Specialized Recreation

These programs are designed to give persons with developmental and/or physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in events and activities within the community and surrounding area. Most are suitable for ages 16 and older and include trips, dances, bingo, movie & pizza, dinner club and others. If you or your participant requires an attendant, please contact our office for additional information. 

Volunteers are welcome to assist us in providing these opportunities.  For more information please check out our Volunteer Opportunities page.

Special Olympics

The Thurston County Recreation Services, in cooperation with Washington Special Olympics, offers a variety of individual, team, and unified sports for people with developmental disabilities aged 8 through adult.  Participants will have an opportunity to learn and develop skills, fitness and sportsmanship while participating in a variety of sports. Many are offered seasonally and some offer the opportunity to participate in a Special Olympics competition. 
Athletes must have a current Special Olympics Participation Form on file with Thurston County Recreation Services Department prior to registration in any Special Olympics program. 

Registration Information

All fees must be paid at the time of registration. For your convenience we accept Visa, MasterCard, cash and checks.   
We do not accept phone registrations. 

Thurston County Recreation Services is a registered contractor with DSHS and is able to accept DDD respite funds for payment of activities.  Contact your DDD case manager for information.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you have funds available.  You are responsible for paying any outstanding balances before registering for and/or participating in new activities. 

Partial scholarship funds are available for some programs through Thurston County Recreation Services. Please request a Scholarship Form prior to registration. 

NOTE: All checks returned for NSF will be subject to a $25.00 NSF fee and all future payments must be made in cash, money order or by credit card.

          Participant Profile  
          A current Participant Profile must be on file before participation
          in any program.  A new form must be completed annually.    

          Refund Policy

          Participant Needs

We will work closely with participants on an individual basis to provide reasonable accommodations for all of our programs. However, there may be some trips that are not conducive for people who have limited mobility because of location or logistics. Please call in advance and check with staff to see if the activity will work for you.

We are unable to provide one-on-one attendant care such as assistance with toileting, toilet transfers, feeding, or giving medication at most of our programs.  If you need this type of assistance during program hours you must provide an attendant to be eligible for the activity. In most cases, unless there is an admission fee, attendants may accompany the participant at no additional cost.

*Volunteers are vital to the Specialized Recreation programs.  We encourage parents, care providers, siblings, and students to volunteer. Please call us to request a volunteer application.   Paid positions are available.

        Transportation

Did you know you can travel to most of our programs on Intercity Transit bus routes?   We encourage all participants who currently use Dial-A -Lift services to explore the use of bus routes.  Intercity Transit provides free travel training to anyone who is interested in using bus route services. For free training or for more information contact the Transportation Coordinator at IT at (360) 705-5879.

NOTE - Thurston County Recreation staff arrives 15 minutes prior to the start of each program.