Recreation & Leisure

To see an alphabetical list of all our resources click here

Athelas Institute 

Check out their resources page for information on other organizations and events. https://www.athelasinstitute.org/resources/community-connections.html

Athletes Serving Athletes

They empowers individuals living with disabilities to train and compete in main stream running and triathlon events so they can experience the THRILL of crossing the finish line.
https://asa.run

Autism on the Seas

Vacations for Adults and Families living with Autism, Downs Syndrome and other related Disabilities
https://autismontheseas.com/

Baltimore City and Baltimore County Community Resources Directory

Community Resources 2019 is an annual directory developed and published by the Baltimore County Department of Aging (BCDA). Baltimore County Department of Aging has partnered with the Baltimore County Department of Planning/Commission on Disabilities as well as Baltimore City to create one regional resource directory for Baltimore residents. The directory’s content has been expanded to accommodate resources and services that range from adult day care to recreation and travel.
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/aging/publications/resources.html

Baltimore City Dept. of Recreation & Parks  

Baltimore City Dept of Recreation & Parks (Therapeutic Recreation division) provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities and services for individuals with disabilities in both specialized and inclusive environments.  Upcoming events and programs are listed on our webpage:
http://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/therapeuticrecreation

Camp Inclusion

A fun, activity filled summer day camp specifically designed to build friendships between individuals with and without special needs.
Check out their website http://www.campinclusion.org, email info@campinclusion or call 443-398-8537 to learn more.

CORE Foundations Serves Ages 18+

Core Foundations Community Programming offers community integration and social engagement programming through a series of events and activities at Kennedy Krieger’s Montgomery County School Campus in Silver Spring. Programs — social, wellness and workshops — are offered to individuals 18 and older.  CLICK for a list of upcoming events.
For more information, contact Cassidy Love, Community-Based Programming Coordinator at LoveCas@KennedyKrieger.org with questions regarding Community Programming

CRAB Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating

CRAB provides sailing experiences and instruction to over 1,000 guests every year from its base of operations at Sandy Point State Park.  Thanks to the numerous CRAB volunteer Skippers, Crew, and Support Staff sailing programs are held every week through October and include Family Sail Sundays, Group Sails, Sailing Camps and Clinics, and Regattas.  Their mission is to bring the thrill, freedom, therapeutic value of sailing to people with disabilities, recovering veterans, and local youth from at-risk neighborhoods. Visit the CRAB website for more information. 

Easterseals Camp Fairlee

Provides respite care to Maryland families and accessible recreation to children and adults with all types of disabilities through year-round programs including summer camp, respite weekends, and travel / vacation trips.  Camp Fairlee is best known for its traditional, overnight summer camp program that has 6 and 12 day sessions.   Activities include swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, wall climbing, zip line, ropes course, nature trails, arts/crafts and more.  Camp Fairlee was totally rebuilt in 2015 and has modern, climate controlled  facilities including a 12,000 square foot activity center for use in bad weather.  Located on the upper Eastern Shore near Chestertown, MD  Serving Maryland families since 1954. https://www.campfairlee.com   410-778-0566

Emergency Respite Care
 
From the Maryland Department of Human Services, in partnership with The Elizabeth Cooney Personnel Agency, Inc., Elizabeth Cooney Personal Care, LLC:
 
Lifespan emergency respite services are now available. These services, funded by a grant from the Federal Administration for Community Living, provide assistance across the state for individuals with special needs, living in the community across the age and disability spectrum, in or out of their homes, in order to provide temporary relief for their families or informal caregivers.
 
Requests for respite will be accepted from informal family caregivers, agencies and organizations working with caregivers, recipients of care, and from the community. Requests for emergency respite may be made to the Elizabeth Cooney Personnel Agency, Inc., Elizabeth Cooney Personal Care, LLC by contacting Elizabeth Weglein, CEO, at 410.323.1700. The Elizabeth Cooney Agency has 24-hour availability.
For details, please see this information sheet.
 
Game Play 

Check out these great resources for family game play provided by the Instructual Access Team of Howard County Public Schools

Family Game Night-Put the Fun in Functional Communication

Numbers colors body parts

Family Game Night Functional Language Cards

GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis

Officially opened on February 3, 2018—making it the 35th GiGi’s Playhouse Down syndrome achievement center across North America and the first in the DC/MD/VA area.

All of their therapeutic, educational programs and tutoring are free and support all ages, from families with a prenatal diagnosis through adult individuals with Down syndrome. Our programs focus on a variety of skills, including gross and fine motor skills, literacy and math skills, social skills, and confidence–all with the goal of helping individuals with Down syndrome become their best selves.
https://gigisplayhouse.org/annapolis/about/

Guide to Accessible Travel 

https://www.spintheglobe.net is a great resource for information on travel and those places that are especially friendly to people traveling in wheelchairs etc.

Howard County Autism Society

Offers many social opportunities through out the year. https://howard-autism.org/events/

Howard County Therapeutic Recreation & Accommodation Services 

Their mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by providing community recreational and leisure opportunities and promoting lifelong skills. https://www.howardcountymd.gov/tr

Imagination Stage

Offers sensory friendly performance of the children’s classic, check out their upcoming shows.
http://imaginationstage.org/shows-tickets/accessibility

iPad resources

5 Ways to Get a Free iPad for Your Special Needs Child …

Kennedy Center

Change things up with a sensory friendly opera or symphonic orchestra concert at the Kennedy Center!
You can also find some great pre-visit materials that include social stories and sensory maps of some fo their theaters. https://www.kennedy-center.org/visit/accessibility/sensory

Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (MD-LBPD)

Provides free library services for people who are unable to read standard print because of a visual, physical, or reading disability. MD-LBPD offers books and magazines the way you want them: in braille or audio formats, mailed to your door for free, or instantly downloadable. Our talking-book players feature large buttons, braille letters beside the controls, a sleep timer, and built-in audio instructions. The BARD Mobile app allows users to quickly and easily download audiobooks directly to iOS and Android devices. To receive an application for service, call 410-230-2443,
email reference.desk@maryland.gov, or visit our website at https://www.lbph.maryland.gov

Olney Theatre Center

Offers sensory friendly performances. Check with them for availability and show times. 
https://www.olneytheatre.org/whats-playing/theater-young-audiences

Pathfinders for Autism

Pathfinders for Autism works to support and improve the lives of individuals affected by autism through expansive, individualized programming, and by providing resources, training, information and activities free of charge.
https://www.pathfindersforautism.org

SandHelper 

Rental 4WD electric beach wheelchairs that can navigate the beach with ease, allowing all people to enjoy the sun and sand. email info@sandhelper.com for more information. https://www.sandhelper.com 

Sensory Friendly Films at AMC

AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes.  Please check times on the AMC website.  

Special Olympics Howard County 

Conducts a training and competitive sports program for children and adults with intellectual and related developmental disabilities. 410 740 0500
https://somdhc.org 

Taking the Lead, Inc

Uses an 80-acre working dog and horse training facility to give clients the skills to live more independently and success in their community and workplace. 443 690 1176 
https://takingthelead.org

The Therapeutic & Recreational Riding Center

Provides physical and occupational therapy on horseback to treat a wide range of disabilities.
410 489 5100
https://www.trrcmd.org