Fantastic Friends: Horseback Riding (18+)

Fantastic Friends will be going to Schone’s Friendship Farm outside of Milan, IL for a night of horseback riding and yummy food!

Fantastic Friends is an interactive and engaging program recommended for adults ages 18 and up. This program is built to include adults with Down syndrome and those without Down syndrome. We support the development of social skills and language through peer-to-peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. Adult participants participate in the planning of activities so that everything the group does is based on interests. During Fantastic Friends, the group may explore their local community by participating in outings and events. This program may also support gross motor skills through active games.

Fantastic Friends supports therapeutic-based development of individuals with Down syndrome, with goals of achieving the following:

• Increase social skills, with a focus on group participation and increasing leisure activity options.
• Increase language development, with a focus on appropriateness, maintaining a conversation and non-verbal social language.
• Increase gross motor skills, with a focus on general health, fitness (strength and balance), and awareness of personal space.

In addition, the family will receive a Best of All book to build knowledge and:

• Understand the purpose behind all of GiGi’s Playhouse programs.
• Implement activities at home to build skills and increase language development.

RSVPs are not required but are encouraged.

Please RSVP at the link below by 12pm the day of the event to let us know you are coming!

If you have any questions, please contact us at 309-762-7529 or programsquadcities@gigisplayhouse.org.