MILWAUKEE and FREDONIA, WIS. — It started with the idea of a gentleman who wanted to provide opportunities for those with vision loss.
For Ian Kloehn, who worked at Vision Forward when the sports camp idea began, it was a personal passion.
In 2015, the first sports camp was held at Marquette University and continued there through 2019.
“I wasn’t sure about it,” I said, not knowing what to expect as a camper.
That first year was about trying it out and improving from there.
I was a camper for the first three editions: 2015, 2016, and 2017.
The camp that Vision Forward puts on each year is designed specifically for those with vision loss. Campers come with a wide range of experiences—from varying levels of visual impairment to complete blindness.
For example, I was born visually impaired and can only see from about 10 feet away.
Starting in 2018, after turning 18, I became a volunteer and have been helping with every edition since.
After COVID canceled the 2020 camp, it returned in 2021 at a new location: the Albert and Ann Deshur JCC Rainbow Day Camp in Fredonia, Wis., where it is still held today.
This move opened new opportunities and activities for the camp to grow.
This year marked my 10th year of involvement with Vision Forward’s Sports Camp. I am the only original participant still actively involved and plan to continue playing a large role moving forward.
In 2025, during introductions, when it was my turn to speak, I said something many didn’t expect to hear:
“I was once you, many years ago when the camp first started in another location,” I told the campers and volunteers. “I was a camper back in the day before becoming a volunteer like I am today.”
While I may have been the first camper to transition into a volunteer role, others have followed.
As the years go on, things are only looking up from here.