IDD Activities for Special Populations
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 2
Entry Fee: FREE
Held on: Thursday, April 3
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
IDD – DIY SHRINKY DINKS
Unleash your creativity with Shrinky Dink art! Design, color, and watch your creations shrink into fun, vibrant keepsakes perfect for keychains, charms, or decorations.
Entry Deadline: April 9
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, April 10
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
IDD – EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Join us for an “Easter Eggstravaganza” where we’ll unleash our creativity by dyeing colorful eggs and decorating festive cookies! Fun, laughter, and holiday cheer are guaranteed for all.
Entry Deadline: April 16
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, April 17
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
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 23
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, April 24
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
IDD – SENSORY JARS
Discover the calming magic of sensory jars! In this hands-on class, you’ll create your own jar filled with glitter, water, and decorations to promote relaxation and self-expression.
Entry Deadline: April 30
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, May 1
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
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 7
Session 2: July 16
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Session 1: Thursday, May 8
Session 2: Thursday, July 17
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
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 21
Entry Fee: FREE – side dish from each group
Held on: Thursday, May 22
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: TBD - Outdoors
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 40
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: May 28
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, May 29
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Precision Valley - 1500 West 27th
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 40
DASH 4 DISABILITIES FUN RUN
This year we will host our 14th 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 Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD) 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, HESS Services, and Papa Murphy’s of Hays.
Entry Deadline: June 4
Entry Fee: $10.00, $12.00 after the deadline
Held on: Saturday, June 7
Times: Registration begins at 7:15 a.m.
Race begins at 8:00 a.m.
Ages: All Ages
Location: Front of Hays Aquatic Park
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 and play games, such as: air hockey, Pacman, Ice-Ball, driving games, basketball shot and much more!
Entry Deadline: June 11
Entry Fee: $2.00
Held on: Thursday, June 12
Times: 5:45 p.m.
A ges: All IDD Individuals
Location: Arcade 11 - 201 W 10th
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 18
Entry Fee: FREE
Held on: Thursday, June 19
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 25
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, June 26
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
IDD – MINUTE TO WIN IT ACTIVITIES
Get ready for an exciting time with Minute-to-Win-It games designed for everyone to enjoy! Compete in fun, quick challenges that will have you laughing and cheering, followed by delicious snacks to keep the energy going. Don’t miss the fun!
Entry Deadline: July 9
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, July 10
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
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 30
Entry Fee: $1.00
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: The Niche – 707 Main Street
Limitations: Min. 8 Max. 20
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 6
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, August 7
Times: 5:00 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Centennial Lanes - 2400 Vine Street
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
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 13
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, August 14
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
IDD – KARAOKE NIGHT!
Sing your heart out at karaoke night, where everyone is welcome to shine on stage! Enjoy snacks, refreshments, and a fun-filled evening of music, laughter, and good vibes!
Entry Deadline: August 20
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, August 21
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
IDD – ROOTBEER FLOATS & TRIVIA NIGHT!
Sip on delicious root beer floats while testing your knowledge in a fun-filled trivia night! Take this chance to socialize with friends and enjoy a delicious treat.
Entry Deadline: August 27
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, August 28
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
