General Recreation Programs
NEDSRA offers a wide-range of programs each year. Seven-hundred programs and special events provide something fun for everyone. Check out our current brochure for these services and other programs.
Day
Camps
NEDSRA offers several summer Day Camps to meet different needs of children
from ages 4 to 18. These camps, held at various NEDSRA locations, focus
on fun, socialization, and skill development through a variety of trips,
camp activities, swimming and more. See our summer brochure for all
the details.
Social Clubs
NEDSRA offers a venue for participants to have fun with the involvement
of friends. Several social clubs provide for healthy leisure time activities.
Activities range from attending dances and sporting events to evenings
on the town. During some seasons participants even brainstorm and help
plan the types of activities they want. These clubs are usually held
on Friday and Saturday nights.
Art Therapy
Mirroring traditional and recreation programs, NEDSRA’s art
classes are popular with all ages and abilities. From making hand-crafted
holiday gifts to ceramics and painting, lesson plans are developed with
careful consideration for each ability level NEDSRA serves.
Parties
& Dances
The Sweetest Day Dance and Spring Formal as well as Fall Fling
continue each year as favorite social times with NEDSRA participants.
Social opportunities to attend other Special Recreation Association
dances and seasonal parties are also a highlight for participants.
Outdoor Recreation
Adventure recreation activities have grown in popularity. Rock climbing
programs, canoeing, kayaking and hiking are popular with many participants.
Weekend getaways include popular mid-west destinations as well as week-long
summer camp trips. For high-risk adventures, NEDSRA does request a high-risk
waiver be signed prior to the activity.
Special
Olympics Sports
In addition to NEDSRA’s general programs, individuals with a
mental disability, ages 8 and older, are eligible to compete in Special
Olympics. NEDSRA’s year-round Special Olympics program offers
athletic opportunities at local, regional and state level competition.
These experiences allow the athletes to grow emotionally as well as
physically. Special Olympics sports offered at NEDSRA are Powerlifting,
Bowling, Track and Field, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball,
Bocce, Softball, Floor Hockey and Tennis.
Special Olympics Track & Field Meet
Each May, 200 athletes and more than
250 volunteers gather at Glenbard East High School in Lombard to enjoy
the competition and festivities of this much anticipated event. The
day begins with Opening Ceremonies, including the Parade of Athletes,
Special Olympics oath and lighting of the torch. Events are the 50
meter dash, 200 meter dash, 400 meter relay, standing long jump and
softball throw. Participants accept their awards throughout the day.
Entertainment typically features clowns and live music. A free lunch
and T-shirt are provided to all athletes and volunteers. This large
event would not be possible without the assistance of NEDSRA volunteers
and our valuable corporate sponsors Canon, Brown’s Chicken & Pasta,
and Semblex.
Many community sponsors and local service
clubs also contribute to the event to assure its success.
The NEDSRA BoosterClub Supporting Special Olympics is seeking parents, guardians, and family members to join the membership for the upcoming year.
Wheelchair
Athletics
NEDSRA pioneered wheelchair and adapted sports in the DuPage County
area. Our adapted and wheelchair sports program allows individuals the
opportunity to play and compete in six popular sports. NEDSRA was chosen
in 2002 as one of nine inaugural charter members for Blazesports ClubSM
of America. This program is modeled after a pilot program developed
in the State of Georgia by USDAF following the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic
Games.
