| Community-Based Leisure Activities for Youth (CLAY) Molding Students with Special Needs toward a Lifetime of Fitness |
But if I Cannot Win, Let me be Brave in the Attempt." |
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model for exceptional students who can benefit from educational instruction in the community. Students included are those who are on
Special Pupil Progression Plan (working toward a special diploma) and those students with autism for whom skill development in the
community is a priority educational need. Students participating in CLAY practice skills in their school classroom before applying and
mastering these skills in community settings. CLAY is a program that emphasizes developing skills and knowledge that are needed for
students to successfully participate in community recreation and leisure activities and also serves as a training venue for Special Olympics.
Mission
The mission of the CLAY program is to provide leisure activities that encourage students’ fitness in community settings. To meet this goal,
CLAY has two primary areas of focus. The first is individual fitness, and students are taught to utilize leisure activities to attain and
maintain fitness. The second area of focus is on building community partnerships that foster participation of special needs students outside
of school hours. Becoming a member of the larger community is an important goal for students with special needs to achieve. Leisure
activities provide an ideal venue to increase community involvement. In CLAY skills needed to participate in many leisure activities are
taught and practiced during school time and are then generalized into a community setting. Partnerships will be formed between the CLAY
program and community sports clubs and other organizations. These partnerships will include both in-school and out-of school activities.
Unified Partner Sports Program
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an initiative that combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and athletes
without intellectual disabilities (called Partners) on sports teams for training and competition. Age and ability matching of athletes and
Partners is defined on a sport-by-sport basis.
The CLAY Program and Special Olympics Unified Sports Programs provide athletes with the opportunity to:
Training Partner Program
training with the student after school and taking him or her to a community event. Parent participation with the community partner is also
strongly recommended.
Special Pupil Progression Plan (working toward a special diploma) and those students with autism for whom skill development in the
community is a priority educational need. Students participating in CLAY practice skills in their school classroom before applying and
mastering these skills in community settings. CLAY is a program that emphasizes developing skills and knowledge that are needed for
students to successfully participate in community recreation and leisure activities and also serves as a training venue for Special Olympics.
Mission
The mission of the CLAY program is to provide leisure activities that encourage students’ fitness in community settings. To meet this goal,
CLAY has two primary areas of focus. The first is individual fitness, and students are taught to utilize leisure activities to attain and
maintain fitness. The second area of focus is on building community partnerships that foster participation of special needs students outside
of school hours. Becoming a member of the larger community is an important goal for students with special needs to achieve. Leisure
activities provide an ideal venue to increase community involvement. In CLAY skills needed to participate in many leisure activities are
taught and practiced during school time and are then generalized into a community setting. Partnerships will be formed between the CLAY
program and community sports clubs and other organizations. These partnerships will include both in-school and out-of school activities.
Unified Partner Sports Program
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an initiative that combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and athletes
without intellectual disabilities (called Partners) on sports teams for training and competition. Age and ability matching of athletes and
Partners is defined on a sport-by-sport basis.
The CLAY Program and Special Olympics Unified Sports Programs provide athletes with the opportunity to:
- learn new sports
- develop higher-level sports skills
- have new competition experiences
- experience meaningful inclusion (each athlete is ensured of playing a valued role on the team)
- socialize with peers and form friendships
- (the initiative provides a forum for positive social interaction between teammates and often leads to long-lasting friendships), and
- participate in their communities and have choices outside of Special Olympics. Unified Sports programs often are initiated by school
sports teams and clubs, community partners, including parks and recreation departments, and community sports organizations.
These partnerships help further include athletes in their community.
Training Partner Program
training with the student after school and taking him or her to a community event. Parent participation with the community partner is also
strongly recommended.
- Basketball
Bocce
Bowling
Cheerleading/Dance
Volleyball
Footsteps to Fitness
Softball
Pep Band
Environmental Education Activities
Track and Field
Tennis
Facilities
Currently the following facilities are utilized for CLAY activities:
- Dade Street Community Center
Jack McLean Community Center
Lafayette Park Community Center
Leon County Schools
Palmer Monroe Community Center
Many thanks to our current partners and contributors:
Disc Golf
Lifetime Fitness through the Arts
Gymnastics
Golf
Soccer
Unified Partner Sports
Racquet Sports
Power lifting
Motor Training Activities Program (MATP)
Horticulture Activities
Target Bowling
Equestrian
Lifetime Fitness through the Arts
Gymnastics
Golf
Soccer
Unified Partner Sports
Racquet Sports
Power lifting
Motor Training Activities Program (MATP)
Horticulture Activities
Target Bowling
Equestrian
Walker Ford Community Center
Tom Brown Park
City of Tallahassee
Capital Lanes
Seminole Bowl
Crenshaw Lanes
Tom Brown Park
City of Tallahassee
Capital Lanes
Seminole Bowl
Crenshaw Lanes
Want to get involved? We encourage you to consider any or all of the following:
- Make a donation—of money, equipment, uniforms, supplies, or time
- Become a Unified Partner
- Volunteer during CLAY school activities (currently held on Friday mornings)
- Fundraising/sponsorship
- For more information about CLAY or Special Olympics, please contact
USTA Tennis Association
City of Tallahassee
Tallahassee Parks and Recreation
Department
Special Olympics Leon County
Special Olympics Florida
Patients First
City of Tallahassee
Tallahassee Parks and Recreation
Department
Special Olympics Leon County
Special Olympics Florida
Patients First
