RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING
One of the more charming aspects of life at NECCO Center
is the fact that youth are able to enjoy all four seasons. No matter what time of year,
we work to ensure that our residents are afforded opportunities to participate
in recreational activities geared toward both the child’s needs and the
season of the year. We think of our recreational program as a “work
in progress” and constantly re-evaluate the quality and appropriateness
of events and activities.
Strong programmatic values such as building self-esteem, trust, initiative
building, and team work make what might be taken for granted seem magical to
the MR/DD population.
Year Round::
The C-Club, NECCO Center’s recreation building, includes billiards, computers,
board games, movies, and arcade games. NECCO Center also offers organized sports.
The NECCO Center Survivors team offers residents the opportunity to participate
in basketball in a competitive environment.
In the community, NECCO Center residents have the opportunity to attend university
and high school athletic events, movie theaters, fishing, planetarium presentations,
theatrical presentations, museums, and more.
Spring & Summer Season::
Summertime is a fun-loving and carefree time in the life of a child. Many
of us will take fun family vacations with our own children. The memory
of these experiences last forever. Unfortunately, many children suffering
from mental retardation and/or mental illness do not have such opportunities.
Provided on campus at NECCO Center and within local communities, the summer
program includes, but is not limited to:
I :: Water Recreation :: Focuses first on general water safety and then FUN!
Everything from water balloon battles, swimming, wave pools and more is explored
during this week.
II :: NECCO Nation :: Provides educational but fun opportunities
to experience local Native American cultures from the Southern Ohio and Lake
Vesuvius area. Youth learn how these cultures provided for their food and shelter
in addition to the cultural practices that defined everyday living. Campfires
are built, cultural food is shared, field trips to local Indian mounds are
included, and the week wraps up with Teepee building.
III :: NECCO Nature :: Local nature trails become the venue
for some spirited hiking and bug collecting! Water safety is revisited so that
fishing can be incorporated into the NECCO Nature experience. Youth learn about
types of fish, baiting, and catching fish in our area’s local lakes.
IV :: Bike Club :: Many of our youth have never experienced
bike riding or have not been able to do it for quite a while. We learn Bike
Safety rules and practices and then begin riding around campus! It’s
great exercise and lots of fun for the kids!
V :: Science Club :: Exploration of common science projects takes place during
this week. Youth learn how volcanoes are formed and how they function and potatoes
make energy!
VI :: Drama Club :: Our youth sing, dance, act, write, and participate
in skits. Future endeavors with this activity include set design and
staging.
VII :: Sports Day :: Training begins on-site and then moves
to area tracks where activities such as ring toss, running, broad and long
jump are explored. Sports
day also includes organized team sports including plenty of basketball and
baseball.
VIII :: ADL Programming :: In addition to our regular Assisted
Daily Living (ADL) program, Recreational Programming includes tours of area
industries. Enterprises such as Rumpke Recycling, Heiner’s Bakery, and
the Post Office become learning centers for youth eager to know more about
how their communities operate. Cooking and Independent Living skills are also
addressed from a Recreational Programming point of view.
Summer Program Schedule :: Early June – Mid
September
Recreational Programming is divided into 7-week halves, with
8 activities planned throughout the summer. These activities occur according to a rotating
schedule of 4 activities per youth during each half of the summer. Youth
are divided into 7 small groups so that each one has a chance to experience
as much as possible, including valuable one-on-one time with peers and staff.
The activities take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of each
week.
Chill Day ::
Wednesday is designated as “chill day.” This is a time when youth
are free to do whatever they like within the appropriate context. A special
feature of the Wednesday activities is Journaling. This allows youth to write
about their summer program experiences and highlight their favorite activities.
The journals become part of their “Life Scrapbook” at the end of
their program.
Fall & Winter Season::
Recreational Program Services ::
Recreational Therapy is an exciting new program designed to
enhance the quality of life and skill development for troubled youth with co-occurring
mental illnesses. We accept male youth ages 10-21. Focusing on the importance
of “firsts” in
the life of a child, Recreational Programming combines activities such as
sports, art, journaling, field trips, science, and culture to create lifelong
memories.
In The Works ::
Our Recreational Program is a “work in progress” in
which we encourage our staff to think of creative ways and fun experiences
that many children in the community enjoy daily, and often take for granted.
Our goal is to extend this program beyond the summer season, Future endeavors
include ::
- NECCO Speedway (on-site remote control race track)
- NECCO Nature Trail (including physical activity stations along the way)
- Special Olympics Participation
Want to learn more? Contact us!
115 Private Road 977 | P.O. Box 6 | Pedro, Ohio 45659
Toll Free : 866.99.NECCO Phone : 740.534.1386 Fax : 740.534.1497 www.necco.org
Accreditation
NECCO Center is accredited by COA (Council on Accreditation)
and the Joint Commission. Licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health
(ODMH, Certified Mental Health Medicaid provider). NECCO Center is also
approved as a Medicaid provider in the state of Kentucky. In addition,
we are qualified to care for children from West Virginia, and other states
as applicable.
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