"We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym has over 100 locations in almost 30 states"

Dec 9, 2022, Cincinnati Enquirer: Gym for those with special needs opening in NKY https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/2022/12/09/gym-for-those-with-autism-and-disabilities-opening-in-nky/69716707007/

Becky Stenger says she often has to apologize when her daughter cuts in line, knocks over toys, or gets in the way of other kids at parks. But she didn’t have to when she went to We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym in Cleveland for the first time about five years ago. The gym provides open play areas for families and people of all ages with special needs.

Now, she and her husband Joe Stenger are hoping to bring that same experience to those in Northern Kentucky. Their franchise of We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym is opening this weekend in Erlanger.

“There is nothing in the Northern Kentucky area that is like this,” she said.

The roughly 6,000 square-foot facility has a rock wall, indoor swings, jungle gym, and zipline – all accessible to people with different abilities….

Her nine-year-old daughter Josie, who has autism and is nonverbal, has been the driving force behind the desire to open an inclusive play space in the area.

Stenger says she and other parents can struggle to find safe inclusive activities for all their children and they want their facility to be that kind of space for other families.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym has over 100 locations in almost 30 states, and the location in Erlanger is the first one in Kentucky, according to its website. There are also locations in Cincinnati and Columbus.

The grand opening is tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 331 Kenton Lands Road, Suite 400, in Erlanger.