ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A new gym in Delta County is making play an exclusive experience for all children.
Carmella Cole’s family knows the struggle of finding accessible places where children of all abilities can play.
“My oldest daughter has a four-year-old who was diagnosed with Fragile X two years ago and also has autism,” Cole said.
While looking for a venue for her grandson’s birthday party, Cole realized there was a lack of resources for children like him.
“Our community just didn’t have what we needed to have a birthday party to meet his needs because he plays different, he interacts different,” she said. “This led to We Rock the Spectrum.”
We Rock the Spectrum is a kids’ gym franchise started by a woman with a similar experience to Cole’s. Now, Cole and her two daughters are launching We Rock the Spectrum – Up North, located at 1401 North 26th Street, Suite 118 in Escanaba.
“Our motto is we ‘play with a purpose,'” said Cole. “It’s a place you never have to say you’re sorry. You can be comfortable in your own skin.”
Although We Rock the Spectrum is open to all children, it has swings, ziplines, monkey bars, a trampoline, and other equipment specifically designed for kids with sensory processing disorders and special needs.
“We offer an imagination station, we offer arts and crafts, we have a toddler area, we have a calming room,” Cole said. “We also offer birthday parties and field trips.”
Cole says the gym stimulates emotional development. She has seen it help her own grandchild grow and become more confident.
“When he does not play in his gym, he does not have an off button, so he does not sleep at night when he does not come here and play,” she said. “It’s already helping him with his coordination, his speech. He is nonverbal but he is making more sounds now, and I contribute it to being here in this gym.”
Cole believes We Rock the Spectrum – Up North will also bring a community of families together who can benefit from this valuable resource.
“The need is there for us to make connections,” she said. “I always say, ‘It takes a village to raise children, and maybe even two villages to raise our special needs children.’ I want to just build a network around our needs in our community.”
We Rock the Spectrum will offer two-hour open play passes, priced at $16 per child, typically from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, hours are subject to change due to birthday party and field trip bookings, so families are encouraged to visit werockthespectrumupnorth.com before visiting.
On Saturday, November 9, We Rock the Spectrum will hold a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will include food, prizes, games, activities, and special offers. Visit the We Rock the Spectrum – Up North Facebook page for additional information.
