Patient Programs

Onsite Supportive Services for Your Child’s Care

Our 16-acre hospital location features the Ballreich Patient Activity Mall with an indoor accessible basketball court, game areas such as ping pong, air hockey and billiards available to all patients before/after appointments visits, indoor and outdoor play structures, a backyard walking path and an accessible garden area used for both therapy and relaxation.

Camps

Rehabilitation therapy services is offering summer camps in 2025 for specific patient populations. Listed below are some basic details. Space is limited, so apply today. Final eligibility is determined by physical and occupational therapists in partnership with your child’s doctors.

Walk And Roll Adventures Camp: (Ages 5-18)

Enrolled children must attend all three weeks.

A physical therapy summer camp to help improve strength, flexibility, movement and walking while having fun in a group setting with other kids.

Session 1 (Ages 5-10)
June 17-19, June 24-26, July 1-3
Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 a.m.
Session 2: (Ages 11-18)
July 8-10, July15-17, July 22-24
Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 a.m.
- Appropriate for a variety of diagnoses
- Child must have some level of walking independently or with a device
- Child should be able to follow instructions and work as a group with other children

To request your child to attend Walk and Roll Adventures Camp, please contact Nicole by email at nviverito@shrinenet.org or call 773-385-5423

Constrained-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) Camp: (Ages 2-12)

Enrolled children must attend both weeks of camp.

CIMT is a well-researched treatment that helps improve arm and hand function in children after a neurological event. The child wears a removable cast to ‘constrain’ the stronger arm and uses the weaker arm to participate in therapy activities.

Armed and Ready (Ages 8-12)
June 16-26, 2025
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Arm-azing Kids (Ages 5-7)
July 14-24, 2025
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Tiny But Mighty (Ages 2-4) Caregiver must be present for participation
July 28-August 8, 2025
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

CIMT Camp is appropriate for:

Any diagnosis with one strong arm and one weaker one
Child should be able to follow instructions (caregivers must be present in younger group)
Child should be able to work well in a group setting with other kids

To request your child to attend CIMT Arm Summer Camps, please contact Ashley at 773-385-5874 or email aumali@shrinenent.org.

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Horticultural Therapy

The recreational therapy department offers gardening and plant workshops in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden, Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. RSVP to Amanda at 773-385-5515.

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Library Services

Children's books and reading materials are available at no charge throughout our hospital.

Music Therapy

Music isn't just fun to listen to. It also offers physical and mental benefits as well, such as improving respiration and lowering stress. Sessions include concerts, individual performances and one-on-one sessions. Learn more about our music therapy program.

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Pet Therapy

Dogs, cats and miniature horses registered as Shriners Children’s pet therapy volunteers provide comfort and affection. Learn more about our pet therapy program.

School/Homework Assistance

Learning never stops. Patients keep up with their schoolwork through a joint project of Shriners Children’s Chicago and Chicago Public Schools. A teacher works by request with inpatients and intensive outpatient therapy patients on school work, and provides homework support while they are in the hospital.

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Our Care Extends Beyond Our Walls

At Shriners Children's Chicago, our team is committed to caring for the overall health and well-being of our patients. This includes their minds as well as their bodies. In that spirit, our recreational therapy/child life teams offer a wide variety of FLOW (Friendship, Leisure, Opportunity and Wellness) programs.

Our FLOW programs, managed by certified recreational therapists and child life specialists, are designed to adapt to each child's age and ability level, providing children with the opportunity to participate in enjoyable activities and learning new sports and hobbies to brighten their stay and help them return to their communities more active and confident.

Shriners Children's also partners with a number of community organizations to provide opportunities for children to explore and grow their overall potential inside and outside of the hospital. Your child's nurse or care coordinator may also direct you to opportunities in the community.

To sign up for our recreational therapy e-newsletter with information on current programs and tips for helping your child enjoy hobbies and activities, call 773-836-2998.

Sample Programs

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Creative Arts

We offer a variety of programs that encourage participants to express their emotions, develop social skills, self-awareness and coping skills, and advance gross and fine motor skills. Programs include:

Adaptive dance
Adaptive yoga
Play/movement therapy
Art

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Therapeutic Riding Program

Horses are majestic animals that help children build confidence and trust because of their sensitive and responsive nature. Our therapeutic riding program offers children an opportunity to engage in summer horseback riding supported by trained volunteers.

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Outdoor Adaptive Golf with Revelation Golf

The recreational therapy department offers monthly programs (April – October) for children of all abilities to learn and play the sport of golf. The program incorporates adaptive clubs and carts where necessary.

Adaptive Soccer with Chicago Amputee Soccer Club

A monthly program at the hospital allows children with limb differences to learn and play the game of soccer. Led by adults with limb differences and other volunteers.

Socialization Events

Throughout the year, Shriners Children's Chicago hosts a variety of events, such as holiday parties, picnics and performances, that provide an opportunity for patients of all abilities to spend time with family and meet new friends. Programs may include musical performances, athlete visits, magic shows and an annual Halloween carnival.

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Try SCUBA With Illinois Institute of Diving

Recreational therapy offers occasional days to try scuba in our warm water therapy pool.

Shriners Children's Chicago offers a wide variety of programs and services throughout the year that cater to the overall health and well-being of our patients and their families. View all patient programs and services offered by Shriners Children's.