Recreation and Sports: Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
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New Horizons Un-limited is not endorsing and assumes no responsibility in guaranteeing the products, services, programs or conditions as described. If you are interested in a resource listed below, call or contact the resource to verify the current situation. Evaluate the information, analyze your unique circumstances, use your best judgement and make your own decisions when using the information. Before making any change, consult your health care professional.
International
National
State Listings: CA / CT / IL / NY / PA / UT / WI (Official USPS State Abbreviations)
Country Listings: Canada
International
Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to empowering individuals with mental retardation to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with mental retardation year-round training and competition in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. There is no charge to participate in Special Olympics. Children and adults with mental retardation who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but "their voices" as well. To get involved, contact your local Special Olympics Program. To locate a Program near you, visit their website.
National
American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) was created in 2000 for players with developmental disabilities and gives people of all ages and abilities a chance to learn and grow by playing hockey. There are currently over 50 ASHA programs in more than 30 cities through-out the United States. For more information check out the website for district representatives and their e-mail addresses. Contact the national organization at American Special Hockey Association ,
P.O. Box 3411,
Crofton, Maryland 21114 or Phone: Office (410) 451-1021 or Mobile (301) 704-0956.
State Listings
California
Camping UnLimited offers year-round and summer camping opportunities to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Summer camp takes place at Camp Krem, about 20 minutes from the Santa Cruz Beach/Boardwalk and sixty miles south of San Francisco. Camp Krem has ten rustic cabins, an arts and crafts center, a specially designed swimming pool, a campfire arena, a playground, and miles of hiking trails and outdoor camping areas. The 8, 10, and 12 day sessions run from early June to late August. For more information, call (510) 222-6662 or e-mail campkrem@campingunlimited.com.
Connecticut
Camp Horizons, located in South Windham, Connecticut, offers a Weekends in the Country Camping Program for people with developmental disabilities. The two-night weekend camps have various themes and numerous activities. Transportation to and from the camp is available. They also offer a summer camp. For more information, visit their website or e-mail staffpage@camphorizons.org.
Illinois
Touch of Nature Environmental Center offers a Therapeutic Recreation Program to individuals experiencing physical and developmental disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, ADD/ADHD, and traumatic brain injuries. Activities include nature studies, dancing, music and drama, sports and games, arts and crafts, camp outs and special events including carnivals, talent shows, Olympics and more. They provide safe, reliable transportation, nutritious and diverse menus, personal care attendants, sign language interpreters, and specialized equipment. For more information, call (618) 453-1121.
New York
Camp Huntington, located in High Falls in Ulster County and nestled between the Shawangunk and the Catskill Mountains, provides camping opportunities to campers with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, ADD/HD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Apsperger's, PDD, and other special needs. Their program is specifically designed to focus on Adaptive and Therapeutic Recreation and offers such activities as a ropes course, swimming, music, nature study, filmmaking, arts and crafts, horseback riding, a variety of sporting activities and much more. For more information, call (866) 514-5281.
Pennsylvania
Camp Joy is a special needs camp for kids and adults with developmental disabilities: mental retardation, autism, brain injury, and neurological disorders. Located in Schwenksville, near Philadelphia, Camp Joy's year-round recreational services include Summer Camp and Weekend Getaways. Their Summer Camp runs from June 6-August 21, while their Weekend Getaways occur throughout the fall and spring. Beginning Friday evenings and winding down Sunday mornings, the sleep-over Getaway programs feature lots of camp fun: sing-alongs, storytelling, pizza parties, talent shows, and occasional excursions. For more information, visit their website or call (610) 754-6878.
Utah
National Ability Center, located in Park City, Utah, offers a broad range of sports programs and outdoor activities for individuals with both physical and developmental disabilities.
Through the use of adapted equipment, trained instructors, volunteers, and specialized techniques, the Ability Center helps to facilitate athletic endeavors and encourage physical activity among people with disabilities. Sporting activities include, skiing and snowboarding, bobsledding, horseback riding, waterskiing, swimming, canoeing, climbing, and cycling, among others. For more information, e-mail info@nac1985.org or call (435) 649-3991 (Voice/TTY).
Wisconsin
Special Olympics Wisconsin, Inc. is a statewide organization providing persons with cognitive disabilities year-round sports training and competition through seven area offices throughout Wisconsin. Sports include alpine skiing, aquatics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cross country skiing, golf, gymnastics, power lifting, snow boarding, snowshoe racing, soccer, softball / tee ball, speed skating, tennis and volleyball. State competitions are held throughout the year. To learn more, call (800) 552-1324.
Wisconsin United Methodist Church Camp and Retreat Ministries provides Special Needs Camps. Campers must be able to care for their own basic daily living needs (including feeding and toileting themselves, drawing and administering injections, and communicating with others) or they must bring a trained
attendant. For more information, call (877) 947-2267.
Country Listings
Canada
Special Olympics Canada (English) or Olympiques speciaux Canada (French) one of 170 programs within the worldwide movement, is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. It is a national, non-profit grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities to more than 34,000 athletes of all ages and abilities.
Contact Special Olympics Canada at 60 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 700,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4T 1N5, or call
Toll-free: 1-888-888-0608,
Tel.: 416-927-9050 or
Fax: 416-927-8475
or send e-mail to info@specialolympics.ca
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