Tag Archives: Adaptive Recreation

Two colorful kayaks.

Kentwood to celebrate 10th year of The Vibe Fundraiser for Adaptive Recreation Sept. 10 

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Two colorful kayaks. (Photo Courtesy: City of Kentwood. Used with Permission)
The Vibe fundraiser for Adaptive Recreation. (Photo Courtesy: City of Kentwood. Used with Permission)


Wyoming-Kentwood News Today
greer@wktv.org


The City of Kentwood is inviting community members to celebrate a decade of The Vibe, an annual celebration and fundraiser supporting Kentwood’s Adaptive Recreation programs, on Thursday, Sept. 10.

The 10th annual event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the new Kentwood Community Center, 4755 Walma Ave. SE. Guests will enjoy an evening of cocktails, dinner, live music, a silent auction, and adaptive equipment displays while supporting recreation opportunities for individuals of all abilities. Casual attire is encouraged.

For a decade, The Vibe has helped raise funds to enhance Kentwood’s Adaptive Recreation programs, which offer a wide variety of activities designed to meet the needs and interests of individuals of all abilities. 


City of Kentwood's The Vibe Fundraiser.
The Vibe fundraiser for Adaptive Recreation. (Photo Courtesy: City of Kentwood.)


This year’s featured speaker is Nicholas Deblecourt, who will share his story of resilience, adaptation and finding new ways to stay active following a life-changing accident.

After experiencing a seizure while driving, Nicholas survived a life-threatening crash that resulted in severe burn injuries and ultimately led to an amputation. He will share his journey of adjusting to life as an amputee and the important role adaptive recreation can play in helping people stay active, connected, and confident.

The Vibe holds a special connection for Nicholas, who previously interned with Kentwood Parks & Recreation. The City is honored to welcome him back to Kentwood to share his experience as the community celebrates 10 years of The Vibe and the impact of Adaptive Recreation programs.

“Adaptive recreation is about so much more than the activity itself,” said Tara Holliman, Kentwood’s Adaptive Recreation Coordinator. “It’s about creating opportunities for people to try something new, build confidence, make connections, and recognize what they can do. The support we receive through The Vibe helps us continue creating those opportunities for individuals and families throughout our community.”

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department provides Michigan’s most comprehensive adaptive recreation programming alongside several community partners. The program also is made possible thanks to the help of a strong volunteer network. Adaptive programing includes activities such as archery, bowling, cycling, kayaking, pickleball, rock climbing, skiing, water skiing, and social events. Programs are made possible through the support of the community, volunteers, and event sponsors.

“Reaching the 10th year of The Vibe is an incredible milestone, and it speaks to how much our community values creating opportunities for everyone to participate,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation Director. “We are grateful to everyone who has supported this event over the years and helped us continue expanding the ways people of all abilities can connect, participate, and thrive.”

Event Details:

Location: Kentwood Community Center, 4755 Walma Ave. SE

Tickets: $45 per person and can be purchased online at kentwood.us/Vibe. Tickets also can be purchased through Kentwood Parks and Recreation.

The Vibe Schedule:

  • 6 p.m. – Cocktails, dinner, adaptive equipment displays, silent auction and mingling
  • Featured speaker – Nicholas Deblecourt
  • Entertainment – Live music and additional activities throughout the evening

Money raised through The Vibe will support Kentwood’s Adaptive Recreation programs and help provide equipment, activities and opportunities for individuals of all abilities.


Programs are open to individuals of all abilities in Kentwood and beyond. To learn more about The Vibe and Kentwood’s Adaptive Recreation programs, visit kentwood.us/Vibe or Kentwood Adaptive Recreation.

City of Kentwood to host fourth Adaptive Recreation Expo 

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A past Kentwood Adaptive Recreation Expo. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood invites local organizations and community members of all abilities to its fourth Adaptive Recreation Expo on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th Street SE. Admission is free and open to the public.

Guests are invited to explore the products, services and activities available for individuals of all abilities. Vendors will have the opportunity to meet target market customers face to face, interact with students in the field, and network with other agencies. 

“We’re excited to welcome the community to our fourth Adaptive Recreation Expo,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “This event continues to shine a light on the many resources, equipment, and recreational opportunities available to individuals with disabilities and their families. It’s inspiring to see so many organizations collaborate, and when that happens, the entire community benefits.” 

During the event, individuals who have disabilities and their loved ones can learn more about a variety of local programs and resources, including recreation opportunities and adaptive equipment demonstrations. Students and community members interested in adaptive recreation can connect with local agencies and learn about volunteer, internship and employment opportunities.  


A past Kentwood Adaptive Recreation Expo. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



Vendor applications are still being accepted. Vendors will have an opportunity to connect directly with potential new clients and volunteers as well as other organizations.   

If your organization is interested in becoming a vendor, contact Lori Gresnick, Program Coordinator, at 616-656-5317. 

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible. The event’s gold sponsor is Estate Planning Legal Services, PC, silver sponsor is Clock Mobility, Hanger Clinic, and Strive Recreational Therapy. Bronze sponsors are Down to Defend, Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, Novo Chiropractic Sports and Wellness Center, and West Michigan Bike & Fitness. 

Learn more about the Adaptive Recreation Expo at kentwood.us/AdaptiveRecreationExpo. For more information about the City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programming, visit kentwood.us/Adaptive. 

Kentwood to host dance opportunities for all abilities in June

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(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



By WKTV Staff

greer@wktv.org



The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is inviting individuals to join them on the dance floor for two adaptive dance events in June.

On June 1, Kentwood Parks and Recreation will host its annual Spring Fling from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. The event will offer individuals with disabilities ages 15 and older and their loved ones an opportunity to celebrate the start of summer with dancing, food, prizes and more.

The event costs $12 per person, and participants are asked to pre-register by May 25 online at bit.ly/AdaptiveSpringFling or by calling 616.656.5270.

On June 9, Parks and Recreation will host an inclusive dance workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE. Community members of all abilities ages 3 and older are invited to join the workshop, where experienced dancers will teach participants a choreographed dance. At the end of the event, parents and caregivers will be invited to watch the final production. All moves will be inclusive of individuals who use a wheelchair, walker, crutches or other mobility aide.

The event also will include games, snacks and more. Siblings and friends are welcome to participate. The workshop costs $12 per person, and registration is available online at bit.ly/InclusiveDanceWorkshop or by calling 616-656-5270. 



(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



“Our adaptive programs give individuals of all abilities a chance to connect, learn something new and have fun,” said Katelyn Bush, program coordinator with Kentwood Parks and Recreation. “Dancing is a great way to get active and build connections, and we’re looking forward to learning some new moves alongside participants.”

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department provides Michigan’s most comprehensive adaptive recreation programming. Programs are open to individuals of all abilities in Kentwood and beyond. To learn about current offerings, visit kentwood.us/adaptive.

Kentwood Parks and Rec holds adaptive waterskiing clinic at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin

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Xia Dargo participates in the Kentwood Parks and Rec Waterskiing clinic last Friday at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin in Middleville. (WKTV)

By D.A. Reed

WKTV Contributing Writer

Kentwood Parks and Recreation intern Aubrey Buckingham has experienced the benefits of the adaptive recreation program firsthand.

“I’ve been a part of facilitating relationships, encouraging participants, lending a hand, and a little bit of everything,” said Buckingham, an incoming senior at GVSU studying recreational therapy. “My favorite part of this summer is the relationships I’ve formed with the participants. There has just been a level of trust, and it’s really fun to see the participants flourish and try new things.

“It’s really special.”

Kentwood Parks and Rec intern Aubrey Buckingham shows Xia Dargo the adaptive waterski chair before they go on the water. (WKTV)

Exposed to working with individuals with disabilities later in her high school years steered Buckingham toward recreational therapy.

“From that point on, I knew that this was just the population that I wanted to work with.”


Kentwood Parks and Rec hosted an adaptive waterskiing and tubing clinic for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities and their families last Friday at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin in Middleville.

Providing empowering and enriching opportunities for people of all abilities is part of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department’s main directive — and they are accomplishing that goal through their adaptive recreation program.

“It’s hard as an adaptive family, or a family with special needs, to sometimes find resources that are out there,” said Christy Dargo, mother of an adaptive participant. 

And that is where Kentwood’s Adaptive Program comes in. Kentwood developed its adaptive program 22 years prior, adding clinics open to siblings and other family members within the last five years.

“It’s nice because we all get to be part of it,” Dargo said. “Sometimes it’s hard to find something that everyone can be a part of. You’re a family. And when you have a child with special needs, you have to find that balance between adaptive lifestyle and incorporating things that are not adaptive.

“The clinics melded both the adaptive and nonadaptive and it’s something that they can do together. I think that’s really special.”

Four clinics per year

Parks and Rec partners with other organizations to offer four clinics a year. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan are two organizations that have stepped in to help bring these experiences and learning opportunities to those with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Waterskiing is a particularly popular clinic. Lessons are available on Thursdays over the course of six weeks. Unlike the clinics, which can have approximately 20 participants, the waterskiing lessons are limited to five participants due to the fact they get more time on the water.

Skill development

Kentwood Recreation Program Coordinator Ann Przybysz (lower left) helps with the adaptive waterskiing program at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin.

“We can work on developing the skills,” said Ann Przybysz, Kentwood’s recreation program coordinator. “Getting better balance, more duration, more strength with their upper body.”

Christy Dargo admits that having the adaptive equipment, extra hands and trained staff helps make the experience “less intense of an adventure to go out and do something. Sometimes it feels almost too overwhelming to do it on our own.”

All about family

The Dargo family consists of four children, Zach, Abigail, Natalie and Xia, who was adopted from China in 2013 and the adaptive participant in the waterskiing clinic — though the rest of the family enjoyed trying out the sport as well.

“It’s so good for the kids, and so good for sibling relationships,” Dargo said. “And it may seem like a little thing, but it’s not. To give kids an opportunity, one, to do something they’ve never done — because of their ability level and making something adaptive — and two, to be able to share it with the rest of their family, for us, this is not a little thing.

“This is a big deal.”

Increased awareness in the community regarding the adaptive program is something staff, interns and parents all agree is needed and are working hard to implement.

Dargo said just the idea of exposure, and that this is even available, is huge.

“It’s a great thing; it’s a blessing for them to be able to do this together,” Dargo explained. “I don’t know if Xia would necessarily do it on his own.”

Seeing his siblings participate, Dargo said, takes away some of that nervousness for Xia.

“More people and families are better,” Xia said.

D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed