IREC Activities for Special Populations

iRec (Inclusive Recreation) activities are designed for any individual, youth or adult, with an intellectual or developmental disability who chooses not to participate in regular Hays Recreation Commission Programs. The iRec Section develops, implements, and evaluates a variety of recreation and leisure programs and special events to meet the interests and needs of children, teens, adults, and seniors with disabilities. Programs are designed to develop, enhance, and/or maintain leisure skills, motor skills, socialization, and overall well-being as well as to promote fun and enjoyment.

We look forward to working with iREC individuals more and making this program grow!

To participate in these activities, a person must:
-be diagnosed with intellectual disabilities
-have a significant learning or vocational difficulty

To sign up for these activities by the deadline you can contact:
-Haley Nixon at HRC @ haley@haysrec.org or (785)623-2650
-Visit haysrec.org and sign up online!

iREC Programs


iREC – PICNIC PARTY!
Join us for a delightful community picnic at the local park shelter. HRC will provide a main dish along with plates, napkins, and silverware. All groups or individuals that attend are asked to bring a side dish to share and join for an evening of fun, socialization, shared laughter, and delicious food.
Entry Deadline: September 16
Entry Fee: FREE
– side dish from each group
Held on: Thursday, September 17
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IREC Individuals
Location: Municipal Park Shelter
1st & Main St.
Limitations: Min. 15 Max. 60

iREC - BINGO NIGHT
Come get your BINGO on with us! We’ll have snacks provided and prizes for our winners! Don’t miss this fun evening.
Entry Deadline: Session 1: September 23
Session 2: January 13

Entry Fee: FREE
Held on:
Session 1: Thursday, September 24
Session 2s: Thursday, January 14
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC - MOVIE NIGHT
Bring your friends and enjoy treats,
along with an excellent movie! The movie will be chosen closer to the date.
Entry Deadline: Session 1: September 30
Session 2: February 17

Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Session 1: Thursday, October 1
Session 2: Thursday, February 18
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitation: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – PARTY AT THE PARK -
SUNRISE PARK!

Join us for Party at the Park at Sunrise
Park! Participants can enjoy disc golf, basketball, and outdoor fun while spending time together, with refreshments provided under the shelter. It’s a great way to stay active, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors!
Entry Deadline: October 7
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, October 8
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: 19TH & Lawrence Dr.
Sunrise Park
Limitations: Min. 15 Max. 60

iREC – STERNBERG MUSEUM –
HANDS-ON TOUR!

In this class, we will meet at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History and enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, meeting different animals up close and getting to hold snakes and various reptiles! Ask questions and learn more about what happens at the Museum!
Entry Deadline: October 14
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, October 15
Times: All iREC Individuals
Location: Sternberg Museum of
Natural History
3000 Sternberg Dr. – Hays
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 30

iREC - PUMPKIN PAINTING!
It’s time to get artistic while decorating and painting your pumpkin and then you can take it home to use for Halloween decor!
Entry Deadline: October 21
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, October 22
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC - HALLOWEEN PARTY!
Come for an early celebration of Halloween with us! We will have a DJ for music, dancing, snacks, games, and more. Come in COSTUME! We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Entry Fee: FREE
Held on: Thursday, October 29
Times: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Ages: All IREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center & Gym #3

iREC – BREAKFAST BINGO
Bring your appetite to Bingo Night!
Breakfast food will be served upon arrival, and then Bingo will be played afterward. Everyone wins a prize before the night is over!
Entry Deadline: Session 1: November 4
Session 2: March 10

Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Session 1: Thursday, November 5
Session 2: Thursday, March 11
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – ARCADE 11 SOCIAL!
It’s GAME TIME! Meet us at Arcade 11 in Downtown Hays. Each participant will get “20 tokens” and a fountain drink! We will socialize with friends, play games such as air hockey, Pac-Man, Ice-Ball, driving games, basketball shot, and much more!
Entry Deadline: November 11
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, November 12
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Arcade 11
- 201 W 10th St
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 30

iREC – THANKSGIVING CREATIONS
To celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving, we will put together a craft project for someone special to you!
Entry Deadline: November 18
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, November 19
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – WINTER WONDERLAND
CANVAS PAINTING

Join us for a cozy Winter Wonderland Canvas Painting Night! Participants can choose to free-style their own creation or follow along step-by-step to paint a festive winter work of art!
Entry Deadline: December 2
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, December 3
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 8 Max. 20

iREC – CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT,
COOKIES & HOT COCOA!

Get into the holiday spirit with a festive Christmas movie while sipping hot cocoa and enjoying delicious cookies. It’s a relaxed, fun-filled evening to create holiday cheer and enjoy time together.
Entry Deadline: December 9
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, December 10
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – CHRISTMAS DINNER
Let’s celebrate Christmas together by having dinner at HRC! We will provide a home-cooked meal to celebrate the holiday. Come and enjoy yourself with friends!
Entry Deadline: December 16
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, December 17
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – GLOW GAMES & CRAFTS!
Light up the night and enjoy fun glow-in-the-dark games and create bright, neon-inspired crafts in a high-energy, interactive environment!
Entry Deadline: January 20
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, January 21
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC - BOWLING
Roll into a night of strikes, spares, and smiles with our evening of bowling! Join us for a fun-filled session of friendly competition, laughter, and camaraderie as you aim for the pins and enjoy an entertaining night with friends!
Entry Deadline: January 27
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, January 28
Times: 5:00 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Centennial Lanes
2400 Vine
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – HEART ART CRAFTING!
Participants will paint a wooden heart using acrylic paints and add a touch of sparkle with glitter to make it uniquely their own. It’s a fun and relaxing way to express creativity and take home a special keepsake.
Entry Deadline: February 3
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, February 4
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – MUSIC & MOVEMENT
Participants will enjoy upbeat activities like musical chairs or hoops, balloon volleyball, giant games, and a fun twist on Twister. It’s an active, high-energy class focused on movement, laughter, and connecting with friends.
Entry Deadline: February 24
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, February 25
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – DICE & DOMINOS MINI GAMES
Participants will play a variety of games like Tenzi, Dice Bingo, and domino matching, with creative twists and variations. It’s a great way to build skills, enjoy friendly competition, and connect with others in a relaxed setting.
Entry Deadline: March 3
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, March 4
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Join us for an “Easter Eggstravaganza” where we’ll unleash our creativity by dyeing colorful eggs and decorating festive cookies! Fun, laughter, and holiday cheer are guaranteed for all.
Entry Deadline: March 24
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, March 25
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25

iREC – APRIL FOOLS DAY!
Participants will solve silly riddles, share jokes, and even take a turn telling their own to the group in a fun environment. It’s a lighthearted evening full of laughter, creativity, and connection with friends.
Entry Deadline: March 31
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, April 1
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All iREC Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25