Wildwood Recreation



Wildwood's Recreation Program offers activities for individuals of all ages with learning and other neurologically-based developmental disabilities. While enjoyment of leisure time is one important goal of these activities, it is not the only purpose of recreation. Teaching individuals skills necessary for independence, socialization and accessing community resources is also a key objective. Another goal of recreation is to integrate the participants into the community and to help people in the community better understand the individuals we serve.

Wildwood staff use innovative approaches to provide highly individualized services to children, teens and adults in the various recreational settings. Peer modeling, flexible staffing ratios and family involvement all contribute to the success of the activities.

This site is intended to provide basic information about Wildwood's Recreation Program as well as to share some nice photos that will show what our activities, and Wildwood, are all about. We hope you enjoy your travels with us.

Saturday Rec Information Teen Center Information Adult Rec Information Vacation Information
Saturday Rec Pictures Teen Center Pictures Adult Rec Pictures Vacation Pictures

Saturday Recreation Program

This program, for children ages 5-17, meets on Saturdays twice a month from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Most activities take place in the community - swimming, museums, picnics, skating, and amusement parks, to mention a few. Participants sometimes help with the preparations for lunch, which is provided. The ratio of staff to participants varies from 1:1 to 1:3.
Teen Center
The Teen Center hosts three ten-week sessions at Wildwood School every fall , winter and spring. The participants - 20 teens with disabilities and 20 volunteer peer models from various high schools - choose two courses each session, such as dance, woodworking, cooking, sports and music. During "Canteen" time, a part of each evening, the teens socialize, play games, listen to music and purchase snacks. It's a great opportunity for the teens to have some fun in a program they truly call their own. The peer model involvement is a tremendous advantage of the program. It is sometimes hard to know who is having more fun. The bottom line is they are all winners from the relationships that form. A few times during the year we alter our routine to accommodate special opportunities, such as holiday parties, hayrides, rock climbing, picnics and ball games. The Shaker High School Key Club sponsors an Olympic Night every year for the enjoyment of students, volunteers, staff and families.
Adult Recreation Program
Adult Recreation serves 150 people (ages 18-55), generally in small groups. Participants select from a variety of offerings, including local outings - dinner, swimming, concerts - and activities of longer duration - skiing, visits to Boston, overnight trips. Participants can also register for weekly recreation, such as bowling leagues, country line dancing, craft classes, ski club and mall walking.Their choices come from quarterly "menus" of activities. Every three months, calendars are sent to each adult recreation participant. There are different calendars for different groupings, each with a staffing pattern that is best-suited for the needs of that group. Members pick and choose the activities in which they would like to participate. Some members choose one activity per month while others may choose many - the choice is theirs. Click here to see a sample Calendar of Events.If you would like to see some pictures from recent Adult Rec activities

Vacation Program

Every spring, Wildwood recreation offers a calendar of vacation opportunities that vary in cost, activity level, duration and purpose. Typically, 10 - 15 trips occur each year. Participants select their destination and then assist with the planning and budgeting for that trip. Ski resorts, dude ranches and overnights to Boston and NYC are popular as short vacations. Longer trips have included Disney World, Caribbean cruises, Yellowstone Park as well as Italy, London, Ireland and other international destinations. Staff volunteer their time to accompany the participants, who pay for all expenses in full; no money from other sources subsidize the travelers.
The benefits of this program are tremendous. First and foremost, the trips are intended to be fun and normalized respites from the day-to-day life, something everyone needs. Participants have the opportunity to share vacation experiences similar to their co-workers, friends and family. Participants also learn valuable information about budgeting, long-term planning and commitment. Once on the vacation participants hone their skills with money, time management, cooperation, decision making, and a host of other learning opportunities which arise, one after another. Bonding and friendships naturally occur, and are strengthened during the trips. The benefits of these friendships last for years after the end of the vacation.

Eligibility for Services

Wildwood's Recreation Program serves people of all ages who have learning disabilities and other neurologically-based developmental disorders. Individuals must live within the 13-county Capital District region. Currently, all programs are filled to capacity, but we encourage all interested people to put their name on the waiting list. Openings do occur from time to time, especially with the school-aged programs.
 Fees and Funding
Recreational Services has an annual enrollment fee of $40 to $60. For individual activities, fees representing 30 to 40 percent of the actual cost of services are charged. The remaining cost is covered through Office of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities (OMRDD) grants, county appropriations, and contributions made to the Wildwood Programs Annual Fund.

For more information send an e-mail to Dennis Lake , the Director of Recreational Services.

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