Skip to Content

Font Size

Caring for Kids Year-round Programs

Caring for Kids Programs Caring for Kids Programs Caring for Kids Programs

Caring for Kids offers the folllowing programs on an ongoing or regular basis throughout the year.

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a program designed to be fun and engaging for youth of any age or ability level. Program meets the third Saturday of each month  and is conducted in a safe, encouraging, and nonjudgmental environment. Each art therapy session will focus on a different theme and will enable participants to experience and work with a variety of materials and art media. In addition to developing one's creative expression, Art Therapy fosters problem-solving skills, positive self-esteem, increased self-awareness, socialization, cooperation, and team building.

There is no fee, however Caring for Kids requires a $30 deposit to join. Youth are expected to attend at least eight of the twelve classes within a session in order to have the deposit refunded to them. If a participant does not attend a minimum of eight classes, the deposit is forfeited.

Boccia

Bocce is an official sport of the Paralympics, and is an activity that can be enjoyed by persons of all ages and by people with a wide variety of disabilities. This game can develop or increase range ofmotion, hand-eye coordination and strategic planning. Bocce is a fun game that can be played by persons at any skill level and it’s easy to learn and easy to play!

Karate

The RIC/Thousand Waves Karate for Kids Program provides adapted Seido karate for kids focusing on peaceful conflict resolutions and self-defense. Karate emphasizes a progressive development of strength and aerobic capacity. Children learn to focus their minds and build their spirits.

Karate is offered on Sundays following Yoga. Like yoga, the Karate program follows a 5-week session format. Karate is from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Drucker Center.

All karate class participants must be registered with the Caring for Kids Program.

There is no fee, however Caring for Kids requires a $30 deposit to join. Youth are expected to attend at least three of the five classes within a session in order to have the deposit refunded to them. If a participant does not attend a minimum of three classes, the deposit is forfeited.

Yoga

In 2005, Caring for Kids teamed with Yoga for the Special Child to provide yoga instruction to youth in the Caring for Kids Program. Yoga techniques are safe and therapeutic and help to enhance strength, flexibility, and balance. Breathing exercises and relaxation techniques help to improve concentration. Yoga is held year-round on Sundays at the Menomonee Boys and Girls Club's Drucker Center in Chicago.

Yoga classes run in 5-week sessions with 2-3 week breaks in between each session. There are two classes offered on Sundays. The first class is from 11:00 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. and the second class is from Noon - 12:55 p.m.

All yoga class participants must be registered with the Caring for Kids Program.

There is no fee, however Caring for Kids requires a $30 deposit to join. Youth are expected to attend at least three of the five classes within a session in order to have the deposit refunded to them. If a participant does not attend a minimum of three classes, the deposit is forfeited.

Scuba Diving

RIC's Caring for Kids Program has partnered with the Diveheart Foundation to offer Caring for Kids participants the chance to learn scuba!  Through the Caring for Kids Program, teens with physical disabilities are welcome to participate in any Discover Scuba indoor pool session offered from January through May with the possibility of being invited to experience diving in open water at the annual trip to the Florida Keys in June.

Teens can participate recreationally or study to achieve a PADI open water certification.

The Diveheart Foundation provides and supports educational SCUBA diving and snorkeling experience programs that are open to any physically impaired child or adult in the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person. It is the CAN DO spirit that the Diveheart Foundation hopes to instill in all its participants.  Giving them the confidence and independence that allows them to face their own life challenges and overcome barriers that before might have seemed insurmountable.

Registration

Registering for Caring for Kids programs is easy! Simply follow the directions for enrolling into the Caring for Kids Program (this page will open in a separate window) or found in the Registration panel to the right. Once enrollment into the Caring for Kids program is complete, youth will be able to register to participate in these and other Caring for Kids programs offered.

Upcoming Sports and Fitness Events

To learn more about any upcoming event, call 312-238-5001.

NOVEMBER

NOV 15:  Caring for Kids: Yoga and Karate Fall Session II Begins

NOV 18: Caring for Kids Thanksgiving Day Event

NOV 20: Caring for Kids: BNO/GNO Teen Night

NOV 20-22: RIC Blackhawks at MWSHL League Tournament, St. Louis, MO

NOV 21: Caring for Kids: Art Therapy

NOV 21: RIC Boccia Practice

NOV 26-27: FITNESS CENTER CLOSED - Happy Thanksgiving!

DECEMBER

DEC 4: Caring for Kids: Horseback Riding

DEC 5-6: RIC Bears Quad Rugby Tournament, Addison, IL

DEC 11: Caring for Kids BNO/GNO Teen Night

DEC 13: Caring for Kids Holiday Party

DEC 16: FITNESS CENTER CLOSES AT 2 PM

DEC 16: Fitness Center Member Holiday Party

DEC 19: Caring for Kids: Art Therapy

DEC 19: RIC Boccia Practice

DEC 19-20: RIC Hornets Wirtz Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, Skokie, IL

DEC 21-23: Caring for Kids: Holiday Break Camp

DEC 24-25: FITNESS CENTER CLOSED - Happy Holidays!

DEC 27-28: Chicago Sports Festival, McCormick Place, Chicago

DEC 28: Chicago Sports Festival/RIC Boccia Tournament, Chicago

DEC 31-JAN 1: FITNESS CENTER CLOSED - Happy New Year!

Click here for a complete listing of upcoming events and programs...

Caring for Kids Registration Forms

In order to participate in any Caring for Kids program, please fill out and submit the following forms (forms will open in a new window):

Registration Form

Medical Form

Insurance Waiver and Release of Liability Form

Send completed forms to:

RIC Sports

Caring for Kids Program

710 North Lake Shore Drive, 3rd Floor

Chicago, IL 60611

Once your forms are received, you will have the opportunity to register for individual events and programs.

 

Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files. You can download Adobe Reader for free if you don't already have it installed on your computer.

Caring for Kids Program Flyers

All program flyers will open in a new window

Caring for Kids Program Fact Sheet

Karate

Yoga

Horseback Riding

 

Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files. You can download Adobe Reader for free if you don't already have it installed on your computer.

 

Page Updated Thursday, October 08, 2009