Social & Recreation
Socialization and independence are two skills that are most enhanced by participation in recreational and leisure activities. Special needs recreational programs are generally designed with a close staff-to-participant ratio. Program adaptations may be made for any physical challenge. Forming a group of individuals with like interests provides a less structured way of participating in recreational and leisure activities. Suggestions include: book club, going to the movies, bowling, learning a new hobby, going to a ballgame, and eating out at different restaurants.
Questions to consider when exploring options:
- What is the target age group?
- What is the targeted population, and level of disability?
- Does the program offer transportation?
- Does the program offer integration programs?
- What are the fees? What do they cover? Is financial assistance available?
- How much support is provided?
- Typically, how many participants attend events?
- What times of the day/year are programs offered?
- Are there residential boundaries for participants?
- Are there emails, newsletters, or bulletins regarding upcoming events?
Agency List
Agency List
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Area 18 North Suburban Cook
103 Schelter Road, Suite 25
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Phone: (224) 234-8635
Sports Offered:
Alpine Skiing, Aquatics, Aquatics - MATP, Athletics, Basketball, Basketball Individual Skills, Bocce, Unified Bocce, Bowling, Cross Country Skiing, Equestrian, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Floor Hockey Individual Skills, Golf, Golf Individual Skills, Unified Golf, Gymnastics, Motor Activities Training Program (MATP), Powerlifting, Snowshoeing, Soccer, Soccer Individual Skills, Softball, Softball Individual Skills, Tennis, Tennis Individual Skills, Unified Tennis, Volleyball, Volleyball Individual Skills, Unified Volleyball
Glenbrook United District 225 Special Olympics
Agencies:
500 N Dearborn Street, Suite 730
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 828-9313
Local chapter: Glenbrook North (GBN)
280 Saunders Road
Riverwoods, IL 60015
(847) 948-7001
Center for Independent Futures
1015 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-2044
City of Evanston Special Recreation
2100 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 448-4311
600 N. Bradley Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 615-8696
680 Greenwood Avenue
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-3121
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA)
27864 Irma Lee Circle #101
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 283-0908
515 Busse Highway, Suite 150
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 685-0250
AND
2020 Dempster Street
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 905-0702
Institute for Therapy Through the Arts
Locations in: Evanston, Highland Park, Chicago
2130 Green Bay Road
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 425-9708
Locations in: Northbrook, Glencoe, Evanston, Chicago, Lake Zurich, & Lake Delton, WI
(844) 4-JCC-CHI
Locations in: Chicago, Northbrook, Skokie Buffalo Grove
(855) ASK-JCFS
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
P.O. Box 06255
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 876-2535
610 Academy Drive
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 205-1234
(847)509-9400
Our Place of New Trier Township
1020 Forest Avenue
Winnetka, IL 60091
(847) 512-4661
P.O. Box 2231
Northbrook, IL 60065
(847) 564-7704
1200 Shermer Road, Suite 109
Northbrook, IL 60062
(224) 412-4718
1000 Grove Street
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-7400
2705 Techny Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-7250
Summer Options
American Diabetes Association (ADA) Camp
ADA Imagine Camp is designed to facilitate an at-home, virtual experience connecting kids and families. Offered Monday through Friday, with daily 1-hour virtual meetups for kids ages 5-17.
American Sign Language (ASL) Summer Youth Camps
June 20-27, 2024 and June 28-July 5, 2024
Arc of Illinois Summer Camp Directory
Directory of various summer camps available locally and nationally.
Brehm Preparatory School: Camp Brehm
Serving students with learning differences in grades 6-12+.
Dyna Camp is the outdoor adventure experience just for youth 8-17 with ADHD or ADD. Activities include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, archery, arts and crafts, games, and more! Camper to staff ratio is 4:1. Campers will need to be comfortable with group environments, following directions, and managing self independently for short durations during lunch and downtime. Campers also need to be independent with all personal care needs.
Traditions Youth Camp is for youth 8-19 who have a cognitive, developmental, or physical disability. Campers will have the opportunity to play and explore the outdoors while learning new skills. Activities include canoeing, games, archery, arts & crafts, therapeutic drumming, and more! Camper to staff ratio is 4:1. Campers must be independent or only need minimal assistance with eating/toileting/changing. Campers must be independent or only need minimal assistance with mobility needs.
Children's Research Triangle: Camp SOAR (Special Outdoor Adaptive Recreation)
Camp SOAR is an overnight camp for children with special needs, ages 7-19. The purpose of camp is two-fold: to offer fun and social activities for the campers and respite for the families. Campers are partnered with a one-to-one dedicated volunteer counselor who assists them in making the most of their Camp SOAR experience. Parents know their child is having a wonderful time, making new friends and gaining independence, while in a safe and caring environment.
We are happy to announce that we are moving forward with tentative plans for a hybrid Camp SOAR experience for the summer of 2021!
Easter Seals Wisconsin Summer Camps and Respite
Our campers can enjoy camp year-round with programming at both Camp Wawbeek and Respite Camp. Which camp you choose is based on the level of care needed. For a small group setting, Camp Wawbeek is the best choice. For specific age sessions and programs available at Camp Wawbeek, please visit this webpage. If you are in need of more individualized care, Respite Camp is the best choice.
Camp Wawbeek serves children and adults -- aged 7 and older. During the summer, six-day Youth and Teen sessions are available as well as six-day Adult, Young Adult, and Transition sessions. Sessions are also available on various weekends from September through May.
Edgewood College: Cutting Edge Program -- Pre-College Summer Program
This program offers a Webinar Series for high school students with an intellectual and/or developmental disability, between the ages of 16-21, and who have the desire to go to college in the future.
Illinois Fire Safety Alliance: Camp “I Am Me”
A special and unforgettable one-week camp experience for children and teenagers who have experienced injuries from burns. Through the generosity of donors, supporters, and volunteers, the IFSA offers this camping opportunity at no cost to campers; including lodging, meals, activities, and transportation to and from camp (YMCA Camp Duncan - Ingleside, IL).
No other IFSA program has received greater attention from the fire service, the medical community, general public, and the media than Camp “I Am Me.” Camp provides the setting for child burn survivors to share their common experiences while being able to play and not feel self-conscious about their scars. The benefits to the campers -- physical, psychological, and emotional -- have been enough to inspire a long list of eager volunteers and contributors.
Jewish Council for Youth Service (JCYS) North Suburban Day Camp
Our variety camp offers all the classic summer camp activities and experiences but we don’t stop there. Our specialty track program allows your camper to dive a little deeper into sports, the arts, and nature. JCYS North has the classic day camp experience and specialty programming rolled into one.
A variety of day camps and overnight camps are available for students of all ages, including camps through JCC and Keshet.
Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA)
NSSRA offers day camps held throughout the year that facilitate social interaction and activities within a structured recreational atmosphere. These camps give participants a chance to drop their backpacks off at the door and experience the adventure of learning in a setting outside of the classroom. Camps are typically for school-age participants through 22 years old.
One in a Hundred Summer Day Camp
The One in a Hundred summer camp was established in 2009 to help children who have challenges establishing and maintaining friendships develop social language skills within a positive summer day camp experience.
Combining executive functioning skill development, Social Thinking® skills based on the work of Michelle Garcia Winner and role-play experiences, our campers learn how to share experiences with their peers in the best context possible -- a real, vibrant community of friends.
Students entering 1st-8th grade in September 2021 are eligible to participate.
Shepherds College: College for a Week (C4W)
June 12-15, 2024
The NSYMCA Day Camp offers a place where kids can be kids in a safe environment. The YMCA knows children and we know they need to spend time outdoors practicing social, emotional, and problem-solving skills. We know they need to be inspired and mentored. Y Day Camp offers all of these things and more! Our camps have values-based programming focused on caring, honesty, leadership, respect, and responsibility. We look forward to getting to know your children and helping them explore their world