Welcome to Burning Up The Beaches! We are planning you a fantastic weekend of cruising, parties, white sands and blue green waters, and hospitality that our Emerald Coast is famous for! In June of 2015, Horizons of Okaloosa County re-branded to The Arc of the Emerald Coast, joining names with the National organization that we have always been an affiliate of.

“Burning up the Beaches” was designed in conjunction with the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce as a fundraiser for The Arc of the Emerald Coast. Arc was founded originally in the 1950’s by parents of mentally and physically handicapped children, these parents developed programs providing education, training and support for their children and soon became the Association of Retarded Citizens (Arc).

Horizons of Okaloosa County (now known as The Arc of the Emerald Coast) grew out of this strong foundation and was established in 1992. Our goal is to provide valued services including advocacy, education and support for people with disabilities, their families, and others in the community. We enable people to live, work, play as we do through opportunities for choice and realization of goals. We offer our clients the opportunity to be as independent as possible. By serving children and adults with various intellectual and developmental disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, Williams Syndrome and Sensory Impairments. Our programs include supported employment, vocational training, adult day training facilities, companion services, group homes and supported living facilities.

The Arc’s vision has served as the standard bearer for other Arc agencies with the highest ethics and professionalism to guide us. And thanks to people like you, the future is bright for Arc and all our clients!