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NISRA offers a wide range of programs throughout the year, for preschoolers through seniors of all ability levels.
Weekly Programs Sports, cultural, outdoor, social and motor development programs are offered each season for sessions ranging from six to nine weeks in length.
Special Events One day outings to local and regional sites offer fun on holidays, school days off, and other days throughout the year. NISRA staff and participants explore many of Chicagoland's newest recreation attractions.
Trips Trips for groups of varying ages and abilities provide experiences ranging from tent camping to hotel stays, regionally and nationally.
Camps
Summer day camps give children and teens a chance to make new friends, try new activities and enjoy the summer season. Full day camps are offered, along with half day camps in conjunction with some summer school programs.
Adapted Sports As a member of the Northern Illinois Adapted Sports Cooperative, NISRA joins with other agencies to host clinics and competition for youth and adults experiencing physical limitations. A number of wheelchair sports and adapted sports for ambulatory athletes are offered.
Inclusion NISRA staff assist residents with disabilities with inclusion into their home park district or recreation department programs. Types of assistance may include provision of adapted equipment, securing and training additional staff or sign language assistants, program modification plans and training member district staff in various accommodations.
Mental Health Programs NISRA cooperates with McHenry County Mental Health Board and McHenry County Court Services to provide a range of programs for youth with severe behavioral and emotional disorders, and individuals who are court-involved or are at-risk for out of home or school placements. Daytime programs are also available for adults with mental illnesses. These programs emphasize challenge and cooperation activities, along with a leisure education component.
Leisure Education A cooperative effort between NISRA, the Special Education District of McHenry County and several other local school districts, the Leisure Education Program exposes students to many local recreation outlets. The goal is to develop lifelong recreation interests through awareness and skill-building so that students may later return to enjoy the activities with family, friends or on their own.
In-Home Programs In-Home programs are designed for individuals within NISRA's member communities who are in need of interim recreation activities due to conditions that restrict them to their home. The goal of the program is to develop sufficient leisure skills to enable the participant to reintegrate into community activities.
Special Olympics NISRA provides quality Special Olympics training programs in several sports for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Individual athletes and teams compete locally, and in Illinois Special Olympics competition at the Area 2 regional level and the state level.