Helping to Facilitate the Participation of Children with Disabilities in Community Settings
Recreation
This
page lists organizations in the local metropolitan area that provide
recreational activities for children with special needs and their families.
Please note: The resources
spotlighted are identified through recommendations by community members.
This is not an advertisement or an endorsement by Community Connections
or the University of Maryland.
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Access for All: Department of Natural Resources for the state of MD |
| The DNR provides a list
of public lands that are accessible for individuals with disabilities,
as well as information on equipment rentals and services. Phone: 410-260-8086. |
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ACME Together |
| Autistic Children's Movies and Entertainment Together is a Not-for-Profit organization that arranges events at a variety of theaters, restaurants and other venues in the DC Metro Area. Designed for children with Autism and other related "spectrum" disorders, ACME events are opportunities for children and their families to meet others in a low-pressure social situation. The costs for events are free, or covered by a small fee, which is used to cover the cost of the event, and to sponsor future events. We think everyone should have the chance to go out as a family and have fun. For more information visit the website or email Fidel Ortega. | |
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The American Camping Association |
| The ACA will provide
the names of ACA approved camps for both children with and without
special needs. Chesapeake Section: 1-800-653-1409 |
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Children's Developmental Clinic |
| The Children's Developmental
clinic provides a unique experience for children, birth and up,
who are experiencing developmental difficulties. Prince George's Community College Location: 301-322-0519 University of Maryland Location: 301-405-2442 |
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Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc |
| CHTR is dedicated
to encouraging the physical and mental development of children and
adults with developmental, psychological, or physical disabilities.
CHTR's equine-facilitated approach incorporates cognitive, behavioral,
psychological, and physical goals to increase self-confidence, self-esteem,
physical independence, and social awareness. Contact Lesley B. Shear, Exec. Director, Head Therapeutic Riding Instructor Phone: 301 916 - 2040 Fax: 301 916 - 2656 Mailing Address: P. O. Box 463 Barnesville, MD 20838-0463 Program Location: 22500 West Harris Road Barnesville, Maryland |
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Croydon Creek Nature Center |
| 852 Avery Rd Rockville, MD 20851 Phone: 240-314-8770 |
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Funfit Family Fitness Center |
| In a stress-free, cooperative
environment, we encourage kids to participate in, lead and create
activities, regardless of their physical ability or gender. Those
with Special Needs are encouraged to mainstream into all classes
or participate in the "Kids Like Me" class designed just
for them. Great for families with special needs from birth to adults.
For more information, contact Celia Kibler or Lynn Rubin The Redland Center 17511 Redland Road (at Muncaster Mill Road) Rockville, MD 20855 Phone: 301-975-0099 |
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Greenbelt Department of Recreation |
| This city-wide accessible
arts and recreation program will accommodate children from outside
of Greenbelt who can sign-up once city residents have registered.
Classes and camps are open to children with disabilities. The recreation
specialist, who is also the inclusion specialist, will work with
parents to determine accommodations before a child enters class.
For further information, contact Karen Hasely, Director of Therapeutic
Recreation Programs. Phone: 301-397-2208 |
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Gymbugs |
| Children's fitness program
that uses a fun, organized play program to encourage learning, socialization,
and development. 9725 Traville Gateway Dr. Rockville. MD 20850 Phone: 301-762-0111 Email: gymbugs@att.net |
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Hoof Prints in the Sand, Therapeutic Trail Riding and Camping Center |
Hoof Prints in the
Sand provides horse trail riding as well as other outdoor activities
for day- trippers and vacationers. They provide therapeutic horseback
riding in a natural setting, as well as other activities, which
include hiking, cycling, birding and canoeing. If this outdoorsy
day trip sounds like one for you, please contact Hoof Prints in
the Sand to plan your accessible outing. |
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I Can Do It Too |
| I Can
Do It Too is a sensory motor/gymnastics program for children with
minimal to severe physical, mental, social, language and/or sensory
challenges. This program combines sensory stimulation, gross motor
activities, and gymnastics to facilitate learning and growth in
all aspects of human functioning. |
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Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (K.E.E.N.) Foundation, Inc., |
| The Kids Enjoy Exercise
Now (K.E.E.N.) Foundation, Inc., provides free one-on-one recreational
opportunities for children and young adults with mental and physical
disabilities. P.O.Box 341590 Bethesda, MD 20827-1530 Phone: 301-770-3200 |
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Kindermusik of Bowie/Crofton |
Kindermusik of Bowie/Crofton
provides opportunities for children with and without disabilities
to discover the great expressions of music such as singing, moving,
dancing, and playing various instruments. An array of sessions,
are provided at a cost. In addition, Ms. Trafelet also provides
a free Kindermusik session every first Tuesday of the month at
Border’s Books in Bowie at the 10:30 a.m. story time. |
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The Levine School of Music |
| Levine School of Music,
one of the nation's largest and most prestigious nonprofit community
music schools, offers music education for students of all ages and
ability. With campuses in Northwest and Southeast Washington, Maryland
and Virginia, Levine serves about 3,500 students in more than 22
instruments and voice through private lessons, classes and workshops.
Beginning with students as young as six months, the school offers
a curriculum ranging from beginning to advanced studies. St. Paul's United Methodist Church 10401 Armory Avenue Kensington, MD 20895 301-933-0929 phone 301-933-2831 fax LevineMaryland@levineschool.org As of January 3, the Maryland campus will be at: The Music Center at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda, MD 20852 There are additional campuses in Washington, DC and Arlington, VA. Please visit the main website for information on these sites. |
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Maryland Council of Equestrian Therapies |
| MCET provides a listing
of riding centers in the state of Maryland. Phone: 410-378-3817 |
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Maryland Special Olympics |
| The Special Olympics
provides year round athletic training and competition for individuals
with developmental delays Phone: 410-290-7611 |
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Maryland Therapeutic Riding (MTR) |
MTR's
mission is to improve the lives of special needs riders of all
ages using a high quality therapeutic riding program that encourages
family and volunteer participation. Therapeutic Riding is a growing
and widely-accepted treatment for rehabilitating a range of physical,
mental, and emotional disabilities. MTR's year round program includes
both traditional Therapeutic Riding as well as Hippotherapy. Instructor
training is also offered. |
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M-NCPPC |
| The M-NCPPC Inclusion
Services department encourages and supports the participation
of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services.
In addition, the M-NCPPC Special Programs Division provides
Therapeutic Recreational programs and services for Prince George’s
County residents with disabilities. |
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Music for Life for Young Children |
| Offers classes through
the Montgomery County Recreation Department, as well as at main
location - the Golden School of Music in Chevy Chase. Also offers the FREE class Discovering Music for Toddlers at the Golden School of Music for children with special needs. This year's class is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 16th at 10am. For more information, contact Lucy Fonseca, Office Administrator. 4044 Nottingham Dr Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Phone: 301-951-3626 |
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My Gym |
| Cabin John Mall 11325 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854 Phone: 301-985-5300 |
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M-NCPPC Nature Centers |
| Montgomery
County Centers: |
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North American Riding for the Handicapped Association |
| NARHA provides a listing
of riding centers in the state of Maryland. Phone: 1-800-369-7433 |
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Recreation & Entertainment in Prince George's County |
| Phone: 301-699-2582
Therapeutic Recreation: 301-454-1480 |
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Rolly Pollies |
| Movement-based programs
that blend fitness, music and fun to promote physical awareness,
strength, balance, and flexibility. Creative arts center that encourage
exploration through the senses. Music adventures include songs,
stories, movement, and instrument playing. 476D Ritchie Hwy Severna Park, MD 21146 Phone: 410-544-9002 Fax: 410-544-3012 |
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Seize the Day |
| Seize
the Day mixed abilities performances is a professional dance theatre
company whose members include artists with physical disabilities.
The company is based in Prince George's County, MD and performs
throughout the metro Washington area, regionally and nationally.
In addition to it's cutting edge performance work, Seize the Day's
outreach programs serve children and adults with a wide range
of disabilities. |
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Silver Star Gymnastics |
| Special Stars: Gail
Troussoff Marks, program director, offers classes designed for children
with a variety of special needs. Smaller classes are scheduled to
allow coaches a more hands-on teaching environment. Special Stars
teaches lasting skills that help children to reach their potential,
triumph over challenges, work with others and achieve individual. 2707 Pittman Drive Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301-598-0938 2725 University Blvd Wheaton, MD 20902 Phone: 301-942-0088 |
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Wish-A-Fish Foundation, Inc. |
| The Wish-A-Fish Foundation's
mission is to provide a little relief for a family from the daily
stress of having a child with “special needs” such as
a live-threatening illness, mental or physical disability, by taking
the entire family out for a day of fun and fishing on the water. Rod Rice, President Corporate Headquarters 4852 Ellicott Woods Lane Ellicott City, MD 21043 410-203-0052 |
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The World Arts Focus at Joe’s Movement Emporium |
| The World Arts Focus
at Joe’s Movement Emporium is a community performing and visual
arts program for all children and adults. The staff incorporates
a holistic approach to performing arts and has the training and
experience to understand how to incorporate children’s different
learning styles into different classes. Children with disabilities
have the choice of being included into the class sessions and/or
individualized sessions. Mt. Rainier, MD Phone: 301-699-3911 |
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World Martial Arts Center, Inc. |
Heip-Tinh-Mon
World Fighting Arts, founded by Grandmaster Quoc Dung, is considered
an American style of martial arts. The Grandmaster has a doctorate
in psychology and has many years of experience working with children
with special needs. Children with special needs can be included
into classes or special classes can be arranged. |
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Yoga Tales |
| For more information,
contact Sarah Schain. 8020 Norfolk Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-951-9642 |
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© 2004 University of Maryland. All Rights Reserved.
Last updated on
February 13, 2006
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