COMMUNITY LEADERS ASSISTING SPECIAL STUDENTS
The Recreation Department can provide a class companion for students with special needs that want to be integrated into our regularly scheduled programs. There are no additional fees; however, we need a minimum of two weeks prior to the start of the class to find a volunteer. Contact the Recreation Department for more information.
This program is an essential service for our special needs population 13 years of age and older. Activities include social gatherings, special events, crafts, trips and sports activities. The group meets Friday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Community Recreation Center, 1232 Main Avenue. Program is free to Clifton residents and grandfathered participants. Non-residents pay an annual fee.
January 13th Board Games & Social Activities
January 20th T.B.A
January 21st Open Bowling-Brunswick Lanes
January 27th Craft & Sport Night and January Birthday Celebration
February 3rd Chinese New Year Celebration
February 10th Won’t You Be My Valentine
February 17th Let Me Be Me
February 18th Open Bowling-Brunswick Lanes
February 24th Board Games & Social Activities and February Birthday Celebration
March 2nd Kicking it with Karaoke
March 9th Movie Night
March 16th Italian Night Dinner
March 17th Open Bowling-Brunswick Lanes
March 23rd Board Games & Social Activities
March 30th Sports Night and March Birthday Celebration
April 6th NO CANTEEN
April 13th Pool Hall Playtime
April 20th Swim & Gym-B&G Club Clifton*
April 27th Spring Crafts and April Birthday Celebration
April 28th Open Bowling-Brunswick Lanes
May 4th Guys and Dolls
May 11th Board Games & Social Activities
May 18th End of Year Pizza Bash* and May Birthday Celebration
June 8th – 10th Special Olympics Summer Games
July 6th Summer Sports Begins
* Different time schedule applies
Open Bowling
Individuals who are not on the bowling team but would like to join in on the fun can attend the scheduled Open Bowling Days. Each participant receives two free games. Additional games cost $3.00 per game.
Chinese New Year Celebration
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon as we welcome in the New Year – Asian style. Fortune cookies, games and activities.
Won’t You Be My Valentine
A variety of Valentine’s Day activities for all to enjoy.
Let Me Be Me – Talent Show
Annual talent show, where canteen participants get a chance to show off their special gifts and talents. Registration deadline is February 10th. This event starts at 6:30 p.m.
Kicking it with Karaoke
This will be a fun night of singing with your friends as you join your voices to some of your favorite tunes.
Italian Night
A wonderful night of great Italian Food, Music and Fellowship.
Pool Hall Playtime
Play billiards, cards, darts and more pool hall games this night. Learn them and play them while having fun with friends.
Guys & Dolls
Special night for guys to do some of their favorite guy stuff and girls to do some of their favorite girl stuff. Great night for bonding with fellow canteen members.
Swim and Game Night/Boys & Girls Club
A night of swimming, game room activities and basketball games. Bring your bathing suit, towel and sneakers. Meet at the club at 6:30 p.m.
End of Year Pizza Bash
On May 18th at 6:30 pm, we will be ending our indoor Canteen session with a bang. Music, dancing and food will help us have a blast.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS – for both Buddy & Kids Canteen Programs
Birthdays for canteen participants will be celebrated, as a group, ONLY once a month on the following dates:
January Birthdays: Friday, January 27th
February Birthdays: Friday, February 24th
March Birthdays: Friday, March 30th
April Birthdays: Friday, April 27th
May Birthdays: Friday, May 18th
This program is an essential service for our special needs population ages 5 – 12. Activities include social gatherings, special events, crafts, trips and sports activities. The group meets Friday evenings from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Community Recreation Center, 1232 Main Avenue. The program is free to Clifton residents and grandfathered participants. Non-residents must pay an annual fee.
February 9th Pajama Party Movie Night
February 17th “Let It Be Me” – Talent Show*
March 16th Italian Night Dinner*
April 20th Bowling Night
May 18th End of Year Pizza Bash*
July 6th Outdoor programs begin
* Different time schedule applies
The Clifton Recreation Special Olympics Team has gained the reputation of one of the top all-around teams in New Jersey, winning medals & awards at County & State Competitions. The team participates in Bowling, Basketball, Bocce and Track and Field. Practices are held throughout the year as they prepare for the upcoming competitions. We are always in need of coaches and aids. For more information, call the Recreation Office.
BOCCE TEAM
The Bocce Team begins their practice season the beginning of February. The team participates in 3 competitions per season. The practice schedule and location will be posted once all athletes are registered. The competitions will be April 21st and May 9th at the NJDC followed by the Summer Games, June 8th – 10th in Trenton. All interested athletes must register to become a member of the team. Applications will be available at Buddy Canteen. Complete the form and return it to one of the Canteen volunteers. Registration deadline is January 27th.
BOWLING TEAM
The Bowling Team has been practicing hard each Saturday. Practice resumes on Saturday, January 14th from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Brunswick Zone Belleville in Belleville, NJ. The local competition will be: Sunday, February 5th at T- Bowl II, Wayne. The Sectional Competition is scheduled for Saturday, February 25th at Wallington Lanes & Sunday, February 26th, for ramp competitors, at T- Bowl II, Wayne. For all athletes that qualify, the Team Bowling State Finals will be on Saturday, March 31st at Curtis Lanes, Ewing & Individual Bowling State Finals will be on Sunday, April 1st at 30 Strikes, Stratford. Specific times and transportation information will follow. Permission slips are required for all transportation. Bowling Team practice will conclude on April 28, 2012.
January 14th Bowling Team Practice
January 21st Bowling Team Practice & Open Bowling
January 28th Bowling Team Practice
February 4th Bowling Team Practice
February 5th Local Bowling Competition
February 11th Bowling Team Practice
February 18th Bowling Team Practice & Open Bowling
February 25th Bowling Team Practice
February 25th Sectional Competition
February 26th Sectional Competition (ramps)
March 3rd Bowling Team Practice
March 10th Bowling Team Practice
March 17th Bowling Team Practice & Open Bowling
March 24th Bowling Team Practice
March 31st Team Bowling Competition
April 1st Individual Bowling Competition
April 7th NO BOWLING PRACTICE
April 14th Bowling Team Practice
April 21st Bowling Team Practice
April 28th Bowling Team Practice & Open Bowling
2012 SUMMER GAMES/TRACK & FIELD
The 2012 Special Olympics Summer Games will be conducted June 8th – June 10th in Trenton. The Clifton Team has had a long history of success at this event. The “Law Enforcement Torch Run” will pass through Clifton on Friday morning, June 8th, as they run down Main Avenue. One of Clifton Olympians will be selected to run the torch through Clifton. A good vantage point is in front of the Recreation Center, 1232 Main Avenue. Once the torch passes, the athletes leave for their 3 day journey to the 2012 Summer Games. The track team will begin their practices in March. The practice schedule and location will be posted once all athletes are registered. The competitions will be on May 5th at PCTI in Wayne and then at the Summer Games, June 8th – 10th. All interest athletes must register to become a member of the team. Applications will be available at Buddy Canteen. Complete the form and return it to one of the Canteen volunteers. Registration deadline is February 24th.
The Challengers League is a spring baseball program for physically challenged youth ages 6 - 21. For additional information contact:
Mike Soccol – (973) 357-0868
Please click here to enter the main City of Clifton web site, www.cliftonnj.org.