April 2024 Hello TR Families, While our spring season is just getting started here at Burlington Parks and Recreation we are already planning for a summer full of fun! We have several NEW programs! iCan Shine will be visiting Burlington in August to offer both the iCan Swim program and the iCan Bike program! Register early for these as spots are limited! Inclusion services are available in all of our programs. Please complete your inclusion request form by Friday, May 31st. More information can be found on page two! Visit www.burlingtonrecreation.org to complete your inclusion request form. Throughout this newsletter you will find program information, special event info and more. We are looking forward to an awesome summer! As always, please reach out to me at ejones@burlington.org or 781-270-1937 with any questions. Thank you! Emma Jones, CTRS Therapeutic Recreation SUMMER 2024 NEWSLETTER
Summer Inclusion Deadline - May 31 Summer Inclusion Program ~ Deadline: Friday, May 31 If your child receives special education services in school or requires any accommodations in programs, they may qualify for free support. Our Therapeutic Recreation Specialist will work with your family to ensure the appropriate accommodations are being made, and our qualified support staff will work with your child as needed in the various programs that he/she may attend in order to provide your child with a rewarding and fun experience. Our Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, support staff and program directors will work as a team to modify activities and/or equipment, provide emotional and behavioral support and facilitate social interaction so that all children can participate to their fullest potential. Burlington Parks and Recreation utilizes a group inclusion model and 1:1 support is granted only on an as-needed basis, pending assessment by the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Support staff as well as a sensory friendly indoor space will be available for quiet breaks at Club Simonds. In order to accommodate with a sufficient number of staff members, the deadline to notify us for summer program support is May 31. If we are not notified by May 31, additional support services cannot be guaranteed. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. What does inclusion support look like? Inclusion support is a process designed to increase independence within programs over time. Inclusion support will look different for each individual participant! The Therapeutic Recreation Specialist will utilize a comprehensive inclusion support assessment to determine which support strategies may work best for that unique participant. Examples of inclusion support strategies Supportive and positive program environments Team of inclusion staff who work with participants in small groups and 1:1 on as needed basis to provide support Individualized support tools Meet and greet with program directors with social stories about each program prior to the start of the summer
Program Spotlights! iCan Swim Participants with a disability, Aug. 19 - 23 $100 (5 lessons), Burlington Swim and Tennis Club 1 Country Club Ln., Instructors: iCanSwim Staff iCan Shine is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that provides recreational programs for individuals with disabilities. The iCan Swim program focuses on helping each participant age 3 and older work toward their individual aquatic goals. iCan Swim works on learning new swim skills, improving existing skills with a daily emphasis on life-saving water safety skills in and around aquatic environments. This five-day camp, requiring swimmers to attend only one session per day for five days. To be eligible to enroll, swimmers must: be at least three years old and have a disability. All abilities are welcome however individuals with a tracheostomy are not eligible to participate as we are unable to guarantee a splash-free environment. Individuals must be toilet trained. No swim diapers are allowed in the pool.Participants register for one session and attend at the same time each day for the duration of the five day program. A parent/guardian orientation will occur on Sunday, August 18th. Further detailed information will be provided prior to the start of program. This program was generously underwritten by The James Gang! The James Gang is a local non-profit organization established in 2017 supporting inclusive recreation opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and research for NARS1. The James Gang is an official charity partner of the 2024 Boston Marathon. You can learn more about The James Gang by visiting: www.teamjamesgang.com 498109-B 3 - 7 498109-D Activity # 498109-E 7:30 - 8:15 am $100 $100 $100 $100 Ages Time Fee 8 - 12 498109-A 8 - 12 498109-C 8:45 - 9:45 am 10:15 - 11:15 am 8 - 12 12:30 - 1:30 pm 13+ 2 - 3 pm $100 Volunteers Needed! iCan Swim staff needs the support of volunteers ages 16+! No prior swim experience or experience working with people with disabilities necessary. Training is provided. Volunteer for any number of sessions you wish! Activity #: 498409 James and Liam completing the 2024 Boston Marathon!
Program Spotlights! iCan Bike Participants with a disability, Aug. 12 - 16 $100 (5 lessons), Marshall Simonds Middle School Gymnasium iCan Shine is a non-profit organization that teaches individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle using adapted bike equipment through it’s iCan Bike program. This five-day program, requiring riders to attend only one 75-minute session per day. iCan Shine uses customized adapted equipment, trained professionals and volunteers. With 75 minutes of instruction over five days, approximately 80% of riders learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently by the end of camp. The remaining 20% often make great progress towards that goal. To be eligible to enroll, riders must: be at least eight years old; have a disability; be able to walk without an assistive device such as a walker or cane; be able to side-step quickly to both sides; have a minimum inseam measurement of 20 inches from the floor; and weigh no more than 220 pounds. This program is funded through the Respite Innovation Grant offered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. 498209-B 498209-D 8:30 - 9:45 am $100 $100 $100 $100 Ages Time Fee Activity # 8 - 12 498209-A 8 - 12 498209-C 10:05 - 11:20 am 11:40 - 12:55 pm 8 -12 2 - 3:15 pm 13+ 3:35 - 4:50 pm $100 498209-E $25 Adventure Awaits: Kayaking! Dates Vary, Horn Pond, 85 - 93 Lake Ave, Woburn, MA 01801 Adventure awaits is an accessible adventure based program. Each season we will embark on new adventures! This summer we are partnering with Waypoint Adventure to go kayaking. This program is funded through the Respite Innovation Grant offered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Ages Date Time Activity # 8 - 12 13 - 25 Aug. 14 *register with RecTogether program Week B* 1 - 3 pm 498309-A Fees 25+ Families Aug. 7 Aug. 7 5 - 7 pm 2 - 4 pm $25 (per person) $25 8 - 12 498309-C 498309-D iCan Swim staff needs the support of volunteers ages 16+! No prior biking experience or experience working with people with disabilities necessary. Training is provided. Volunteer for any number of sessions you wish! Activity #: 498509 Volunteers Needed!
Program Spotlights! All Ages, $40 (per family), Grandview Farm Instructor: Allison Marie Photography and Emma Jones, CTRS Have your family photos taken in a sensory friendly environment! Local photographer Alison Heffler and Emma Jones, CTRS will work together to create a sensory friendly environment at Grandview Farm for a mini photo session! Sensory items/toys and break spaces will be available. Each family will receive a mini gallery of 10 digital images emailed to them three weeks after the session date. Each time slot is reserved for one individual family. This program is intended for families who have a member with a disability. Family Connection Event: Sensory Friendly Family Photos Day Date Time Activity # Wednesday May 29 4 - 4:45 pm 397601-A Wednesday May 29 5 - 5:45 pm 397601-B Wednesday May 29 6 - 6:45 pm 397601-C Wednesday May 29 7 - 7:45 pm 397601-D Day Date Time Activity # Saturday June 1 9 - 9:45 am 397601-E Saturday June 1 10 - 10:45 am 397601-F Saturday June 1 11 - 11:45 am 397601-G Saturday June 1 12 - 12:45 pm 397601-H indoor and outdoor photo options! Sensory supports available! CTRS on site for support Sensory floor tiles Bean bag chairs Pop-its Bubble tubes Fidget toys Have a specific sensory need? Let us know! Sensory Friendly Celebrate Burlington All ages with a disability, Friday, Aug. 2, 6 - 8 pm, Town Common, Activity #: 400657-A We understand that for some, our Celebrate Burlington event can be a crowded, loud and overwhelming experience. Therefore, in an effort to increase accessibility we are offering a sensory friendly event from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, Aug. 2 for those who would prefer to enjoy a limited number of activities in a more sensory friendly environment. Pre-registration for each event is required. Please only register if you have a disability or if you are accompanying an individual with a disability. Burlington residents only. Spots are extremely limited.