Resource Directory /

Recreation and Inclusion Resources

  • Special Opportunities Available in Recreation (SOAR) in Bloomington-Normal

    Special Opportunities Available in Recreation (SOAR) is a community-based therapeutic recreation program for individuals with disabilities ages 4 and up. SOAR offers year-round leisure, social and recreational activities to help build skills and community connections.

    Check the website for eligibility, transportation options, and the calendar of events.

    The City of Bloomington and Town of Normal sponsor S.O.A.R through their Parks and Recreation departments.

  • Special Recreation Associations in Illinois

    The Special Recreation Associations Network of Illinois (SRANI) is a network of therapeutic recreation agencies. Special Recreation Associations provide community-based special recreation services to children and adults with disabilities. You can see a list of special recreation cooperatives available in Illinois.

    For more information, visit the SRANI website.

  • Special Recreation of Joliet & Channahon

    Special Recreation of Joliet & Channahon (SRJC) is a cooperative extension of the Joliet and Channahon Park Districts. SRJC provides year-round social and recreation activities for people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities. Programs offer opportunities to build new skills, create friendships and have fun.

    Transportation is available to residents of Joliet and Channahon for some SRJC programs for an additional fee. For non-resident transportation, please contact the SRJC office at (815) 741-7275, ext. 176.

    For more information about SRJC or to request a registration form, call the Kathy Green Multi-Purpose Center at (815) 741-7275, ext. 160.

  • Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding in Southern Illinois

    Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding (SES) at Giant City Stables provides opportunities for people with physical and/or emotional disabilities to improve their well-being through riding and working with horses. Children age 4 and up and adults are welcome.

    SES at Giant City Stables is a non-profit organization. Scholarships and grants are available for eligible families. For more information, please call (618) 529-4110 or email rachelle@sestherapy.com.

  • 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

    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.

  • Summer Meals Program

    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:

    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.