Columbus
Ohio
Columbus
Ohio
Tennis
Buddy Up Tennis is a 90-minute clinic consisting of 60 minutes of professional tennis instruction and 30 minutes of fitness conditioning, for Athletes ages 5 and over. Each of our Athletes is partnered with a volunteer Buddy to maximize their experience. Buddies are required to be at least 14 years old, enthusiastic, energetic and ready to have fun! No tennis experience is required. All Athletes receive a team shirt and racquet.
Location & Contact
Location
Wickertree Tennis & Fitness Club
5760 Maple Canyon Avenue
Columbus, OH 43229
Contact Information
ColumbusTennis@buforlife.org
For questions or further inquires, please contact your local coordinator via email.
Schedule
Clinic Time
Saturdays, 9:30am- 11:00am
Clinic Dates
Spring Session
March
21, 28
April
11, 18, 25
May
2
SIGN UP
COST: $110/6 week session
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships are available
Please contact your location coordinator for information regarding scholarship availability.
New to our program?
PICKLEBALL
Buddy Up Pickleball is a 60-minute clinic consisting of 50 minutes of professional pickleball instruction and 10 minutes of ball control and tracking activities, for Athletes ages 12 and over. Volunteer Buddies are partnered with 1-2 Athletes to support the learning environment. Buddies are required to be at least 14 years old, enthusiastic, energetic and excited to have fun! No pickleball experience is required. Team shirts are provided to participants. Paddles are provided to Athletes.
Location & Contact
Location
Pickle and Chill
880 West Henderson Rd.
Columbus, OH 43214
Contact Information
Columbuspickleball@buforlife.org
For questions or further inquires, please contact your local coordinator via email.
Schedule
CLINIC TIME
Thursdays, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m
Clinic Dates
Spring Session
March
26
April
2, 9, 16, 23, 30
May
7, 14
SIGN UP
COST: $120/8 week session
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships are available
Please contact your location coordinator for information regarding scholarship availability.
New to our program?
Cardio & Core
Buddy Up Cardio & Core is a dynamic, upbeat, core-focused fitness class created for individuals with Down syndrome (ages 12+). Buddy Volunteers (ages 14+) work with Athletes to provide feedback, ensure safety, and guide proper technique.
Location & Contact
Location
The Ohio State University
Wexner Medical Center Health
and Fitness Center
150 W. Main St., New Albany,
OH 43054
Contact Information
For questions or further inquires, please contact your local coordinator via email.
Schedule
CLASS TIMES & DATES
Winter Session
Tuesdays 4:30pm- 5:15pm
February
3, 10, 17, 24
March
3, 10, 17, 24
Program Cost
Session Cost: $85/8 week session
Scholarship Opportunities
DSACO Scholarships Available
Please contact your location coordinator for information regarding scholarship availability.
New to our program?
Core Yoga
Core Yoga is an empowering class designed to help our Athletes build strength, balance, and body awareness from the inside out. In addition to practicing accessible yoga poses, Participants will engage in movements that boost core stability and self-confidence in a supportive, positive environment. Athletes will also learn breathing techniques specifically designed to help reduce anxiety and stress, providing them with tools to feel calm and focused. It’s a space to move, breathe, and grow together!
Location & Contact
Location
The Ohio State University
Wexner Medical Center Health
and Fitness Center
150 W. Main St., New Albany,
OH 43054
Contact Information
For questions or further inquires, please contact your local coordinator via email.
Schedule
CLASS TIMES & DATES
Spring Session
Tuesdays 4:30pm- 5:15pm
April
7, 14, 21, 28
May
5, 12
Program Cost
Session Cost: $55/6 week session
Scholarship Opportunities
DSACO Scholarships Available
Please contact your location coordinator for information regarding scholarship availability.
New to our program?
Fitness
Buddy Up Fitness is a full body workout class for Athletes ages 12 and over. Our 8-10 station full-body circuit training program is designed to combine activities that both increase heart rate and strengthen muscle mass with an emphasis on core conditioning. Each Athlete is paired with a Volunteer Buddy to help them with proper form and to track progress. Buddy Up Fitness is filled with challenges and fun to help each of our Athletes reach their fullest potential.
This camp has finished until the next session. More info will be posted!
Location & Contact
Location
Pickle and Chill
880 West Henderson Rd.
Columbus, OH 43214
Contact Information
Columbusfitness@buforlife.org
For questions or further inquires, please contact your local coordinator via email.
Schedule
CLINIC TIME
Winter & Spring
Session A: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Session B: 6:45pm-7:45pm
Clinic Dates
Spring Session
March
25
April
1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Program Cost
Spring Session A & B Cost (each): $85/6 week session
Scholarship Opportunities
DSACO Scholarships Available
Please contact your location coordinator for information regarding scholarship availability.
New to our program?
LIFE SKILLS
AGE 14+
Our Life Skills courses are designed to support lifelong learning for Students with Down syndrome ages 14 and up. Honoring the need for continual refinement of skills and recognizing that independence looks different for everyone, courses are repeatable based on individual Student needs*.
*at the discretion of the Instructor
SPECIAL EVENT
Communication for Life:
Social at COSI
Get ready to take your skills on the road! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at COSI where Students can practice and generalize their communication skills in a vibrant, real-world setting!
Eligibility: For students only (open to all past and present Communication for Life participants).
Deadline: Pre-registration is required. Sign up by April 28, 2026.
SUMMER SESSION
Finance for Life: Building My Budget
Mondays | 5:30 – 7 PM | Fifth 3rd Bank
Learn how to manage money, assess needs vs wants, and practice smart spending decisions using hands-on activities and real-life examples.
Prerequisites: Money Fundamentals
Cost: 150
CLASS DATES: June 15, 22, July 6, 13, 20, 27 , August 3, 10
Communication : Pathways to Communication During Transition
Tuesdays | 4:30 – 6 PM | Easton Community Room
Provides professional communication interview skills, email skills, goal setting, and executive functioning outside of the home setting. This class is ideal for students preparing for life after high school.
Cost: 185
CLASS DATES: June 2, 9, 16, 23, July 7, 14, 21, 28
Communication : Friendship and Technology
Tuesdays | 4:30 – 6 PM | BUFL Office New Albany
Communication: Friendship and Technology focuses on social communication skills through the lens of technology including text etiquette, social media, calling vs texting vs FaceTiming, and group chat etiquette. This class is for our Students who independently text or email and may need additional guidance.
Cost: 185
CLASS DATES: June 2, 9, 16, 23, July 7, 14, 21, 28
Communities
Wednesdays | 4:45 – 6:15 PM | Various locations
Prerequisite class required
Cost: No Charge
CLASS DATES: June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29
Cooking Fundamentals
Wednesdays | 3 – 5:30 PM | BUFL Office New Albany
Cooking Fundamentals will focus on foundational kitchen skills including measuring, cutting, mixing and following simple recipes. Accommodations will be made for dietary restrictions e.g. gluten or dairy free
Cost: $200
CLASS DATES: June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29
Safety For Life
Wednesdays | 5:30 – 7 PM | BUFL Office New Albany
Safety For Life blends hands-on practice with decision-making scenarios. Determining responses to common illnesses, minor injuries, and everyday safety situations. Students build practical first aid skills that promote personal safety, responsible decision-making, and greater independence.
Cost: $200
CLASS DATES: June 17, 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12
Communications AAC Club
Thursdays | TBD | Market Street Library
By invitation only. Communications AAC Club will provide opportunities for students with AAC devices to grow their communication skills.
Cost: $100
CLASS DATES: bi-monthly 4x TBD
Scholarship Opportunities
Please contact your location coordinator for information regarding scholarship availability.
New to our program?
Summer Camp
AGE 10+
Buddy Up Summer Camp is a week-long camp providing a remarkable variety of experiences for our Athletes to learn, grow, and explore. In addition to working on improving tennis skills – and new this year, pickleball – Campers will explore different sports, participate in team-building activities, and practice life skills. Our jam-packed schedule includes Zumba with Miss Kimberly, Communication Classes with BUFL instructors focusing on building friendships, high-energy Cardio Drumming, and Painting with a professional artist!
Location & Contact
Location
Wickertree Tennis and Fitness Club
5760 Maple Canyon Ave.
Columbus, OH 43229
Contact Information
summercampcolumbus@
For questions or further inquires, please contact your local coordinator via email.
Details
Camp Dates
June 15th – 19th, 2026
9 AM – 12 PM each day
Athlete Age: 10+
Buddy Age: 14+
Activities
Zumba with Miss Kimberly
Communication Class with BUFL instructors focusing on building friendships
Cardio Drumming
Painting with an Artist
& MORE!
Program Cost
Session Cost*: $250/for the week
Scholarship Opportunities
Please contact your location coordinator for information regarding scholarship availability.
New to our program?
CONNECTIONS
AGE 14+
The Buddy Up Connections Program serves as the foundation of friendship for Athletes and Buddies. Through the meaningful connections that are built over time, Athletes expand their social circles while Buddies create new friends and practice leadership skills as they lead each group meeting. These connections thrive within a group setting, where Athletes and Buddies gather for planned meetups to engage in shared activities. The program meets weekly throughout a session of 6 weeks, and as relationships strengthen, many participants continue to meet on an ongoing basis.
Throughout the session, our groups will enjoy a diverse range of activities, including: Bowling and Mini-Golf for some friendly competition. Pickleball and Outdoor Fun & Games to stay active. Art & Painting sessions to spark creativity. Relaxed Movie outings to enjoy with friends.
Location & Contact
Varies each week, schedule will be sent after registration is complete
Contact Information
For questions or further
Schedule
TIMES & DATES
SUMMER SESSION
June
18, 25 (5:00 PM Start Time)
July
9, 16, 23, 30
Program Cost
Session Cost: $125/6 week session
New to our program?
Buddy up Cardio Dance
ALL Athletes are welcome to join our Buddy Up Cardio Dance Sessions. The class is taught virtually, but the engagement level is just as high as in person, thanks to Miss Kimberly, our energetic and exciting instructor and our supportive Buddy Up for Life Environment!
To sign up for Cardio Dance Click HERE.
Get Involved
Participate
Volunteer
Instruct
Get started by completing our simple New Athlete Application form.
Volunteer your time and talent to make a difference in the Down syndrome community.
Volunteer your skills and expertise to be a role model and help lead our program.
We Are Proudly Partnered With
Get Involved
Participate
Get started by completing our simple New Athlete Application form.
Volunteer
Learn how to volunteer your time and talent to make a difference in the Down syndrome community.
Instruct
Learn how to volunteer your skills and expertise to be a role model and help lead our program.