Community Based Recreational Organizations
Howard County Recreation and Parks Department
The Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion Services Section offers a wide variety of activities for individuals of all ages. Therapeutic Recreation provides recreation opportunities in the community such as; fitness and creative arts programs, social groups, community outings, and summer camp programs.
The Inclusion Services provides a variety of support services to individuals with disabilities who choose to participate in any recreation program or class offered by the department. Inclusion accommodations may include financial assistance, accessibility, companions, additional training, medical, and interpretive services for the deaf or hearing impaired. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to register for general recreation programs of their choice. Howard County Recreation and Parks Department has developed an inclusion process to better accommodate citizens with disabilities. To ensure that we meet your program needs, please call 410-313-4628 or 410-313-4708 two weeks prior to the program start. [email protected]
Montgomery County Recreation
Offers many camps for children from age 5 to 21! They provide age appropriate activities in a safe, supportive environment. Please review the website to find the best fit for your child.
MarTar Swim School
6801-B Douglas Legum Drive
Elkridge, MD 21075
410-799-8887
“From decades of experience, MarTar has the knowledge to teach every individual to swim, employing a variety of techniques including but not limited to visual aids and sign language.” Partnerships with Autism Societies of 4 counties, Pathfinders for Autism, HoCo Special Olympics and more."
Therapeutic Recreational Riding Center
3750 Shady Lane
Glenwood, MD
410-489-5100
TRRC’s mission is to provide both physical and occupational therapy on horseback, treating a range of physical, mental and emotional disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, post-traumatic brain injury, autism, ADHD, and cognitive disorders. It also provides recreational riding opportunity for clients with and without disabilities. Horseback riding is a gentle and rhythmic activity that often improves flexibility, balance, and muscle strength. It is also an opportunity to build unique relationships between the rider and the horse that leads to increased confidence, patience, and self-esteem.
Baltimore Saints Hockey
Baltimore Area Special Hockey, Inc.
P.O. Box 42793
Towson, MD 21284-2793
410-370-1818
Provides ice hockey program for children with intellectual disabilities such at Autism and Down Syndrome
Mt Airy Bowling Lanes
304 Center St
Mount Airy, MD 2177
301-829-0710
Mt. Airy Bowling Lanes offers a Sunday morning bowling league. It is for individuals with special needs and their families. Bowl for 12 weeks in the spring and/or fall. It is $3 a week and includes one game of bowling and a shoe rental. To learn more about the league, contact Lisa Boxall at the facility.
Fitness For Health
1140 Rockville Pike
Rockville, Maryland 20852
301-231- 7138
Child and adult exercise programs in a fun, state-of-the-art atmosphere. They provide personalized therapeutic programs for children and adults. Group programs, school programs, and special events are offered here. The trained staff has background in Adapted PE, Health, and Motor Learning. The facility includes:
Sports Plus Group, Inc.
301-452-3781
Provides sports programs to children with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. Offers programs in various counties in Maryland, including Howard County.
Sea Affinity
410-812-3757
[email protected]
Sailing and boating education provided to those with disabilities. The program helps develop problem solving skills in youths and teens. Scholarships are available.
Lollipop Kids Foundation
202-640-2035
Offers a summer accessible sailing program, group outings, and art sessions for children with special needs.
Ainsley’s Angels
4422 Ockford Ln
Bowie MD 20715
Phone 520-977-9142
[email protected]
Ainsley’s Angels is an athletic ride-along program created for children, teens, adults with disabilities who normally would not be able to experience endurance events such as triathlons or road races. A volunteer-based service that provides jogger chairs, bike trailers and rafts for anyone who is disabled (Known as Captains) and runners (Known as Angels) to push them in endurance events.
Lose the Training Wheels Bike Camp
The mission of Lose The Training Wheels™ is to teach individuals with disabilities to ride a two-wheel bicycle and become functional and independent on a two-wheel bicycle.
iCan Bike Camp
Dates: July 7 – 11 2014
Gary J. Arthur Center at Glenwood
2400 Route 97
Cooksville, MD 21723
Hosted By: Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks
For more information on this bike camp please e-mail [email protected]
Kinetics Dance Theatre School of Contemporary Dance
3280 Pine Orchard Lane
Ellicott City, MD 21042
410-480-1686
Kinetics Dance Theatre, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the development and presentation of contemporary dance as a living art form in the community through outreach. Kinetics continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to the region through community involvement in dance presentation, dance education and collaboration with other arts and artists.
Combo Class (Ages 11-up)
Designed for children with special needs. This class covers several areas of dance including jazz, modern and creative movement. Students will enjoy exploring different ways of moving through various dance activities.
The Studio of Dance
9210 Wightman Road Suite 130
Gaithersburg, MD 20886
240-454-2584
Offers a “Demi Dancers for Special Needs” program. There is a class for children with special needs to introduce basic ballet and tap. For children with ages 4-6.
Email: [email protected]
Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, Inc.
6655 Dobbin Road #4
Columbia, MD 21045
Tel 410-381-0700
Fax 410-381-6090
Bright Lights on Broadway: An exciting program that assists special needs students in furthering their social communication skills within the context of a musical theatre program.
Howard County Center for the Arts
8510 High Ridge Rd.
Ellicott City, MD 21043
The program is called “No Boundaries” - a theater troupe for students with mild to moderate disabilities. It is for students ages 5 and up. The troupes consist of about 20 children. Opportunities include acting and theater workshops, and recitals. Contact Kimberly Jensen for additional information (410) 313-2787 or [email protected]
Expanding Horizons: Broadway Kids & Teens
Expanding Horizons: Broadway Kids & Teens was created in 2009 by CCTA and the Loyola University Maryland’s Clinical Center to serve youth and teens ages 11 – 19 with disorders of social communication including Down Syndrome, Autism, Autism Spectrum disorders among others. The goal of the program is to assist participants in furthering their social communication skills within the context of a musical theatre program, enlisting the support of specialists in speech pathology, special education, music and theatre. Peer volunteers participate as fellow actors, modeling behaviors and interactions for participants. In 2010 Expanding Horizons expanded to include a third partner, the Howard County Public School System, working with special needs teens in the county’s high schools under a grant from The Horizon Foundation For more information contact CCTA at [email protected] or 410-381-0700.
The Musical Autist
Does your child have a passion for music? Are they a natural at playing an instrument but have difficulty with certain sounds of instruments or sitting quietly when it is not their turn or sitting still?
The Musical Autist, is a website that is maintained by “musical autists,” or as they define it, “anyone on the autism spectrum that LIKES MUSIC. Simple as that.” This site provides ample information about exactly what a Sensory-Friendly Concert is, and keeps their audience up-to-date on Sensory-Friendly Concerts that they are hosting. The Sensory-Friendly Concerts they arrange are free to their audience and provide live music for people of all ages and abilities, with a focus on those on the autism spectrum, who may be more sensitive to their environments.
The Sensory-Friendly Concerts provide lots accommodations, including but not limited to providing low volume, soft lighting, offering noise-reduction headphones, foam blocks and scarves for tactile needs, and a “quiet room” with sensory manipulatives available for individuals who need to access the room.
Every concert begins with “Resident Musical Autists” performing. This showcases their talent as well as promoting self-advocacy. During the show, local special education teachers volunteer to help keep your children engaged so you can enjoy the show! Ms. CJ Shiloh trained the local jazz and classical performers to be “Autism-Friendly Artists” and encourages all artists to interact with audience members who may be on the stage during the performance.
Port Discovery
Port Discovery, a fun and interactive children's museum located in Baltimore, is offering several special days and programs for children with special needs:
Check out Port Discovery Social Stories at www.portdiscovery.org under Educator Resources. Port Discovery Social Stories script out various situations and environments that children may encounter during a museum visit. For more information on any of these special events, please call 410-864-2727 or visit the above website.
Sensory Friendly Movies
Monthly sensory-friendly movie events at AMC 14 Theater at Columbia Mall. Going to the movies is a rite of passage for most children, but for some children with disabilities, it can be an overwhelming experience. That’s where the Sensory Friendly Movie comes in. This movie showing has no trailers. The volume will be kept down and the lights will be kept on (but dimmed). Audience members are free to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing during the showing. Bring the family and enjoy a fun morning at the movies in a safe and accepting environment. Sponsored by Howard County Autism Society and AMC Theatres, Columbia Mall.
Camp Greentop
Summer programs as well as year-round programs are provided. Open since 1937, Camp Greentop gives “campers, regardless of their abilities, friendship, adventures and just plain fun that summer camp brings. Located in the Catoctin National Park, near Thurmont, Maryland, youth and adults with disabilities spend a week canoeing, fishing, swimming and horseback riding and singing songs next to a campfire under the stars.”
For more information visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPEaCWnole8.
Camp Attaway
Offers a summer camp programs for children with emotional and behavioral needs.
8640 Guilford Road, Suite #220,
Columbia, MD 21046
410-730-2633
Camp Milldale
3506 Gwynnbrook Drive
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Camp Milldale is a Jewish camp that offers an inclusion program where campers with special needs can enjoy a typical summer camp experience with their peers. Campers in the inclusion program are paired with counselors who have had training in working with children with disabilities. This opportunity offers an important and worthwhile experience for all campers. Campers often end the summer with a better understanding and appreciation of the similarities and differences in everyone.
There is also a self-contained day camp for adolescents ages 12-15 with developmental and physical disabilities. The camp offers cooking, crafts, music, and other activities. There is recreational and therapeutic swimming, vocational field trips, and structured social time.
The Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion Services Section offers a wide variety of activities for individuals of all ages. Therapeutic Recreation provides recreation opportunities in the community such as; fitness and creative arts programs, social groups, community outings, and summer camp programs.
The Inclusion Services provides a variety of support services to individuals with disabilities who choose to participate in any recreation program or class offered by the department. Inclusion accommodations may include financial assistance, accessibility, companions, additional training, medical, and interpretive services for the deaf or hearing impaired. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to register for general recreation programs of their choice. Howard County Recreation and Parks Department has developed an inclusion process to better accommodate citizens with disabilities. To ensure that we meet your program needs, please call 410-313-4628 or 410-313-4708 two weeks prior to the program start. [email protected]
Montgomery County Recreation
Offers many camps for children from age 5 to 21! They provide age appropriate activities in a safe, supportive environment. Please review the website to find the best fit for your child.
MarTar Swim School
6801-B Douglas Legum Drive
Elkridge, MD 21075
410-799-8887
“From decades of experience, MarTar has the knowledge to teach every individual to swim, employing a variety of techniques including but not limited to visual aids and sign language.” Partnerships with Autism Societies of 4 counties, Pathfinders for Autism, HoCo Special Olympics and more."
- pool is 88-90 degrees
- pool depth is 3 ½ to 5 feet
- offers lessons, family swim, parent/baby classes, birthday parties
Therapeutic Recreational Riding Center
3750 Shady Lane
Glenwood, MD
410-489-5100
TRRC’s mission is to provide both physical and occupational therapy on horseback, treating a range of physical, mental and emotional disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, post-traumatic brain injury, autism, ADHD, and cognitive disorders. It also provides recreational riding opportunity for clients with and without disabilities. Horseback riding is a gentle and rhythmic activity that often improves flexibility, balance, and muscle strength. It is also an opportunity to build unique relationships between the rider and the horse that leads to increased confidence, patience, and self-esteem.
Baltimore Saints Hockey
Baltimore Area Special Hockey, Inc.
P.O. Box 42793
Towson, MD 21284-2793
410-370-1818
Provides ice hockey program for children with intellectual disabilities such at Autism and Down Syndrome
Mt Airy Bowling Lanes
304 Center St
Mount Airy, MD 2177
301-829-0710
Mt. Airy Bowling Lanes offers a Sunday morning bowling league. It is for individuals with special needs and their families. Bowl for 12 weeks in the spring and/or fall. It is $3 a week and includes one game of bowling and a shoe rental. To learn more about the league, contact Lisa Boxall at the facility.
Fitness For Health
1140 Rockville Pike
Rockville, Maryland 20852
301-231- 7138
Child and adult exercise programs in a fun, state-of-the-art atmosphere. They provide personalized therapeutic programs for children and adults. Group programs, school programs, and special events are offered here. The trained staff has background in Adapted PE, Health, and Motor Learning. The facility includes:
- Laser Maze
- Traverse, Interactive Climbing Walls
- 30 ft. Trampoline
- 50 ft. Running/Biking Track
- 12 ft. High Glow-in-the-Dark Climbing Wall
Sports Plus Group, Inc.
301-452-3781
Provides sports programs to children with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. Offers programs in various counties in Maryland, including Howard County.
Sea Affinity
410-812-3757
[email protected]
Sailing and boating education provided to those with disabilities. The program helps develop problem solving skills in youths and teens. Scholarships are available.
Lollipop Kids Foundation
202-640-2035
Offers a summer accessible sailing program, group outings, and art sessions for children with special needs.
Ainsley’s Angels
4422 Ockford Ln
Bowie MD 20715
Phone 520-977-9142
[email protected]
Ainsley’s Angels is an athletic ride-along program created for children, teens, adults with disabilities who normally would not be able to experience endurance events such as triathlons or road races. A volunteer-based service that provides jogger chairs, bike trailers and rafts for anyone who is disabled (Known as Captains) and runners (Known as Angels) to push them in endurance events.
Lose the Training Wheels Bike Camp
The mission of Lose The Training Wheels™ is to teach individuals with disabilities to ride a two-wheel bicycle and become functional and independent on a two-wheel bicycle.
iCan Bike Camp
Dates: July 7 – 11 2014
Gary J. Arthur Center at Glenwood
2400 Route 97
Cooksville, MD 21723
Hosted By: Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks
For more information on this bike camp please e-mail [email protected]
Kinetics Dance Theatre School of Contemporary Dance
3280 Pine Orchard Lane
Ellicott City, MD 21042
410-480-1686
Kinetics Dance Theatre, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the development and presentation of contemporary dance as a living art form in the community through outreach. Kinetics continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to the region through community involvement in dance presentation, dance education and collaboration with other arts and artists.
Combo Class (Ages 11-up)
Designed for children with special needs. This class covers several areas of dance including jazz, modern and creative movement. Students will enjoy exploring different ways of moving through various dance activities.
The Studio of Dance
9210 Wightman Road Suite 130
Gaithersburg, MD 20886
240-454-2584
Offers a “Demi Dancers for Special Needs” program. There is a class for children with special needs to introduce basic ballet and tap. For children with ages 4-6.
Email: [email protected]
Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, Inc.
6655 Dobbin Road #4
Columbia, MD 21045
Tel 410-381-0700
Fax 410-381-6090
Bright Lights on Broadway: An exciting program that assists special needs students in furthering their social communication skills within the context of a musical theatre program.
Howard County Center for the Arts
8510 High Ridge Rd.
Ellicott City, MD 21043
The program is called “No Boundaries” - a theater troupe for students with mild to moderate disabilities. It is for students ages 5 and up. The troupes consist of about 20 children. Opportunities include acting and theater workshops, and recitals. Contact Kimberly Jensen for additional information (410) 313-2787 or [email protected]
Expanding Horizons: Broadway Kids & Teens
Expanding Horizons: Broadway Kids & Teens was created in 2009 by CCTA and the Loyola University Maryland’s Clinical Center to serve youth and teens ages 11 – 19 with disorders of social communication including Down Syndrome, Autism, Autism Spectrum disorders among others. The goal of the program is to assist participants in furthering their social communication skills within the context of a musical theatre program, enlisting the support of specialists in speech pathology, special education, music and theatre. Peer volunteers participate as fellow actors, modeling behaviors and interactions for participants. In 2010 Expanding Horizons expanded to include a third partner, the Howard County Public School System, working with special needs teens in the county’s high schools under a grant from The Horizon Foundation For more information contact CCTA at [email protected] or 410-381-0700.
The Musical Autist
Does your child have a passion for music? Are they a natural at playing an instrument but have difficulty with certain sounds of instruments or sitting quietly when it is not their turn or sitting still?
The Musical Autist, is a website that is maintained by “musical autists,” or as they define it, “anyone on the autism spectrum that LIKES MUSIC. Simple as that.” This site provides ample information about exactly what a Sensory-Friendly Concert is, and keeps their audience up-to-date on Sensory-Friendly Concerts that they are hosting. The Sensory-Friendly Concerts they arrange are free to their audience and provide live music for people of all ages and abilities, with a focus on those on the autism spectrum, who may be more sensitive to their environments.
The Sensory-Friendly Concerts provide lots accommodations, including but not limited to providing low volume, soft lighting, offering noise-reduction headphones, foam blocks and scarves for tactile needs, and a “quiet room” with sensory manipulatives available for individuals who need to access the room.
Every concert begins with “Resident Musical Autists” performing. This showcases their talent as well as promoting self-advocacy. During the show, local special education teachers volunteer to help keep your children engaged so you can enjoy the show! Ms. CJ Shiloh trained the local jazz and classical performers to be “Autism-Friendly Artists” and encourages all artists to interact with audience members who may be on the stage during the performance.
Port Discovery
Port Discovery, a fun and interactive children's museum located in Baltimore, is offering several special days and programs for children with special needs:
- Discover Me Days: For Children of ALL Abilities. Discovery Me Days are uniquely focused for inclusion groups.
- PortAbility Days: For Children with Autism (for all ages)
- Discovery Days: For Children with Special Needs (preschoolers to 2nd grade) (3rd grade and up)
- Be A Part of the Art Days: For Children of ALL Abilities
Check out Port Discovery Social Stories at www.portdiscovery.org under Educator Resources. Port Discovery Social Stories script out various situations and environments that children may encounter during a museum visit. For more information on any of these special events, please call 410-864-2727 or visit the above website.
Sensory Friendly Movies
Monthly sensory-friendly movie events at AMC 14 Theater at Columbia Mall. Going to the movies is a rite of passage for most children, but for some children with disabilities, it can be an overwhelming experience. That’s where the Sensory Friendly Movie comes in. This movie showing has no trailers. The volume will be kept down and the lights will be kept on (but dimmed). Audience members are free to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing during the showing. Bring the family and enjoy a fun morning at the movies in a safe and accepting environment. Sponsored by Howard County Autism Society and AMC Theatres, Columbia Mall.
Camp Greentop
Summer programs as well as year-round programs are provided. Open since 1937, Camp Greentop gives “campers, regardless of their abilities, friendship, adventures and just plain fun that summer camp brings. Located in the Catoctin National Park, near Thurmont, Maryland, youth and adults with disabilities spend a week canoeing, fishing, swimming and horseback riding and singing songs next to a campfire under the stars.”
For more information visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPEaCWnole8.
Camp Attaway
Offers a summer camp programs for children with emotional and behavioral needs.
8640 Guilford Road, Suite #220,
Columbia, MD 21046
410-730-2633
Camp Milldale
3506 Gwynnbrook Drive
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Camp Milldale is a Jewish camp that offers an inclusion program where campers with special needs can enjoy a typical summer camp experience with their peers. Campers in the inclusion program are paired with counselors who have had training in working with children with disabilities. This opportunity offers an important and worthwhile experience for all campers. Campers often end the summer with a better understanding and appreciation of the similarities and differences in everyone.
There is also a self-contained day camp for adolescents ages 12-15 with developmental and physical disabilities. The camp offers cooking, crafts, music, and other activities. There is recreational and therapeutic swimming, vocational field trips, and structured social time.