What Is SOAR?

SOAR is a community therapeutic recreation program that serves individuals ages 4 and up whose leisure needs are not met by traditional recreation programs. Our programs emphasize leisure, social, and developmental skills to help individuals reach their fullest potential.
We offer a variety of recreational activities, including Cultural Arts, Special Olympics, Sports & Fitness, Special Interests, Special Events, and Youth programs. SOAR is jointly operated by the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Departments.

Who is Eligible?

Most individuals with special needs are eligible to participate in SOAR activities. Persons from youth to older adults who are in special education classes, nursing homes, group homes, or have leisure needs not met by traditional recreation programs are eligible.

This includes individuals with developmental, physical or learning disabilities; sensory, genetic or behavior disorders; autism or emotional difficulties.

Mission Statement

The SOAR program exists to maintain and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through comprehensive, specialized recreation programs, activities and special events.

Philosophy of SOAR

It is the philosophy of SOAR that all individuals are entitled to recreation services. Whether an individual has a disability or not, services should be provided to assist everyone to learn new leisure skills, improve their independent recreational abilities, and experience the enjoyment, learning and development that recreation provides.

SOAR offers the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to learn and develop skills through continued involvement in specialized recreation programs. Social, leisure and developmental skills are emphasized to promote the highest level of recreation participation possible.

Goals of SOAR

The ultimate goal of SOAR is to provide therapeutic recreation services for individuals with disabilities who are unable to successfully participate in general recreation programs. With these specialized services, participants will benefit through skill development, leisure education and socialization.

General Program Goals

• To develop and increase participant’s motor and social skills.
• To provide participants with specialized sports training and the opportunity for sports competition through Special Olympics.
• To teach leisure skills that will enable participants to independently select and participate in recreational programs.
• To provide programs and activities that will facilitate participant’s self-confidence, self-esteem and stimulate social development.
• To provide versatile programs in order to meet the needs of a variety of participants.
• To provide leisure education opportunities that will enable participants to constructively utilize their free time.

SOAR Staff

SOAR employs two (2) full time staff and approximately 30 seasonal staff on a yearly basis. All staff have diverse backgrounds and educational training in working with individuals with disabilities. SOAR currently staffs most programs with a one (1) staff to every four (4) participants. If a participant needs more assistance or won’t be able to participate within this structure, please let staff know and exceptions may be able to be arranged.

Internships

SOAR offers internships and fieldwork experience opportunities to college students majoring in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Administration or related fields. Internships are offered year round. Students interested in completing their internship/fieldwork experience should have some experience working with individuals with disabilities, whether paid or volunteer. Students will be expected to plan, implement and evaluate several types of programs, including Cultural Arts, Special Interest Programs, Sports/Fitness and Special Events. If you would like more information about internship opportunities with SOAR, contact Holly Polley, CTRS by email at hpolley@cityblm.org or by phone at (309) 434-2406.

Transportation Services

Transportation is available for some programs on a first-come, first-served basis for many Bloomington and Normal residents who have no other way to attend events. Many individuals have no way to attend programs other than to use this service so transportation is provided primarily to those who have no access to public transportation, car pools or parents/staff/guardians to provide this assistance. A fee of $4 per round trip is charged.

Registration

The SOAR program offers three program sessions each year: Winter-Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter - Spring programs run February through May, Summer, June through August, and Fall, September - January. In general, registration for programs is taken as follows: Winter-Spring session in January, Summer in May, Fall in August.

General Registration Information

• A registration form with releases and a signature by the adult participant, parent or guardian must be completed. In the fall, an  Athlete Medical Form and an Athlete Consent Form is required. Participants must be registered prior to attending any SOAR activities. Anyone who attends an event without registering won’t be allowed to participate.
• Payment can be made with cash, check, money order or most major credit cards.
• All programs have a registration deadline. This date is typically one full week before all weekly programs begin and one week before each special event is held. This is also pending program availability.
• Complete the registration process that follows to register.

Registration Process - 4 Easy Ways to Register

1. Drop Off
   Registration may be done in person Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at The Hub at 115 E. Washington St., Suite 103. If you wish to talk with a SOAR staff member, it is suggested that you call (309) 434-2260 prior to coming to check on staff availability. 

2. Internet
   Click here to register online. If you do not have an account with us yet, you can create your own by clicking on the Create Household Account and follow the directions. You can also download a brochure registration form from our website, fill it out indicating you need numbers and mail, fax or drop it off at the Bloomington Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts office. Since all registrations must be paid for before they are completed, you will also need a valid VISA, MasterCard or Discover.

3. Mail To

   ATTN: Registration
   SOAR
   P.O. Box 3157
   Bloomington, IL 61702-3157

4. Fax To
   (309) 434-2483 if you are a credit card paying customer. Use the registration form in the SOAR brochure and include your credit card information. VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted.

Make checks payable to: City of Bloomington or SOAR

All who register in person, by mail, or by fax will be mailed a receipt. Those who register online are able to print their own receipt.

Registration is complete once the above process has been done. You will only be contacted if there are problems with your particular registration.

Financial Aid

Payment Plan
Full payment of program fees should be completed at registration. However, payment plans can be arranged for those individuals who need to spread their payment out over several months. Payment in full must be received prior to registering for the next program session. Payment plans must be requested prior to each session’s registration deadline.

Fee Assistance
Partial financial assistance is available for those who need it in order to pay program registration fees. Financial assistance isn't available for special events, programs, etc. where SOAR incurs a direct fee such as a ticket cost, meal fee, contractual cost, etc. Fee assistance must be requested prior to each session’s registration deadline.

Program Cancellation

• A program will be cancelled if the minimum number of participants needed is not met. SOAR staff will notify registrants by email or phone if this occurs. The registrant will be given a credit or refunded the money.

• A specific program may be cancelled due to extremely poor weather. The participant should call the hotline number after 3:00 pm (in general) at (309) 434-2386 if the weather is questionable. If a program session or special event is cancelled, every attempt will be made to reschedule this activity.

Speakers Bureau

SOAR staff are available to give a presentation to your group or organization. Contact staff at (309) 434-2260 to arrange an informative presentation to your school or class, service group, churches, etc.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer