Youth with disabilities can find summer fun & structure with Club Rec.

From art and cooking to swimming and academic enrichment, there's plenty of summer fun to be had for youth of all ages and abilities at Club Rec.

Milwaukee Recreation's Club Rec. program provides affordable summer care and activities for students with disabilities ages 3 to 21 and their siblings from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. All students receive free lunch. Club Rec operates June 29 to Aug. 7 at four locations conveniently located throughout Milwaukee: Clement Avenue School, Congress School, Elm Creative Arts School, and Hamilton High School.

"We gear our morning a little bit more toward education, and our afternoon is full of recreation …," said Milwaukee Recreation therapeutic recreation supervisor Laura Mooney. "We love to get the kids involved in any kind of recreation program and help them have a great summer where they can be safe and be themselves."

Students enjoy a diverse lineup of activities and lessons such as science, math, reading, cooking, gym class, aerobics and yoga, swimming, art, and field trips. Club Rec. can accommodate students of all ability levels including wheelchair users, students with limited mobility, and those who are tube-fed, Mooney said. 

"We will not just have someone sitting off to the side. We will give them hands-on [experiences]. We will do hand-over-hand. We will make sure that they are part of all the activities we're doing," she continued.

Kim Hoffman discovered Club Rec. after searching for a summer program that would provide her son Xander with the same socialization and learning opportunities he receives during the school year. 

"We found Club Rec., and it sounded just perfect," Hoffman said. "A place with lots of professionals who know what to do with him but also peers and friends that he could play with and have structure in the summer."

Club Rec. employs numerous attentive and caring instructors each summer, many of whom have experience as paraprofessionals or teachers or are working toward a career in the healthcare field. All staff are held to high standards of safety, with a focus on fostering an inclusive, positive, and engaging environment. 

"They have activities, field trips, and everything planned," said Club Rec parent Tiara Hall. "They have an agenda for the day, so [my daughter] is not just on a tablet or doing one thing."

The routine and structure provided by a program like Club Rec. can be especially beneficial for students with disabilities, providing a sense of predictability and security that supports independence and emotional regulation. Students also appreciate the strong friendships they build during the summer. 

"I like learning new stuff to make and then going home and doing that stuff we learned and showing my dad new things," said Club Rec. participant Taliyah Hannah.

"I enjoy going on field trips," said Patrick Dawkins, another program participant. "I enjoy playing kickball here sometimes, and I enjoy cooking here."

Parents also value the patience and individualized attention Club Rec. staff show each participant.  

"They're going to work with you and your family," Hall said. "They're going to have constant communication with you if you have any concerns or questions. Then, also, your child is going to be engaged and having fun throughout the program."

Interested families can also contact Milwaukee Recreation at Therapeutic [at] mkerec.net or 414-647-6065.