5 PLUS RESPITE/RECREATION

5PLUS Fun for ALL SEASONS!

5PLUS, a program for all seasons and all interests offers participants a variety of programs throughout the year! 

These specialized recreation and respite programs offer children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, autism, and those with an intellectual disability the opportunity to expand their interests while maintaining old friendships and making new ones. 

Weekends, after school, evenings and vacation breaks are some of the times your family member can participate in all 5PLUS has to offer. 

Saturday Recreation (ages 5 and older) Saturday Recreation is for participants five and older, and is a full day recreation program that meets throughout the school year. The goal of this program is to have children, teenagers and young adults gain appropriate socialization skills. A variety of experiences will be provided through art, music, iPads, adaptive physical education, cooking and leisure time activities. Everyone brings their own lunch and friendships are developed and maintained throughout the year. Saturday Recreation also offers age appropriate activities in our Game Room, Lounge and Karaoke Café.  This year we are serving 80 participants at ACDS at St Pius.

Dance (13 and older) ACDS’ Dance Program is held throughout the school year at our facility in Plainview on Monday evenings. This class offers participants ages thirteen and older exposure to ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance techniques. At the end of the program we have a recital that families are invited to attend. This year ACDS is serving 20 participants in this program. 

Friday Night Drop In (16 and older) ACDS’ Friday Night Drop In Program offers young adults the opportunity to socialize with their friends on a Friday night. Participants enjoy listening and dancing to music as well as time spent in the Karaoke Café, Lounge Game Room, iPad room and art room.  A highlight of the program has become special theme nights.  Snack is served each week. This program is held at ACDS at St. Pius for ten weeks during the winter and serves 75 young adults. 

Teen Young Adult (16 and older) ACDS’ Teen/Young Adult Program allows participants, 16 and older, to enjoy a mix of sessions held at ACDS in Plainview and at various community settings. The sessions held at ACDS in Plainview include recreation activities such as cooking, sports, music and arts & crafts. Community outings include bowling, seeing plays, miniature golf and going out to dinner. Enrollment is for up to 25 participants. Two 8 week sessions per year are offered at ACDS at St. Pius on Thursday evenings. 

I.C.E. (Integrated Community Experiences) (ages 15 and older) ACDS’ ICE Program serves teens and young adults and meets twice a month on Sundays at various community locations. This program is open to participants that can function in a 6:1 group setting. Participants must not exhibit behaviors which would interfere with community outings.  Community outings include bowling, sporting events, plays, shopping and going out to eat.

Canoeing (ages 16 and older) ACDS’ unique Canoe Program pairs special athletes with developmental disabilities with volunteers to allow each twosome the opportunity to paddle a canoe on the bay in Freeport. Each session culminates with the Great Freeport Canoe Race. This program is available to teens and adults on Tuesday evenings during the summer, and typically about 40 individuals participate. 

Sports Training Club (15 and older) ACDS’ Sports Training Club known as the “ACDS Thunderbolts” fosters team participation and commitment. These traits are encouraged at weekly practices. The sports training club follows the Special Olympics calendar and includes Floor Hockey and Basketball. This program holds weekly practices on Tuesday evenings in Wantagh for teens and adults 15 years and older and serves 20 participants.

Summer Adventure (ages 16 and older) ACDS’ Summer Adventure offers participants ages 16 and older the opportunity to be a part of a 6 day overnight respite program on a magnificent 200 acre estate in Garrison, NY. Summer Adventure allows participants to develop independence, enjoy recreational activities and practice their daily living skills by staying in a dorm setting with their peers. Daily activities include lifeguard supervised swimming in an indoor pool, arts and crafts, music, movement and physical education activities, exploring the estate, game time, movies, cooking activities and a special evening activity each night. This unique program has been designed to give participants a summer adventure either before typical summer programs start or after their summer program ends but before the school year begins. Each year we host 110 campers. 

Cooking Class (ages 15 and older) Participants of ACDS’ cooking class will have the opportunity to practice reading recipes, identifying kitchen equipment and preparing basic recipes.  They will practice previously acquired skills and learn new kitchen techniques as they prepare their dinner each session.  Two 8 week sessions per year are offered at ACDS at St. Pius on Monday evenings.  There is a maximum class size of 10 people per session.

Let’s Groove (ages 15 and older) Inspired by Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, Let’s Groove is an exciting program that includes Zumba, Pound Fit and Yoga as a means to healthier living . . . its fitness made fun!  During each session of Let’s Groove participants prepare a snack made with healthier food selections.  Two 8 week sessions per year of Let’s Groove are offered on Friday evenings during the school year and a mini session is offered on Wednesdays during the summer.  This very popular program serves 75 teens and young adults at ACDS’ Plainview location.

Contacts

Erica Lepurage
Director of Community and Residential Services
516-605-2391
elepurage@acds.org

For additional information on recreation & respite programs please email 5PlusRecreation@acds.org

For additional information about our Summer Adventure program please email SummerAdventure@acds.org