Recreation and Inclusion Resources
Spectrum Sailing Summer Camps for Youth With Autism
Spectrum Sailing is a nonprofit organization that provides sailing camps for children aged 10 to 17 with autism. Camp sessions in Chicago typically take place in June. The three-day experience includes learning about the boat’s parts, how to tie knots, and how to sail.
Check Spectrum Sailing’s website for the application and camp deadlines. For any questions about the Spectrum Sailing program or sessions, please call (847) 863-3059 or email info@spectrumsailing.org.
Sports for Kids Recreation and Camp Programs
The Tengelsen Family Foundation Sports for Kids program promotes fitness, independence, friendship and fun for kids ages 7 to 17 with a diagnosed physical impairment. Kids can try a wide range of year-round adaptive sports and arts, social and cultural recreation and camp programs.
Opportunities include:
- Year-round programs
- Junior competitive sports
- Weekend programs
For questions and registration, please contact Kelsey LeFevour at klefevour02@sralab.org or (312) 238-6824. To participate in adaptive sports, participants must fill out Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s intake form.
Springfield Park District – Camp L.E.A.P.
The Springfield Park District’s Camp L.E.A.P. ( Leisure Education and Adaptive Programming) offers fun, educational, adaptive recreation programs for children and adults with disabilities. Camp L.E.A.P. is a weekly program. Registration deadlines are set as the Friday before the week the participant is attending. Registration for Camp L.E.A.P. summer sessions typically opens in May.
For more information, contact Andre Hawkins at (217) 585-2941, ext. 2303, or ahawkins@springfieldparks.org.
Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp for Children in Eureka, Missouri
BJC Hospice hosts Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp each year for children and teens who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. The weekend-long, overnight camp provides a safe place for campers ages 6 to 15 to explore their grief and emotions.
The camp usually takes place in August and is free for all children who have lost loved ones, not just families served by BJC Hospice (service areas include Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, Calhoun, Marion, Greene and portions of Pike and Perry counties).
For questions, contact BJC Hospice at (314) 953-1676 or griefsupport@bjc.org.
Suburban Access, Inc. is an independent service coordination and advocacy agency that links children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to life-enhancing services, programs, experiences and personal supports to empower them to live life without limits. Suburban Access offers a variety of programs to help people with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers and advance their independence, learning and community connections.
Suburban Access has locations in Homewood and Hillside. It serves south and west suburban Cook County. For more information, call (708) 799-9190.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free meals and snacks to children 18 and under when school is out for the summer.
SFSP meals and snacks are served free at participating program sites. Sites may be located in various settings, including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, apartment complexes, churches and migrant centers.
To find a meal site near you:
- Visit the “We Got You Illinois” Find Food Map or No Kid Hungry’s Free Meals Finder
- Call (800) 359-2163
There is no income requirement to participate in open-site summer meal programs.
Certain summer meal sites, such as camps or closed programs that require an application to participate, may ask about income during the application process.
The Sunshine Foundation helps make dreams come true for children ages 3 to 18 who have severe or profound illnesses or conditions. Referrals can come from anywhere in the United States for children with severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse and whose families have limited income.
Dream requests can include:
- Staying at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village and visiting area theme parks and attractions
- Funding towards a special gift or item of interest
- Funding towards medical or adaptive equipment that insurance may not cover
For questions, please contact the Sunshine Foundation by emailing dreamvillage@sunshinefoundation.org or info@sunshinefoundation.org.
Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation (S.O.A.R.) Foundation
The Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation (S.O.A.R.) Foundation provides outdoor events and financial assistance to organizations and individuals who struggle to afford adaptive equipment or participate in outdoor recreation programs.
The individual grant is open to people of all ages. It covers specific modifications or equipment needs that will help get you outdoors. Eligible items include:
- Wheelchair outdoor tires and attachments
- Vehicle modifications (i.e., hand controls or lifts)
- Exercise (FES Bike, Standing Frame) or recreational equipment
- Small home modifications (including a ramp)
Applicants must reside in the United States. They also must demonstrate financial need and may be required to provide documentation.
Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly.
Team IMPACT is a nonprofit that matches children facing serious medical conditions and disabilities with local college sports teams to help them experience the power of sports, the support of mentors and the simple joy of being a kid. This nationwide, two-year therapeutic program:
- Serves families with children ages 5 to 16 who have conditions requiring ongoing treatment and/or extended hospital stays
- Provides trained case managers to manage matches to ensure success and address any challenges
Team IMPACT is free. Please note that participants must cover any transportation costs to/from visits with the team. Learn more on Team IMPACT’s family page.
Fill out and submit the online form to begin the enrollment process:
If you have questions, please contact Team IMPACT at (617) 801-0248 or info@teamimpact.org.
The Child Neurology Foundation provides a telehealth tip sheet to help families and children prepare for video or phone appointments and make them as comfortable and successful as possible.