There are so many ways for kids of all abilities to get active and involved in community programs. Here are some local resources to help you plan your summer activities:
Buddy Baseball
This program is designed for boys and girls ages 4-18
with mental and/or physical challenges, helping them to enjoy the full benefits of Little League baseball participation in an environment structured to their abilities. The fundamental goal is to give everyone a chance to play.
View 2014 flyer here.
Fox Valley Special Recreation Association
This organization is an extension of the Fox Valley, Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, Sugar Grove, Oswegoland Park Districts and the Village of South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department. They provide a diverse range of year round recreational opportunities to enable residents with disabilities to experience active, healthy and playful lifestyles. Programs range from early childhood through adulthood and a full catalogue can be found on the website. FVSRA also offers day camps for individuals with special needs ages 3-30.
Yoga for Kids
Fox Valley Physical Therapy and Wellness is offering three different yoga classes this summer beginning June 17th. Please call to sign up today! Call (630) 549-0511
Family Yoga at Campanelli YMCA for individuals with Autism
300 W. Wise Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Cook County
Call Leigh Ferstein (847) 891-9622, ext. 110 or
email: dgeslak@hotmail.com
Special Needs Gymnastics
St Charles Gymnastics has classes on Tuesday and Thursday for children with special needs. Please visit their website for more information.
A Big Blast
A Big blast offers gymnastics for special needs kids. They are an innovative program combining Occupational, Physical and Language/Speech Therapies all combined, in the gymnastics setting to help build strength, coordination, balance, communication and confidence, all while the kids are
having a blast! They offer a FREE session to anyone who wants to try it. Email for more information
Bigblast001@yahoo.com
Lose the Training Wheels/Rainbow Trainers
This organization was founded by
Richard and Marjorie Klein. They have a great program offering five-day clinics designed to teach kids with special needs how to ride bikes. Their Web site offers sections for parents, bike therapy, facilitators, home remedies, and bike camp locations and schedules. For more information, see website http://icanshine.org/
Adaptive Bicycles
Looking for an adaptive bike, Creative Mobility, here in St. Charles, IL can help find the right fit for your child.
Golf
There is a three hole golf course for people with special needs and their families called Sunshine Course. It is located at the Midwest Golf House; 11855
Archer Avenue, Lemont IL 60439
Sunshine Through Golf
This organization prides itself with the mission of bringing joy to people with special needs through golf. The Foundation’s Sunshine Through Golf camp program is the largest grassroots golf program for individuals with special needs in the United States.
Visit their website for more information. http://www.sunshinethroughgolf.org/
Swimming at the YMCA
All YMCA’s offer adaptive swim lessons. Call your local aquatic director for more information.
Martial Arts
Martial arts therapy program designed for children ages 6 through 12. Uses concepts and activities from shotokan style karate to work toward strengthening, balance and flexibility.
Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley Region: Villa Park; (630) 620-4433.
Focus Martial Arts
For more than 12 years Focus has been teaching children with special needs that they can participate and earn a black belt in the martial arts. Their instructors are trained in a roll up your sleeves and dig in environment and work with children with numerous types of special needs. All your child needs to
participate in this class is a doctor’s approval and the desire to make a difference in their life with the gifts that they have. You have to see this program to believe the impact it has on the students, their parents, and even our instructors. Saturday 10:45-11:30 AM
Sailing
Classroom and on-water instruction to the disabled community, racing clinic, and two-hour leisure cruises. For more information, visit the website http://www.juddgoldmansailing.org/
Location: Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program: Burnham Harbor, Chicago IL, (312) 747-7684 or (312) 747-0737.
Hockey
Tomahawks Special Hockey is a program for people with developmental disabilities sponsored by the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois (AHAI). The program is for male and female athletes ages 5 to 44. Ice hockey (September -May) is played at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville. Inline hockey practices (June and July) are played at the Sportsplex in Darien.
Tomahawks: Contact Amy LaPoe at (630) 416-7686 or email.
TOP Soccer
TOP Soccer is a community based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer
to any boy or girl who has a mental or physical disability. For contact information, view the website http://www.illinoisyouthsoccer.org/TOPSoccer/
Posted on: May 22, 2014 | Fitness, FVPT In The News, Pediatrics