25th annual Day in the Park offers an inclusive day of play

Posted June 04, 2023 11:00 pm

Submitted by Al Benson

On Wednesday, July 19, Fox Valley Special Recreation Association will host the 25th annual Day in the Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles.

This "Inclusive Day of Play" is an opportunity for individuals with and without disabilities to celebrate what makes everyone unique.

The initial Day in the Park event, called "FVSRA All Camp Special Event" started in 1999 with 150 campers to celebrate National Therapeutic Recreation Week and enhance public awareness of therapeutic recreation programs. This year, the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association is anticipating that 1,000 campers with and without disabilities will come from around the Fox Valley region.

Campers attending are from the FVSRA Summer Day Camp and the member agency day camps including the St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Fox Valley, Sugar Grove, and Oswegoland park districts and the village of South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department.

Activities will include a bounce house, obstacle course, slides, games, train, mini-games, live magic and illusion show, treats, and more.

For those campers who need a quiet sensory space, SootheSpace (soothespace.org) will be onsite to provide a safe sensory oasis.

Hosted by Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, with financial support from the St. Charles Noon Kiwanis Club, St. Charles Golden K, Batavia Rotary, Aurora Rotary, Aurora Knights of Columbus, and the the Fox Valley Special Recreation Foundation, this collaborative effort continues to be a highlight of the campers' summer.

If the smiles on the faces of campers, counselors and volunteers are any indication of the power of shared inclusive recreation experiences, the future will continue to provide greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be further included in the community.

A special thank you to the St Charles Park District, St Charles Noon Kiwanis, and Golden K clubs for volunteering for this magical day.

For more information about Day in the Park or other services provided by FVSRA, email info@fvsra.org, call (630) 907-1114, or visit fvsra.org.

The mission of the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association is to empower people with disabilities to participate in therapeutic recreation and leisure which are essential for a rich life. At FVSRA, individuals with disabilities make friends, experience

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