ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness
ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness provides water based therapy and exercise programs at several facilities throughout the region.
This directory is a resource to be used to assist you in finding leisure and recreation that best meet your interests and support needs. Once you find a program of interest, please contact the provider to learn more about availability and registration requirements.
Recreation Council’s Tips to Find a Program That’s Right for You
ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness provides water based therapy and exercise programs at several facilities throughout the region.
Your child with special needs is welcome at Super Swimmers Academy. We pride ourselves in seeing each child’s ABILITIES first. Skills, movements, strokes, communication techniques, and behavior strategies will be modified and adapted to meet your child’s needs. Super Swimmers Academy offers year-round swimming lessons in the St. Louis, MO area.
At Little Fishes Swim School, we provide a safe, fun environment that nurtures your child’s comfort in and love of the water. Our unique class curriculums are built on the latest research and are customized for each stage of your swimmer’s development. Whether your kiddo is fearful of the water or loves to splash but needs water safety, we have the perfect class for them!
The Center, located at 5200 Berthold Ave. in St. Louis, is a unique venue with an expert staff of physical and occupational therapists where people with disabilities can exercise, receive assistance continuing their post-rehabilitation training and participate in recreational activities. Participants can utilize the Center for as long as they want and build a lifetime of health and wellness.
We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gyms was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. As the only kids gym that offers an inclusive philosophy we have found all children can benefit from our uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders. However, in our experience, all children are able to benefit greatly from this equipment and by allowing children of all ability levels to play together they are able to learn a great deal from each other and become the best motivation for success on every level.
Fenton, MO: 2075 Bentley Plaza Dr, Fenton, MO 63026, 636-529-8282
St. Ann, MO: 10513 St. Charles Rock Rd, St. Ann, MO 63074, 314-733-9787
Youth with Autism – Come run with Washington University’s Bear Cubs Running Team! The Bear Cubs’ Fall season runs from September — December and the Spring season from February — April. Contact us by sending us an email at washingtonuniversity@stepaheadrunning.org.
Francis Field on the
campus of Washington
University in St. Louis
Our mission is embodied in the words ‘We Nurture Health Esteem,’ a holistic approach that fosters physical, social and emotional development in young athletes. Whether your child’s gymnastics path is competitive or recreational, they’ll be a welcome part of the Spirits family. We’re located in Sunset Hills and serve young athletes in and around the St. Louis South County area.
Circus Harmony teaches the art of life through circus education. We work to build character and expand community for youth of all ages, cultures, abilities and backgrounds. Through the teaching and performing of circus arts, we help people defy gravity, soar with confidence, and leap over social barriers, all at the same time.
The Special Needs Soccer Association, SPENSA, is a Not-for-Profit, St. Louis-based soccer program for young people with disabilities. This program is open to any boy or girl with a disability, ages 5-21. It is designed to bring the excitement and fun of playing soccer to players who traditionally have not had a place in the youth soccer system. Games are normally played at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park. The park is located at I-270 and Highway 44. SPENSA is free of charge.
KEEN empowers youth with disabilities by providing free, non-competitive one-to-one programs of exercise, fitness and fun, led by volunteer coaches.
The Florissant Area Athletic Association’s Spirit League offers baseball and soccer programs for children whose physical and/or cognitive limitations prevent them from participating in a typical league. Open to children and young adults 6-21. A buddy system is employed for participants that require assistance while playing.
Florissant Athletic Association
1175 Wiethaupt Rd, Florissant, MO 63031
St. Louis Challenger Baseball is a baseball league for individuals 5 years and older with developmental disabilities. Teams play other teams with similar skill levels.
Special Olympics runs year round athletic training and competition for children and adults with disabilities designed to build self-confidence, self-esteem, improve coordination, and greater social relationships. Volunteer coaches give their time to facilitate a variety of sports available throughout the year at various locations in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County.
The St. Louis Arc Leisure Services Dept. offers a variety of recreational and leisure programs for youth, teens and adults. Activities include individuals and team sports, leisure and socialization activities and respite. Through participation in St. Louis Arc’s programs, individuals are engaging in self-satisfying experiences that contribute to achieving a healthy leisure lifestyle.
Our programs introduce both youth through age 21 to adapted sports and fitness activities that promote physical fitness, self-confidence, family values, and a positive, team-building environment designed to encourage personal growth throughout all aspects of life. We serve people with physical and hearing disabilities. We grow the sport and fitness ability of everyone from non-competitive athletes to paralympians.
Formerly the Gateway Locomotives, this specialized ice hockey program is for youth and adults with developmental disabilities. Play the sport of ice hockey in an environment that is adapted to the level of ability which the athletes are able to participate. Play occurs at the Centene Center in Maryland Heights, MO.
Centene Community Ice Center
750 Casino Center Dr,
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
www.facebook.com/gatewaylocomotivesspecialhockey
MDWSA was created for the betterment of adaptive water skiing and the disabled athlete in response to a need in the community for an organization that will focus its energy and resources to professionally develop, organize, promote, and provide a comprehensive program of adaptive water skiing for those with physical and developmental disabilities, visual impairments, and special needs.
Cycle St. Louis is a partnership of organizations and individuals committed to building an inclusive cycling community in the St. Louis metro area. We create cycling opportunities for people with disabilities where people of all ages and abilities ride together and promote the benefits and joy of cycling.
Here are a few more cycling resources for those who want to enjoy the sport of cycling:
Superstars Cheerleading is an acrobatic gymnastics team for children ages 6 and older of ANY and ALL abilities including mobility issues.
Chances Pride Acro Gymnastics
827 Midpoint Drive
O’Fallon, Missouri 63366
Personal Trainer, Stephanie Hoffman, pushes you to your limits with individualized Cross Fit personal training sessions. This program serves people with disabilities in St. Peters, St. Charles, O’Fallon, Wentzville & Surrounding areas in MO. Training sessions occur at the Cross Fit locations in St. Charles County
Stephanie Hoffman, Lead Trainer
spectrumfitmo@gmail.com
2001 Trade Center Drive
St. Peters, MO 63376
Jose Jones, owner and therapist, is ready to show you how to box for fitness and self-improvement. He uses the skill of boxing to teach self-esteem skills, of setting personal goals, or just plain having fun while learning the art of boxing.
Jose Jones
1227 North 2nd Street
St. Charles, Missouri 63301
HEART is an acronym for Health Enrichment And Resource Training. We offer free personal skill classes to adults with developmental disabilities on topics such as cooking, nutrition, exercise, personal hygiene, relationships, and problem solving. Individuals attend with their caregivers as needed.
Continuing Education is the non-credit program for ages 16 and older who want to improve their lives through education. Enjoy experiential, life-long learning in a diverse, inclusive community with courses continually evolving for an ever-changing world. College For Kids is our summer day camp program for youth in grades K-8 which happens on our Meramec Campus. We provide engaging, impactful summer learning opportunities that span varied skill levels and student interests that provide a week of exploration that kids absolutely love. Access Office services provide accommodations for those with disabilities.
Florissant Valley Campus – North County St. Louis
Meramec Campus – Central, West, and South St. Louis
Forest Park Campus – City Campus
Our Continuing Education division offers a wide variety of non-credit classes for all ages including arts, crafts, computers, music, recreation, dance, fitness, sports, theater, language and more. One of our latest developments is a series of cooking, photography, and We also offer specialized classes designed for those with disabilities. Browse our class offerings here. In the summer, we have a huge “College for All Kids” day camp program for youth ages 3-16.
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.
St. Charles, Missouri
The St. Louis Jewish Community Center (The J) is a multigenerational gathering place, offering a variety of programs and services for the St. Louis Jewish community and the community at large. We welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths. The J provides educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building and recreational programming on its campuses in Creve Coeur, Chesterfield and at Camp Sabra, located at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The J is an inclusive agency that welcomes people of all abilities. We host wonderful weekend friendship and enrichment programs for both children and adults with disabilities. Persons of all abilities may participate in any agency program where a suitable match exists, pending eligibility and the successful procurement of any needed supports. The J remains committed to including all persons, as fully as possible, in all agency programs. Contact Shamecka Nichols, 314-442-3295
Staenberg Family Complex
2 Millstone Campus Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
Marilyn Fox Building, Chesterfield
16801 Baxter Road
Chesterfield, MO 63005
The YMCA offers a wide variety of programs for adults and youth, including sports, swimming lessons, swim teams, break camps, special events, a 12-week inclusive summer camp for children, and integrated school-age child care. Financial assistance is available to reduce the membership fee for low income families and individuals. Additional supports are provided for children with disabilities at the summer camps at no charge. To learn more about specialized services, call the Inclusion Services Department. For additional program information, contact your local YMCA location.
Visit Your Branch for Information: Locations
314-436-1177
www.facebook.com/GWRYMCA
Our facility is an ideal playground for children with special medical needs, siblings and friends. Year-round classes and activities are free for children of all abilities and their families. We offer everything from golf to fishing to yoga for toddlers to teens.
11365 Dorsett Road
Maryland Heights, Missouri, 63043
Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) is a nonprofit 501(c)3, year-round instructional sports program that provides athletic and social opportunities to kids with special needs. The purpose of the program is to help build self-esteem and skills in children with special needs.
Designed to promote the integration of young people with cerebral palsy and related disabilities into sports activities. Activities are supervised by physical therapists or other individuals who are trained to adapt activities to the individual participant and continuously monitor each child’s progress.
CAMP INDEPENDENCE: One week of summer day camp for youth that includes baseball, basketball, martial arts, dance, tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball and adaptive cycling. Participants receive specialized attention from pediatric therapists in sports programs designed to challenge campers’ activity levels, aerobic fitness, strength and balance in a safe, fun and rewarding atmosphere.
TRI MY BEST TRIATHLON: Usually held in September, this annual event challenges youth complete up to 3 events including swimming, running, and cycling. Modifications are made based on ability.
314.454.5437 or 800.678.5437 or email us.
One Children’s Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Recreation & support group for school age youth to make friends and enjoy new experiences in the community. Groups meet one Saturday a month throughout the school year, and take an exciting summer challenge trip.
LifeBridge Partnership responds to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities by impowering them through Recreation Therapy in their community. They provide a variety of events including physical fitness, shopping, bowling, eating out, swimming, day camps, break camps and movies. Our summer day camp serves youth through age 18, and up to age 21 if still in school.
OASIS promotes healthy aging through lifelong learning, active lifestyles and volunteer engagement. Our vision is to see that adults age 50 and older in St. Louis have opportunities to pursue vibrant, healthy, productive and meaningful lives. Together as friends, a large goups, consisting of individuals with developmental disabilities and volunteers, goes out and about in the St. Lousi area to enjoy community programs and develop new skills. Some of the programs enjoyed by this group include taking classes, attending ballgames, going fishing, watching performances at the Muny, visiting health fairs, and playing bingo.
Tandem Adventurers is a unique tandem cycling team for children 10 years and up who are visually impaired. This group enjoys weekly rides each season from April through September where participants are teamed up with trained captains to enjoy friends and the freedom that cycling offers , and even a big year-end challenge for those who demonstrate the readiness to participate.
The MDC manages state outdoor recreation areas and offers free educational programs for all age groups on topics like fishing, wildlife, plants, hunting, birds, conservation and more. We operate a number of our conservation and education centers in the metro St. Louis area to share our love of nature and the great outdoors.
Swim Theory offers small group classes, private lessons, and semi-private lessons for all ages and ability levels. They teach proper swim technique and evaluate strokes using a mounted camera system.
Emerge EveryOne is a group workout program designed specifically for exercisers with intellectual disabilities. We offer these classes once per week free of charge. We also offer individualized fitness training at our gyms in St. Charles and Wentzville, MO.
920 Hemsath, Suite 100
St. Charles, MO 63303
info@emergefitnesstraining.com
1231 Wentzville Parkway, 63385
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Everyday, BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports and summer programs to youth while also providing a safe place for children to learn and grow. The Clubs now serve St. Louis youth at ten locations across St. Louis City & County, & two locations in St Charles County.
St. Louis, MO: 314-335-8000
Mathews-Dickey Club, St. Louis: 314-382-5952
www.bgcstl.org
St. Charles: 636-946-6255
O’Fallon: 636-240-9150
www.bgcstc.org
Gateway Tykes on Trykes is a group of local Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapists along with local families dedicated to providing adapted tricycles to children in the St. Louis area and surrounding communites by raising funds for and assessing for, proper fit of the AmTryke® therapeutic trike to children & others who are otherwise unable to ride a regular bike.
Facebook Page: Click Here
We offer swimming, weight lifting, boxing, basketball, youth football, volleyball, aerobics, arts and crafts, and additional activities for the citizens of St. Louis City.
A Coordinator of Inclusive Recreation assists parks and recreation departments by including people with disabilities into existing programs. The Coordinator’s role is to work with the participant, family members, teachers and the recreation program staff to ensure appropriate and individualized accommodations are provided. Serving Mid-County: Cities of Clayton, Maryland Heights, University City & Webster Groves. Inclusion Coordinator at 314-290-8507
(314) 290-8507
50 Gay Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
A Coordinator of Inclusive Recreation assists parks and recreation departments by including people with disabilities into existing programs. The Coordinator’s role is to work with the participant, family members, teachers and the recreation program staff to ensure appropriate and individualized accommodations are provided. Serving North County: Cities of Bellefontaine Neighbors, Bridgeton, Ferguson, Florissant, Hazelwood & St. Ann.
(314) 839-5575
8969 Dunn Rd
Hazelwood, MO 63042
A Coordinator of Inclusive Recreation assists parks and recreation departments by including people with disabilities into existing programs. The Coordinator’s role is to work with the participant, family members, teachers and the recreation program staff to ensure appropriate and individualized accommodations are provided. Serving South & West Counties: Cities of Ballwin, Brentwood, Crestwood, Des Peres, Ellisville, Kirkwood, Manchester & Sunset Hills.
(314) 835-6157
1050 Des Peres Rd.
Des Peres, MO 63131
A Coordinator of Inclusive Recreation assists parks and recreation departments in St. Charles County by including people with disabilities into existing programs . The Coordinator’s role is to work with the participant, family members, teachers and the recreation program staff to ensure appropriate and individualized accommodations are provided. Challenges to inclusion do exist, but through open communication and the willingness to work cooperatively, successful inclusion can happen. Serving the St. Charles Cities of St. Charles, O’Fallon & St. Peters.
(314) 359-9970
Inclusion Coordinator, Brita Weight
Use these handy guides to help you in the search for a program that best meets your needs:
Recreation Council’s Summer Camp and Program Tips 2021
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability Camp Guide
Call the Recreation Council to talk to your Area Coordinator
Peggy Welker – St. Louis County – 314-726-6044 ext: 103
Carol Callahan – St. Charles County – 314-726-6044 ext: 104
Mindy Davis – St. Louis City – 314-726-6044 ext: 105
Mailing Address: PO Box 209 Jonesburg, MO 63351
Program site: Summit Church, 927 E. Terra Lane, O’Fallon, MO
The Albert Pujols Wellness Center for Adults with Down Syndrome is the first of its kind in the St. Louis area and helps fill a growing need for wellness services for adults with Down syndrome. Patients ages 17 years and older receive a comprehensive physical and are referred to various services focused on nutrition, exercise, safety and social/emotional well-being. The center offers classes on various topics including yoga, music, fitness, performing arts, plus caregiver classes and programs. This service complements the patients’ regular visits with their primary care physician for other medical issues.
St. Luke’s Hospital
232 S Woods Mill Rd
Chesterfield, MO 63017
314-576-2300
We assist individuals with significant physical and cognitive disabilities to participate in endurance events such as marathons, races, walks, and runs. Through participation in endurance events, Ainsley’s Angels aims to build awareness about America’s special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life, by promoting awareness, providing education, and participating as active members in local communities.
Ainsley’s Angels of America
PO Box 6287, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Don’t see a program that meets your interest? Tell us more, and we can help find a program that fits.