National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic

Eligibility

Participation is open to Veterans whose current rehabilitation goals would benefit from the value of adaptive summer sports and is open to Veterans eligible for care and actively engaged in VA healthcare including physical rehabilitation, mental health, blind rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, etc.
Qualifying disabilities include: Amputations, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Poly Trauma, Visual Impairments, Multiple Sclerosis, CVA with Residual, Burns, and Spinal Cord Injuries.
Veterans with Substance Use Disorder, we recommend at least 6 months of sobriety from drugs and controlled alcohol use to participate. All disabilities are subject to review by the NVSSC Medical Director and NVSSC Director. Their decisions are final.

Common disabilities that do NOT qualify include: Low Back Pain, Degenerative Joint Disease, Osteoarthritis, Chronic Pain, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Transplants, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, Menopausal Symptoms/Hysterectomy, Tobacco/Nicotine Use Disorder, Tinnitus.

Special note for all participants:
All participants are expected to possess good mobility and independent living skills. Weight limit for anyone who is dependent is 250 pounds; weight limit for those who can participate independently is 300 pounds. Any Veteran who requires partial or full assistance with their ADLs must bring their own caregiver. Caregivers attending with Veterans are expected to pay for meals, lodging and transportation to and from San Diego including any incidentals. Each Veteran participant must attend the entire week and participate in all scheduled adapted sports and events.

Due to the large Veteran population we wish to serve, Veterans will be eligible to attend up to two years and possibly a third year with a coach or therapist recommendation. Priority will be given to first year applicants and Veterans who have never attended the other National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events clinics/games. Special considerations will be taken on a case-by-case basis dependent on a Veterans circumstance. This will enable past attendees to continue to develop positive rehabilitation skills and coping mechanisms as well as serve as role models and mentors to the Veterans attending for the first time.

*Prior participation in the NVSSC does NOT guarantee acceptance for future NVSSC events

Cost

Veteran participants are expected to pay for lodging and transportation to and from San Diego including any incidentals. We work with the host hotel to offer reduced rate rooms at the current GOVT Per Diem rate for Veteran participants. Bus transportation during the clinic week and most meals will be provided to each Veteran participant.

**Each NVSSC accepted Veteran will be eligible to receive a roundtrip flight to and from San Diego through a generous donation from our sponsor Fisher House Foundation Hero Miles**

Caregivers attending with Veterans are expected to pay for meals, lodging and transportation to and from San Diego including any incidentals. (NVSSC bus transportation for caregivers cannot be guaranteed while in San Diego)

Presenting Sponsor:

Wounded Warrior Project is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic and is honored to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to support veterans on their journey to fitness and rehabilitation through sports. Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition.

Founding Sponsor:

Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is proud to be a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a self-sustaining entity, VCS provides merchandise and services to Veterans enrolled in VA’s Health Care System, their families, caregivers, VA employees, volunteers and visitors. We are honored to “give back” to the VA through many programs established for the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Revenues generated from VCS are used to support a variety of Veteran programs.

Champion Sponsor:

Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of nearly 100 comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.  These homes are located at major military and VA medical facilities nationwide and in Europe, close to the medical facility they serve. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $575 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation.  

Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles Program using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge.