Special needs sports and extracurricular activities in the NYC area
After School and Weekend Programs
with Summer Camp Supplement
For more information, please use the contact information below each listing, or feel free to
email Michaela Searfoorce at msearfoorce@gmail.com for an electronic copy of this
document (in Microsoft Word format). Asterisks (*) indicate programs we have
participated in or worked with.
Spring:
*SOFTBALL – Spring – April 16th - June
http://www.westsidebaseball.org/division.php
See info on the Challenger League, ages 5-18
Late registration still available!
Sunday PM at 77th and Riverside
For more info or a registration form, please email wslittleleague@nyc.rr.com or
info@westsidebaseball.org.
Central Park Challenge, June 4th
Join our team, The Foorce, as we walk, run and play to raise money for people with disabilities!
It was a fantastic and inspiring experience last year that we hope to do even bigger and better.
Email msearfoorce@gmail.com for more info or go to
http://support.yai.org/site/TR?team_id=14203&pg=team&fr_id=1090&et=kni_NRjPHoStmx_ku6e-A..&s_tafId=9740 to join our team online. (You can also go to www.yai.org and
look up our team, The Foorce, and click join our team.)
Summer Activities:
Achilles Track Club
Free walking/running/rolling club. Meets 2 times per month
Ages 5-21 and non-disabled siblings.
Karen Lewis 212-354-0300 x305
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC
Ages 7-17 any disability
2 times per month
For more info call the Incredible Kids Program
Francy Henao at 212-686-2042, x229
Super Soccer Stars
Ages 2 and up, all disabilities.
www.supersoccerstars.com
212-877-7171
*SWIMMING – Summer and year round
Bethesda Aquatics
Citywide – we did this at Highbridge Park and loved it!
www.bethesdaaquatics.com
NYC Parks Swim Lessons, free
Adaptive Swim Lessons for all ages
www.nycgovparks.org (718) 760-6969 for more info
Martial Arts Instruction, group or private lessons
Fitness for Focus, Inc. provides karate instruction in Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights.
Multiple locations and schedule options.
See www.fitnessforfocus.com or call 646-213-1973 for more info.
Helping Hands Initiative
Music therapy, lessons and classes. Fee based on income.
All ages.
Julianna Farella, 718-356-4737
Innovative Piano
In home piano lessons, combines ABA with classical techniques.
All ages and disabilities, $50 per session.
1-800-997-7093
www.innovativepiano.com
Museum of Modern Art
Various programs for all disabilities.
Ages 5 and up with family.
Carrie McGee, 212-408-6347
accessprograms@moma.org
Brooklyn Recreation program
OTSAR Family Services
Ages 5-21
Sundays from 9:30-2:30pm, some school holidays. Spanish spoken.
David Brody, 718-946-7301, x201
Recreation program for PDD/Autism in Queens
QSAC
Ages 5-13 with PDD or Autism diagnosis.
Transportation from Manhattan provided, Free.
Dita Ruc, 718-728-8476, x1418
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SNACK
www.snacknyc.com
212-439-9996
All disabilities
free trial class offered
activities such as sports, yoga, swimming, social skills groups
JCC
www.jccmanhattan.org
334 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10023
(646) 981-1665
All disabilities
- after school activities, support programs, lectures, workshops, camp fairs, special needs
babysitting training course (offers contact information for special needs babysitters who have
completed the course!)
92nd STREET Y
www.92y.org
The Nesher Program offers after school and Saturday programs for children and teens with
developmental disabilities. Children participate in art, science, music, cooking, movement,
swimming, sports, dance and drama. Classes are ongoing and prorated. An interview with the
director is required.
After school program runs from 2:30-5:30pm.
.Summer camp options are listed online as well
Nesher Saturday Classes:
Street Smarts
Call Melanie Mandel at 212.415.5626 or email mmandel@92Y.org
East Harlem Council For Community Improvement
Year round Saturday recreation program – includes trips to movies, picnics, amusement parks,
gym, sports, games etc. Free, Spanish speaking staff available.
All disabilities, age 8-21
Loretta Copeland 212-410-7707 x5238
Summer Camp Programs:
I have not included all of the camps due to time and space limitations. However, I have more information
on camps for children with many other disabilities than those listed below, including blindness, deafness,
cancer, rare syndromes and medical conditions, mental illnesses, and physical/orthopedic disabilities. I
also have additional information for older teens and adults. Feel free to email me at
msearfoorce@gmail.com or contact Resources for Children With Special Needs (see below) 212-6774650 if you do not see your child’s disability listed below but would like information on summer
programs available for their specific needs.
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****Additionally, for the third year in a row we will meet twice weekly for get-togethers and field trips
during the summer. The last two years it was a fun time for parents and kids! Totally informal, a come
when you can and want to kind of thing. We go everywhere from picnics to the zoo to sports games to the
beach. The group includes parents with any age child, birth through middle school, special needs or not. If
you would like to be added to the mailing list for Summer 2011, please email me at
msearfoorce@gmail.com or sign up at the meeting.
Adaptive Sports Foundation
Various locations in Greene County
www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org
518-734-5070
All Disabilities, age 5 and up
Summer Sports Instruction
AHRC
Multiple NYC locations in all five boroughs and beyond, day and sleepaway camps
www.ahrcnyc.org
212-780-2581
All disabilities, age 6 and up
Therapeutic recreation
AMAC Sleepaway Summer Camp
Alpine, NJ
www.amac.org
212-645-5005
Autism, PDD, Asperger Syndrome, age 6 and up
Includes an educationally focused ABA program.
ANIBIC – Summer Recess
Bayside, NY
www.anibic.org
718-423-9550
ADD/ADHD, Autism, Developmental Delay, Learning Disability, Mental Retardation, Neurological Disability,
Speech/Language Disability, age 5 to 17
Full range of activities including academic reinforcement in reading and math.
Camp Bari-Tov and Camp Tova through the 92nd Street Y
Pearl River, NY
www.92y.org/camps
212-415-5573
Bari-Tov: Autism, Developmental Disability, Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation, PDD, age 5 to 13
Summer recreation program with one-to-one supervision
Tova: ADD/ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Developmental or Learning Disability, Mental Retardation,
PDD, Speech/Language Disability, age 6 to 10
Small groups outdoor and recreational activities.
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music – Music Therapy
Brooklyn, NY
www.bqcm.org
718-622-3300
All Disabilities, age 2 and up
Weekly group or individual sessions of music therapy or therapeutic music instruction
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Buddy Building Camp
W. 76th Street, NYC
917-697-2227
Asperger, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Emotional Disability, Learning Disability, PDD, Social Difficulties,
Speech/Language Disability, age 7 to 11 – BOYS only
6-week summer camp program, option to attend weekly
Coda’s Day Camp
Brooklyn, NY
718-421-3691
Autism, Learning Disability, Mental Retardation, ages 5 to 12
day camp for children with or without special needs
Cooke Center Summer Academy
New York, New York
www.cookecenter.org
212-280-4473, ext. 2
Asperger, ADD/ADHD, Learning Disability, Mental Retardation, PDD, Speech/Language Disability age 5 to 18
Daily recreation and academic instruction. Works on academic, language, social and independence skills.
Easter Seals New York – Camp Colonie
Cohoes, NY
http://ny.easterseals.com
518-222-3932
All mental and physical disabilities, age 5 to 21
Integrated summer recreational and academic program for campers.
Camp Eden
Chaplin, CT
www.camp-eden.org
609-426-8656
Asperger, Autism, PDD, age 7 to 21
Special needs camping.
Empire State Speech and Hearing
Spencer, NY
www.lionscb.org
607-589-4800
Deaf, Learning Disability, Mental Retardation, Speech/Language Disability, age 5 to 21
Day and residential summer school program.
Good Grief Camp
Shelter Island, NY
www.eeh.org
631-288-8400
Bereavement, loss, ages 4 to 15
Bereavement camp where children meet to discuss feelings of loss and meet daily for group therapy.
Happy Hour 4 Kids
NYC - on 29th between Park and Madison - they use Madison Square Park for daily outdoor activities.
www.happyhour4kids.com
All special needs, particularly those involving social/communication issues.
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Harbor Haven Day Camp
West Orange and Marlboro, NJ
www.harborhaven.com
908-964-5411
Asperger, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Developmental Delay, Learning Disability, Neurological Disability, PDD,
Speech/Language Disability age 3 to 15
Sensory motor and language groups, academic reinforcement, social skills training.
Helping Hands, Inc.
Alburtis, PA
www.helpinhandsinc.com
610-754-6491
ADD/ADHD, Autism, Mental Retardation, Physical/Orthopedic Disability, Seizure Disorder, ages 4+
Sleepaway camp program, with trips to nearby attractions and beaches.
Camp Horizons, Inc.
South Windham, CT
www.camphorizons.org
860-456-1032
Asperger, Autism, Mental Retardation, PDD age 8 to 40
Camping activities that include an optional “Fit Free” program, which promotes weight loss and fitness.
Camp Horseability
Melville, NY
www.horseability.org
631-367-1646
Asperger, Asthma, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Blind, Deaf, Emotional Disability, Learning Disability, Mental
Retardation, Neurological Disability, PDD, Physical Disability, Speech/Language Disability, age 3+
An equine-centered summer program.
Mid-Hudson Valley Camp
Esopus, NY
www.esopuscamps.com
908-447-3058
Autism, Mental Retardation, PDD, Physical/Orthopedic Disability age 4 to 14
Swimming, paddle-boating, horseback riding, arts/sensory activities.
MIV Summer Camp Program
Staten Island, NY
www.mountloretto.org
Asperger, Autism, age 4 to 15
Tailors activities to the specific needs of each child, applications are reviewed and determined by June.
National Jewish Council for Disabilities – Yachad Sleepaway
NYC, Various locations
www.njcd.org
212-613-8229
ADD/ADHD, Autism, CP, Learning Disability, Mental Retardation, Neurological Disability, PDD, age 9
to 21
Special needs camp program that is integrated with a mainstream camp.
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NYU Summer Program for kids
Throggs Neck, NY
www.aboutourkids.org
516-358-1811
ADD/ADHD, Behavior Disorders age 7 to 11
Sports, swimming, arts, academics, social skills. Weekly parent training group.
Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck
Center Moriches, NY
www.camppaquatuck.org
631-878-1070
All Disabilities, age 6 to 21
Therapeutic activities designed to fit the pace and skill of each camper.
Parkside School Summer Program
New York, New York
www.parksideschool.org
212-721-8888
Speech/Language Disability, age 5 to 11
Educational and recreational activities designed to maintain child’s skill levels.
Ramapo for Children
Rhinebeck, NY
www.ramapoforchildren.org
845-876-8403
Asperger, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Emotional Disability, Learning Disability, Seizure
Disorder, age 4 to 16
Activities designed to build social competency and self-esteem.
YAI/MAC
Claryville, NY
www.yai.org/camping
212-273-6298
Asperger, Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Learning Disability, Mental Retardation, PDD, Seizure
Disorder, ages 6 to 18
Inclusionary residential summer camp where campers are included in activities with support as needed.
Additional Resources:
**Resources for Children With Special Needs
www.resourcesnyc.org
This website has a really great search tool for every kind of special need and activity in all five boroughs,
and includes detailed info on the summer programs mentioned above plus many more. They will send
you an excellent book with resources if you call and ask.
116 E. 16th Street
5th Floor
New York, NY 10003
(212) 677-4650 (212) 254-4070 fax
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Advocates for Children
www.advocatesforchildren.org
free legal advice and support for educational or other matters regarding special needs children
151 W 30th St # 5
New York, NY 10001
(212) 947-9779
Medicaid Waivers for Children with Special Needs
http://www.health.state.ny.us/community/special_needs/resource_directory.htm
New York City Office
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 722-4544
Parent to Parent
http://www.parenttoparentnys.org/Regional/nyc.htm
a place where families of individuals with special needs, and the professionals who support them, can
meet and share information. be matched up with a parent or get more information about specific programs
or services needed.
Fall 2011:
*SOCCER – FALL Sept. – Nov.
West Side Soccer League
www.wssl.org
VIP League
Sunday PM at North Meadows in Central Park
MUSIC INSTRUCTION
*Daniel’s Music Foundation
www.danielsmusic.org
Daniel’s Music Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides free music programs for
people with disabilities, from 3 years old to adult in the New York City area.
C/O The Trush Family
Tel: (212) 289-8912 (Daniel or Ken Trush)
1641 Third Avenue, #21A
Fax: (212) 534-5978
New York, NY 10128
Email: info@danielsmusic.org
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