News and Announcements
NSSRA Gators Brought the Heat this Summer
This summer , NSSRA Gators brought some serious heat and competed hard at Special Olympics events , bringing home some hardware to show-off !
So far in 2022 , the Gators have tallied 78 medals and competed in five state tournaments .
🏅 37 🏅 25 🏅 16
The Gator Bowling team faced fierce competition at the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament . Five Gator bowlers secured a first place finish and will advance to the Special Olympics Sectional Bowling Tournament in October .
Earlier this summer , the Gator Green Softball team and an Individual Skills Competition athlete booked their ticket to the Special Olympics State Tournament . The Gator Green softball team went on to win first place at the state level . A Gator golfer also took bronze at the Special Olympics State Tournament . Way to go , Gators !
NSSRA hosted the Therapeutic Recreation Section Volleyball Tournament in October at the Park Center in Glenview . The tournament hosted seven neighboring Special Recreation Associations from the Chicagoland area . The Gators competed hard and welcomed the neigboring teams the Gator way !
As we head into fall and winter , the Gators will compete in basketball , bocce , bowling , powerlifting , swimming , and volleyball .
We invite everyone to come out and cheer on the Gators throughout the year ! For more information , contact Recreation Specialist , Dylan Sams at ( 847 ) 509-9400 x6833 or dsams @ nssra . org .
Adventure Awaits
An NSSRA summer isn ' t complete without trips ! This year , 16 adventurous participants travelled to Camp Wigwam in Waterford , Maine . Additionally , nine participants made their way to Ingleside , Illinois , for some serious fun at Camp Duncan !
Camp Wigwam is an eight-day trip for adults 18 and up , during which participants board an airplane and fly to the East Coast for what has become known as " The Maine Experience ." Days at Camp Wigwam are jam-packed with adventures and activities . Still , the most important thing is that participants learn to work together , forge friendships , and find independence in ways they don ' t get to experience at home .
Camp Duncan is a similar experience for ages 12 through 25 but stays local in Ingleside , Illinois . Camp Duncan offers boating , archery , hiking , team courses , and an indoor Olympic swimming pool . Participants learn independence as they are away from their families for an extended time .
Furthermore , the trip allows NSSRA staff to teach in a very different way from a traditional hour-long weekly program . Everyone is away from their families , enjoying the classic camp experience that so many people appreciate .
NSSRA offers varying length trips throughout the year . Learn more about your next adventure on page 12 !
Enriched Lifestyles for Adults ( ELA ) Puts on Quite a Show !
Enriched Lifestyles for Adults ( ELA ), NSSRA ' s Adult Day Program , hosted a game show for families and staff . There were two showtimes which included fun games , including ELAparody , name that tune , minute to win it games , and more ! Everyone who participated had a great time and the weeks of planning by all participants paid off !
See photos from the game show on page 55 .
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