5 Plus Respite/Recreation
5 Plus Respite/Recreation
ACDS’s respite and recreation programs offer children, teens and adults with developmental and other disabilities, the opportunity to expand their interests while maintaining old friendships and making new ones. 5 Plus offers participants a variety of programs throughout the year after school, in the evenings, on weekends and during vacation breaks.
Saturday Recreation (ages 5 and older)
Saturday Recreation is a full day recreation program, for individuals five and older, 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 are provided through art, music, iPads, adaptive physical education, cooking and leisure time activities. Participants bring their own lunch. Friendships are developed and maintained throughout the year. Saturday Recreation offers age-appropriate activities in our Game Room, Lounge and Karaoke Café.
Friday Night Drop In (ages 16 and older)
ACDS’s 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 spending time in the Karaoke Café, Lounge Game Room, iPad room and art room. A highlight of the program has become special theme nights. Snacks are served each week. This program is held at ACDS at St. Pius for ten weeks during the winter and serves 75 young adults.
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.
Tuesday Yoga (ages 16 and older)
In this beginner yoga class students will learn how to combine movement & breathing to quiet the mind while learning yoga poses and meditation. The benefits of yoga include reduced feelings of stress and depression, improved concentration and increased feelings of happiness and improved sleep. Two 8 week sessions per year are offered at ACDS at Maria Regina on Tuesday evenings.
Art Classes (ages 16 and older)
Each session participants will focus on working with craft materials like scrapbook paper, wooden shapes, patterned fabric, and glass. Students should wear comfortable clothing that can be worn while using glue, markers, and acrylic paints. Materials are included in the price of the activity. Four fall sessions and four spring sessions are offered at ACDS at St. Pius in Plainview on Wednesday Evenings.
Money Skills (ages 16 and older)
This class will provide participants with the opportunity to learn coin and bill identification and value using a variety of techniques. Real life scenarios, flash cards and board games will all play a part in the teaching process. Four fall sessions and four spring sessions are offered at ACDS at St. Pius in Plainview on Thursday Evenings.
Canoeing (ages 16 and older)
ACDS’s 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 serves approximately 40 participants.
Sports Training Club (ages 15 and older)
ACDS’s 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. Weekly practices are held on Tuesday evenings in Wantagh for teens and adults 15 years and older and serves 20 participants.
Summer Adventure (ages 16 and older)
ACDS’s Summer Adventure offers participants, ages 18 and older, the opportunity to be part of a 5 night, 6 day overnight respite program on the grounds of beautiful Camp Chen-A-Wanda in Thompson, Pennsylvania. Summer Adventure allows participants to develop independence, enjoy recreational activities and practice their daily living skills while staying in a dorm setting with their peers. Daily activities include lifeguard-supervised swimming in an outdoor pool, arts and crafts, music, movement, Zumba, sports and games, and a special evening activity every night.
Themed evening activities are one of Summer Adventure’s highlights. Past themes include a 60’s night, Color War, Field Day, 80’s Prom, ACDS Has Talent, Halloween in August, Luau, Fiesta, and a campfire on the last evening.
Cooking Class (ages 15 and older)
Participants of ACDS’s cooking class have the opportunity to practice reading recipes, identifying kitchen equipment and Preparing basic meals. They 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 in Plainview 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 . . . it’s fitness made fun! During each session of Let’s Groove, participants prepare a snack made with healthy 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’s Plainview location.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please reach out to:
Erica Lepurage
Chief Program Officer, Adult Services
For additional information on recreation & respite programs, please email:
For additional information about our Summer Adventure program, please email:
