camp forms. No child will be allowed to attend camp without a signed copy of the Code of Conduct. If we find that the camper is unable to comply with the requirements below, you will be required to come pick the camper up at camp. Campers must be fully independent in personal care areas and do so in a timely manner: showering, dressing, feminine hygiene, and toiletry. Disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in the camper being sent home immediately. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to swearing, bullying, threatening, physical aggression, and refusal to wear appropriate face coverings. All COVID-19 procedures (see addendum) must be followed at all times. If any camper does not follow these protocols, it will result in the camper being immediately sent home. Campers are expected to attend all daily activities and programs and be willing to participate in those activities. All campers will be considerate of others, including other campers/students, staff, and themselves. All campers will respect the property of others. Should damage occur, the involved camper's parent(s)/guardian(s) will be held financially responsible. Electronic devices such as cell phones, iPads/tablets, video games, etc. are only to be used during down times such as foot-on-bed. The use or possession of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco is not permitted at camp. Involvement in such behavior will result in the camper being sent home immediately. Weapons, flammable devices, and/or materials, are not permitted and will not be tolerated. This includes firearms, weapons, fireworks, etc. Any camper found in possession of these items will be sent home immediately. All camp rules need to be followed to protect the health, safety, and rights of everyone. Campers/students will be sent home if they display any of the following behaviors: physical aggression, defiant behavior, or refusal to follow directions, medical needs that require constant supervision, communicable diseases, illness or injury. We, the administration staff at any CABVI programs, have the power to send your child home if the conditions of camp eligibility are not met or the Code of Conduct is violated.