Special Population
The City of Altamonte Springs Special Community Services and the Advisory Board for the Disabled, Inc. provide social activities throughout the year at minimal cost to the mentally and physically challenged population in Altamonte Springs and surrounding communities. All participants must have a current medical form on file in order to attend any of the events and functions of the City of Altamonte Springs Special Community Services or the Advisory Board for the Disabled.
For more information, please contact Ranwa Nin El-khoury at (407) 571-8814 or visit www.AdvisoryBoardforDisabled.org.
Special Needs participants need to meet the following criteria to take part in programs. If they are unable to do so, participant is welcome to attend programs, but must provide their own assistant for supervision (such as a family member, companion, etc.).
- Age 13 and over (with exception to select specially designed youth programs)
- Be able to function in a group structure (1 staff member/volunteer per 5 participants)
- Capable of participation in group activities
- Have independent bathroom skills
- Be able to follow basic instructions
QUICK LINKS
2010 Winter/Spring Newsletter
2010 Activities Calendars
Volunteer Registration Packet
2010 Medical Release Form
PROGRAMS
"SPARKLERS" - Special Needs Cheerleading
The Altamonte Sparklers are a group of more than sixty (60) male and female cheerleaders with special needs who have been training and competing since 2005. Together the group has attended numerous community events and over six (6) cheerleading competitions. They are supported by the City of Altamonte Springs, volunteer coaches, and generous donors. Practices will be on Sundays beginning, October 11, 2009 and will be offered through April of 2010. Athletes range in ages six (6) to sixty (60). They are divided into three (3) different performance squads and each group prepares for local competitions, performances, parades, and other community events.
To view photos of the Sparklers in action, please visit www.Sparklers.MyPhotoAlbum.com.
Athlete Registration Closed until Fall of 2010.
Become a Team Sponsor Click Here for more information.
Altamonte Sparklers Head Coach - Ranwa Nin El-khoury at 407-571-8814 or rrel-khoury@altamonte.org
Special Needs Youth Program
Play Your Way is free of charge service available to children with special Health Care needs and their families in the Central Florida area. The Play Your Way program, developed by Physical Therapy students from the University of Central Florida, provides an opportunity for children with special health care needs to participate in fun fitness activities designed to meet their functional abilities, while interacting with others in the community. For more information or to sign up, please visit their website at www.PlayYourWay.webs.com.
BAMBINO BUDDY BALL This division encompasses players ages 5-20 who are either physically and/or mentally challenged. This division makes allowance for a “buddy” to help the player swing a bat, round the bases, catch a ball, etc. Register today to take part in the March season. Please contact Sarah Reece at 407-463-2504, or by email at sarah.reece@orhs.org.
2010 Winter Camp & Summer Camp
The camps are offered on Wednesdays for 8 weeks in January/February and June/July at Eastmonte Recreation Center. Registrations begin a month before the camps start. The camps include the following activities: swimming, crafts, field trips, guest speakers, bingo, and much more! Bring your own lunch and we provide the rest!
*Cost is $50.00 per session, per camper.
Winter Camp Session:
- Registration starts - Monday, December 7, 2009
- First day of camp - Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Summer Camp Session:
- Registration starts - Monday, May 3, 2010
- First day of camp - Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Altamonte Special's Bowling
Practices are offered every Monday, excluding holidays, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Altamonte AMF Bowling Center. Scores are recorded throughout the year and trophies are awarded at the Banquet announcing each participant’s high score. Invitations will be handed out at practices in May.
*Cost is $1.75 per game, per bowler, which includes shoe rental.
Bowling Banquet:
- Date - Monday, June 14, 2010
- Time - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
- Location - Eastmonte Recreation Center
- Cost - $5.00 per bowler & $500 per guest (This event will be catered)
Payment and Reservations due by Monday, May 11. Please make checks payable to: The Advisory Board for the Disabled, Inc.
Training begins on Monday, June 21, 2010 from 3pm to 5pm. To be eligible to compete, athletes must bowl ten (10) games before the County Competition on August 24, 2010 and have an active Special Olympics Physical Form on file.
Thursday Night Out
“Thursday Night Out”
is offered on Thursday evenings, excluding the 1st Thursday of the month. They are designed to allow participants to gather together and just have some fun! Location for the program is at Westmonte Recreation Center from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Volunteers are Welcome! Please let us know if you will be attending the cooking class. Please see the Fall Newsletter for dates and details.
*Cost is $1.00 per participant, which includes refreshments.
- 2nd Thursday - Crafts & Games
- 3rd Thursday - Karaoke Night
- 4th Thursday - Cooking Class
- 5th Thursday - Movie Night
Special's Belly Dancing Family Aerobics
Troupe Moumayaza, our Special Needs Belly Dancers, and family members meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month (with a few exceptions, please see 2010 Practice dates below) at Eastmonte Recreation Center from 6:30pm to 7:30pm to exercise and prepare for performances.
* Cost is $1.00 per person.
- 2010 Practice dates - 1/27, 2/24, 3/10, 4/14, 5/12, 5/26
Nightbird Dances
Themed dances are offered one (1) Friday every month at Eastmonte Recreation Center from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Refreshments are provided. Prizes awarded for dance contest winners, costume contest winners, and birthdays! If you have a group home or a large party, please call in advance and we will reserve your group a table(s).
*Cost has increased to $2.00 per participant and $1.00 per parent, caregivers, etc. attending.
- February 12 - Sweethearts Dance
- March 12 - Luck of the Irish
- April 16 - Country Hoe Down
- May 14 - Cinco De Mayo Fiesta
- June 4 - Hawaiian Pool Party (Westmonte Park) rain or shine. Bring swim suites & towels.
S.T.O.P. Program
STOP Trips (Saturday Time Out for Parents) are offered one (1) Saturday every month. Dates are listed on Activity Calendar above, and are socially, physically, educationally, and psychologically beneficial field trips. Space is limited. To attend you must RSVP on the designated reservation day. Drop off and pick up is at Eastmonte Recreation Center. Please be on time. *Feel free to send souvenir money for all trips*
*Cost has increased to $3.00 per participant, which includes lunch.
- Jungleland Adventures
Trip Date: January 23 from 9am-4pm. RSVP on Jan 15 - Blue Springs/DeLeon Springs & Old Spanish Sugar Mill
Trip Date: February 6 from 8am-4pm. RSVP on Jan 29
- Strawberry Festival in Plant City
Trip Date: March 6 from 8am-4pm. RSVP on Feb 26
**Drop off and Pick Up at Westmonte Park for March trip ONLY
- Shriners Circus at UCF
Trip Date: April 24 from 9am-4pm. RSVP on April 16
- Channel 6 Softball Game
Trip Date: May 8 from 10am-4pm. RSVP on April 30
EVENTS
Ballroom Dancing
USA Dance is a national nonprofit organization that promotes the quality and the quantity of ballroom dancing in the United States. (www.USADANCE.org). The Central Florida Chapter is very enthusiastic about reaching out to our special needs community to teach ballroom dancing.
Ballroom Dancing - Part Two (Open to all previously registered and new dancers)
Click here for registration paperwork.
*Cost for the program is $20.00, non-refundable, for special needs participants only. Free for volunteer dance partners. Space is Limited. Financial assistance is availble if necessary.
- Class Time - Sundays from 1:30pm to 2:30pm
- Where - Lake Brantley High School South Athletic Complex-Gymnasium (across the street from the high shcool), located at 1010 Sand Lake Road, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.
- Sunday Practice Dates - 2/7, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/25, 5/2, 5/16 (dress rehearsal 1-3pm)
Special Needs Ballroom Showcase
Sunday, May 23, 2010 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Ballroom Dancing - Part One
Coming in Summer 2010 - Details TBA
Special Olympics Seminole County
Special Olympics Seminole County provides free sports training and competition to individuals with intellectual disabilities ages 8 and up in over 12 different Olympic type sports. For more information, please visit www.SpecialOlympicsSeminoleCounty.org or call 407-263-8043.
