In 2012, following a spinal cord injury, Mason Symons attended a military appreciation camp for veterans. It was there that he developed a passion for wheelchair rugby, a sport that would go on to change the trajectory of his life.

12 years later, Symons was back at another camp for veterans, this time with a Paralympic silver medal to his name and a wealth of experience to share.

“I’m glad to be here,” Symons told us on his first day at Lakeshore. “It was a camp like this that got me started on my journey, so it’s really cool to see it come full circle.”

The camp was hosted at Lakeshore Sports Science and Performance Center (SSPC), a fully accessible, high-performance facility dedicated to data and research for athletes with disabilities. There, Symons received various high-performance assessments along with eight other wheelchair rugby athletes. They also participated in educational sessions on mental performance and nutrition.

“I think it’s very good for athletes to understand how important nutrition is, not even just for rugby but for everyday life,” Symons noted about the services SSPC provides. “And being able to think clearly, have clarity, fuel themselves properly, hydrate themselves and have an understanding of their body composition.”

In addition to the testing, the camp also offered sessions that encouraged team bonding between the athletes in attendance. Team sessions and court time allowed the athletes to get to know each other better and forge bonds.

“Everyone is picking each other up and being encouraging, asking questions and paying attention in meetings, and doing what they can to take everything away from this — and apply it, either to their club teams or if they have ambitions to make the USA team,” Symon said.

To Symons, part of the full-circle moment this camp brought was being able to pass on wisdom and experience to newer athletes, like others had done for him.

“When I first came to that military camp, there were people who right out the gate were like, ‘Hey, if you’re going to do this, it’s not a three times a week thing, you got to do this,’” Symons said. “I do look to be a mentor to these guys and girls … Whenever I can, I love helping people.”

As for Symon’s own ambitions, he’s already thinking toward the 2028 LA Paralympic Games and how he can contribute even more to Team USA. At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Team USA Wheelchair Rugby secured a silver medal after a hard-fought match against Japan. Though an incredible accomplishment on its own, it added fuel to the fire for the LA 2028 Paralympics for Symon.

“It was very cool to be a part of [the Paris Paralympics]. Hopefully, I can do that again in LA … I understand that it is the journey and it’s not the final destination, but at the same time, in your mind the goal is gold,” Symons said. “I think you’ll do what you need to do to get to the point where you can compete for that.”

Elevate your Training Experience with SSPC Camps

It doesn’t matter if you are an elite athlete looking to stay on top or an aspiring athlete working toward elite competition, camps are an impactful way to cultivate deep team cohesion and growth. No matter the sport, SSPC offers a unique experience by seamlessly blending opportunities for team-bonding with individualized insight for improving performance. This dual approach ensures that teams not only strengthen their internal connections but also unlock the full potential of each athlete.

Whether your team seeks a fully structured, expertly designed camp experience crafted to address specific goals, or the flexibility to integrate SSPC’s state-of-the-art facilities and expert services into your existing program, the outcome remains the same: a transformative and impactful experience for your team.

To learn more about your camp options with SSPC, click here.

SSPC also has veteran camp options, like the one Symons attended, for VMAA athletes. Learn more about eligibility and applying here.

To learn more about Mason, visit Lakeshore Foundation’s YouTube for an exclusive interview!