Charlie Smith, 7, walked out of Nottingham Stadium late Thursday morning wearing a University of Northern Colorado football backpack, a Bears shirt and a dark baseball cap.
Charlie’s backpack hung nearly to the ground as she and her mother, Angela, headed for their car. They sought shade, water, air conditioning and a space out of the hot sun. A UNC football player greeted the Smiths as he walked by and thanked them for coming to the stadium.
The Smiths for the first time attended the football program’s No Limits Sports Camp, a free event designed specifically for people with disabilities. Hosted with The Arc of Northeast Colorado, the camp paired the participants with football players to play and hang out together.
Sport stations were set up on the Nottingham Field turf from one end zone to the other. Athletes from other UNC sports also joined in, playing volleyball, throwing batting practice or gathering near a wading pool for water battles. Late in the morning, the football players teamed up with the campers for a football game.
Kids enjoy the water station at the No Limits Camp held at Nottingham Field in Greeley on Thursday June 19, 2025.(Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)Charlie said she liked the water and playing baseball. Charlie and Angela came over from Loveland after hearing about the camp through their involvement in the Northern Colorado Down Syndrome Association. Association President Lori Couch is the director of development for The Arc of Northeast Colorado.
“It was hot, but it was so fun,” Angela said. “Super inclusive, good energy and the people were so kind.”
This was the third year of the camp, which began with a connection between UNC head football coach Ed Lamb and education professor Jen Lieber. Lieber contacted Couch and The Arc of Northeast Colorado to tap into their knowledge and expertise.
Attendance has increased each year. Amelia Koehmstedt, executive director of The Arc, said about 130 campers were there Thursday, which is about capacity with 80 to 90 UNC student-athletes. Nearly 100 campers participated in 2023, and about 110 participated last year.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Koehmstedt said. “These athletes show up for these kids. They’re checking in, getting to their eye level. There is no hesitation on their part.”
Lamb said the players receive a few guidelines on working with the campers. Junior Rocco Traore said the camp is a favorite event for him, and it comes down to “human connection.”
Kids enjoy spraying water at members of the University of Northern Colorado football team during the No Limits Camp held at Nottingham Field on Thursday June 19, 2025.(Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)Greeley resident Chuck Coffman watched his 24-year-old son Braden in a volleyball game, surrounded by UNC football players. Last year, Braden met defensive lineman Dominic Butts at the camp. Butts is a junior from Johnstown and Severance High School.
Chuck said he and Braden later met Butts at Target, and Butts made a point to say hello. On Thursday, Butts again looked for Braden. Later in the day, Braden was again right in with football players going to the inflatable pool.
“I love it,” said Chuck, watching Braden with the football players. Chuck coached Special Olympics basketball for about 20 years.
“He knows I’m here,” he added. “When he’s with these guys, he’s happy and safe. He’ll talk about this for the rest of the day.”
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