Our Special Evening at Sahara Sam’s

I was provided tickets and cabana for this review; all opinions are my own.

Last Friday, we picked the kids up from school and headed out for Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor Waterpark‘s Special Evening at Sam’s (S.E.A.S.), located in West Berlin, NJ. These events are three hours of night time fun for families with members with special needs. Sahara Sam’s provides a judgment-free zone where kids and adults can play, swim and have community! I could see that a lot of people came frequently, and parents and kids of all races mingled, chatting, enjoying the break while kids had a blast.

I can tell you that it was mind-blowing coming in out of 20 degree weather in the dark to a warm oasis of water and good fun! We could barely contain Zoe as she stripped off her jacket, overly eager to get into her swimsuit and jump in the water. We managed to change her out of public eye, thanks to smart maneuvering in the cabana by my  husband, while I got ready in the lockers with Amelia.

Amelia prefers to swim, so she and I spent a lot of time in the basketball pool, watching the colors lights change, playing ball and general swim games like splashing. Zoe was a little bullet, zooming around to sample all the water play.

She did the slide more times than I can count.

And she loved the shower. (Really??)

She definitely loved the fire dog.

We all got on the lazy river for a few rounds as well, which was great since the water there was a little warmer.

Then Amelia got cold so we mugged for the camera in the cabana, which is awesome, because you have a safe, cozy “go to” spot for your family.

And I played a little “Where’s Sam”, where you take selfies with Sahara at various parts of the park and post.

Then it was back in the pool with Amelia while Chris took Zoe on the big, dark slide. In the pool with us were two young adult guys who were disabled. Sometimes when I see older people with intellectual disabilities, I get sad or worried about my kids, but as I watched them gently shooting baskets and diving beneath the water, a little voice inside said, “God makes no mistakes.”

The profound beauty of it all struck me. God doesn’t make make mistakes. He has created all things perfectly and people with profound disabilities are here for a purpose. I bet most of the time that purpose is to change their families in some way. I know my kids have changed me for the better. They’ve taught me to lighten up and laugh at life. As I stood waiting at the bottom of the slide for Zoe to have to her turn while Chris waited with her, a young woman in her early 20s with Down syndrome came down the slide. She sat up and started laughing so much at the sheer joy of that feeling, it was impossible not to join her. The lifeguard even started laughing. It’s moments like these that pull back the curtain and show you what’s really important.

S.E.A.S. is a beautiful experience for any family with a member with special needs. The lights and sounds are quieted and the park is not nearly as full as a regular night. Arcade games are off, lifeguards use whistles sparingly and if your family member has special dietary needs, you can brink a snack in (typically food is not allowed). No peanut products are allowed in however. Admission is $15.00 for the 3 hour event, which takes place on Friday night, 6-9 PM. The next events take place on March 6th and May 1st, 2014. They do sell out, though, so purchase tickets online.

My family had a great time. We went back to our room and the kids slept so soundly – Zoe actually slept way past her usual time! Fun was had by all. I highly recommend you attend the next S.E.A.S. if you have a child with special needs!