Quinnipiac Hosts Camp No Limits for Children, Teens and Adults with Limb Loss and Limb Differences

Quinnipiac University welcomed children, teens and adults with limb loss and limb differences to its Mount Carmel and North Haven campuses July 9–12 for Camp No Limits, a four-day overnight program that combined adaptive sports, recreational activities and life-skills programming with mentorship and hands-on learning for future healthcare professionals.

Camp No Limits at Quinnipiac is the only program of its kind in Connecticut and the only university-hosted Camp No Limits program in the country. The camp, now in its 11th year at Quinnipiac, helps attendees build confidence, increase functional independence and develop lasting friendships while providing an immersive educational experience for Quinnipiac physical therapy and occupational therapy students.

Since 2015, faculty and students from Quinnipiac's School of Health Sciences have partnered with Camp No Limits therapists, prosthetists and adult and teen mentors with lived experience to create a supportive environment where campers and their families can learn, connect and thrive.

"This camp really hits you in your heart," said Maria Cusson, clinical associate professor of physical therapy and director of clinical education for Quinnipiac's physical therapy program. "From a learning perspective, what's so unique about this camp is that students get a holistic view of what life is like for the campers and their families, and the ability to have an impact on that is really very special."

Cusson noted that Camp No Limits has had a lasting influence on Quinnipiac graduates, with several alumni returning each year as volunteers and professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists and prosthetists.

Camp No Limits faculty co-advisers Valerie Strange, clinical professor of occupational therapy, and Cusson annually select six student leaders—three from the occupational therapy program and three from the physical therapy program—to organize and lead camp programming. This year, 22 Quinnipiac OT and PT students volunteered throughout the four-day experience.

"Having these experts with lived experiences helps me recognize how to better serve, so you can imagine what it does for the students," said Strange. "It increases their passion and understanding about the client experience. We're not the experts—they are telling us what they need. It's a really beautiful, authentic way to learn."

Throughout the weekend, campers participated in obstacle courses, relay races, strength and conditioning activities and adaptive games designed to improve balance, mobility and confidence while having fun.

"We truly build a family here," said student leader Luca D'Ambrosio. "It's great to continue building those relationships with campers from year to year."

For many families, the opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences is among the camp's greatest strengths.

"We love it. It's so special for her to be around other people just like her," said Jacquelyn Zeccola, whose family returned to Quinnipiac for a second consecutive summer with their daughter, Josephine.

This year's camp also introduced Teen Day, held at Quinnipiac's School of Health Sciences in North Haven. Designed specifically for campers ages 13 and older, the program featured driving simulators, virtual reality experiences and stress-management workshops for teens and their families.

The new programming attracted families from across the Northeast, including Maryland resident Andres Greenman and his family.

"Camp No Limits has always been a very supportive environment with exciting opportunities," said Seth Greenman, Andres' father. "It allows him to explore things in a way that's comfortable with other people who have those experiences. It provides that sense of safety and security while allowing him to challenge himself and learn from others."

For many campers, the relationships formed at Camp No Limits continue long after the program ends.

Georgie Morris of Old Lyme first attended Camp No Limits at Quinnipiac in 2015 and now credits the experience with inspiring her pursuit of a career as a certified occupational therapy assistant.

"A lot of the students say that we're the inspiration, but I think they are, too," Morris said. "To see people who are curious about my life and want to know what brought me here is awesome."

Quinnipiac alumna Melissa Frank first volunteered at Camp No Limits as a student before becoming an occupational therapy team leader with the national organization. She now supports camps across the country but says Quinnipiac remains unique.

"This is the only Camp No Limits in the country that's held on a college campus," Frank said. "We always have students come to our camps, but this is the only one that is really being run by the students."

This year's Camp No Limits welcomed 15 campers and their families from across the region.

"We are very proud that we are still the only university that hosts Camp No Limits," Cusson said. "We're very proud to partner with them, and we're very grateful for Quinnipiac's institutional support in allowing us to continue to hold this camp."