Disability Services

Adapted Aquatics Programs

Take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of the water with our expanded program offerings. Are you seeking to learn new skills, recover, relax, or just have fun? Adapted Aquatic programs allow individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live more, play more with the use of adaptive equipment and specialized instruction.  For more information about any of the below programs, email: AdaptedAquatics@pgparks.com

Adapted Aquatics: AquaTone

Join us for an exciting, low-impact workout with lots of music. Exercising in water helps to improve your flexibility, lessen your joint stiffness and pain, and improve your heart health. Relieve stress with gentle movements and breathing techniques. This program is designed specifically for adults, 18+, with disabilities who reside in Prince George’s County. Individuals must be able to participate independently with minimal assistance or bring their own aide/companion. All abilities welcome! For more information, visit pgparksdirect.com and search activity code: 25414.

Offered at the following facilities, on a seasonal basis:

• Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex (SAARC)
  Brandywine, MD
• Southern Regional Aquatic Wellness Center
  Fort Washington, MD
• Allentown Splash, Tennis & Fitness Park
  Allentown, MD

Adapted Aquatics: AquaFit

Looking for a class that combines low-impact fitness with the therapeutic benefits of the water? This small-group fitness class includes cardiovascular, flexibility, and strengthening exercises for a total-body workout and is designed for adults, 18+, with disabilities who reside in Prince George’s County. Instructor teaches from the water and provides hands-on support and guidance. Flotation devices, adapted equipment, and modified exercises accommodate various skill levels. Class is held in chest-deep water. Individuals must be able to participate independently with minimal assistance or bring their own aide/companion. All abilities welcome! For more information, visit pgparksdirect.com and search activity code: 25420.

Offered at the following facilities, on a seasonal basis:

• Fairland Sports & Aquatics Complex
  Laurel, MD

Adapted Aquatics: Learn-to-Swim Lessons

Want to learn how to swim, but had no success in group lessons? Adapted Aquatics Learn-to-Swim lessons are designed for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, aged 4+, who reside in Prince George’s County. Register today and gain self-confidence and comfort in the water with swimming basics such as water entry and exit, breath control, submerging, and floating/gliding.  Treading in chest-deep water and arm/leg actions will be introduced. Lessons take place once weekly for 40 minutes, for 6 or 8 weeks. There will be a 1:1 instructor/student ratio.  For more information, visit pgparksdirect.com and search activity code: 25627.

Offered at the following facilities, on a seasonal basis:

• James E Duckworth Special Center
  Beltsville, MD
• Ellen E. Linson Splash Park
  College Park, MD
• Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex
  Landover, MD
• Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex (SAARC)
  Brandywine, MD
• Southern Regional Aquatic Wellness Center
  Fort Washington, MD

Choose a Hands-on Opportunity, Integrating into Community, Empowered Self-direction.

Parks & Recreation CHOICES is a resource developed for Prince George’s County adult residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities. With a focus on weekday and daytime opportunities, learn all that Parks & Recreation CHOICES has to offer. Sign up, get involved, and give a new activity a try!

C.H.O.I.C.E.S. Calendar

Services

CHOICES offers free and low-cost recreational and social activities, including $5 fitness classes. “Try-It Clinics” provide the chance to learn a new sport or activity. The weekly walking group, “KiloMEETers” meets at paved trails and indoor tracks. There are recurring monthly programs including but not limited to BINGO, Art, Zumba and Movie Days.

CHOICES was developed for individuals who live in a group home, attend a day program, utilize self-directed services with an aide, or live independently, and are seeking meaningful activities and social opportunities Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm.

Participation Guidelines

• Have an intellectual or developmental disability
• Must be an adult, aged 18 and up.
• Graduated High School and live in Prince George’s County
• This is a self-directed program; no direct supervision or personal care is provided.
• Each registrant who is not fully independent will need a companion/staff/family member to accompany them to activities. Companions do not need to register.

Additional Information

To learn more about the program, please email CountywideTRprograms@pgparks.com, or call the Special Programs Division at 301-446-3400; Maryland Relay 7-1-1 for customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability.

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation recognizes the challenges faced by veterans returning home with a disability. To help meet veterans’ wellness needs, the Department established a chapter of the Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies program in 2011 for FREE to qualified veterans.

Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies Interest Form

Sign up for the hmhb newsletter

Eligibility

• Serves all military veterans
• 10% or more service-related disability
• Honorable discharge

Applications

To learn more about the program, please complete an “Interest Form”
or email HealthyMindsHealthyBodies@pgparks.com, or call the Special Programs Division at 301-446-3400; Maryland Relay 7-1-1 for customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability.

Services

HMHB program is designed to provide fitness, recreation, peer support, and networking opportunities for qualified veterans and their families. As a veteran accepted as a member of the HMHB Program, you will receive:

Monthly Social & Recreational Events

• HMHB members-only recreational classes and clinics
• Information about events and local veteran resources sent out via a monthly e-Newsletter

One-Year Promotional Pass (OYPP)

• Fitness & Aquatics Combo Pass valid for entry into ANY of Prince George’s County, Department of Parks and Recreation’s:
  • 45+ Community Centers & Fitness Centers
  • 13 Aquatic Facilities
• Only one (1) Promotional Pass per qualified veteran
  • Valid for one (1) year from the date of issue
  • Passes do NOT include Group Fitness or Aquatics Classes
• Members can also designate a “Workout Partner” to receive a One-Year Promotional Pass to serve as a battle buddy in the gym for motivation and support. Workout Partners must have a Parks Direct Account.

Personal Training

• Members receive up to fifteen (15) 1-hour Personal Training Sessions with a trainer certified in Post-Rehabilitation Exercise
• HMHB Personal Training is currently only located at the following facilities:

Wayne K. Curry, Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex
8001 Sheriff Road Landover, MD 20785

Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex 
13601 Missouri Avenue Brandywine, MD 20613

Designed to provide a variety of community-based recreational activities and experiences, social clubs are a great way to socialize, make friends, recreate, learn new hobbies, and stay active in the community!

Participation Guidelines

• Must reside in Prince George’s County
• Have an intellectual or developmental disability
• Meet the age requirements of the club

Membership

Registration for 2023-2024 Club is currently closed. Registration for 2024-2025 clubs begins in December 2024.

• Clubs meet twice a month; activities are facilitated and supervised by trained, experienced staff.
• Once registered, you will receive a newsletter each month. Sign up for the activities that interest you; events may have an additional fee of $5 and up, depending on the activity. 
• To pay for Membership Fees by placing a credit on your account, log in to Parks Direct with your account. Under “History & Balances”, visit “Add Credit”.

In-Person Teen Social Clubs (Ages 13-21)

Teen Scene Social Club Registration Form, 2024-2025, Ages 13-21 (PDF)

Teen Scene Social Club Welcome Letter (PDF)

Teen Scene Social Club Flyer (PDF)

• Enrollment for the Teen Scene Social Club begins in August – October of the school year.
• Fee is $55 for the school year, September- June; meets twice a month at meetup location.
• Various activities can include Paint & Sip, Games and Arcades, Themed Parties, Bowling, Movie Day/Nights.
• Exclusive members-only monthly newsletters.

In-Person Adult Social Club (Ages 21+)

• Enrollment for the Adult Social Club will begin on January 3, thru March 31, 2024.
• Fee is $70 for the year; meets twice a month at meetup location
• Various activities can include Paint & Sip, Games and Arcades, Trips in the DMV area such as festivals, movie theater, sport venues to name a few.
• Exclusive members-only monthly newsletters.

Requirements

The Commission is committed to providing quality parks and recreation opportunities in a safe, healthy, and enjoyable environment. Therefore, participants are required to conduct themselves, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a rational and reasonable manner, and in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Commission.

Additional Information

For more information about these Social Clubs, email CountywideTRPrograms@pgparks.com or call 301-446-3400; Fax: 301-446-3401.

The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, “YouFit” scholarship is entirely based on donations from private donors and businesses.

“YouFit” benefits-eligible youth ages 21 and under with a disability who reside in Prince George’s County. This scholarship supports opportunities and access to attend M-NCPPC sponsored summer day camps.

This scholarship provides an opportunity for youth to receive funds to attend one (1) session of an M-NCPPC sponsored Day Camp in 2025 (up to a $300 value). Some camps may exceed this cost and require additional payment from the parent/guardian.

All who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply. If you have been a past scholarship recipient, you may receive partial funding support.

Eligibility Requirements

• Prince George’s County Resident
• Have a qualified disability
• Ages 21 and Younger
• Have An Active PARKS DIRECT Account

Timeline

• Applications accepted from January 8-February 19, 2025
• Scholarships will be awarded first come-first served as received until funds allocated for the summer 2025 camp session are depleted.
• Funds must be used during the M-NCPPC Summer Day Camp 2025 season.

Process

All finalists will be reviewed based on eligibility criteria, completed application, and essay. If deemed eligible and selected, awardees will be notified regarding status via e-mail/phone call by March 5, 2025 (1 week before day camp registration opens on March 12th). Scholarships
will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until allocated funds for summer day camps 2025 are depleted. Award winners will share the camp of their choice with the “YouFit” committee. A designated M-NCPPC employee(s) will link scholarship funds to the awardee’s day camp choice on their PARKS DIRECT account.

Note: Funds cannot be used to pay for past programs, outstanding debt, day camp before/aftercare, childcare, or programs that are not summer day camps. The scholarship does not provide or cover items for personal use such as cash, gift cards, presents, gas for vehicles,
transportation, trips, etc.

Funds will be applied towards one session of an M-NCPPC sponsored Day Camp (up to a $300 value). Some camps may exceed this cost and require additional payment from the parent/guardian.

For more information contact DisabilityServices@pgparks.com or the Special Programs Division at 301-446-3400.