IDD Activities for Special Populations

We look forward to working with IDD individuals more and making this program grow!
To participate in these activities, a person must:
-be diagnosed with intellectual disabilities
-have a significant learning or vocational difficulty

To sign up for these activities by the deadline you can contact:
-Haley Nixon at HRC @ haley@haysrec.org or (785)623-2650
-Visit haysrec.org and sign up online!

We want to thank DSNWK, and The ARC of Central Plains for all their support and hard work, and for making these programs a possibility here at HRC.

IDD activities are designed for any individual, youth or adult, with a mental or physical disability who chooses not to participate in regular Hays Recreation Commission Programs. The IDD Section develops, implements, and evaluates a variety of recreation and leisure programs and special events to meet the interests and needs of children, teens, adults, and seniors with disabilities. Programs are designed to develop, enhance, and/or maintain leisure skills, motor skills, socialization, and overall well-being as well as to promote fun and enjoyment.

We look forward to working with IDD individuals more and making this program grow!

To participate in these activities, a person must:
-be diagnosed with intellectual disabilities
-have a significant learning or vocational difficulty

To sign up for these activities by the deadline you can contact:
-Haley Nixon at HRC @ haley@haysrec.org or (785)623-2650
-Visit haysrec.org and sign up online!

We want to thank DSNWK, and The ARC of Central Plains for all their support and hard work, and for making these programs a possibility here at HRC.

IDD – ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Come join us for a chance to socialize with friends and enjoy ice cream! A variety of ice cream flavors and toppings will be available you just have to make your creation!
Entry Deadline:        April 10
Entry Fee:     FREE
Held on:        Thursday, April 11
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – INDOOR SCAVENGER HUNT
Embark on an indoor adventure with our specially curated scavenger hunt. From sensory exploration to memory challenges, this inclusive activity promises a delightful journey of discovery and camaraderie, ensuring everyone can join in the fun!
Entry Deadline:        April 17
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, April 18
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – CRAFTY CANVAS
Unleash your creativity in this fun class, transforming canvas boards into a personalized masterpiece! We'll craft vibrant and expressive designs by gluing an array of flowers in the shape of your first initial, and then color, paint, and decorate the rest of the canvas!
Entry Deadline:        April 24
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, April 25
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center

IDD – SPAGHETTI SUPPER!
Join us for a delightful evening of spaghetti indulgence and laughter with friends! Enjoy delicious pasta, and engage in friendly competition with simple games like tic-tac-toe, creating lasting memories with every twirl of spaghetti and strategic move on the game board.
Entry Deadline:        May 1
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, May 2
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD - BREAKFAST BINGO
Bring your appetite to Bingo Night! Breakfast food will be served upon arrival, and then Bingo will be played following. Everyone wins a prize before the night is over!
Entry Deadline:        Session 1: May 8
            Session 2: July 17
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Session1: Thursday, May 9
          Session 2: Thursday, July 18
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – BIRD HOUSES
This spring join us for a birdhouse painting class! Unleash your artistic flair as you paint charming birdhouses, celebrating the season's vibrancy, all while enjoying snacks and refreshing drinks to make it an enjoyable evening.
Entry Deadline:        May 15
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, May 16
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – PICNIC PARTY!
Join us for a delightful community picnic at the local park shelter. HRC will provide a main dish along with plates, napkins, and silverware. All groups or individuals that attend are asked to bring a side dish to share, and join for an evening of fun, socialization, shared laughter, and delicious food.
Entry Deadline:        May 22
Entry Fee:     FREE – side dish from each group
Held on:        Thursday, May 23
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       TBD - Outdoors
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – ARCADE 11 SOCIAL!
It’s GAME TIME! Meet us at Arcade 11 in Downtown Hays. Each participant will get “20 tokens” and a fountain drink! We will socialize with friends, play games such as: air hockey, Pacman, Ice-Ball, driving games, basketball shot and much more!
Entry Deadline:        May 29
Entry Fee:     $2.00
Held on:        Thursday, May 30
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Arcade 11
          201 W 10th St, Hays, KS
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

DASH 4 DISABILITIES FUN RUN
This year we will host our 13th annual Dash 4 Disabilities FUN RUN! This run will consist of your choice of a 1-mile run/walk or a 5K run/walk. The run will not be timed, and the proceeds will go to help support the Special Populations programs held by HRC. Our goal is to make it so these programs are inexpensive for our participants. Don’t miss out on this fun event, and a great way to give back and make our community a better place for people of all abilities. Sponsors for this event include DSNWK and HESS Services.
Entry Deadline:        June 5
Entry Fee:     $10.00, $12.00 after the deadline
Held on:        Saturday, June 8
Times: Registration at 7:15 a.m.
          Race begins at 8:00 a.m.
Ages: All Ages
Location:       Front of Hays Aquatic Park
Limitations:    Min. 20

IDD - PUTT-PUTT
Meet us down at Precision Valley for a fun game of putt-putt and socializing with friends! There are snacks and drinks available for purchase at the venue as well.
Entry Deadline:        June 12
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, June 13
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Precision Valley - 1500 West 27th
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD - BINGO NIGHT
Come get your BINGO on with us! We’ll have snacks provided and prizes for our winners! Don’t miss this fun evening.
Entry Deadline:        June 19
Entry Fee:     FREE
Held on:        Thursday, June 20
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
In honor of Independence Day let’s celebrate by making American crafts, and creating a 4th of July cooking project. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate an important day in American history.
Entry Deadline:        June 26
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, June 27
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – STERNBERG MUSEUM – HANDS ON TOUR!
In this class we will meet at Sternberg Museum of Natural History and enjoy a behind the scenes tour, meeting different animals up close and getting to hold snakes, and various reptiles! Ask questions and learn more about what happens at the Museum!
Entry Deadline:        July 10
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, July 11
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Sternberg Museum of Natural History
          3000 Sternberg Dr. – Hays
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – PAINTING AT THE NICHE
Come make your painting at The Niche in Hays! Use it as a gift or keep it for yourself! Instruction lead painting, step by step is provided and assistance for anyone who wants it!
Entry Deadline:        July 24
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, July 25
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       The Niche – 707 Main Street
Limitations:    Min. 8 Max. 30

IDD – FIRE STATION TOUR!
We will tour the NEW fire station and meet some of our local firefighters. We’ll get to see how much gear they put on each time they had out on a call! You’ll get to check out the inside of the firetrucks, and ask questions!
Entry Deadline:        July 31
Entry Fee:     FREE
Held on:        Thursday, August 1
Times: 5:45 - 6:30p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Hays Fire Station –(NEW) Station 3
          1732 W. 41st St.
          Hays, KS
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 30

IDD - BOWLING
Meet us down at Centennial Lanes for some fun team bowling! You can choose your teammate or we’ll find you one when you get there. We’ll see who can cheer on their team the most!
Entry Deadline:        August 7
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, August 8
Times: 5:00 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Centennial Lanes - 2400 Vine Street
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD - PIZZA & A MOVIE!
Come enjoy a pizza dinner and a movie! The movie will be chosen closer to the date! Enjoy time with friends!
Entry Deadline:        August 14
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, August 15
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – CARD BINGO
A different twist on traditional bingo, this game will use playing cards. The first person to get all their cards turned over will bingo. Prizes for all and snacks will be provided.
Entry Deadline:        August 21
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, August 22
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20

IDD – ROOTBEER FLOATS & JEOPARDY!
Come and enjoy a classic root beer float along with a fun round of Jeopardy for entertainment! Take this chance to socialize with friends and enjoy a delicious treat.
Entry Deadline:        August 28
Entry Fee:     $1.00
Held on:        Thursday, August 29
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location:       Leisure Center
Limitations:    Min. 5 Max. 20