Recreational/Leisure/Arts Activities & Instruction

The GPYHA/RI Special Needs Hockey program offers Learn to Skate/Instructional Hockey for children age 4 to young adult with Down Syndrome, Autism, or any other developmental disability.

Ice sessions are held Saturday mornings at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, RI, starting in late October and ending in March. No previous skating experience is required; enrollment is open throughout the season.

The program is open to any boy or girl who is physically able to play, but would be unable to participate in any other organized program due to his or her developmental disability.

Special Olympics Rhode Island hosts over 40 statewide tournaments and competitions each year in 21 official and demonstration sports.

• Young Athletes (age 2-7) Information
• Unified Sports Program and Unified Champion Schools Information
• Healthy Athletes Program Information
• Interested in joining? Eligibility Information 

The mission of Special Olympics Rhode Island is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

All training and competition opportunities are provided free of charge to the athletes and their families, enabling everyone to experience the benefits of Special Olympics that extend well beyond the playing field. Special Olympics was created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Special Olympics Rhode Island is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities.

Best Buddies Rhode Island offers One-to-One Friendship and Leadership Development programs – positively impacting individuals with and without disabilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

One-to-One Friendship Program Information

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In 2018, BBMA and BBRI merged in an effort to combine resources to ensure continued growth and increase opportunities for expansion in both states.

Programs include:

• Classes
• Group lessons
• Gear loan program
• Gender discussion group (ages 14-18)
• Youth "Drop In" 

Youth Rock Camp: is an intensive one-week day camp offered to youth ages 11-17, where campers of all skill levels have the opportunity to learn guitar, bass, drums, vocals, or other instruments. Campers will also form a band, write an original song, and perform at the final Showcase for friends, family, and fans!

Girls Rock! Rhode Island is a volunteer-based non-profit that uses music creation and critical thinking to foster empowerment, collaborative relationships, and the development of healthy identities in girls and women.

AS220 Youth is a free arts education program for young people ages 14-21, with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state. 

AS220 Youth Studio is closed at this time due to pandemic. Information 

AS220 Youth is a nationally recognized, award-winning after-school educational program and creative incubator for young people. Serving young people ages 14-21 with a special focus on those in the care and custody of the state, the program strives to dismantle the pipeline to prison by empowering  at-risk, beyond-risk and incarcerated youth through arts, culture and collective action.

Provides classes based in musical exploration. Kindermusik focuses on these developmental areas: Language, vocal, cognitive, gross motor, fine motor, social emotional, and musical development.

Online Locator: Find a Kindermusik class near you.

National internet-based locator

There are two locations in Rhode Island

https://aceingautism.org/locations/newport-ri/

https://aceingautism.org/locations/east-providence-ri/

Group Warm-Up
Hand-Eye Coordination
Volleys
Ground strokes
Group Games

Each week participants will work on different fundamentals of the game of tennis. Participants will have an opportunity to increase their social skills through taking turns, working in teams, and following instructions.

We will provide rackets and all equipment. Participants should wear athletic clothing and sneakers and bring water. We ask that parents/caregivers be responsible for assisting with any toileting or self-care if necessary.

Our programs focus on science, health, and developing life skills.

About 4H

• Community Clubs
• Project Clubs
• Individual Memberships

Example of Programs

• Animal Projects
• Science and Technology
• Healthy Living
• Leadership and Life Skills
• Fairs

Get Involved

Youth participating in 4-H activities have opportunities to offer positive contributions to our diverse and changing society.

RI 4-H is the youth outreach education program of Cooperative Extension in the University of Rhode Island’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences.
4-H offers opportunities for Belonging – young people don’t just join 4-H. . .they belong!

Christina DiCenzo , 4-H Program Coordinator

401-874-9412 – cdicenzo@uri.edu