Competitive Sports & Recreation Programs
Welcome to DASA! If you have dreamed of being fit and strong, independent and active, DASA offers the widest range of disability sports, recreation, and fitness programs in the St. Louis, St. Charles, and Columbia areas.
DASA is a fun and exciting place for individuals with physical, visual, and hearing disabilities, ages 5 and up, as well as military veterans and injured first responders.
Be sure to look at our recreational, Parasport, and competitive sports programs, as well as our Adaptive Gym and sports camps, and register today. There’s something for everyone of every ability!
It is important that individuals with disabilities become advocates for themselves in a world that might not initially accept them for their differences. They should have the emotional and spiritual strength, as well as the physical strength, to achieve their goals as an athlete and a person.
DASA Video Testimonial
Got Sled Hockey? Louie Does
Adaptive Recreation Programs
Participation in DASA recreational programs and sports is an enjoyable way to gain strength, stability, endurance, stamina, social enjoyment, and happiness.
Whether you prefer working out in a gym or on a rock-climbing wall, swimming in a pool or a lake, or want to feel zen from yoga or a walk in the park, we have plenty of regular and seasonal adaptive recreational activities (and camps too!) to choose from.
Competitive Sports Teams
There’s nothing quite like being part of a team that comes together to play a sport and compete to win! DASA offers the biggest selection of disability competitive team sports in the Midwest and provides the opportunity for maximum fitness and team bonding.
DASA Summer Camps
Children of all ages with physical disabilities come together at our camps and create a fun and engaging social support system. Campers are encouraged to discover their natural abilities through athletic and sensory activities while instilling family values and promoting independence and self-confidence that resonates through all aspects of life.
- Camp WeCanDu provides an opportunity for local youth with physical disabilities to fully participate in a week-long, traditional summer camp experience full of fun activities and friendship.
- Mike Bush Fantasy Baseball Camp: a week-long baseball camp for children ages 7-14 who are deaf or hard of hearing. Participants will have opportunities to play baseball and enjoy other activities while meeting new friends!
Due to COVID-19 challenges, Camp is canceled this year. Hope to see you all next year!
The Ability Gym
The DASA AT (Adaptive Training) program is specifically for individuals with disabilities after physical therapy and is endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
AT takes place in our Ability Gym and is open to athletes of all abilities. Our therapists customize your AT fitness program to your goals and provide the opportunity to gain strength, performance, and an enhanced quality of life. Strength does not discriminate.
- Improve your physical fitness in a gym setting with a trainer.
- Rediscover and focus on the ABILITIES you do have.
- Gain functional strength through adapting exercises.
- Work on a sport-specific plan to reach the next level in your sport; maybe even Paralympian.
DASA’s AT program provides the community, adaptability, and motivation that will push you past your perceived limitations to a new level of independence.
Toddler Program
It’s NEVER a dull day in the life of our toddler athletes! We are building our toddler programs to mix in learning and playing through adaptive sports alongside their peers with similar abilities. When your toddler becomes a DASA athlete, they will be given many opportunities through gross motor activities to enhance their abilities to become adaptive athletes.
What makes us different from clinical therapy? Our end goal is to empower your toddler ATHLETE to believe in his/her abilities by introducing them to a future of adaptive sports through therapeutic play! We can guarantee your athlete’s socioemotional, self confidence, and physical abilities will increase as they engage in such activities alongside their peers with similar abilities. Within these Toddler Programs, we encourage inclusive play with older siblings in order to demonstrate the Toddler Athlete’s strengths & abilities!
These programs are for athletes ages 18 months to 4 years. Athletes MUST have a primary diagnosis of a physical disability to participate. We are currently offering two different types of programs for our toddler athletes.
Paralympic Training
This is your chance to go for the gold! DASA is part of the nationwide athlete identification and development strategy that introduces Americans with Paralympic-eligible impairments to Paralympic sport and leads them into the athlete pipeline for the U.S. Paralympic Team. Our training programs will help you reach peak performance and take your first step toward the podium.
We would love to learn more about your fitness needs and how DASA can help, please do not hesitate to reach out!
