Where play has no limits.
Our Mission
Can Play brings adapted and no cost recreational programs to our communities by removing barriers to play.
Our Focus
- Inclusion: We ensure that everyone has access to play.
- Community: We bring people and communities together to play as one.
- Play: We use sports and recreation programs to inspire and empower people to achieve their goals on and off the field.
Can Play provides access to sports and recreation programming for thousands of underserved youth in central Iowa with financial, physical, cognitive, emotional, or chronic health care barriers to play. Our mission empowers us to decrease the participation gap in sports and recreation that affects underprivileged youth not just physically, but also on a social, mental and developmental level. We serve approximately 9,000 participants a year through our Victory, Courage, H.E.R.S., licensing and other community programs.
About Us
Can Play provides adapted and no cost sports and recreation programs. Our mission is to remove the barriers to play.
Victory League:
Provides athletic programs for children living in low socioeconomic households.
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Adapted Sports:
Provides adapted recreational activities for those living with special needs and chronic health issues.
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Find Programs to Join Near You
Licensing Our Programs
By licensing our programs, you gain access to a comprehensive suite of resources, including online training, coaching plans, helpful videos, and more.
- This support ensures you can successfully launch Adapted Sports Programs in your community, providing individuals and families with recreational opportunities tailored to their unique needs.
- Bringing Can Play Adapted Sports Programs to your area means fostering an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can engage in sports and activities regardless of ability.
License Program
What We Do
- Since 2012, Can Play has empowered thousands of children of all ages and abilities to play. By adapting the pace, style, and rules of the game, we ensure inclusivity and safety in all of their programs.
- Adapted Sports Programs provide communities with plug-and-play licensed solutions. Our innovative online toolkit revolutionizes how community recreation programs cater to children living with disabilities, autism, or chronic health conditions.
Our Approach
- We offer training videos, support, and resources to simplify the implementation of our plug-and-play adapted program in your community recreation program.
- We offer four different adaptation descriptors to cater to a wide range of abilities.
- Our programs divide participants into groups of LIKEability™ and PLAYability™, creating a level playing field for everyone.
LIKEability™
Participants with similar abilities grouped together to work through specially adapted stations for their pace of play.
PLAYability™
Participants divided into equal groups of varying abilities to balance team play or group game(s).
How to Help
With your generosity, Can Play is able to provide no cost development programs to underserved children and adults. Our participants already have the courage- let’s give them the opportunity and see their victory!
Volunteer
Whether you are a student needing service hours, a corporate group looking to expand your company’s stewardship in the community, or simply someone who enjoys working with children and adults with special needs we have fun and unique opportunities for you.
Make a Donation
Contributions to Can Play directly benefit our families. Whether we are buying new equipment, researching new programming or offering scholarships to those in need, your money will go towards improving the opportunities and experiences at Can Play.
