Recreation

Wilmette D39 Schools After School Clubs

Wilmette has 4 public elementary schools that educate children in grades K-4: Romona, McKenzie, Harper and Central. Each of these schools offers various After School Clubs during the school year. If the school your child attends uses Wilmette Park District to run their After School Clubs program, then additional support for those clubs can be available for your child. Be SURE to register for the club early, and call the Park District contact as soon as you register to alert them that your child will need additional support through NSSRA for that club. Upon registration, there is an option to check an "additional support" area - but sure to do that!

Wilmette D39 Special Olympics

Wilmette offers two sports opportunities for Special Olympics during the school year for student participants ages 7+. In the Fall, Basketball Skills is offered and Track and Field in the Spring. These sports are currently offered on Tuesdays after school. The Wilmette D39 Special Olympics team is the Wilmette Stars.

Wilmette Park District & NSSRA

North Suburban Special Recreation Association - Offers support for all Wilmette Park District (and other local network park districts) programming and NSSRA summer & recreational programming. NSSRA also provides year round recreational programing for children and adults with special needs.

North Suburban YMCA

The north suburban YMCA in Northbrook has a full offering of special needs recreation programming including swimming, fitness and excercise, yoga and playgroups.

Our Place of New Trier, Wilmette

Our Place offers social and recreational opportunities and community based skills development for teenagers (aged 16+) and adults with I/DD.

Buddy Sports Programs

• Wilmette Baseball Association's Buddy Baseball
• Highland Park AYSO VIP Buddy Soccer - AYSO Region 891 VIP (Very Important Player) Soccer Program provides an exceptional soccer experience for children ages 5-18.
• TOPS Soccer, Northfield - TOPSoccer is a community based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities. Contact Jocelyn Snowder for info.
• Keshet Buddy Recreation programs - Offers various recreational programing throughout the year including Buddy Baseball, Basketball and Bowling.
• All Star Abilities, Northbrook JCC - Fitness literacy, wellness instruction, and recreational opportunity for teenagers with special needs in concert with community partners and peer volunteers. The goals for participants who complete the program are practical exercise training, comfort/ability to utilize a fitness center, and new friendships with other participants and teen volunteers.

Karate/Martial Arts

• Fronseca Martial Arts Studio, Wilmette, IL
• Northshore Dojo - Sensei Jeff Kohn
• Northshore Karate Center, Winnetka - Paul Sweetow

Sensory Friendly

• AMC Sensory Movies - Northbrook & Skokie
• Autism Eats, Northshore. Autism Eats has just expanded to the north shore. Offers select autism-friendly family dining nights at local restaurants.
• Blue Man Group, Chicago - Offers 2 sensory friendly performances throughout the year, typically summer and early fall. Check performance schedule.
• Sensory Friendly/Special Needs Programs at the Wilmette Library, Wilmette

Swimming

• All in Swim Program, JCC Northbrook - Learn to swim program.
• HaveDreams Swim Program - Stroke practice and refining, Special Olympics team opportunity.
• Swim at NSYMCA, Special Olympics team opportunity & learn to swim program.
• Evanston YWCA, Learn to Swim Program - Private lessons available and swim team - call for instructors with special needs expertise.

Theater

• Special Gifts Theatre - Meets during the school year one day per week with peer mentoring. Culminated in a staged performance by the participants.

Yoga

• Childs Pose, Winnetka
• Special Needs Yoga, Winnetka - Jocelyn Snowder - 1:1 yoga via Dr. Fanzia Pediatrics and small group classes via area yoga studios.