CAMP LETS DISABLED KIDS FLEX MUSCLES.

Byline: Yvette Cabrera Staff Writer

Under the shade of a pine, Christina Isham stretched her bow, aimed at the bull's eye and sent her arrow zooming to its target.

Seconds later, the 19-year-old California State University, Northridge, sophomore maneuvered her wheelchair to face her pupils, also in wheelchairs, blew her whistle and told them to go for it.

As simple to some as archery might seem, to the 35 youngsters who participated in the 16th annual Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp on Monday, participating in a sport like archery is about more than just athletics. It's a step toward independence and a tool that develops self-esteem and teaches teamwork.

``It was a whole new world for me because before this camp I didn't know anyone else that was disabled. . . . I didn't know there were even wheelchair sports,'' said Isham, who was born with a spinal defect that left her legs paralyzed.

The weeklong camp, which opened Monday at CSUN, was created in 1984 by Simi Valley resident Ingrid Cleffi, whose goal was give the physically challenged the same opportunities as their peers - to sink the basketball shot, to hit the bull's eye, to score the hockey goal.

``This kind of experience expands their horizons in an area that they'll never think they'll reach,'' said Cleffi, an adjunct professor in CSUN's kinesiology department.

When Isham joined the camp at age 12, she was a shy girl who preferred to stay indoors. Once at the camp, she took such a liking to swimming that she eventually competed nationally, breaking records in the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke at the Junior Wheelchair Nationals in 1994.

``Through sports I learned I could do something well, that I could accomplish something,'' said Isham, whose mother and sister, both from Tulsa, Okla., flew to Los Angeles to volunteer at the camp.

The camp's instructors and volunteers are a mix of disabled and able-bodied teachers. The campers range in age from seven to 21 years.

Like Isham, the lives of more than 600 youths have changed for the better over the camp's 16-year run. On Monday, it was nonstop action. On the tennis courts, instructors lined up in their wheelchairs and lobbed balls over the net for their pupils, while in the swimming pool, kids paddled furiously during the scuba class.

The camp also offers basketball, table tennis, badminton, hockey and rugby.

Originally supported by the Peter Ueberroth Fund, Cleffi founded the nonprofit Adaptive Sports and Recreation to obtain grants when funding dried out in 1991.

The first year is free for all campers. After that, campers are charged $200. The camp will accept newcomers every day this week. Activities will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Thursday, and will start at noon Friday. For more information, call [phone].

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Photo: Greg Aikenforderer, 9, gets some archery pointers from Arwin Llewellyn, 13, at CSUN.

David R. Crane/Daily News