Guelph-Wellington Community Participation Programs

Art

  • Resourceful Me Art Therapy
    Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art as a way for kids to express themselves, share their thoughts and feelings, and practice their problem-solving abilities. In art therapy, there is no right or wrong way to make things because creativity is about self-expression, communication, and connection.

Boccia

  • Boccia Ball - Guelph
    Offered through the City of Guelph, boccia is a Paralympic sport involving strategy and precision. Participants throw, kick, or use an assistive device (usually a ramp) to propel a soft leather ball towards the target. Individuals can play against one another or they can play in teams.

Camps

  • PD Day Camps:
    • City of Guelph – Email Melissa.DeNardis@guelph.ca or call 519-822-1260 x 2606
    • Playsense Activity Centre (Guelph) – Email Playsense@hopewellchildrenshomes.ca or call 226.820.6933
    • Bulldog Interactive Fitness (Guelph) - www.guelphbulldog.com 519-836-3838

 Dance & Performing Arts

  • Creative Dance for Children with Special Needs – Guelph
    Guelph Youth Dance School offers young dancers the opportunity to develop as professional contemporary dance artists. 
  • Fergus – Elora Academy of Dance
    We warmly welcome and encourage students of all ages and abilities to give dance a try. Dance is a wonderful art form and past time that encourages and develops muscle movement and tone, mobility, spatial awareness as well as it having many excellent social benefits. 
  • Move and Groove - Guelph
    This class is designed for youth and adults with disabilities. Participants will get moving to the beat of the music, while exploring various exercises such as Zumba, Yoga, dance and much more!  

Fitness

Hockey

  • Ball Hockey Centre Wellington
    Ball hockey provides an opportunity for children to get out and get active in a team environment. CW Ball Hockey offers outdoor integrated ball hockey programs for participants of all abilities. 
  • Ball Hockey Guelph
    Ball hockey provides an opportunity for children to get out and get active in a team environment. Royal City Ball Hockey offers indoor integrated ball hockey programs for participants of all abilities - all year 'round! 
  • Special Hockey
    Special Hockey teams provide players with developmental disabilities a safe place to play, learn, make friends, and have fun, just like their siblings, friends and neighbours! Players do not need to be able to skate to join and will be grouped according to ability rather than age. 

Martial Arts

  • Elora Karate Dojo - Elora
    Elora Karate Dojo is a traditional school of goju karate, helping students to develop strength, focus and self-confidence in a safe and friendly environment. Karate is a martial art based on principles of self-improvement and personal growth, so students are encouraged to progress at their own pace and work towards achievable goals. 

Multi-Sport

  • Active Start and FUNdamentals – Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener & Waterloo
    Active Start is designed to teach children 3.5-7 years of age with special needs the fundamental movement skills they need to enjoy an active lifestyle such as running, jumping, catching, throwing, kicking, striking, balancing, and body awareness. Program registration cost is able to be covered by Special Services at Home. It is also eligible to receive a subsidy through KidSport and Jumpstart. 

Special Olympics

  • Special Olympics – Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph
    Special Olympics offers a variety of sports programs for individuals 8 years and older who have a developmental disability. Local activities include bowling, swimming, basketball, floor hockey, track and field, curling, and more.
    For more information contact your local chapter:

Music

  • Music Together – Music and Movement Classes for Babies, Toddlers, Big Kids and their Families – Fergus, Elora
    Music Together classes build on your child's natural enthusiasm for music and movement. We'll help you provide your child with the basic musical skills needed to enjoy school and social musical activities, and to study an instrument should he or she choose to do so.
  • Firefly Music Therapy
    Firefly’s music therapy program is facilitated by a registered music therapist who has extensive experience working with a wide range of needs. All of our music programs are therapy based with the aim of meeting non-musical means. No specific diagnosis is required for a child or teen to participate in Firefly’s music therapy programs. We offer 1:1 music therapy, and group sessions. 
  • Music for Children with Special Needs - Guelph
    A music-based program for children with disabilities, focusing on creative expression, communication and social skills. For children aged 5 and up. 
  • Play Who You Are at Rainbow Teen Camp – Guelph
    Rainbow Day Camp and KidsAbility are thrilled to host the Play Who You Are workshop series at tween camp again this summer! This camp will provide teens with special needs the opportunity to connect with their creative side; featuring daily sessions in musical improvisation. Participants will have the unique opportunity to create their own sound and groove with professional musicians and artists. The week will end with a showcase for family and friends. Participants will also have the option to perform with musicians on the Guelph Jazz Festival stage in September. No previous musical ability is required, just an openness to express oneself through music and creative arts.

Rock Climbing

  • Guelph Grotto Adapted Climbing - Guelph
    The Guelph Grotto welcomes people of all abilities to experience the wonderful world of rock climbing! Climbing can be a powerful therapeutic tool as it fosters physical, mental and emotional well-being; it not only engages all muscle groups, but also challenges the climbers mind and is beneficial for cognitive health. 

Skating

  • SkateABLE – Waterloo and Guelph
    SkateABLE™ is a non-profit organization, associated with Trillium Skating Academy, that exists for the purpose of enriching the lives of individuals with physical and developmental disabilities by offering high-quality adaptive ice skating programs in a safe and nurturing environment. 

Social

  • Splash ‘N Fun
    This inclusive environment will engage children in activities, games, crafts, music and sensory play. Finish the day off with fun games and activities in the pool. 
  • Community of Hearts Social Network - Guelph
    Operating 7 days a week, Community of Hearts is a non profit organization in Guelph supporting adults and youth with developmental exceptionalities to achieve success in curriculum-based quality life skills programming, build self confidence and become more engaged in our community as they grow and learn. 
  • Friday Friends - Guelph
    This program is designed for teens and young adults with physical, cognitive and/or developmental disabilities. It provides opportunities to get together with friends to chat, laugh and have fun! Enjoy many exciting trips within the community, events and activities designed to foster friendships and promote social interaction.
  • Live and Learn – Guelph
    Live & Learn Centre focuses on building community and fostering independence for adults with developmental disabilities. Our programs provide unique learning experiences that facilitate growth in independence, self-esteem, life skills and peer-interaction. 
  • Playsense Activity Centre – Guelph
    PlaySense Activity Centre is a fully accessible play centre for individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. Located in the Shelldale Community Centre, PlaySense provides PD Day Camps, March Break Camps, Winter Camps, Summer Camps, Adult Day Program and evening recreational programs. Please contact the program manager at 226-820-6933 or email playsense@hopewellchildrenshomes.ca 

Swimming

  • Adapted Aquatics
    Adapted aquatics is for children and youth with a physical and/or developmental disability who need low ratios or 1:1 support to feel comfortable in the water and to progress in their swimming skills. Participants will be taught by an experienced aquatics instructor with support from volunteers as needed at most locations.
  • Fergus Phantoms Special Olympics Swim Team
    The Fergus Phantoms support a group of about thirty athletes with Special Needs, all varying in age and ability. The Phantoms strive to provide each and every athlete with a positive, safe, and enriching environment. 
  • Firefly Swimming Lessons
    Firefly swimming program provides an opportunity for children to learn basic swimming skills in a safe and supportive environment. Our accessible pool is a welcoming place to practice and grow confident in new abilities. The instructors are patient, knowledgeable, and have experience working with a wide range of needs. This program was designed as an alternative to swimming lessons in a traditional setting. It is intended to be sensory-friendly and individualized. We use a wide range of strategies to develop skills in a positive, fun setting. 
  • Guelph Marlins Para-Swimming Program
    This program is open to anyone who has a physical, visual or hearing impairment. Swimmers will be assessed to determine their swimming skill level and focus will be on progressive skill development, building confidence and endurance. 

Technology / STEM

  • Level Up Kids (STEM) – Guelph
    Level Up is an active, inspiring place filled with friends and friends to be, where real computer science and technology learning is fun. Level Up engages students in supplemental Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, giving them real academic advantage and the skills and motivation they need to succeed in life. 

Wheelchair Sports

  • Shoots and Hoops – Wheelchair Basketball - Guelph
    Shoots and hoops is a program for everyone! This program offers children and youth of all physical abilities and skill levels the opportunity to participate in wheelchair basketball. No experience in basketball or wheelchair sports is necessary, only a willingness to play and have fun! Sport wheelchairs will be provided to all participants.
  • Set. Spin. Smash – Wheelchair Tennis – Guelph
    Set the game up, spin your wheels and smash the ball! Challenge yourself to a game of wheelchair tennis. You don’t need to be a wheelchair user to participate as all sport wheelchairs will be provided to all participants.

Yoga

  • Yoga Wellness Program – Guelph
    Yoga can be incredibly beneficial for children and youth with special needs. These programs provide children and youth the opportunity to develop motor skills, build confidence, social skills, body awareness and self-regulation skills.