Adaptive Programs

Active Living at the University of Calgary offers a comprehensive range of Adaptive Programs to cater to individuals with diverse abilities and needs. These inclusive and empowering programs are carefully crafted to promote physical activity, foster a sense of community, and provide opportunities for personal growth. Whether it's adaptive classes, recreational sports, or one-on-one programming, participants can discover a supportive environment that embraces their unique journey, allowing them to explore movement, build connections, and achieve their wellness goals. With a commitment to accessibility and innovation, Active Living's Adaptive Programs aim to inspire and transform lives, ensuring everyone can experience the joy and benefits of an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

Adapted Sport & Recreation Summer Camp

Come discover your abilities! This camp is centred upon giving youth with disabilities the opportunity to explore various adapted sport, recreational and leisure activities. Different programs from the Calgary area provide the opportunity for each camper to experience a trial of the adapted physical activity programming they offer throughout the year. Campers get to challenge themselves physically through activities such as: yoga, gymnastics, dance, boccia, karate, tennis, sledge hockey, cycling, swimming, VOLT Hockey and a variety of wheelchair sports like basketball and fencing. Please note that the described activities are subject to change and are presented as examples only. Campers also get to explore their creative side through arts & crafts projects in between activity sessions. The goal of this camp is to increase each camper’s confidence in their ability to participate in school and community programs. This camp is offered in partnership with the Vi Riddell Pediatric Rehabilitation Research Program and The Calgary Adapted Hub Powered by Jumpstart.

UCalgary Youth Programs does not provide intimate & personal care for participants. Those cares include any toileting needs, feeding, dressing, changing continence pads (faeces/urine), washing intimate parts of the body, changing sanitary wear, delivering medication such as insulin, or other personal hygiene activities. Participants who require this level of care must provide their own personal aide/support. 

The Adapted Sport & Recreation Summer Camp run by The University of Calgary is a Calgary Adapted Hub Powered by Jumpstart program. The Calgary Adapted Hub is a collective of 12 Calgary-based organizations, including UCalgary's Active Living. The Calgary Adapted Hub is committed to providing quality inclusive and accessible sport and recreation programs for all children in Calgary. To ensure our programs are achieving this goal, our team is evaluating the impact of this program on aspects of health and wellbeing, quality of life, economic impact, and social inclusion. Our study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB18-0292) and Mount Royal University’s Human Research Ethics Board (102684). Once you are registered in the program, a qualified member of the CAH research team will contact you, providing you information about the study so you may make an informed decision about whether you would like to take part in the program evaluation. You can learn more about the Camps & Programs Research Study and the Calgary Adapted Hub by clicking on the links. If you would like to reach out to the CAH research team please contact Leticia Janzen at cah.research@ucalgary.ca or 403.955.5736.

This camp is designed for youth who have a disability. To ensure the best possible experience for your child, we recommend you register your child in the camp based on their developmental age rather than their chronological age to ensure they have the best social experience possible. 
 
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Adaptive Physical Activity for Kids

At the Adaptive Physical Activity for Kids program, youth will be guided through a variety of activities and experiences that are personalized for them over a series of classes. Participants will have the opportunity to develop fundamental movement skills and may choose to participate in learning sport specific skills relating to soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and dodgeball. All abilities are welcome and all skills will be adapted and modified as needed by our volunteers who will be partnered with a participant for the term. The goal of this class is to introduce your child to physical activity at whatever level of adaptation (physical or cognitive) is required. The APAK program offers children 6-16 years old with disabilities the opportunity to gain independence and health benefits in an encouraging and understanding environment. Each child will work one on one with a volunteer, and will be offered a variety of activities to take part in.

For more information please email Arsalan at akhawaja@ucalgary.ca

UCalgary Active Living is a founding partner of the Calgary Adapted Hub and Jumpstart supports this program as a community partner. As part of this partnership the Calgary Adapted Hub is completing a research study to understand the impact programs, such as our summer camp, have on the physical activity, participation, quality of life, and the overall health and wellbeing of our registrants. You can learn more about the Camps & Programs Research Study and the Calgary Adapted Hub by clicking on the links. Our study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB18-0292). After you register for this camp a qualified member of the research team will contact you to provide you more information about the study so you may make an informed decision about whether you wish to participate in the research. If you have any questions about this research opportunity please feel free to contact our Research and Knowledge Translation Coordinator Leticia Janzen at 403.955.5736 or apacamp@ucalgary.ca. 
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Beast Mode

“Beast Mode Fitness" is an exercise program for male and female teens/young adults with autism who want to learn how to become more physically active in their lives. The program seeks to provide motivated individuals with the opportunity to learn about personal fitness, health and well-being by building self-confidence through goal development and achievement. 
Beast Mode is a 12 week program offered in a private gym here on the U of C campus. The first session consists of a standard fitness assessment to determine baseline fitness levels. We also discuss goal setting. Based on your experience and goals, the head trainer will design a safe and effective, 12 week training plan to meet your needs - focused on strength development, aerobic conditioning, as well as flexibility and balance. The program is monitored and progressed based on feedback each session.
Each session will be lead by a U of C certified trainer with assistance from volunteers provided from the University through Better Impact. Although a ratio of 1-to-1 is our goal, ratios will be subject to volunteer numbers.
Classes for 18yr + and 17yr and younger
 
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Super Stars 1:1 Coaching - Adaptive Gymnastics [Calgary]

This program is designed to introduce children with disabilities to the sport of artistic gymnastics. Each week, gymnasts will work one-on-one with a member of our coaching staff, moving through various circuits in this semi-structured class. Coaches will adapt activities for their participant, creating an environment conducive to meeting the personal learning and developmental needs of each individual. All participants will be assisted through the session to achieving their own personal best as a gymnast.

Open only to children with disabilities ages 4+ requiring 1:1 coaching. 

To register, please contact the Gymnastics Centre directly to complete the programs intake process.
Email: gymnast@ucalgary.ca 
Tel: 403-220-7010

This program is sponsored by Calgary Adapted Hub powered by Jumpstart 
 
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Super Stars 2:6 Group Coaching - Adaptive Gymnastics [Calgary]

Our small group program is designed to serve as both an introduction and bridge program for children with disabilities to the sport of artistic gymnastics. Gymnasts will participate in a structured circuit-based program in an environment conducive to their unique needs and goals. Each group will consist of a small group of coaches and athletes, allowing the space and time for coaches to adapt and modify circuits. Through the session, coaches will design class specific lesson plans, aimed to meet each child where they are at, while assist each individual as they working towards their personal goals as a gymnast.

Open only to children with disabilities ages 6+ requiring small group coaching.

A coach will be provided for each low ratio class; all parents/aids are asked to remain in the hallway during class.  If special circumstances are required, please contact the program coordinator at 403-220-7010

To register, please contact the Gymnastics Centre directly to complete the programs intake process.
Email: gymnast@ucalgary.ca 
Tel: 403-220-7010

This program is sponsored by Calgary Adapted Hub powered by Jumpstart 
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Super Stars Drop-in - Adaptive Gymnastics [Calgary]

Only open to children with disabilities, these drop-in times are designed with low ratios, allowing children with disabilities and their grown-up/helper access to come and explore the Gymnastics Centre.

Please note, this is not a structured class. Each participant is required to provide their own 1:1 support to attend.

Participants are invited to come and discover our environment in an unstructured way. This time allows each participant the space and flexibility to use the equipment and space to aid in their learning, experiences, and development.

A member of our coaching team will be present and available to offer ideas, adaptions and access to additional equipment, supporting the participants needs and goals. 

One adult is required to actively participate at all times to assist the participant during drop-in. Additional unregistered children, including those in car seats, carriers, strollers, baby-wearing devices or independent, may not be brought into the gymnastics centre during this time and can not be left unsupervised outside the gym. 

Should you feel you have an unique circumstance, please contact gymnast@ucalgary.ca. Any exceptions must have written authorization prior to registration. 
 
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Adaptive Paddling Programs

Spend a summer evening learning to canoe on Bowness Lagoon! These sessions are centered upon giving participants with physical and/or cognitive disabilities the experience to participate in various adaptive watersports. Participants and their friend, family member, or aide will learn the basics of paddling with one of our trained instructors while building their skills and confidence on the water. Lessons will occur at Bowness Park Lagoon in Calgary, Alberta. We will also have pedalboats available if participants are not comfortable in a canoe.
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