Looking for something new? Not sure where to start? Here you will find options from the Calgary Adapted Hub partners that allow participants and families to discover new sports or activities that they may not have previously had access to proper equipment or knowledge of.
Trico – Skill Builders
Program Description:
An inclusive program series that supports the mental, social, emotional, and physical development of children and youth:
help build confidence and foster a sense of belonging
offer extra time to learn and develop skills in a small group setting
introduce support strategies based on individual needs and abilities
Trico Centre’s Skill Builder programs are designed to enhance essential life skills for children through engaging and interactive activities. The Fine Motor Skill Development program (4-6 yrs) focuses on improving hand strength and dexterity, aiding children with everyday tasks like buttoning, drawing, and tying shoelaces. Direction Detectives (6-8 yrs) teaches active listening and following directions using tools like checklists and timers. Anxiety Explorers (6-9 yrs) helps children understand anxiety, identify triggers, and develop coping strategies. Confidence Quest (6-9 yrs) boosts self-esteem through activities promoting positive self-talk and resilience. Friendship Foundations (6-8 yrs) emphasizes building and maintaining friendships with skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving.
Explore our engaging, non-competitive sports programs for children to learn and grow in a supportive environment. Our Skill Builder courses, including FitQuest, Badminton Basics, Rally Readiness, Non-Competitive Basketball, Non-Competitive Soccer, Non-Competitive Volleyball, and Tri-Sport, focus on developing skills, building confidence, and promoting physical fitness through fun and interactive activities. These programs are perfect for beginners and those with limited experience, ensuring every child can have fun while improving their abilities. Join us for an exciting journey where children can burn off energy, learn new sports, and make new friends in a non-competitive setting.
Snap Dance Studios is located in Cochrane, Alberta and offers tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, acro, contemporary, musical theatre, breakdance and many more genres of dance. Our dance studio builds fabulous dancers and exceptional kids, we aim to positively impact kids’ lives and grow them into successful adults.
Seasons: Full year – programs during the school year (Sept-June). Summer camps – programs running over the summer break.
In partnership with Mixed Ability Sport Canada and Calgary Adapted Hub powered by Jumpstart, we are excited to introduce Mixed Ability Sport to Vecova. What is Mixed Ability Sport? It provides a foundation for everyone, no matter their age, disability, gender, etc, to actively participate together, and to share in the benefits that sport brings. Mixed Ability does not mean Mixed ‘disabilities’. The Mixed Ability model focuses on creating a safe, supportive and welcoming space for all individuals in the community and respecting and valuing their diverse backgrounds.
Please Note: This program does not provide one to one support. Should participants require one to one support in order to attend the program, they must come with their own support worker/caregiver. Thank you.
Are you ready for the best Saturday ever? Youth aged 12-17 are paired with volunteers for a super fun afternoon of games, sports and swimming. All abilities are welcome!
Caregivers are not required to stay at Vecova, but must be available by phone during the program.
Seasons: Fall – Spring
Ages: All Ages
Locations: Vecova
Vecova – Children’s Adapted Recreation (CAR)
Program Description:
Are you ready for the best Saturday ever? Children aged 6-12 are paired with volunteers for a super fun afternoon of games, sports and swimming. All abilities are welcome!
Caregivers are not required to stay at Vecova, but must be available by phone during the program.
Our adaptive climbing program is designed to welcome individuals of all ages and abilities to experience the thrill of climbing in a safe and supportive environment. Our expert instructors use innovative techniques and specialized equipment to adapt to each participant’s needs, empowering them to reach new heights and achieve their goals. Join us for a fun and challenging adventure that promotes physical fitness, mental resilience, and personal growth.
Seasons: Fall – Spring
Ages: All Ages
Locations: Vivo for Healthier Generations
MNP Community & Sport Centre – SwimAbilities
Program Description:
SwimAbilities® is a community-based, leveled swimming program geared towards children aged 3-16 with potential physical needs, cognitive delays, developmental delays, behavioral concerns, and/or anyone who may find it difficult to learn in regular lessons (e.g. because of challenges with maintaining focus). It is a learn to swim program with the skills broken down into small achievable steps. A caregiver or aide must be in the water with each participant, which means that all participants receive supervision and one-on-one attention while under the direction of a certified SwimAbilities® instructor. No formal diagnosis is required and everyone is welcome to participate as long as they have a caregiver with them in the water.
Program delivery and skill modifications are designed to maximize learning for participants with various learning styles, sensory needs, communication barriers and cognitive abilities. Participants may begin SwimAbilities® at any level and the goal is to have them swimming as independently and safely as possible while also emphasizing fun!
Ups & Downs has supported individuals with Down syndrome, their parents, families, and friends in the Calgary area for over 30 years. An annual Christmas Party, Teen and Young Adult Conference, and regular events/workshops for children, youth, and adults are just some of the more than 70 programs a year that Ups & Downs runs, offering many opportunities to connect, discuss, and learn from each other and from professionals.
Ages: All ages
Program Dates: All year round
Location: Various locations
Ups & Downs offers a subsidy program for our members to go towards our membership fees and/or our events.
Between Friends
Program Description:
Between Friends is a pan-disability organization providing quality social, recreation and development opportunities. Our programs & services are designed for children, youth, and adults based on age group & interests. Everyone is welcome to participate at Between Friends, regardless of ability, age, gender, race, gender identity, religion or culture.
Ages: 3 and Up
Winter Programs: February – March
Spring Programs: April – May
Summer Programs: June – August
Camp Bonaventure: July – August
Fall Programs: September – November
Holiday Programs: December
Location: Various locations around Calgary and Red Deer
For our members who may be experiencing greater financial barriers, we offer a Fee Assistance program to reduce the program fees. This can be used alongside any other funding members have, including FSCD for Camp Bonaventure: https://betweenfriends.ab.ca/fee-assistance-and-subsidies/
Boccia is a strategic precision Paralympic sport that involves throwing, kicking, or using a ramp with the help of an assistant to propel a soft leather ball towards a target. The possibility to use assistive equipment such as ramps and head pointers allows individuals with a wide range of disabilities to play.
Ages: Youth and Adult
Location: Mount Royal University (825 Mt Royal Gate SW)
Check out our new 10-week program designed with inclusivity in mind for children of all abilities. We truly believe that all children should have access to discover and explore physical activity to enrich their physical literacy through activities they find meaningful. We will include collaborations with community sport partners to showcase adapted recreational activities and sports for all to enjoy! If your child has specific support requirements, please reach out to drylandregisteredprograms@mnpcentre.com
Ages: 5 – 12 Years (all abilities)
Location: MNP Community & Sport Centre (2225 Macleod Trail, SE, Calgary)
Vivo for Healthier Generations – Vivo Preschool-Little Kids, Active Learners
Program Description:
Vivo’s active preschool provides a safe and nurturing environment 3 days a week (MWF-AM or PM), 2 days a week (TTH-AM or PM) where children (3-4, 4-5, 3-5 years old) participate in art, music, physical activity, dramatic play, early literacy, sensory play and more! Throughout the year, from September-June, we will host special events, engage in outdoor activities, and offer intentional experiences that support the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of each child. Throughout the year you will see your child reach social, physical, and academic milestones through play facilitated by educators who are passionate about child development!
Note: Vivo partners with an agency to support families and the classroom with children who have higher needs.
Ages: 3 – 5 Years
Location: 11950 Country Village Link NE
For More Information: guestservices@vivo.ca
Follow Vivo for Healthier Generations on social media: @vivoyourlife
University of Calgary – Adaptive Physical Activity for Kids
Program Description:
At the Adaptive Physical Activity for Kids program, youth will be guided through various activities and experiences that are personalized for them over a series of classes. Participants will be able 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. This class aims to introduce your child to physical activity at whatever level of adaptation (physical or cognitive) is required. The APAK program offers children 6-16 with disabilities the opportunity to gain independence and health benefits in an encouraging and understanding environment. Each child will work one one-on-one with a volunteer, and will be offered a variety of activities to take part in.
This is a 6-week program designed with inclusivity in mind for children of all abilities. We truly believe that all children should have access to discover and explore physical activity to enrich their physical literacy through activities they find meaningful. We will include collaborations with community sport partners to showcase adaptive recreational activities and sports for all to enjoy! If your child has specific support requirements, please reach out to drylandregisteredprograms@mnpcentre.com
The City of Calgary Recreation and Social Programs provides inclusive and affordable opportunities throughout Calgary. We provide a wide range of programming options for all ages including dance, sport, preschool, arts, skating, climbing, fitness, martial arts, day camps, sailing, play, leadership and more. Our programs are designed to be accessible to all abilities at the introductory and entry skill levels.
We also offer specialized Youth and Adult Adapted programming including scrapbooking, goalball, fitness, and strength programs, Sledge Hockey and coming 2025 Wheelchair basketball. We collaborate with the families and the participants living with a disability to create a positive recreational experience.
Programs are offered seasonally (Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall) the majority of our programs range from 6 – 12 weeks in length.
For more information check out the following links:
Mount Royal University: Children’s Adapted Physical Activity (CAPA) Program
Program Description:
The CAPA program pairs student volunteers one-on-one with children who are experiencing disability (of any type, physical, sensory, developmental and or intellectual, ages 4-12 years). Activities include organized games and sports, obstacle courses, craft-making, and story-telling in both the gym and swimming pool settings. The parents of each child involved are asked to fill out a form describing the nature of their child’s needs and any specific goals they have for their child (i.e., verbal, physical, social). Each volunteer is then given this information and over the course of the first few weeks will work to develop a long-term plan to help the child work toward these goals. CAPA runs Saturday afternoons at Mount Royal University with the first hour in the gym and the second hour in the pool. CAPA was founded in Winter 2011 by Dr. David Legg and Dr. Sarah MacEachern in Calgary, AB. It is modelled partially after the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) program at Acadia University, Wolfville NS.
Thanks to support from the Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Fund at the Calgary Foundation, this program is free for all participants.
Not sure which program suits you? We’re here to help. Book a free consultation with an experienced member of our team to discuss your interests and abilities. Together, we’ll explore all options in the city to find the sport or activity that suits you!
