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Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped

Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped

1550 W Colter St, Phoenix, AZ 85015, USA

Overview

Category:Summer Camps
Location:Phoenix, AZ

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped (ARCH) is highly praised as a top-tier program in the valley for the special needs community. It stands out for its exceptionally loving, kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable staff, who are dedicated to their work. The center offers a unique and morally-driven approach to competitive games, provides occupational therapy programs, and fosters an engaging social environment where individuals can build friendships through varied activities like games, sports, and community outings.

Key Highlights

  • Staff is consistently described as loving, kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, and patient, especially with the special needs community.
  • Considered by parents to be the 'best program around' in the valley for special needs.
  • Offers a unique, 'incredible idea' for competitive games, run with high morals that impress even protective parents.
  • Provides opportunities for attendees to build strong friendships and engage socially.
  • Offers occupational therapy programs.
  • Engaging activities include games, sports, and community outings (e.g., to the 99 cent store).

Standout Features

  • The highly compassionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable staff, praised for their expertise in working with special needs individuals.
  • Unique and morally grounded approach to running competitive games.
  • Availability of occupational therapy programs.
  • Strong social environment that facilitates friendship building.
  • Diverse range of activities including games, sports, and local community trips.
  • Positive experience for volunteers, indicating a welcoming and impactful environment.

Perfect For

Primarily caters to the 'special needs community', encompassing a broad range of 'individuals' (children, teens, young adults) who participate in competitive games, sports, and occupational therapy programs.

Ideal For

Parents seeking the highest quality program for their children with special needs, prioritizing staff compassion, knowledge, and patience.
Families looking for a venue that offers competitive games with strong ethical standards.
Individuals requiring occupational therapy services in a supportive and social setting.
Children and young adults who thrive in environments that encourage friendship and participation in diverse activities (sports, games, community outings).
Volunteers looking for a meaningful experience contributing to the special needs community.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • If door accessibility (e.g., for wheelchairs or mobility aids requiring automated/power doors) is a critical requirement for your child's independence, contact ARCH directly to inquire about any recent updates or specific accommodations, as previous reviews highlight a significant lack of accessible doors.

Things to Consider

  • Despite being named a 'Center for the Handicapped', the facility reportedly lacks handicap accessible doors, including interior and bathroom doors, which is a significant accessibility issue.

Price & Value

No specific pricing information is mentioned in the reviews. However, the consistent 5-star ratings and high praise for staff, programs, and overall experience suggest a strong perceived value for money among attendees and their families, indicating it's considered a worthwhile investment.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • Staff is highly knowledgeable and patient when working with the special needs community.
  • Reported lack of 'handicap accessible' doors throughout the facility, including interior and bathroom doors, which is a significant physical barrier for some individuals.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Reviewers imply a strong ethical and moral environment, which provides a sense of emotional and psychological safety for attendees. (No specific physical safety features like security personnel or gates were mentioned).

When to Avoid

  • Families whose children require automated or power-assisted doors for independent access to interior spaces and bathrooms, as this facility has been noted to lack such features.

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

We Can Be Heroes

Not specified

Not specified

Special event.

Fall Fest- Guest

Not specified

Not specified

Special event for guests.

Fall Festival- Volunteers Only

Not specified

Not applicable

Special event for volunteers only.

Frightfully Fun Fest- Volunteers Only

Not specified

Not applicable

Special event for volunteers only.

Join All Hands In!

Not specified

Not specified

Special event.

📅Booking Policy

  • Extended care for ARCHKids Summer Program is only available for Main Campus and MUST be approved by the ARCHKids Coordinator.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Oct 13, 2025

Photos

Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped photo 1
Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped photo 2
Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped photo 3
Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped photo 4
Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped photo 5
Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped photo 6

What People Say

What's Great

  • Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Nitasha Miller

Nitasha Miller

3 months ago

Wonderful facility - have frequented many times over several years, but it baffles me that such a nice “Center for the Handicapped” does not have any ‘handicap accessible’ doors - not even interior or bathroom doors or anything

Janine Warn

Janine Warn

10 months ago

The staff is very loving kind and compassionate. They have so much knowledge and patience working with our special needs community. I have checked out several programs in the valley and I feel this is the best program around. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication.

Emily Stapley

Emily Stapley

3 years ago

This place was great. We had our first game here today and it was the best experience we've had in a competitive game. I'm not sure the man's role that gave us the rundown of how they do things, but they have an incredible idea and everyone should be doing this. I even checked myself. Being a mom of 3 boys I can be very protective.. so I checked myself today because of their morals. Thank you so much for the experience. 💜

C Mcluty

C Mcluty

2 years ago

I am grateful for the staff at ARCH, such patient, kind hearted staff that create so much for the community and members. Thank you for pouring your hearts into your work, I can see it and feel it-God Bless.

Christina Solares

Christina Solares

9 years ago

Everything is awesome. I miss being there. I use to volunteer for hours to get into the occupational therapy program and continued even when I was done with my hours. I haven't been back due to personal reasons but I can't wait to go back. I made friends with the individuals that attending the center. I use to play games, sports, went to the 99 cent store, and always lost track of time. Definately a great place to volunteer at. Recommend to anyone who looks to be a part of this center.

Contact Information

1550 W Colter St, Phoenix, AZ 85015, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.5
Total Reviews162
Recent Reviews5