General program policies may be affected by additional restrictions and guidelines in place for Covid-19. Please visit our Covid-19 information page for the latest updates.

Inclusion

LWSRA understands not every person with a disability needs to participate in special recreation programs. If you feel that a program offered by the Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, Peotone or Wilmington Park District would better meet the needs of your child, follow these steps for inclusion:

Register at your local park district at least two weeks prior to the program beginning and select ADA assistance needed. The park district will reach out and do a inclusion questionnaire. The questionnaire will be sent over to LWSRA. If an aide is deamed needed, LWSRA will email over an inclusion request form. LWSRA will reach out to the parent to confirm inclusion services

Register at your local park district at least two weeks prior to the program beginning and select ADA assistance needed. The park district will reach out and do a inclusion questionnaire. The questionnaire will be sent over to LWSRA. If an aide is deamed needed, LWSRA will email over an inclusion request form. LWSRA will reach out to the parent to confirm inclusion services

  1. Register at your local park district at least two weeks prior to the program beginning and select that ADA assistance is needed when registering.
  2. The park district will reach out to you with an inclusion questionnaire. The park district will submit the completed questionnaire to LWSRA.
  3. LWSRA will determine if an aide is necessary. If so, LWSRA will send the parent an inclusion request form to complete with additional information regarding the program dates, time, location and contact information.
  4. LWSRA will follow up with parent to confirm inclusion services are able to be provided.

    Please register early. Last minute requests will not be granted.

Behavior Expectations

LWSRA encourages and promotes the concept of fun for everyone. However, LWSRA participants are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. The LWSRA behavior code insists that participants shall:

1) Show respect to each other and staff and take direction from staff.
2) Refrain from using abusive or foul language.
3) Refrain from causing bodily harm to self or others.
4) Treat equipment and facilities with care and careful consideration. Additional rules may be developed for specific programs as deemed necessary.

LWSRA applies a caring, positive approach to discipline. Staff are willing to work with parents to develop behavior modification programs if necessary.

LWSRA reserves the right to dismiss a participant whose behavior continues to be inappropriate or whose behavior endangers the safety of him/herself or others.

Guidelines when Illness Occurs

In consideration of other participants and staff, and to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses, LWSRA requires participants refrain from attending
programs when any of the following conditions exist:

• Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Vomiting within the last 24 hours
• Diarrhea within the last 24 hours
• Persistent cough and/or cold symptoms
• “Pink eye” (conjunctivitis) or discharge from the eye
• Symptoms of mumps, measles, chicken pox, strep throat, flu, impetigo, or coxsackie virus
• Runny nose with yellow or green discharge
• Lice or mites

Please notify the LWSRA office of any contagious disease that will affect attendance. Participants can return at doctor’s recommendation, or when symptoms have clearly passed.

PLEASE NOTE: LWSRA staff has the right to deny participation to any individual exhibiting symptoms of a contagious illness.

Medication Dispensing

IMPORTANT! If you are requesting that medication be dispensed to your
participant during an LWSRA program, these procedures MUST be followed:

  1. Each form of medication must be in the original container or in a
    clearly marked envelope provided by LWSRA.
    *The envelopes can be picked up at time of registration or anytime up to one week before the program begins.*
    *For weekend, multi-day events and Special Olympics tournaments, medications MUST be brought to the LWSRA office, no later than one day before the program/event.
  2. The container must include doctor’s name, patient’s name, pharmacy, medication, strength, dosage, date and on envelope, initials of parent, guardian or care giver.
  3. No more than the proper dosage should be in each container/envelope for the length of time medication will be given.
    *If medication is given more than once per day additional envelopes (unless using the original container) are needed for each subsequent dose.
    *Other forms of medication such as liquids, creams, etc. must be in the original container and include doctor’s name, patient name, pharmacy, medication, strength, dosage and date.
  4. The Permission to Dispense Medication information and waiver section located on the Annual Information Form must be completed and signed prior to the distribution of any medication. If any medication information changes, notify LWSRA of the changes and update the medication dispensing section on your AIF.

    Please be sure to pick up enough envelopes for the duration of the program.

Cancellation Due to Weather

Cancellation of a program, event or transportation is possible due to adverse weather conditions, especially if it is an outdoor activity or the roads are considered unsafe for driving. The program may or may not be rescheduled. The following guidelines will be used to determine cancellations (Special Olympics programs will follow Special Olympics Illinois weather guidelines):

Severe Cold Weather Conditions

  • Outdoor programs: A temperature of 10 degrees or less or wind chill of 0 degrees or less.
  • A temperature of -5 degrees or wind chill of -15 degrees or less.
  • All programs: Winter Storm/blizzard warnings or conditions when driving restrictions and emergency accident plans are in effect.
  • Programs with transportation: In some situations a program will still be
    offered without transportation.

Severe Warm Weather Conditions

  • Outdoor programs: Lightning conditions and 30 minutes after lightning has ceased.
  • Outdoor programs/indoor sites without air conditioning: Temperature of 95 degrees or higher or a heat index of 105 degrees or higher.
  • Programs with transportation: Heat index of 115 degrees or higher.
  • All programs: Weather situations when a Tornado Warning is in effect.

    LWSRA will use discretion when determining program cancellations due to other weather conditions, watches and warnings. Refunds will not be given due to weather related cancellations.

Personal Items

LWSRA is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items at LWSRA programs. Lost and found is located at the LWSRC. Items will be held for two months.

Mandated Reporter

All LWSRA staff are mandated by the State of Illinois to make a report to DCFS hotline if they observe a situation that provides reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect. Workers in certain professions, including recreational program personnel, have this legal mandate. Our staff is trained on signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and procedures for making a report.