Rec/Leisure
The Department is divided up into three different programs: Recreation/Leisure, Special Olympics and Summer Recreation Program. Each program offers a variety of activities for all age groups. A summary of each program is listed below.
Recreation/Leisure
With in the Recreation Leisure Program we offer off ground activities, in house activities and overnight vacations for the adults ages 22 and up. The individuals are from the Adult Services program, and individuals that are referred to us by Community Support Services.
The places we have visited in the past year are endless. We try to come up with places that range in interest and in price. We have gone to sporting events, art shows, amusement parks, animal parks, festivals, movies, auctions, museums, antiques shops and much more. We have also participated in sporting events, craft projects, cooking, fitness, swimming and much more.
We offer weekday, weekday evening and weekend activities. Sign up sheets are handed out every three months for individuals to sign up for different activities. We also have clubs that we have formed. The Dinner Club which meets the second Tuesday of the month from 5:00-7:00 at various restaurants in Geauga County. The Friday Fun Day for individuals that are at home not working. After work swim party, the third Thursday of the month form 3:00-5:00. We are in the process of setting more clubs up this year.
Summer Recreation Program
The Summer Recreation Program is a five or five week camp that runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for school age children ages 6-22. All Classes will have one group leader and 2-3 assistants with no more than 8 students per class. We average about 51 campers that attend each year. In order to be eligible, they need to have gone through Intake and Eligibility with Community Support Services.
We will have a nurse, lifeguard and Music Therapist on staff daily. Every week the campers will experience music, sports, swimming, arts and crafts and many fun whole camp activities, such as 4th of July picnic, volleyball tournament, Carnival, international food day, scavenger hunts, just to name a few things.
Overnight experiences
Recreation Unlimited;
Recreation Unlimited is located in Ashley Ohio (approximately 20 miles north of Columbus). Their mission is to provide sports, recreation and education for youth and adults with physical and or developmental disabilities in a safe, fun and challenging environment.
We usually go at the end of August and middle of October, the cost is $45.00. We stay in a cabin, go fishing, swimming, golf, have a dance at night, nature hikes and a variety of other activities.
Camping near home:
This is an alternative to Recreation Unlimited for individuals with more medical and fragile situations. This is a good introduction to overnight experiences, and for those who may feel more comfortable staying close to home. Punderson is one place that we may utilize: we go swimming, nature walks, arts and crafts, and cooking. The cost would be $45. There are no set dates for these overnights; we like to go around the holiday season.
Overnights:
Overnights vary every year, we get ideas from the clients on where they would like to go and what they would like to see or do.
So the vacationers must:
1) Adjust to new environments in a short amount of time
2) Able to provide for their personal self care needs with minimal assistances
3) May have certain medical conditions but they do not impair their safety or welfare during the vacation,
4) Functions well with a 1:4 or 1:5 escort-vacationer ratio.
5) Must attend a 2 to 3 day vacation before going on a trip that requires air transportation or is farther than 5 hours away.
Cost is anywhere from $200.00 to $650.00. The lower priced vacations have varied from Niagara Falls, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, (Basically the surrounding area). The higher priced vacation has included the Disney, Fort Lauderdale, and Myrtle Beach.
Dates vary on when we go to the above places, around April we get some sort of time frame and the various places we will be visiting. We try to group individuals with similar interest, age and compatibility. It is hard to accommodate everyone that signs up; it may take up to two years before everyone gets to go on their vacation. Other options include People and Places and The Guided Tour. Call the Recreation Department for information on the above vacation options.
If you have any questions on the above activities please contact the Recreation Department at
440-729-9406 ext. 1117.
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