Specialized & Inclusion Programs
The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department offers a variety of enriching programs tailored specifically for citizens with special needs.
Inclusion Services
The Town of Wake Forest's Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Resources Department is committed to an inclusive approach to recreation and encourages individuals with and without disabilities to participate together. In order for individuals with special needs to participate as fully as possible, reasonable modifications will be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you or a family member requires a reasonable modification to participate in a program, please contact Kelly Schurtz at or 919-556-7093.
What is a Reasonable Modification?
Reasonable modifications are additional supports and resources used to help aid a person with a disability to participate in any program. These resources may include, but are not limited to, auxiliary aids or services, adaptive equipment, or additional support staff. The ADA does not require the Town of Wake Forest to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, compromise the safety of participants, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.
Programs & Events
Club Connect (ages 15+)
Join us once a month for socialization, activities, & fun! Participants will be provided with the opportunity to socialize with peers, play games, be creative, and plan activities based on input from the group. Participants must be able to perform self-care routines independently and can bring a buddy if necessary. Don't miss out on all the excitement! Pre-registration not required unless otherwise noted.
4th Thursday of every month* | 5:30-7:30 pm | JPCC
2023 dates: 1/27; 2/24; 3/23; 4/27; 5/25; 6/22; 7/27; 8/24
Fees: FREE
*Pre-registration is required
Trailmates (ages 12+)
Looking for a way to get active and socialize? Come join us the first Tuesday of the month for a walking group. Walking for fitness has a variety of health benefits, including maintaining a healthy weight, strong muscles and bones, improved balance and coordination, and overall enhanced mental wellbeing. We will meet at a central location to walk and talk together. Bring a friend or come make a new one!
1st Tuesday of every month* | 5:15-6:00 pm | JPCC
2023 dates: 1/3; 2/7; 3/7; 4/4; 5/2; 6/6; 8/1
*No July walk due to 4th of July holiday
Fees: FREE
*Pre-registration is required
Abilities Choir (ages 10+)
Want the opportunity to show off your talents? Come join our inclusive choir and learn about different choral techniques and types of music. This choir includes individuals of all ability levels and provides an outlet for creative expression. Practices will be held every other Tuesday.
Tu | Jan 10-May 9 | 6:30-7:30 pm | AMC
Fees: $75
Music & Movement (ages 18+) NEW!
Discover your body in motion, invite the mind to music and memory, explore the imagination through sound, and exercise all parts of your body together or independently. This is a space curated with different styles of music and invites participants into a place of relaxation, comfort, joy, and motivation. All skill levels are invited to join! INSTRUCTOR: Brandi Hancock
Tu | Mar 7-Apr 11 | 12:00-1:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $50
Tu | Apr 25-May 30 | 12:00-1:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $50
Tu | Jun 13-Jul 25 | 12:00-1:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $50
Tu | Aug 1-Aug 25* | 12:00-1:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $30
*August session is only 4-weeks
Whisk It Up Baking Class (ages 12+)
Learn and practice baking skills. Participants will learn basic baking skills and work together to create muffins, quick breads, and cookies. During each class we will discuss kitchen and food safety, nutrition, and planning. This is a hands-on participatory introductory class.
W | Feb 22-Mar 22 | 6:00-8:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $60
Special Needs Cooking with Friends (formerly We Cook Wednesdays & Whisk It Up Baking combined) (ages 14+)
Want to try your hand at recipes that will impress your family and friends? This class will focus on simple cooking and baking recipes that can be prepared as independently as possible by students with special needs. Students will concentrate on safety in the kitchen, basic cooking skills, follow recipe directions and communication. It’s a fun time to socialize with new and old friends. Students will have the opportunity to taste and bring home leftovers to share with the family. INSTRUCTOR: Cathy Smith
W | Apr 5-Apr 26 | 6:30-8:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $60
W | May 3-May24 | 6:30-8:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $60
W | Jun 7-Jun 28 | 6:30-8:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $60
W | Jul 5-Jul 26 | 6:30-8:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $60
W | Aug 2-Aug 23 | 6:30-8:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $60
Special Needs Relaxing Yoga & Dance (ages 8-14) NEW!
Join us for a one of kind class for special needs participants and their family members. In this six-week program, we will explore Yoga, Jazz, and Modern Dance. This class will be sensory friendly and modified so participants can learn at a slower pace. Siblings are not necessary for participation but encouraged. INSTRUCTOR: Samantha Schneider
W | Mar 1-Apr 12* | 5:00-5:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $45
*No class Apr. 5
W | May 10-Jun 14 | 5:00-5:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $45
W | Jul 12-Aug 16 | 5:00-5:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $45
Yes! You Can Dance! (ages 10+)
This is the ultimate dance-fitness party where we rock it out with our friends! This program features music from mainstream to international music from yesterday and today. This class will get you burning calories while dancing with moves that get movin’ to the beat! It’s all about feeling fearless on the dance floor, reinforcing the idea that it’s okay to just be yourself and dance like no one’s watching! It is so much fun it doesn’t even seem like a workout! Dance steps are easy to follow, and choreography will focus on various world rhythm style dance as well as popular hip-hop style dance. No prior dance or fitness experience is necessary. INSTRUCTOR: Hannah Bleyer
M | Jan 23-Feb 27 | 5:45-6:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $30
M | Apr 17-May 22 | 5:45-6:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $30
M | Jun 5-Jun 26* | 5:45-6:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $20
*June session only 4-weeks
M | Jul 24-Aug28 | 5:45-6:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $30
MightyFit Adaptive Group Exercise (ages 12-30) NEW!
Stay active while having fun with friends! This group fitness program is designed as “fun-play” to help increase strength, build muscle and confidence, boost cardiovascular endurance, and increase attention span, energy and vitality. Exercises include strength training, cardio, core, stretching and balance. Fun games are played while we workout! INSTRUCTOR: Hannah Bleyer
Tu | Apr 18-May 23 | 6:00-6:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $30
Tu | Jun 6-Jun 27*| 6:00-6:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $20
*June session only 4-weeks
Tu | Jul 25-Aug 29 | 6:00-6:45 pm | JPCC
Fees: $30
Abilities Tennis (ages 8+) Abilities Tennis clinics provide specialized instruction and practice for athletes, ages 8 and up. Coaches and volunteers are trained to teach the fundamentals of tennis, practice drills and facilitate fun games geared towards improving tennis skills for those with ID. All levels are welcome to participate. Coaches are able to adapt tennis for each individual so that everyone can join in the fun and feel successful.
Sa | Mar 4-Apr 29* | 4:00-5:00 pm | Heritage High Park
Fees: FREE
*No clinic Apr. 16
Special Needs Basketball (formerly Spirit League) (ages 12+)
Spirit League is a unifying, safe and inclusive place for special needs teens and young adults to play basketball, get physically active, and make new friends. Our program stands for acceptance, teamwork, skill development and fun. Spirit League will always celebrate diversity, sportsmanship, and the opportunity to be a beacon of hope for all. Interested in volunteering with Spirit League? Peer aged volunteers attend practices to help coach and support participants as needed.
F | Jan 13-Feb 24 | 5:30-7:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $15
Volunteer Registration
F | May 5-Jun 23 | 5:30-7:00 pm | JPCC
Fees: $15
Volunteer Registration
Special Needs Start to Summer Dance (ages 10-30)
Join us for a night of fun complete with a DJ, refreshments, socializing and dancing! Come with friends or come make new ones! Chaperones will be available for supervision but participants can bring additional support if necessary. Peer-aged volunteers attend the dance as additional support and are welcome to dance, eat, and socialize with other participants!
F |Jun 23 | 6:30-8:30 pm | WFCH
Fees: $15
Dream League Baseball & Buddy Program
Dream League Baseball is designed for school-age participants with special needs. League games are played on Saturdays at 10am from late April through early June at Heritage High Park. Dream League Buddies assist players during games. This may include, but is not limited to, help guide a batter around the bases, assist in retrieving the ball, and cheering players on. Buddies are required to attend at least three games per season. Registration is held throughout the month of February each year for both players and buddies, and all registration is held online only.
Sa | Apr-Jun | 10:00 am | Heritage High Park
Fees: $15
Special Needs Swim Lessons (ages 4+)
Swimming is an important life-saving skill with a variety of benefits. We now offer 1-on-1 swim lessons for individuals with disabilities of all swimming ability levels. Each package includes three, 30-minute sessions. Topics that will be covered include water safety and stability, back floating, belly floating, kicking and breath exercises. INSTRUCTOR: Nicole Russell
M-F | Jun-Aug | Dates & Times TBD | Holding Park Aquatic Center
Fees: $120 for 3 lesson package