Dade Games Bring Students, Families Together For Day Of Inclusion And Play

On a bright, warm spring morning in Dade County, the kind where it already feels like summer before lunch, more than 100 students and their families gathered at the New Salem Community Center for a day built just for them.

They came for the Dade Games.

The annual event, organized by Dade County Schools, has grown into one of the most anticipated days of the year for students with disabilities across the district. Modeled loosely as the county’s own version of the Special Olympics, the Dade Games bring together elementary, middle and high school students for a field day centered on inclusion, community and a whole lot of fun.

Students rotated through games that ranged from bowling and badminton to soccer and parachute activities, with options tailored to meet a wide range of abilities. For those who needed a different pace, there were sensory-friendly activities like bubbles and interactive stations. Off to the side, inflatable attractions including a bouncy house and crawl-through obstacle added another layer of excitement.

By mid-morning, the energy across the grounds was unmistakable.

“This is kind of like their own field day,” said Deidre Stewart, parent mentor for Dade County Schools. “For a lot of our kids, it’s their favorite day of the year.”

The Dade Games have their roots in a simple idea: create a space where students with disabilities could have an experience that feels fully their own while still reflecting the spirit of school-wide events. Over time, that idea has grown, fueled by steady community support and a network of volunteers.

Local churches including New Salem Baptist and New Salem Methodist help provide food and drinks. The Bank of Dade has become a regular presence, sponsoring inflatables and handing out sunglasses to students. First responders also play a role, with police and fire departments helping escort buses and welcome students to the event.

It all builds toward one of the day’s most meaningful moments.

Around midday, students are called up one by one for a medal ceremony, cheered on by principals, school leaders and family members gathered nearby.

“We just call each kid’s name, bring them up, and it’s a big celebration,” Stewart said.

Beyond the games and medals, the impact runs deeper.

“I think it’s so important for our kids to feel like they have their own special day,” Stewart said. “They get to bond with their family, their friends and their community.”

The day creates space for students to move, play and connect in ways that feel natural and unforced, alongside classmates, families and a broader community that fills in the gaps where systems sometimes fall short.

“Inclusion is huge,” Stewart said. “Everybody wants to feel included and be part of the same experiences.”

Programs like Best Buddies, now active across Dade County schools, have helped strengthen those connections year-round. But for many families, the Dade Games remain the most visible and emotional expression of that work.

By late morning, it was clear the games themselves were only a small part of why the Dade Games are so special to so many students every single year. To them, it’s about much more than getting outside and playing games. It’s about their families. It’s about the scores of volunteers, and it’s about a community that showed up just for them.