Recreational needs for all abilities, skill levels at family picnic

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times Editor
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Snowbasin Adaptive will be on hand to demonstrate recreational opportunities for anyone interested in skiing equipment that makes skiing more accessible at an event scheduled for July 30 from noon to 4 p.m. at Centennial Park. There will be several other service providers offering hands-on recreational displays and demonstrations.

All active duty, wounded warriors, retired military, Guard, Reserves and Department of Defense civilians who either have a disability or a family member with special needs and are interested in such recreational adaptations or other similar needs are invited to the Families with Special Needs Picnic.

Pizza will be provided and all families are asked is to bring a side dish or dessert. Beyond that, all that is required is an RSVP to the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 801-777-4681.

A DJ will announce all events and there will be specially planned games for younger family members. Loghan Zundal, a Boy Scout, working on an Eagle Scout project, is taking charge of providing games for children of all interests and abilities. Games are planned to appeal to those with sensory deprivations but the games are appealing to all abilities. There will be a small train to give rides to the children and bouncy castles supervised by the Scout Troop members assisting Zundal at the event as well as other volunteers.

Canine Companions will also provide a demonstration of what their dogs can do.

Judith Maughan, Hill School liaison officer, reported that at the Special Needs Summit in April, she was told a dog had been placed with an 8-year-old child. The autistic child was able to sleep for the first time through the night without his parents coming to his aid two or three times a night.

"I thought that was really interesting," said Maughan. "I was told it's just opened up his world."

Tammy Custer, Exceptional Family Program - Family Support coordinator, is excited about all the prospective entertainment planned for the event and opportunities for all.

"The overall theme of this event is recreation," she said. "We have some great events lined up."

Also planned are martial arts and dance demonstrations by teachers and studios accepting special needs students, some of whom will be participants in the demonstrations.

For questions or more information, call Tammy Custer at 801-586-2611 or Judith Maughan at 801-777-5960.

The event is a Team Hill project sponsored by an Air Force Aid Society Grant, Utah Military Families Foundation and being put on by Hill's Special Needs Team.

Schedule of events

Noon -- Event begins.

Noon-4 p.m. -- Splash pad and two bouncy castles available, playground open.

Noon-3:30 p.m. -- Games provided by Boy Scouts.

12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. -- Lunch available.

1 p.m.-3 p.m. -- DJ plays.

1 p.m.-3 p.m. -- Kids train runs.

1 p.m.-3 p.m. -- Service agencies provide hands-on displays and demonstrations.

1 p.m.-2:15 p.m. -- Canine Companion demonstrations.

1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. -- Inspire Dance Stduio demonstration.

2 p.m.-2:154 p.m. -- Hap-Ki-Do (martial arts) desmonstration.

4 p.m. -- Event ends.