MUSCATINE, Iowa — Jefferson Elementary School third-grader Levi Denney took a couple hours off school Wednesday morning to play.

Levi, a special education student at Jefferson, joined 64 of his peers for the fifth annual Special Olympics Young Athletes Play Activity Day at the Muscatine Community Y.

As he and his fellow students from across the Muscatine and Louisa-Muscatine school districts played at a variety of activity stations, Levi selected a favorite.

“I like the ramp bowling,” he said, pointing toward the sets of recessed carpet strips that led to a set of plastic pins.

Kathy Irving, the state director of special programs for Special Olympics Iowa, said the non-competitive event is designed to introduce special education children ages 2-7 to the program.

Children can join Special Olympics when they are 8 years old.

“This is two hours of sheer chaos,” said Irving. “And it’s fun.”

Cody Neiswonger of Louisa-Muscatine Elementary School celebrated his 6th birthday at the event by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Cody’s mother, Ronda  Lane of Muscatine, said her son became paralyzed in his legs after a tumor on his spine burst.

Lane, a Muscatine resident who open enrolls Cody in L-M, said she and her family encourage Cody not to limit himself because he uses a wheelchair.

The Fun Day is exactly the sort of event that reinforces their intent, said Lane.

“This is fantastic for kids,” said Lane. “It gives them a chance to be winners in their own environment.”

Kortni Spitznogle of Muscatine brought her son, Dezmon Spitznogle, 4, to the event. Dezmon takes speech therapy through the special education department at L-M.

“He’s been pumped about this all week,” said Spitznogle.

 Tabitha Darnell of Davenport is an experienced Special Olympian who volunteered with the event.

“I like to see kids smile,” said Darnell, 29, a Special Olympian for 20 years and Global Messenger for the program.

Ron Miller, program  director of the Muscatine Community Y’s Special Olympics program retires this year, but will continue volunteering at the play day event.

“I just won’t have to do the preparation,” said Miller. “I’ll just come and enjoy it.”