About

The mission of the Cape Cod Challenger Club is to enrich the quality of life for children and adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities by providing them with the opportunity to participate in a variety of athletic, recreational and social activities that are most often not available to them under typical circumstances.

Who We Are

In the spring of 2004, a few Sandwich Little League volunteers organized a small group of physically and developmentally disabled children to play baseball for a six week period during the little league season. Deemed a huge success by everyone, many of the parents expressed the need for a program that offered year-round recreational and social opportunities for their children.

After months of planning and discussion, husband and wife Kelvin Ing and Amy Lipkind, who have no special needs children of their own, incorporated the Cape Cod Challenger Club in August 2005 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

What began with a handful of baseball players has now grown into a year-round athletic, recreational and social activities program for children and young adults with disabilities. With over 300 participants, and nearly as many volunteers, the Cape Cod Challenger Club now shares its own facility with the Cape Cod Collaborative.

 
 

A Labor of Love

Occupying a formerly closed elementary school that has now been completely renovated to meet the needs of its special population, the Club controls its own fields, gymnasium, recreation rooms, kitchen and cafetorium with a stage area. Continuing to grow and keeping the organization going strong has been a “labor of love” for Kelvin and Amy who still oversee and operate the Cape Cod Challenger Club as volunteers.

Our organization is funded solely through charitable contributions, fundraising and grants.

 

Awards & Recognition

Over the years the Cape Cod Challenger Club has been recognized by numerous organizations and agencies for its outstanding work.

The CCCC has received recognition and numerous awards from various organizations, agencies and groups for its work on behalf of the special needs community both young and old, including:

  • In 2006, Amy & Kelvin received the Outstanding Inspiration Award  from the Planned Giving Council of Cape Cod in recognition of the achievements of the Cape Cod Challenger Club in its inaugural year.

  • In March of 2007, Amy and Kelvin were recognized at a ceremony in Boston by the Federation for Children with Special Needs with the Community Partnership Award.

  • in 2012 receiving Volunteers of the Year by ARC of Cape Cod,

  • in 2014 the Kathleen Roberts Creative Leadership Award from the Massachusetts Teacher’s Association,

  • in 2015 presented with Honorary Membership into the Barnstable High School National Honor Society.

  • Most recently, in 2016, the Cape Cod Challenger Club and Kelvin Ing were recognized as a New England Patriot’s Difference Maker of the Week.