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 IDD 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 – DIY CANVAS TOTES
Participants will decorate their own canvas tote bag using acrylic paint and simple design techniques. This fun, hands-on class encourages creativity and personal style while creating a useful item to take home.
Entry Deadline: April 15
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, April 16
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC - BREAKFAST BINGO
Bring your appetite to Bingo Night! Breakfast food will be served upon arrival, and then Bingo will be played following. Everyone wins a prize before the night is over!
Entry Deadline: Session 1: April 22
Session 2: July 29
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Session 1: Thursday, April 23
Session 2: Thursday, July 30
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC – CANVAS PAINTING ART NIGHT!
Enjoy a creative night of free-style canvas painting where participants can explore colors and designs at their own pace. Enjoy time with friends while making a unique piece of art to take home!
Entry Deadline: April 29
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, April 30
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC – LINE DANCING
Enjoy an energetic line dancing class with clear instructions and beginner-friendly dances in a great environment. This class focuses on movement, music, and social connection while keeping things fun for everyone!
Entry Deadline: May 6
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, May 7
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
Instructor: Noah Gibson
iREC – PUZZLE PARTY!
Participants will work together in small groups to complete 24 and 48 piece puzzles while also decorating one puzzle piece to contribute to a group design. This fun, hands-on activity encourages teamwork, creativity, and social connection in a relaxed environment.
Entry Deadline: May 13
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, May 14
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
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: May 20
Entry Fee: FREE
– side dish from each group
Held on: Thursday, May 21
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: TBD - Outdoors
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 40
iREC - PUTT-PUTT
Meet us down at Precision Valley for a fun game of putt-putt and socializing with friends! There are snacks and drinks available for purchase at the venue as well.
Entry Deadline: May 27
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, May 28
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Precision Valley
- 1500 West 27th
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 40
DASH 4 DISABILITIES FUN RUN
This year we will host our 15th annual Dash 4 Disabilities FUN RUN! This run will consist of your choice of a 1-mile run/walk or a 5K run/walk. The run will not be timed, and the proceeds will go to help support the Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD) programs held by HRC. Our goal is to make it so these programs are inexpensive for our participants. Don’t miss out on this fun event, and a great way to give back and make our community a better place for people of all abilities. Sponsors for this event include DSNWK, HESS Services, and Papa Murphy’s of Hays.
Entry Deadline: June 3
Entry Fee: $10.00
$12.00 after the deadline
Held on: Saturday, June 6
Times: Registration begins at 7:15 a.m.
Race begins at 8:00 a.m.
Ages: All Ages
Location: Front of Hays Aquatic Park
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 and play games, such as: air hockey, Pac-man, Ice-Ball, driving games, basketball shot and much more!
Entry Deadline: June 10
Entry Fee: $2.00
Held on: Thursday, June 11
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Arcade 11 - 201 W 10th
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 20
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: June 17
Entry Fee: FREE
Held on: Thursday, June 18
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 20
iREC – JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
Celebrate the 4th of July with a creative and social evening! Participants will enjoy patriotic arts and crafts, a festive snack, and time to relax and connect with friends!
Entry Deadline: June 24
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, June 25
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC - PIZZA & A MOVIE!
Come enjoy a pizza dinner and a movie! The movie will be chosen closer to the date! Enjoy time with friends!
Entry Deadline: July 8
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, July 9
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC – ESCAPE ROOM SCAVENGER HUNT
Work together to solve clues and complete a simple escape room–style scavenger hunt! Participants will search for clues, solve easy challenges, and enjoy a fun, team-based experience designed for all ability levels.
Entry Deadline: July 15
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, July 16
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC – POOL PARTY @ WILSON POOL
Make a splash at Wilson Pool! Enjoy a relaxed evening of swimming and social time with friends. Float, splash, or simply cool off—this pool party is all about fun and good vibes.
Entry Deadline: July 22
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, July 23
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Wilson Pool – 28th & Fort St.
Limitations: Min. 15 Max. 60
iREC - BOWLING
Meet us down at Centennial Lanes for some fun team bowling! You can choose your teammate or we’ll find you one when you get there. We’ll see who can cheer on their team the most!
Entry Deadline: July 29
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, August 6
Times: 5:00 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Centennial Lanes
- 2400 Vine Street
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC – KARAOKE NIGHT!
Sing your heart out at karaoke night, where everyone is welcome to shine on stage! Enjoy snacks, refreshments, and a fun-filled evening of music, laughter, and good vibes!
Entry Deadline: August 19
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, August 20
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC – CLAY CREATIONS!
Get hands-on with clay and create your own one-of-a-kind piece! Participants will shape, texture, and design simple clay creations!
Entry Deadline: August 26
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, August 27
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25
iREC – ROOTBEER FLOATS & TRIVIA NIGHT!
Sip on delicious root beer floats while testing your knowledge in a fun-filled trivia night! Take this chance to socialize with friends and enjoy a delicious treat.
Entry Deadline: September 2
Entry Fee: $1.00
Held on: Thursday, September 3
Times: 5:45 p.m.
Ages: All IDD Individuals
Location: Leisure Center
Limitations: Min. 5 Max. 25