It started out as a weekly bowling program, and in the fall, the RECing Crew heads into its 20th season.
“We started in September 2002,” said Pam Stickler, who founded the program for her special needs’ son, Stephen. She wanted to provide him an outlet for social and recreational programs since he wasn’t part of the school system any longer.
Bowling still remains the top program through the RECing Crew but in its almost two decades, other sports, leisure and recreation activities have been added.
Sports programs include mixed martial arts, boxing, adaptive baseball and adaptive gymnastics. There are arts-related programs such as the ART-Ability Studio, ballet and tap. And there are social events such as dances in typical years.
While the pandemic caused some programs to be shifted and temporarily suspended, many are back with safety measures in place.
Bowling, she said, has a different format. There’s only one bowler to a lane, and there’s an empty lane between each bowler. With this approach, bowlers finish their games within about 30 minutes. An online registration system has been implemented with great success, Stickler said.
One of the surprises has been the response to the E-Crew virtual programs. They’ve been regularly attended even as some of the programs have returned to in-person. People who aren’t comfortable with the in-person events can still choose the virtual option.
“Some of the E-Crew programs we’re going to continue to do,” she said.
A cooking class has been one of the most popular virtual activities.
“We call it Crew Chefs,” she said. “We didn’t have access to a large kitchen, so this works out great.”
Typically held on a Saturday near lunch, Crew Chefs allows participants to create their own meal. When they register, they find out the ingredients so they can have them available.
Another popular virtual activity is called Bella’s Hangout, which is operated by a North Augusta High School senior. She plays trivia with them and games.
“She connects with the individuals,” Stickler said. “It’s our most popular Zoom call.”
Bella’s Hangout started last summer, and it was a bright spot for the participants. Some of whom hadn’t smiled much since the start of the pandemic.
Stickler hopes that more programs will start back in person as the weather gets warmer. Many of the participants have gotten their vaccines.
Adaptive baseball should begin in April.
The RECing Crew’s programs are open to children and adults with visual, hearing, intellectual and physical disabilities in the Augusta area. In typical years, the organization has close to 200 participants, most of whom live in Richmond, Columbia and Aiken Counties.
To learn more about The RECing Crew, visit therecingcrew.com.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
