Recreation, leisure and community participation

You can learn more by searching in your local community, online or by connecting with your local ASD support group. 

Minnesota state parks and recreation has information on 75 parks and recreation areas to explore statewide. Minnesota state parks preserve the most scenic and historic areas in the state. They offer a variety of facilities, services, and outdoor recreation opportunities. State parks are well developed with modern facilities, but the degree of accessibility varies from park to park.

• Find information on permits and licenses for people with disabilities.
• If your vehicle has been issued Minnesota disability license plates or a rear-view mirror hang tag, or if you have a Federal Access Pass, you can get a reduced rate special annual vehicle permit with proof of disability and proof of vehicle ownership.

Adaptive opportunities are available to people with disabilities. Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages these accessible campsites, lodging, hunting, fishing and more. Find fun, health and wellness opportunities being offered by local cities and county for youth and adults. Activities include sensory friendly events, drama classes, music classes, camps, swimming, sports and more.

Let Kids Play! lists accessible playgrounds and programs.

The Autism Society of Minnesota maintains a directory of recreation and leisure opportunities and sensory-friendly events.

Children of all abilities and needs should have room to play and explore their world and surroundings. It’s important with development and human right for children right. Providing a backyard as a sanctuary for children with special needs is a helpful guide to get you started.

Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis offers sensory-friendly programming.

The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime.

Their mission is to:

• Provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities.
• Promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues.
• Promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families.

Find a Miracle League in your area.

Boys and Girls Clubs of MN has a commitment to promoting safe, positive and inclusive environments for all. Clubs offer programs to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Programs include sports and recreation, arts, education, workforce readiness and more.

YMCA of MN is committed to strengthening individuals and communities across the state of Minnesota. From early learning to job training, the Y offers programs and services that support people at every stage of life to strengthen communities across the U.S. Find a YMCA in your area.

Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community. They aim to build a culture that accepts and welcomes every single person regardless of ability or disability. They are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time. 

Special Olympics Minnesota (SOMN) trainings and competitions happen all year in locations across the state. They offer 16 Olympic-style sports. As a result, SOMN has something for you, whatever your age or skill level. 

Through sports, our athletes celebrate their abilities, not their disabilities. Their world opens with acceptance and understanding, while becoming confident and empowered by their accomplishments. They make new friends, joining the most inclusive community on the planet—a global community that’s growing every day. See the Special Olympics MN website for upcoming events.

Many communities sponsor their own sensory friendly events, respite events, walks and other activities throughout Minnesota. Visit the community education, support groups or advocacy groups in your area to learn about local events in your own community. 

Planning Trips for Children with Autism, published by Simmons University is a resource lists with important questions to ask about the readiness of new spaces and offers strategies for planning trips for people with ASD, such as bringing sensory blockers like headphones to crowded destinations. It also includes a trip-planning PDF to help parents get ready for short and long trips with their children.

Packing and other travel tips:

• If your child is on a special diet, make sure to pack enough food for meals and snacks throughout the trip.
• If you can’t bring food along, request allergy specific meals for flights or search for specialty grocery stores and restaurants along the drive that will meet their dietary needs.
• Book nonstop flights to avoid layovers, which add additional transitions and can be unpredictable. Also, request to board early to avoid the rush.
• Bring comfort items or sensory fidgets. Noise cancelling headphones can also be helpful in large crowds or noisy environments. Sounds machines can help people fall asleep in unfamiliar places.
• Write your name and cell phone number on the inside of your child’s clothing or have them wear an ID bracelet in case you are separated.

Having a child with special needs can make travel intimidating. Navigating MSP Program helps ease the anxiety with free, monthly practice runs through the airport. A partnership between the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Fraser, and the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM), this program will allow you to:

• Experience TSA security
• Explore the terminal
• Board a plane and meet a pilot
• Prepare for takeoff
• Gather helpful tips, info & resources

Register online for an upcoming Navigating MSP event.

Download MSP Airport's Navigate MSP app - for Androids and iPhones. Interactive content helps you or your family get ready for travel through MSP Airport.

View information from the TSA on traveling with disabilities and medical conditions.

You can also read the Navigating MSP social stories now:

• • For children (PDF)
• • For new travelers (PDF)

The AuSM also helped MSP Airport develop Staying Safe at the Airport (PDF), a social narrative for travel guidelines at the airport during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. This guide walks through protocols at the airport for wearing masks, social distancing, cleaning procedures, hand sanitizer and more.

Anyone with a disability or traveling with a person with a disability can contact the TSA Cares Helpline. TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. Call 72 hours prior at (855) 787-2227. This service is available at ALL airports in the United States.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower organization to bring its Sunflower Lanyard program to MSP. Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around you including staff, colleagues and health professionals that you have a hidden disability, and you may need additional support, help or more time. Learn more about Hidden Disabilities and Read the FAQs.

Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. Since 2007, Can Do Canines has trained Autism Assist Dogs to help provide security and peace of mind to families with children with autism. When in public, the child wears a specially designed belt that connects the dog’s pack to the child while an adult handles the dog’s leash. If the child attempts to run (a common behavior for children with autism), the dog becomes a gentle, steady anchor to keep the child safe until the adult can get the situation under control. 

For many of these children, being out in public places is overly stimulating and causes ‘meltdowns’ due to sensory overload. Families now can go out and enjoy a meal in a restaurant, or go to the mall, with less concern that the child will become overstimulated, meltdown or try to run. Autism Assist Dogs also act as a social buffer, so when people talk to the child about their dog it encourages the child to interact and practice verbal skills. Learn more and apply for an autism assist dog.

With a severe shortage of respite care providers in Minnesota, many schools, faith-based and community organizations have started to organize and host their own respite events for children and families. The Minnesota Department of Human Services is providing this information as a public service and does not sponsor or monitor these events hosted by community agencies or organizations.

Here are a few recommendations to get started planning a respite night at your organization.

• Partner with other similar or like-minded organizations in your community to host together
• Identify a champion in the community who will lead the initiative. This might be a parent of a child with special needs, a youth director or counselor or anyone that is passionate about providing respite opportunities
• Find a location to host the respite night. The size of your space will determine what activities you can offer and how many children you can serve
• Determine if you will offer the services for free, by donation or for a small fee
• Identify volunteers to help plan and facilitate the respite night
• Determine which ages you will accept. If you can, also offer to accept siblings of the child with special needs as well so it can be a true respite for parents and caregivers
• Observe or shadow an existing respite night to experience what one is like before you prepare for your own event

Another option would be to host event for the parent or caregiver and also provide respite care during that event. For example, having a dinner, dessert or movie night for the caregiver to attend while their child is being cared for in the same building.

Setting up the space

Try to locate a free space to host the event or utilize a community room for a lost cost. Many organizations, such as a library, church, school, fitness or community center, may be willing to their space if you let them know what the purpose of the event is.

Ensure that the space is safe and that there are locks on the doors to prevent children from eloping. Also put up gates or block off access to areas with food or medication or other supplies that may potentially be harmful to the child.

What costs are involved?

• Food for snacks/ meals
• Toys, games, crafts, activities: ask for donations and shop at second stores
• Optional: space

When to host your event and for how long

If you can, host a respite night a few times a year. Especially over the summer when schools are out ad some day care providers are on vacation, a respite night would be a welcome opportunity for the family to take a break and recharge.

Plan for the event to be about 3-4 hours long. This will allow enough time for a family to run errands or go have a meal but is also not a huge time commitment for your volunteers.

Recruitment and registration

Create a registration form and have families RSVP by phone or e-mail. If you can, try to set up registration online or electronically. Set up a directory of families who have signed up so you can reach out to them again for future events. Have the family complete an intake form with basic information on the child, including name, age, and emergency contact. Also have them list out any allergies or special diet considerations, medical conditions and a few of the child’s strengths and needs. It is also helpful to include what activities or characters they like to play with and calming techniques that may be helpful. Also have them sign a liability form. Having a picture of the child on file is also recommended. This file can remain with you and can be updated as the child and family attend additional events in the future.

Advertise the event on social media, on flyers throughout the community and at local playgrounds, schools and day care settings.

The night of, have families check-in and place a name tag on their child. Pair the child up with a 1:1 volunteer based on their level of need. Make sure they check-out at the end of the night as well.

Volunteers

You may already have volunteers at your organization. If you need to recruit additional volunteers in the community, consider reaching out to these organizations or groups:

• Scouts
• Sports teams at local schools
• National Honor Society at local schools
• Youth groups or small groups at faith-based organizations

Word of mouth is also great. Ask a volunteer to reach out to their friends and family to recruit additional people. You could also have previous volunteers right up a testimonial of what to expect and share that resource on your website or with prospective organizations who may be unsure if they are equipped to volunteer.

You will want to set up a leadership team of volunteers that are trained and are able to help out others. This team could include:

• Community champion facilitating the event
• Registered nurse
• Hall monitors or people posted at doors/ exits to watch out for any children who might elope
• Police officer or security guard (optional)

Others:

• Enough volunteers to pair up with each child with special needs 1:1 and the siblings as well if you can. Ask the volunteers what level of experience they have and pair up based on the child’s level of need. Create a system to make it clear what the child’s level of needs are and who they should be paired up with. These colors can be placed on the child’s name tag, as well as the volunteers.
• “Floating” volunteers who can help step in and assist with a child if needed or are available to hang out with the siblings.

One example might be a color-coded system.

Red: The child has high needs, requires constant 1:1 supervision and should be paired with an experienced volunteer

Yellow: The child has moderate needs, requires frequent supervision and should be paired with a volunteer that has some prior experience.

Green: The child has low level needs and does not require full time supervision. These children may not need to be paired up with a volunteer the entire time.

Training and orientation

You may want to set up a training or orientation for your leadership team ahead of time and then plan a short training for volunteers on the night of. Give them a tour of the rooms so they are familiar with what is available. Describe to them some of the special needs they may see and how they can help to support that child. You could prepare this information in a brief slide show or put in a packet as well.

Resources

Grace Church Respite Nights – A special thank you to Karen Anderson and DeAnn Hopper for all their invaluable insight and recommendations on organizing and hosting a respite night.

Joni and Friends Minnesota – Based in Hopkins, MN, this Joni and Friends location works with local churches and organizations to provide outreach programs that reach individuals and families affected by disability in our community.

Highland Friendship Group in St Paul provides social activities, skills development and community connections for teens and adults with disabilities.

University of Minnesota Social Skills and other therapy services: The University of Minnesota Autism and Neurodevelopment Clinic offers several evidence-based treatment groups throughout the year, including groups to address social skills, making and keeping friends, anxiety, and transitioning to adulthood.

Autism Society of MN (AuSM) offers year-round social skills classes and camps for youth, teens and adults with autism.

Tech for Teens Club is a series of workshops designed for kids with disabilities to help gain exposure to Technology, Engineer and Math concepts in a comfortable and inclusive setting. We learn about coding video games, websites, 3D printing, and robotics through hands-on activities.

Bridging Hearts is online social network created to connect young adults with learning differences. Activities are available to meet online friends. Bridging Hearts will provide and maintain a supportive community where everyone feels valued.

Project Explore is a Community Education program designed to serve adults with physical and developmental cognitive disabilities by encouraging inclusion in community activities and providing customized learning, social and recreational opportunities. Project Explore serves Minnesota cities south of the Twin Cities metro including Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville, Randolph, Rosemount and Savage.

Access Services seeks to build community and friendships by providing opportunities to learn new skills and to explore areas of participants' interests. Customized classes are designed for adults (18 and up) with developmental disabilities who are interested in community-driven learning and enrichment opportunities through the Minneapolis Community Education program.

The Autism Society of Minnesota hosts summer camps. AuSM camps are tailored for youth and adults with autism. Parents and caregivers can rest assured knowing that their campers are being cared for by highly trained, experienced staff, while campers make memories that last a lifetime.

PACER Center compiles a list of Inclusive Recreation, Adaptive Sports, and Summer Camps.

PACER’s EX.I.T.E Camp empowers middle school girls and students of other marginalized genders with disabilities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). EX.I.T.E. Camp provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for fun, hands-on learning, as well as; a place to meet new friends and creative lasting memories.

Academy of Whole Learning offers a wide range of academic, recreational, and social skills programs for students entering grades K-12 with Autism Spectrum Disorder and individual learning needs.

Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch Day retreats are designed to connect families with one another and provide an easier way for new families to check out Ironwood without an overnight commitment. Parents need support from an understanding community who are facing the same challenges. Siblings need time with peers who are going through a shared experience. Children with autism need understanding and a safe environment to experience the freedom to be themselves. Each retreat emphasizes experiential learning, providing the space to work on social development and interaction, motor function and sensory integration. Overnight camps have many of the same elements of the day retreat extended with overnight stays!

Drama Interaction Inclusive Performing Arts has camps geared towards building confidence and self-esteem all while discovering their imaginations in pretend play. PCA'S, Caregivers, Parents are always invited to attend and participate if their child needs 1:1 assistance. Waivers are accepted for programs.

Erik’s Ranch and Retreats provides safe and unequaled living, working, social and recreational environments for young adults with autism, using its guiding principles of lifelong learning and individual community building. They’re committed to giving these individuals a rewarding life on their own terms, experiencing dignity, compassion and the joy of continuing possibility. At Erik's Ranch & Retreats people from all over the world, and sometimes right next-door, stay in one-of-a-kind guest accommodations for business and personal travel. Members proudly live and work on site–offering boutique style accommodations in Edina, MN, and Ranch accommodations in Livingston, MT.

Look for other camp or recreation opportunities being offered in your local community by searching:

• Community education catalogs
• Community recreation centers or gyms (e.g., YMCA)
• Park boards and chamber of commerce
• Facebook and city bulletin board groups
• Faith based organizations
• Libraries, nature centers, etc.

Search activities such as sensory friendly events, drama classes, and music classes, Lego, chess, camps, swimming, sports and more. Request to attend with your child or bring a PCA, therapist or aid if needed. Also ask if they accept waiver or grant funds.

Confidence Learning Center provides year-round outdoor educational and recreational experience for people of all ages with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Located in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota, confidence Learning Center is open to all ages.

The programs at Confidence Learning Center are aimed at promoting self-confidence and self-esteem and the necessary skills to become full, contributing members of society. The campers achieve this through active “hands-on”, activities and participation in a variety of outdoor experiences. The staff can provide activities in outdoor education and recreation that are not or cannot be offered in their local setting. Over the years, thousands of individuals have experienced personal growth while participating in educational programs which include archery, cross country skiing, canoeing, and fishing just to mention a few. 

True Friends is a nonprofit organization providing life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities. Programs include camp, respite, retreats, team building, therapy and adaptive riding, and travel, serving over 25,000 individuals annually. With locations near Maple Lake, Annandale, Eden Prairie and Bemidji, we serve individuals in Minnesota and throughout the United States.

Camp Ihduhapi helps boys and girls (ages 7 to 17) of all backgrounds and abilities to build integrity, self-reliance and leadership. With a convenient location, just 30 minutes from Minneapolis, Ihduhapi is a great option for first-time campers. Their progressive skill development, adventure programs and leadership development keep kids coming back, year after year. Their 175-acre wilderness paradise offers swimming, canoeing, hiking, archery, arts and crafts, campfires, and more!

Swimming lessons are important for everyone but especially autistic individuals because they:

• Reduce the risk of accidental drowning.
• Reduce anxiety and fear of the water.
• Build coordination, balance and strength.
• Aid in sensory integration
• Bring enjoyment and increased opportunity for social interaction.

SwimPossible in Minnetonka provides safe, calming and fun lessons that are customized for students who need a gentle approach to learning how to swim. Their method incorporates current swim techniques and elements of water therapy to help students quiet their minds and feel how their bodies move in the water. SwimPossible does not focus on diagnoses or labels. They teach swimming to students of all ages who are not served successfully by traditional lessons, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, ADHD, Down’s Syndrome, and other sensory and learning differences.

Clownfish Swim Club provides adaptive swimming programs through the Metro area of Minnesota. The mission of the Clownfish Swim Club is to provide a swim team environment for children and young adults with disabilities. Their goal is to promote healthy advancement through physical, social, emotional, recreational, and cognitive development.

Foss Swim School personalizes the learning for each student based on the student’s level of comfort, learning style, and personality. Their method personalizes a learning path for each student by breaking down the basics into simple parts: enjoying water, floating, flipping to breathe, and the standard strokes.

Check with your local community center or community education classes for adaptive swimming opportunities. Many programs may offer the first lesson for free so you can see how you or your child responds in that environment.

Important questions to ask or things to consider when selecting a program:

• Do they offer both group and individual lessons?
• Do they offer flexible scheduling options in case you need to cancel or make up a lesson?
• What training and experience does the instructor have? Having a patient and knowledgeable instructor is vital.
• What are the goals of the program and how progress will be tracked?
• What are the class sizes like?