Challenger Gym was developed in 2011 by pediatric physical therapist Wendy Morris who has been leading the group since then. Wendy has many years of experience and a true love for children of all abilities. Her vast experience working with children of all ages means Challenger Gym activities are fun for all! She also provides guidance to the high school volunteer “buddies” providing instruction in both programming and support for the participants.
Challenger Gym Spring 2025!!
Challenger Gym will take place at the GVCO Community Center from 4:15-5:15 on the following Thursday afternoons:
March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10
Challenger Gym is a recreational community gym program for school age kids from first grade through high school who have extra challenges. It is a fun hour of play where friendships are forged, and games and activities are adapted to make everyone feel successful. For many years, Challenger Gym has allowed those who may not find success in traditional community sports programs to laugh, run, jump, throw, make friends and shine!
Participant registration for Spring Challenger Gym has filled and is closed.
The program is generally held once a week for about an hour over a six-week period in the spring (March and April) and fall (November and December). The participating children are paired with one or two high school students based on the level of assistance they need to participate successfully. There are five or six different stations during the one-hour session such as obstacle courses, bowling, balloon fun, relay races and throwing games. Each child is unique, so activities are adapted as needed. Our participants in the past have had a wide range of varying abilities, from driving power wheelchairs to being able to run the length of a basketball court. There is plenty of enthusiasm and excitement with squeals of laughter, as the emphasis is on fun!
At the heart of the program are the dedicated high school buddy volunteers who remain the same each week. Under the direction of Wendy Morris, a licensed and practicing physical therapist, the “buddies” are guided in building relationships and helping everyone to successfully participate. Over the years, the response has been fantastic. Friendships have blossomed and a comfort level interacting with people of all abilities has left life-long impressions on many.
This program is funded as a community outreach program of the Great Valley Community Organization. There is no cost to participants to register. We encourage those who can to help support this and other community programs by donating to the Great Valley Community Organization through the Support GVCO page.
If you have any questions, please contact either Wendy Morris or Debbie McAneney at [email protected]. All are welcome!
Volunteer registration for Spring Challenger Gym has filled and is closed.
Why Do You Volunteer for Challenger Gym?
2024 Newsletters:
10/16/24,
12/6/24
Challenger Gym was developed in 2011 by pediatric physical therapist Wendy Morris who has been leading the group since then. Wendy has many years of experience and a true love for children of all abilities. Her vast experience working with children of all ages means Challenger Gym activities are fun for all! She also provides guidance to the high school volunteer “buddies” providing instruction in both programming and support for the participants. In the fall of 2023, Wendy will be assisted in programming by Erica McAneney and administratively by Debbie McAneney.
Challenger Gym Leadership
Wendy Morris
Wendy Morris has been a pediatric physical therapist for over 35 years, earning a Master’s in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in 1987. She has worked in multiple states and has treated children in multiple settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools and private homes. She has worked with students of every age from birth through 21, and even treats some young adult patients. Her caseloads over the years have included children with cerebral palsy, autism, developmental delays, coordination delays, extra sensory needs, and the medically fragile. She raised her three children in Great Valley with all three participating in athletics and graduating from Great Valley High School. Wendy and her husband Chris have spent years volunteering with GVCO activities beginning while their children were participating in the sports programs and more recently with Caring Hands and Challenger Gym.
Debbie McAneney
Debbie McAneney has been a long-time volunteer in the Great Valley Community. She and her husband Vince raised their 4 children here, all of whom attended the Great Valley School District and participated in programs under the Great Valley Community Organization. Debbie spent years volunteering in the schools in PTO and district programs as well as those more specific to students with special needs. She was a founding member of the group Parents of Students with Special Needs which provided educational information to parents both formally and informally on topics related to the Great Valley School District and special needs in general. Debbie works as a caregiver for her adult son, Ryan, and part time as an administrative assistant at a local dental office. Debbie and Wendy met when Wendy served as Ryan’s physical therapist from grades K through 12 and now have a long standing friendship!
