Your Child Can! Every Child Can! TryCAN!
Our Union Recreation Department is a proud member of TryCAN, a non-profit charitable organization, which provides a comprehensive array of recreation programs for children with special needs or those who need special accommodation.
TryCAN is a collaboration of Berkeley Heights, Maplewood, Millburn, Mountainside, New Providence, Scotch Plains, South Orange, Springfield, Summit and Union, and other nearby communities that give families and children opportunities to meet and network with others with similar needs.
TryCAN offers several sporting options throughout the year. Typically, sport programs are offered the season before they run for mainstream programming. This is to allow children the opportunity to succeed in the main programs by developing skills in a more small and intimate setting. There are also several academic, enrichment, and social skills programs offered by TryCAN as well.
- TryCAN coordinates inclusive recreation and social development programs for children with special needs.
- Programs help teach sports and life skills while focusing on building individual skills, teamwork, and fun!
- Programs are taught by experienced coaches and instructors from the community.
- Skill-building sports programs are held a few weeks before the start of each season to enable children (those interested) to tryout for a particular sport.
- Using our “Children Helping Children” approach, during class your child works with trained volunteer Peer Mentors who serve as assistant coaches, buddies and your child’s biggest cheerleaders.
- Peer Mentors are high school and middle school students from our communities.
- Programs have included baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, football, tennis, martial arts, golf, learn-to-bike-ride, social skills, reading, art, and music.
- Programs are open to children from all communities.
- Programs charge only a nominal fee, thanks to fundraising activities of TryCAN
Yoga, Dance, and Movement
Yoga, Dance, and Movement programs are held all year with a fall session, winter session, spring session, and a summer session. Typically there is a two-week gap between sessions.
Social Skills Programming
Social Skills programs are held all year with a fall session, winter session, spring session, and a summer session. Typically there is a two-week gap between sessions.
Game Club Programming
Game Club is held all year with a fall session, winter session, spring session. Typically there is a two-week gap between sessions. During the summer, Game Club is held as a Concert Social outing at the Summit Hot Summer Nights Concert Series.
Reading Programming
Reading programs are held all year with a fall session, winter session, spring session, and summer session. Typically there is a two-week gap between sessions.
Cooking Programming
Cooking held all year during the academic year with a fall session, winter session, spring session. Typically there is a two-week gap between sessions.
Sports Programming
Basketball - Held January/February/March and July/August (alternating years)
Tennis - Held October/November and April/May
Golf - Held April/May
Football - Held September/October
Baseball - Held April/May/June
Lacrosse - Held indoors November/December
Soccer - Held September/October/November and November/December and July/August (alternating years)
Questions? You can contact TryCAN at 908-277-2932.