National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic

Aug. 25-30, 2024 | San Diego, CA

NVSSC History

Entering its 17th year, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is a rehabilitative and educational hands-on sporting event for military Veterans from across the country who have a range of disabilities, including Amputations, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Poly Trauma, Visual Impairments, Multiple Sclerosis, CVA with Residual, Burns, and Spinal Cord Injuries.

Complementing the therapy provided in daily rehabilitation programs at VA facilities across the country, the clinic offers Veterans an opportunity to learn adaptive sports and recreational activities.

Adaptive sports included are sailing, surfing, adaptive fitness, kayaking, cycling, yoga and meditation.

Founded in 2008, the week-long clinic hosts about 150 Veterans from across the country, with the fundamental purpose of providing early intervention for those battling back from injury.

Rehabilitation events specifically designed for Veterans with disabilities allow eligible participants to gain motivation, improve their independence, achieve a healthier lifestyle, and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Participating in activities that are exciting and fun reinforces to participants that they can successfully adapt to their new lives after an injury, discover new interests and continue to participate in many activities they enjoyed in the past once they return home.

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 abuse history, we require documentation of at least 6 months sobriety from drugs and/or alcohol in order 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.

*Participation in the 2023 NVSSC does NOT guarantee eligibility for future NVSSC in-person events.

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. 

NVSSC logo
2024 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic Poster. August 25-30, 2024 in San Diego, California.

Social Media:

Contact:

Director: Maggie Kremer
Media: Monica Smith

Links:

Presenting Sponsor

Logo for the Wounded Warrior project link to the official website.

Founding Sponsor

Veterans Canteen Service

Champion Sponsor

Fisher House Logo

VA Adaptive Sports & Arts

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