The Department is pleased and honored to host and support a number of events for special needs individuals and their families.
The Department of Parks & Recreation has worked tirelessly since 2008 to increase the service available to individuals with special needs and their families. Over the years, the Department has provided summer camps, special programs and events that benefit those individuals with special needs and include their families in fun and interactive events for everyone. Over the next few months, the Department is pleased and honored to host and support a number of events for special needs individuals and their families.
For the third year in a row, the Department will host Special Needs Open Gym on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This program offers children with special needs and their families a structured, yet relaxed, environment in which recreation is encouraged and fostered. For more information about this program please contact the Department at (856) 914–3093.
S.M.A.S.H. is the Social Meeting After School Hours for high school special needs students and young adults. This program offers an amazing opportunity for young people to connect and enjoy recreational time together. Hosted by the Department on Thursdays from roughly 2:15 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., this program offers young people karate instruction, music and art, yoga, cooking and pre-vocational activities and games. The current session runs through Thursday, Dec. 22 and is sponsored by the Monica Buckley Foundation and supported by Wegmans.
The next event is the Family Support Outing, Holiday Party. This annual holiday event will be hosted by the Department on Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Church Street Recreation Center and will feature a DJ, crafts, pizza, beverages and a special holiday visitor. Registration is required and can be completed on the department’s website. Live Civilly will provide support for this event.
On Sunday, Jan. 29, the Department will host the Third Annual Special Needs Providers Fair. This event is the largest of its kind in the county and hosts more than 48 providers who specialize in services for those with special needs. Does your company or organization provide services or products that would benefit individuals with disabilities and their families? If so, then you might want to purchase a space at the Special Needs Providers’ Fair sponsored by Moorestown Department of Parks and Recreation. The cost is $35 and includes a 6-foot by 2.5-foot table and one or two chairs. Please bring your handouts, brochures, promotional items and/or giveaways. Space is limited so please register early.
In addition to the recreation staff, there is one individual who has worked tirelessly to help provide these programs, Darlene Altschuler. Altschuler has long been committed to helping special needs families find services and opportunities locally. Over the last seven years, she has helped to bring many of the programs to Moorestown through her volunteerism. Her continued work and support of these programs is what helps to make them available and accessible.
For more information about these programs, or any of the special needs opportunities provided by the Moorestown Department of Parks & Recreation, please visit the Department’s website: www.moorestownrec.com under the Special Needs tab or at http://www.moorestown.nj.us/253/Parks-Recreation.
