What’s A Kid to Do?

Recreational, Social, and Educational Opportunities for Children with Special Needs 
 

Access Pass
Contact: 474-2324
        Offered by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the Access Pass enables children with a permanent disability free entry into state parks and swimming pools.  The pass is good for four years.

Adaptive Aquatics Program, Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam.  Contact Kerry Wintsch at 356-8240.

Albany Cougars Special Hockey
For youth age 5 and up and adults with developmental disabilities.  For information, contact Laurie Furlong at albanycourgars@albanycougars.com.

Aqua Tots
Contact: 691-1451
        Offered by Wesley’s Outpatient Therapy Department in Saratoga Springs.  Class size is limited by the supervising physical therapist to 5 children with their parent/guardian per each 30-minute session. A prescription from a physician is required.

Center for the Disabled, Therapy Based Specialized Programs
Saturday morning music for children 6-9. Aquatics fun in the pool for children. Therapeutic Horseback Riding. Dance/movement therapy.  Expressive arts activities. Contact Jean Murawski at 437-5575.

Columbia-Greene Therapeutic Riding Center
For more information call (518) 734-4445 or e-mail them at wtrc.inc@verizon.net.

 
Conway Circle of Performing Arts Studio, 1293 Rugby Rd, Schenectady, offers wheelchair line dancing on Mondays from 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.  Call 377-3929.

The Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch
97 Hidden Valley Road
Lake Luzerne, NY 12846
518- 696-5676
www.doublehranch.org
        Offers a winter adaptive sports program for children ages 6-18 and a summer camp program to children ages 6-16. Both programs serve children with special needs and/or critical illnesses. Their website provides information and applications.

Gliding Stars
Contact: 441-0528
        Formerly known as SABAH. Offers individualized ice skating instruction and specially designed skates and walkers to help children and young adults with disabilities learn new skills and have fun on the ice.

Kids Care Fitness Center in Latham
Contact: 786-1665
        Classes focus on socialization, balance, coordination, and game rules.  If a child has a developmental delay or disability, the staff is equipped to tailor the program to fit the child’s needs.  Fees.

Living Resources After School Program
869-1870
www.livingresources.org
        Recreational after school programs for students, ages 5 – 21, with developmental disabilities.

Living Resources Adventure Program
Fee-for-service based program for individuals ages 16 and older.  Each month a new and exciting outdoor activity is planned and facilitated. Past outings have included snow tubing, boating, and camping.  For information call 869-1870 ext.3354 or www.livingresources.org.

 Living Resources Carriage Arts Center
Classes include painting/drawing, jewelry making, ceramics, sculpture, and photography.  Call Ann Murphy at 346-8888 ext. 3328 or www.livingresources.org

The Lunch Bunch
Social Skills Training for teens with Asperger syndrome, PDD, or high functioning autism.
        The Lunch Bunch is open to any individual, ages 15-25, who has a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, PDD, or high functioning autism. The group meets twice a month on Saturdays. Most activities, which include basketball, swimming at the YMCA, and cooking, take place in Saratoga Springs. For more information, contact Deb Garrelts at 584-5447 or ggarrelt@nycap.rr.com.

New Day Art
        A program of Catholic Charities, offering free after school art classes, homework help, and fun for children from 1st grade-5th grade. For more information, call 465-3025.

Piano Instruction for children with special needs.  BA Music, MS Special Education.  All ages.  Beginners welcome. Call Dee at 377-6106.

Saratoga ARC offers several recreational opportunities including

• "Best Buddies" matches individuals with students from Skidmore College.

• Saturday "Respite and Recreation" is a program held at the Southern Saratoga YMCA.

• Adult social club offers a social/recreation program for adults with developmental disabilities in community activities.

Saratoga Challengers
Contact: 580-1227
        Open to children (ages 5 to 22) with varying conditions, from LD to more severe physical and mental impairments. Siblings, friends, and parents are welcome.  Based in Saratoga Springs, the group focuses on recreational activities, such as baseball, bowling, and trips.

Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program (STEP)
Contact: 374-5116
        A unique therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities. Fees.

Special Olympics of New York provides sports training and athletic competition to individuals with intellectual disabilities.  For information, contact 800-836-6976 or www.specialolympicsNY.org.

Sports Are For Everyone (SAFE)
http://www.timesunion.com/communities/safe/
        Not-for-profit group in Clifton Park that provides team-based sports for children, ages 7 – 14, with physical and/or cognitive special needs.  Baseball, tennis, flag football, indoor basketball, soccer.

 STRIDE is dedicated to enriching the lives of children who have disabilities by offering sports and recreation programs and opportunities to include skiing, snowboarding, bowling, baseball, sailing, and golf.  For information contact 518-598-1279 or www.stride.org.

Teens with AS group combines community activities with the teens learning to be more self sufficient.  The teens decide and plan the activities, including fund raising if needed, budgeting, transportation, etc.  The opportunity to learn these new skills is a vital part of this program, as well as to provide social activities for the teens.  For more information contact  luciercl@aol.com .

Wave Riders
Contact: 581-0800
        Facilitated by professional staff, the program provides a peer support group for children who have experienced the death of someone significant in their lives.  Sponsored by Community Hospice.

Wildwood Recreation Programs offer activities for individuals of all ages with learning and other neurologically-based developmental disabilities.  Programs include Saturday Recreation Program for children ages 5-17, Teen Center, Adult Recreation Program, and Vacation program.  For information, call Dennis Lake at 783-9260.

YMCA Circle of Champs Program in Guilderland is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, ages 5-15, who have been touched by a life threatening illness.  Call 456-3634.

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