Recreation
Special Olympics of New Jersey
"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be
brave in the attempt."
Special Olympics New Jersey is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization operates on an annual budget primarily funded through individual, corporate, civic and foundation dollars that make up more than 98% of the annual operating budget.
All programs are free to registered athletes including insurance, facilities, equipment, uniforms, housing & meals for events, awards, sports, education and more. In addition to programs offered on the local, county, sectional and state levels, Special Olympics New Jersey offers athletes free participation in all activities at the Special Olympics New Jersey Sports Complex in Lawrenceville
Best Day Foundation
https://bestdayfoundation.org/
Mission: Best Day Foundation enables children with special needs to build confidence and self-esteem through adventure activities which stretch their limits, expand their true potential, reinforce their achievement, & connect them with diverse populations in their community. Current activities include Surfing, Body Boarding, Kayaking, SUP (stand up paddling), Outrigger Canoeing, and Snow sports. Join us in creating special days for children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Blindness, Cancer, Spinal Cord Injuries, and other physical & developmental challenges.
Strategy: They achieve this by empowering communities across the country to offer special days at the beach and snow to children with special needs. Best Day provides back-end services, support, training, and business resources to ensure that safe, self-sufficient programs are created. The program is funded through donations, grants and sponsorships.
Limitless
"Limitless” programs for children, adolescents and young adults with unique abilities strive to support the development of lifespan goals with the understanding that learning never stops. It is our aim to enable individuals to reach their full potential, live happy and fulfilling lives, and be engaged as active citizens in a global society. Our programs prepare them for meeting the challenges and accessing the opportunities of the 21st Century while capitalizing on their individual strengths. We continue to strengthen the foundations of self-regulation, engagement, intentionality and meaningful relationships as we advance and nurture the movement into the higher levels of symbolic, emotional, abstract, critical and reflective thinking.
The Morris County Challenger League
The Challenger League is a multi sport league for disabled children, that was established in 1986, by Williamsport Little League. The Morris County Challenger Little League was established in 1999. The dedicated volunteers create a positive environment for the children who are in need of this program. The majority of the participants are from Morris County, and a few from the neighboring counties. The ages of participation are: 5 years old to 21 years old. The 21 year old must be attending a school in order to participate. There are multiple sports to participate in including; Baseball, Bowling, Soccer, Basketball, & Cheerleading. The games are played at a different town every weekend.
Visit the site for more information.
Discover the Forest
Reconnect your family with nature! Discover a forest or park near you. This site has resources that include: Before You Go, What To Do, Share The Forest, More To Explore, and About The Forest. The many partner organizations on this site also have extensive resources and information. Locating a park near you is as simple as entering your zip code! Equine Tranquility Wellness Center
Equine Tranquility Wellness Center currently operates out of Equine Tranquility Farm that is located in Andover, NJ. They offer Centered Riding Lessons, Therapeutic Riding, Equine Assisted Learning, Yoga on Horseback, Special "Mommy and Me" sessions, and are now offering a Bi-weekly Saturday morning camp for children ages 5-13. We offer lessons in a private session, or in a group session to help encourage social interaction. ETWC is a non-profit corporation which strives to improve the lives and welfare of humans and horses. They specialize in individuals of all ages with emotional, psychological, and/or physical disabilities.
Arts Access Program
The mission of Arts Access is to provide individuals
with disabilities the freedom to create
in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
Arts Unbound is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 and incorporated in 2003 as a 501c3 nonprofit. Their mission is to provide arts education, skills building and a variety of vocational opportunities in the visual arts to youth and adults with mental, developmental and physical disabilities.
They strive to inspire students of all ages through classes in the visual arts, cultivating avenues of self expression, personal achievement and life enrichment that come with mastering art techniques. They also provide the professional training necessary for emerging artists to compete on the retail market and to share their creativity with the world as artists who happen to live with disabilities.
VSA International Arts Program - Kennedy Center
Founded in 1978, VSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the creative power of people with disabilities. The organization is part of the international VSA network, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The Little Notes Music School
Little Notes Music School offers a variety of musical experiences with programs for kids of all ages; Lessons for violin, piano, guitar, voice, rock band, and more; Teachers with diverse backgrounds, interests and experience; join a String Orchestra or jam with a Jazz Band; attend Summer Camp, and for children 0-7 join our Kindermusik with Little Notes program.
Advancing Opportunities
Advancing Opportunities has been providing quality services, supports, education and advocacy to individuals with disabilities and their families to help them lead full lives. We deliver our services in the community, creating opportunities and welcome environments for people with all types of disabilities.
Words Bookstore
http://www.wordsbookstore.com/
[words] Bookstore hosts the event Second Sunday. It is a monthly event series for children with special needs and their families. [words] is your local, independent bookstore in Maplewood, New Jersey. What makes us special is our mission: engaging readers of all ages and interests, welcoming patrons and employees with autism.
We are a unique and integral part of the Maplewood community. If you don’t already know us, learn more about who we are.Our mission & vision is to serve Maplewood and surrounding communities by offering an engaging and welcoming atmosphere for people and families of all stripes to pursue their literary interests. In particular, we are dedicated to the families in our community that have a member with a developmental disability. We strive to help Maplewood become a model community of inclusion through our treatment of disabled customers and employees, especially those with autism.
The Social Scene
The Social Scene Club is a public social community, bringing diverse people together. The Social Scene Club is a place where members can:Socialize, Exercise, Learn or refine skills (life skills, money management, social skills, workforce readiness, cooking skills, etc.), Participate in Cooking Lessons**Garden, Create, Teach, Be active in the community. We provide a natural, safe and comfortable environment for our members to be themselves with their friends and peers.
Lou Harris Challenger Division
Lou Harris Challenger Division is for athletes classified as being eligible for special education to enjoy the full benefits of sports participation in an environment structured to their abilities. It is open to athletes of all ages. Programs usually takes place on Sundays. And is for all types of special needs.Autism Recreation Referral List
https://www.autismnj.org/information-services/find-a-referral/
Sensory Friendly Theater
http://www.ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre
Brought to you by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Sensory Friendly Theatre (SFT) is a series of live performances specially designed and adapted for children with autism and similar sensory sensitivity. Sensory Friendly music, theater and dance performances are specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities.
The information on this website is based on recommendations of Celebrate the Children (CTC) staff and families. This information is not endorsed by CTC. It is reliable but at times may not be 100% accurate. CTC is not liable for actions or information given from these agencies.