Check Out Our New Family Resources Section
NSSRA's full-time team has put together several resources to support participants and families at home. Click the links below for offline activities and pre-recorded programming, a collection of social stories to help participants understand COVID-19, resources and more. Need a little extra support or a sounding board? We're here to help! Click the staff support option and make an appointment with one of NSSRA's recreation managers or specialists. These pages will be updated regularly with additional resources.
 
Register for Virtual Camp
Last week information about virtual camp was sent to participants and families who registered for camp in 2019 or 2020. If you did not register for camp one of the last two summers but would like information about virtual camp, email Recreation Manager Blair Hill at bhill@nssra.org . The registration deadline for virtual camps is Friday, May 22.


Please note: participants and families registered for Camp Duncan and Camp Wigwam will be notified of any potential changes by the end of June.
With both one-on-one video calls and virtual group programs available, we have plenty of options for you to stay connected with #teamnssra and your friends! Click the links below to sign up:
Our next three-week session of virtual programs will begin Tuesday, May 26; check next week's email for sign-up information.
Need help with the tech-side of signing up for or joining virtual programs? We've got you covered! Click the videos below to learn how to sign up for virtual programs on our website, and then how to join them via Zoom.

We also put together a couple printable handouts, for both NSSRA and ELA programs, for you to organize your Zoom IDs and passwords. Download here.
Video programs and calls are conducted over Zoom, a free app that can be downloaded on your phone, tablet or computer.  Click here to download Zoom.

We may be staying at home for a bit, but there’s no reason we can’t get outside and enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

Even better, join us for our pre-race kick-off party too! Taking place Friday, May 15 at 2:00 pm, we’ll be creating signs, decorating our race bibs and more!  Register here.


What is a virtual fun run, you might ask?  A virtual run is a race that can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. You can run, jog, or walk on the sidewalk, on the trail, on a treadmill or on a track in your neighborhood. You get to run your own race at your own pace! Run or walk on your own, or with a quarantine buddy.

We are encouraging everyone to wear an ELA Fun Run t-shirt from past years (if you have one), or something colorful! Take a picture of yourself walking or running your 1 mile or 5K, and then tag us on social media or send it to  ncuttell@nssra.org . We are excited to share as many photos as possible of everyone on their virtual walk/run! Participants who send in photos will be emailed a certificate of completion.

All of that said,  we would love to have you join us for our seventh annual ELA Fun Run! Everyone is invited!
Join us for a Bus Parade!

NSSRA's fleet of buses are breaking out to see you! We really miss all of you, our participants, families and communities, so we're coming through to say hi on Sunday, May 17 and Sunday, June 14.


Join us with special guest instructor Katarina Simko, dancer extraordinaire, as she teaches us a basic dance routine. Together we will learn the moves, enjoy the music and stay active at home!

Don't forget to follow us on  social media ! We are posting new videos, activity ideas and more each day, and we'd love to see your faces pop up in the comments!

Community Resources
For those of you that miss NSSRA's Music Speaks program with Music Speaks, LLC, check out their free, weekly livestreams on Thursdays! Join Music Speaks Music Therapy each week at 6:30 pm for an interactive music session with a board-certified music therapist! Wind down from the day and learn new techniques to use at home each and every day.

You can view these videos anytime on the Music Speaks Youtube Channel, as well as follow all events and announcements here .
Join A.B.L.E.’s teen ensemble for a reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic comedy, "Comedy of Errors," about mistaken identity! Beginning Monday, May 18, the ensemble - 20 young adults with Down syndrome and other developmental differences - will release a new episode each week, filmed entirely over Zoom.

A.B.L.E. (Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations) is a Chicago nonprofit that creates theatre and film projects for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental differences. Click here for details.

If you've run across a great virtual resource for participants with disabilities and their families, we'd love to hear about it! Email info@nssra.org and share it with us!
Have you followed us over on Instagram , Facebook or YouTube yet?

Every week we're posting new activities, workouts, storytime readings, games and more! Have you joined in on NSSRA Bingo yet? Print or screenshot the card linked below, cross off what you have been up to and email your completed card info@nssra.org for your entry to weekly drawings. Send us your submissions by tonight (Thursday, April 30) and you'll be entered to win an NSSRA giveaway tomorrow! Or, enter for next week's drawing.

ELA Fun Run (VIRTUAL)
Friday, May 15

Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games (CANCELLED)
Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14
Cancelled per Special Olympics Illinois
Shining Stars Awards & Recognition Banquet (RESCHEDULED)
Friday, October 30, 2020
Originally Friday, April 24, 2020
We will communicate further updates as we have them. With questions or for more information, please contact Recreation Manager Blair Hill at bhill@nssra.org .
U pcoming Board Meetings

Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 pm
This meeting will be held virtually.

Monday, June 8 at 7:00 pm
This meeting will be held virtually.

Thursday, June 11 at 10:00 am
This meeting will be held virtually.