ABOVE: Children in grades 4 to 7 take turns shooting the basketball towards the net during the Fairmont Community Education and Recreation (CER) program, Adaptive Hoops, for young basketball players of all abilities at the Five Lakes gymnasium at Fairmont Elementary School (FES) on Saturday, Nov. 8. Photo courtesy of Heather Nelson.

FAIRMONT — Inclusion is a key message that Fairmont Community Education and Recreation (CER) is promoting. With the conclusion of Adaptive Hoops, a non-traveling basketball program that empowers and builds sports skills for all basketball players in grades 4 to 7 with varying abilities, CER revisits what made the program successful and how CER can continue to promote inclusivity in the community with its various programs.

“Our initial intention was to provide this inclusive piece,” said CER Director Stephanie Busiahn. “Individuals who have a form of disability partnered with individuals who don’t, and creating some of those relationships and partnerships, seeing them in the hallways or in the classrooms, in addition to seeing them and working with them outside of the classroom.”

Adaptive Hoops was first introduced in January 2024, and aimed to polish youth basketball skills while providing a supportive, friendly environment that opened doors for student connections. Noting significant success in the program, CER offered it again in October of 2024 and 2025. Busiahn reported that 10 students were officially registered in this fall’s program. She explained that CER intends for the program to be offered annually and that the coach Heather Nelson has made significant steps for CER to offer the flexible program for children with disabilities and keep it thriving.

Busiahn further explained that Nelson approached CER with the idea and how to introduce Fairmont High School (FHS) Unified Cardinals at an elementary level, claiming it would benefit her own child and numerous other children in the community, with CER’s assistance in facilitating the program.

“I said, ‘Well, maybe I’ll just make [a program],” Nelson shared with a chuckle. “It’s our third time having it, and it’s just fun to see the program continue. We’ve had a couple of kids who have been there every year. We always get new, different kids each year. It’s a good opportunity for those who can’t do travel basketball. It gives them something to do, so we try to include all abilities and it’s interesting to watch the growing curve of the kids that come into the program.”

“This is exactly in our wheelhouse. This is what we hope for, to find community champions that would come to us with these ideas,” Busiahn said.

Many volunteers were used, consisting of school staff, special education teachers, paraprofessionals and peers to identify students and families that may benefit from the program. Busiahn said a big goal CER had for the program was removing all barriers to bring in more participants and that said participants could take full advantage of the program in its positive setting.

The program has been received very positively by registered families and volunteers.

“CER, its motto is lifelong learning. One of the things that I had noticed shortly after I had started was our lack of programming for individuals with disabilities. We had initially started and did a couple of programs for adults with disabilities, and really saw that there was a need for some programming around youth as well. We look at it as, ‘will we fulfill a need or close a gap in terms of programming?'” said Busiahn.

Inclusivity in community programs is a necessity, and CER strives to provide various adaptive programs, promoting inclusivity for everyone of all abilities in Fairmont, Busiahn concurred.

“I think we need more unity in our lives, in my opinion. I was excited about this program offering and thought that it really encompassed so much of what community ed is about and represents,” said Busiahn.

“There’ so many activities that a lot of these kids don’t have the opportunity to do. Creating something like this, where it’s a mix of kids, is great because both groups get to work together, become friends, see each other at school and recognize each other. It’s fun to watch. This group of kids probably wouldn’t have communicated outside of this program,” Nelson said.

CER programs and registration can be found by visiting www.fairmont.k12.mn.us/o/cer or by contacting CER directly at (507) 235-3141. The CER office is located at the Southern Minnesota Educational Campus, 115 South Park Street in Fairmont.