SRSNLC

Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County (SRSNLC) is an intergovernmental cooperative entity that provides community therapeutic recreation to person with disabilities in the member districts of Waukegan Park District and Zion Park District. As a member of SRSNLC, Waukegan Park District conducts a variety of year-round recreation programs for individuals with disabilities, ages six and older, and assists the Waukegan Park District with inclusion needs. Program options include: social outings, dances, aquatics, fitness programs, art and craft programs, bowling leagues, summer day camps, youth and teen specific programs, virtual programs, and sports teams that compete in the Special Olympics of Illinois.

It is the MISSION of SRSNLC to educate our citizens to become responsible, productive, healthy, and contributing members of our society by preparing them through recreation with a dynamic and caring environment, which excites them and invites them to participate.

SRSNLC on Facebook
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Winter/Spring 2024 Program Guide
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Summer 2024 Program Guide Summer Registration Opens on Friday, April 12, 2024

Meetings and Events

SRSNLC Board MeetingsTimeLocation
Tuesday, July 11, 20239:30amWaukegan Park District
RESCHEDULED: Wednesday, October 18, 20239:30amZion Park District
Wednesday, January 10, 20249:30amWaukegan Park District
Wednesday, April 10, 20249:30amZion Park District
Annual EventsDate/TimeLocation
Waukegan Polar Bear PlungeJanuaryWaukegan Municipal Beach
SRSNLC Annual Valentine DanceFebruaryWaukegan
Recreation Rally
(for Leisure Education Classrooms only)		April/MayWaukegan
SRSNLC Dance at DuskJuneZion
SRSNLC Turkey TwistNovemberWaukegan
SRSNLC Holiday PartyDecemberZion

Special Recreation Programs

Once you are approved for online registration, please contact (847) 360-4760 to inform Special Recreation Staff. Staff will then designate your proper fee code so you are appropriately charged. Please note that Special Recreation Day Camps & Overnight Trips are not available for online registration.

Heart Day Program

The HEART program is currently at capacity. Individuals may still apply at this time. Application will be put on a waitlist in the order they are received.

HEART Program Application (English) HEART Program Application (Spanish)

Sports

The Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County offers several sports that enable participants to compete at the regional and state level Special Olympics competitions. Sports are seasonal. Sports offered include:

Individual: Basketball, Bocce Ball, Bowling, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, and Volleyball

Team: Basketball, Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball

Sports Documents

Fitness

Drumtastic

Pound your way to health in this interactive fitness program at the Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center. Drumming is the newest craze in fitness. Participants will drum to the rhythm while getting a total body work out. Check the SRSNLC Program Guide for more information.

Family Zumba

Zumba combines Latin American music and dance to create one great class that feels more like a party than a work out. We’ll begin with the basics, so everyone can join with or without previous dance experience. Check the SRSNLC Program Guide for more information.

Aquatics

Special Recreation Swim Lessons

Swimming is an essential life skill for safety, fitness and fun! Special Recreation is offering swimming lessons for individuals with disabilities. All lessons are based on the iCan Swim Adapted Aquatics Instruction and WSI Program through American Red Cross but are designed around the individual swimmer. Whether your goal is to just get comfortable in the water, support sensory experiences or become a competitive swimmer, Special Recreation can guide you along the way. Please contact Kari at (847) 360-4763 to complete and initial assessment of you/your child’s current skill level.

Swim Assessment with time preference.
Swim Lesson Pre-Assessment Questionnaire

Swim Lessons (for individuals age 5 and older)
Lessons are 30 minutes and have a maximum group size of 2 swimmers to one instructor.

Special Recreation Staff

Jen
Dumas, CPRP, CPP
Manager of General Recreation & Special Recreation
(847) 360-4762
Kari
Robinson, CTRS, CPRP, CPP
Recreation Supervisor, Special Recreation
(847) 360-4763
Maria
Owens
Recreation Specialist, Special Recreation
(847) 360-4764
Kelsey
Benson
Recreation Program Coordinator, Special Recreation
(847) 360-4767

Get Involved with Special Recreation

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Application

Inclusion Information

Waukegan Park District is committed to meeting your unique, individual leisure needs. If you feel you/your child are in need of inclusion services, please contact Kari Robinson at (847) 360-4763 to start the process of assessment.

Waukegan Park District-Special Recreation will determine inclusion service needs based on an Inclusion Assessment it conducts. Inclusion will be determined on a case by case and program by program basis. Each request is unique and is determined individually. Please contact Kari Robinson at (847) 360-4763 to have you or your child assessed to determine if they qualify for inclusive services and to determine how quickly services can be coordinated. Special Recreation staff requires two weeks to set up appropriate services for the participant.  Typically, assessments can take up to one week.  Once the assessment is complete, it typically takes an additional week to arrange for inclusive services. Please be aware not all personal care needs can be met by the district.

GLASA

If you are seeking competitive and recreational sport opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities or visual impairments, contact the Great Lake Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA). GLASA provides a variety of sports and recreational programs for youth and adults who have a primary physical or visual impairment, such as swimming, wheelchair basketball, soccer for the blind and other recreational activities. Adaptive equipment is included. For further information, please contact Cindy Housner at (847) 283-0908.