Friendship Circle Miami Offers Special Needs Summer Programming

MIAMI, FLA. — A year after the coronavirus pandemic forced Friendship Circle Miami’s summer camp program to go virtual, the organization has announced it is offering four distinct camp programs for teenagers and young adults with special needs.

Friendship Circle Miami announced Thursday that the programming will include traditional summer camps, a Zumba summer program, a summer soccer program and a young adult summer program as part of its offerings. The not-for-profit organization serves more than 300 families at its Kendall campus each year.

Friendship Circle’s camp programs offer unique opportunities for children with special needs to enjoy their break from school, the organization said in a news release. With dedicated teen volunteers and therapists, children participate in field trips, activities, sports and other events that are designed to give campers confidence, build social skills, create new friendships and give parents and caregivers a much-needed break.

CDC guidelines and social distancing will be followed at each of the events.

“The kids get to come, let loose and enjoy fun, friendship and excitement together with their friends,” Heidi Rutland, program manager for Friendship Circle, said in the news release.

“Last year, due to the pandemic, camp was virtual. This year everyone is back.”

Friendship Circle is offering the following programs this summer:

Summer camp

Two one-week sessions of camps will be offered with the first taking place June 14-18 and the second scheduled for Aug. 16-20. Camps will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and will include a field trip each day. Campers are asked to bring their own lunch.

The camp will begin and end at the Friendship Circle campus, which is located at 8700 SW 112th St, Miami, Florida

Cost: $60 per day or $250 a week.

More information may be found at www.FriendshipCircleMiami.org/summercamp21

Friendship Circle Summer Zumba program

The high-energy Zumba class is among the most popular offerings and was created to build confidence and coordination along with opportunities for participants to make new friends.

The Zumba classes will run each Monday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. from June 21 through Aug. 9 and will be held at the Friendship Circle campus.

The cost is $80.

More information may be found at www.FriendshipCircleMiami.org/summerzumba

Summer Soccer Program

The Friendship Circle summer soccer program is meant for teenagers and is designed with a developmentally appropriate curriculum that encourages athletes to develop at their own pace.

The summer sessions will run on Thursdays from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. between June 24 through Aug. 12 at the Friendship Circle campus.

The cost is $80.

More information may be found at www.FriendshipCircleMiami.org/summersoccer

Young Adult Summer Program

This program provides social and recreational activities for young adults 19 years and older. Social activities are offered at the Friendship Circle campus two Tuesdays a month and there will be one Sunday field trip per month.

There will be nine days of activities between June and August.

The cost is $150.

More information may be found at www.FriendshipCircleMiami.org/YAsummer