1. What is Exceptional Kids?

Exceptional Kids is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization started in 1999 by a group of individuals with a strong desire to provide a place for children with disabilities and their families to meet on a regular basis to develop long-lasting friendships and support. Exceptional Kids currently offers a community-based monthly club that meets for two hours and provides adaptive social and recreational activities for children with special needs and their typical siblings and friends.

 2. What is the basic philosophy of the Exceptional Kids Club?

The clubs are committed to being parent/caregiver centric allowing for a high degree of customized program development. We are not attempting to provide a pre-determined program that forces the children to adapt to our itinerary. Rather we are seeking to obtain the greatest amount of member input to design a flexible system of programming. Strict confidentiality of club member information will be maintained at all times.

 3. How many children with special needs would benefit from the Exceptional Kids Club?

In the Denver/Colorado Springs metro areas there are over 10,000 children with special needs that may benefit from the Exceptional Kids program.

 4. What makes Exceptional Kids unique?

There is a great shortage of programs in which children with special needs can participate. Exceptional Kids is successful because we understand our constituencies (our members), and what outcomes are important for each of them. We take the time to see their needs through their eyes and not implement a plan, which on paper may seem valuable, but in the end is near sighted. We have spent several years endeavoring to understand our constituents and we believe we are better prepared to serve their needs because of our patience.

 5. What is the geographic area that Exceptional Kids serves?

Exceptional Kids currently serves the areas of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties in the South Denver metropolitan area and Colorado Springs in El Paso county. Future clubs will be established in other areas along the front range of Colorado.

6. How is Exceptional Kids funded?

The clubs are funded by a combination of annual membership fees, individual and corporate donations and grants from foundations and community groups.

 7. Is the Exceptional Kids Club only for children with special needs?

The club is designed to provide social and recreational interaction for children with special needs and their siblings and friends. All of the activities are adapted to both groups of children and the group leaders are all trained in facilitating activities for a variety of children. A typical club has a nice mix of special needs and typical children.

 8. What are the ages of children attend the Exceptional Kids Club?

The club is designed for children from kindergarten to elementary school – roughly ages 4 to 12. We are certainly flexible with ages due to varying developmental levels. Call the Exceptional Kids office at 720-733-9509 if you have specific questions regarding ages.

 9. What is the Exceptional Kid Club format?

Each club event will last two hours from 10:00 am to noon on a Saturday of every month. Please check your local club schedule to find out which Saturday it meets. The club structure will be 1 1/2 hours of small group social activities including crafts, singing, and games. Another ½ hour will consist of large group adaptive recreational activities and group games.

 10. Who will be directing the Exceptional Kids Club activities?

The club is directed by a team of committed individuals with years of experience with children with special needs. The team is comprised of a former regular education teacher and parent of a special needs child, a current special education teacher, a supervising occupational therapist with The Children’s Hospital, and several parents of typical children. The program has also received significant support from Developmental Pathways and The Resource Exchange, two large community-centered boards that serve the developmentally disabled population in Arapahoe, Douglas, El Paso, Park, and Teller counties.

Each club meeting is often supported by a group of high school students that provide a valuable peer age support group and a great spirit of fun.

11. How often does the Exceptional Kids Club meet?

The club meets monthly.

 12. Is there a cost to join the Exceptional Kids Club?

There is an annual fee of $100 which includes 12 monthly two hour club events and a club gift such as a t-shirt or a water bottle. It is a terrific value. We encourage people to attend the first event for free to see if it is a good fit for their child. The cost of the membership is for club supplies and activity fees when programs take place in the community. We are a small non-profit organization that is run by volunteers. 

 A limited number of scholarships are available.  There is no formal application.  We simply ask that people pay what they can afford at the time.

 13. How can I help?

You can help Exceptional Kids serve more children with special needs by offering financial donations, volunteering for program support during our club events, and helping to get the word out to families who may benefit from its programs.

14. Code of Conduct

Our clubs will adhere to a strict code of conduct. Our code of conduct has been established to provide a compassionate and effective program design:

·         We will create opportunities for our members to form close friendships.

·         We will be agents of change in the development of our members.

·         We will treat all club members with respect.

·         We will be patient with all club members.

·         We will be creative in our approach to club activities.

·         We will place the needs of the families first.

·         We will exercise the highest degree of safety possible.

·         We will encourage parent/caregiver involvement and support.