Meaningful Day Program

• Location: Black Hill Discovery Center (20926 Lake Ridge Dr, Boyds, MD 20841)
• Participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are ready to develop their kayaking skills to explore the calm waters of Little Seneca Lake are welcome to sign up for our Therapeutic Recreation Kayaking Tour. Participants will enjoy a guided tour, paddling longer distances with breaks to observe wildlife along the way. Certified instructors, trained volunteers, and staff will lead and support participants to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Each registered participant can bring one companion by answering the custom question during registration. All necessary equipment, including PFDs and paddles, is provided. Registration is required.
• Lesson Dates
  • 6/3 from 10am – 12pm
  • 7/1 from 10am – 12pm
  • 8/5 from 10am – 12pm

• Location: Maydale Nature Classroom (1638 Maydale Dr, Colesville, MD 20905)
• Gather around the fire for conversation. Campfire Chats is a therapeutic recreation program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, friends, family, and community members that blends the warmth of nature with supportive social engagement. Each session features open dialogue, reflective prompts, creative expression, and mindful moments—all in a relaxed, inclusive outdoor setting. Smores and stories encouraged! Improve self-esteem, social skills, and wellness. Registration is required.
• Dates – Registration is required for each individual program
  • Wednesday, 6/17 from 10:30am – 12:00pm: Painting and Planting
  • Wednesday, 7/29 from 10:30am – 12:00pm: Special Edition: Disability Pride Month
  • Wednesday, 8/19 from 10:30am – 12:00pm: Solar Printing

• Location: Hillandale Local Park (10615 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20903)
• Kick-off the summer the right way by cleaning up your local park! Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to join Program Access and the Watershed Cleanups Volunteer Program for a meaningful service day at Hillandale Local Park. Enjoy time outdoors, cleanup trash, and learn more about how we take care of our parks. On the last day, we will celebrate Disability Pride Month with a special activity at the beginning of the program. Montgomery Parks will provide gloves, trash bags, and any necessary tools. Volunteer participant registration for the whole series is required.
• Dates
  • Thursday, 6/18 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Thursday, 6/25 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Thursday, 7/2 from 10:30am – 12:00pm – Cancelled due to high temperatures

• Location: Maydale Nature Classroom (1638 Maydale Dr, Colesville, MD 20905)
• The Meaningful Day Gardening Club offers a welcoming space for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build basic gardening skills while connecting with peers through shared experiences. Participants will work with herbs and small produce using hands-on, beginner-friendly activities that encourage learning, conversation, and teamwork. The program focuses on skill-building, social connection, and well-being in a relaxed, supportive environment. Program Objectives: Engage in social connection, learn new gardening skills
• Registration for the whole series is required
• Dates
  • Monday, 7/27 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Monday, 8/3 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Monday, 8/10 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Monday, 8/17 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Monday, 8/24 from 10:30am – 12:00pm

• Join Trail Trekkers, a 6-week inclusive walking program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their friends, family, and community members. Walk along accessible trails in Wheaton Regional Park, enjoy nature, and connect with others. Share conversations, make new friends, and have fun while staying active outdoors. Registration for the full course is required. Objective: Improve physical fitness and social skills.
• Location: Wheaton Regional Park
  • Meet-up location will differ depending on the week. You will be emailed the exact meeting location each week.
• Dates – Series Registration is required. All programs take place from 10:30am – 11:30am
  • Tuesday, 6/23
  • Tuesday, 6/30
  • Tuesday, 7/7
  • Tuesday, 7/14
  • Tuesday, 7/21
  • Tuesday, 7/28

Special Edition: 7/22 Trail Trekkers: Disability Pride Month

Join Trail Trekkers, an inclusive walking program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their friends, family, and community members. Walk along accessible trails in Wheaton Regional Park, enjoy nature, and connect with others. At this special one-off program, we will celebrate Disability Pride Month with an exciting activity. Share conversations, make new friends, and have fun while staying active outdoors. Program Objectives: Build personal fitness, engage in social connection, learn new skills

Registration on ActiveMontgomery is required.

• Location: Wheaton Regional Park (2000 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902)
• Join Program Access and Special Olympics MD for a 6-week bocce league at Wheaton Regional Park! Over the course of the program, participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to learn the game, build social skills, and improve their personal fitness. On the last day, we will celebrate participants with lunch and awards. Registration for the whole series is required. Objective: Participants will improve fine motor skills, physical fitness, and team building skills. Registration for the full series is required. Please bring a reusable water bottle with you.
• Dates – Series Registration is Required
  • Thursday, 7/16 from 10:30am – 12:00pm – Cancelled due to high temperatures
  • Thursday, 7/23 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Thursday, 7/30 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Thursday, 8/6 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Thursday, 8/13 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Thursday, 8/20 from 10:30am – 12:00pm

• • Location: Black Hill Discovery Center (20926 Lake Ridge Dr, Boyds, MD 20841)

• • Participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are ready to develop their kayaking skills to explore the calm waters of Little Seneca Lake are welcome to sign up for our Therapeutic Recreation Kayaking Tour. Participants will enjoy a guided tour, paddling longer distances with breaks to observe wildlife along the way. Certified instructors, trained volunteers, and staff will lead and support participants to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Each registered participant can bring one companion by answering the custom question during registration. All necessary equipment, including PFDs and paddles, is provided. Registration is required.
  • 9/2 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • 10/21 from 10:00am – 12:00pm

• Location: Plum Gar Local Park (19561 Scenery Drive, Germantown, MD 20876)
• Kick-off the fall the right way by cleaning up your local park! Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to join Program Access and the Watershed Cleanups Volunteer Program to enjoy time outdoors, clean-up trash in Plum Gar Local Park, and learn more about how we take care of our parks. Montgomery Parks will provide gloves, trash bags, and any necessary tools. Participant registration for the whole series is required. Participant goals include creating giving back to the community, forming new friendships, and improving physical fitness.
• This once monthly program will meet on 9/2, 10/7, and 11/4 from 10:30am – 11:30am

• Sponsored by SoldierFit, this specialized four-week fitness class is designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will receive hands-on group training, personalized modifications, and easy to follow instructions. The coaches will guide individuals through safe, effective movements that will help improve strength, mobility, balance and overall fitness while respecting any physical limitations. The program will feature low-impact strength training, a focus on mobility and stability, and a supportive coaching environment. The program is free, but registration is required. Program Objectives: increase personal fitness, learn new fitness skills, build personal relationships with other participants.
• Thursday, 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24 from 10:30am – 11:30am
• Wheaton Regional Park (2000 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902)

• Join Trail Trekkers, a 6-week inclusive walking program for individuals with disabilities, their friends, family, and community members. Walk along accessible trails, enjoy nature, and connect with others. Share conversations, make new friends, and have fun while staying active outdoors. Registration for the full series is required. Program objectives: Improve physical fitness, increase social connection, learn new nature-based skills.
• Tuesdays between 9/8 and 10/13: Wheaton Regional Park Series (2000 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902)
  • Starting locations at Wheaton Regional Park will change week to week. Please check your weekly confirmation email for more information.
• Tuesdays between 10/20 and 11/24: Fairland Recreational Park Series (3928 Greencastle Rd, Burtonsville, MD 20866)

• Location: Maydale Nature Classroom (1638 Maydale Dr, Colesville, MD 20905)
• Gather around the fire for conversation. Campfire Chats is a therapeutic recreation program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, friends, family, and community members that blends the warmth of nature with supportive social engagement. Each session features open dialogue, reflective prompts, creative expression, and mindful moments—all in a relaxed, inclusive outdoor setting. Smores and stories encouraged! Improve self-esteem, social skills, and wellness. Registration is required.
• Dates – Registration is required for each individual program
  • Wednesday: 9/18 from 10:30am – 12:00pm: Autumn Harvest
  • Wednesday, 10/21 from 10:30am – 12:00pm: Happy Bird-Day Campfire Chats!
  • Wednesday, 11/18 from 10:30am – 12:00pm: Hibernation Hustle

• Location: Maydale Nature Classroom (1638 Maydale Dr, Colesville, MD 20905)
• The Meaningful Day Gardening Club offers a welcoming space for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build basic gardening skills while connecting with peers through shared experiences. Participants will work with herbs and small produce using hands-on, beginner-friendly activities that encourage learning, conversation, and teamwork. The program focuses on skill-building, social connection, and well-being in a relaxed, supportive environment. Program Objectives: Engage in social connection, learn new gardening skills
• Registration for the whole series is required
• Date: Mondays, between 9/14 and 10/26 from 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • Please note that there will be no class on 10/5 and on 10/12, we will meet at Brookside Gardens (1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902)

• Location: Wheaton Regional Park (2000 Shorefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902)
• Join Program Access and the Special Olympics of Maryland for a 6-week bocce league at Wheaton Regional Park! Over the course of the program, participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have the opportunity to learn the game, build social skills, and improve their personal fitness. Registration for the full series is required. Program Objectives: Improve physical fitness, increase social connection, learn new bocce skills. Registration for the full series is required. Please bring a reusable water bottle with you.
• Dates – Thursdays between 10/1 and 11/5 from 10:30am and 12:00pm
• Series Registration is Required

• • Location: Meadowside Nature Center (5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20855)

• • Join us at Meadowside Nature Center to learn about how Montgomery Parks Naturalists take care of our animal ambassadors! At this program, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will help us care for reptiles, amphibians, and birds, including frogs, toads, snakes, and raptors. Participants will feed animals, clean water dishes, and create enrichment materials. To protect our animal ambassadors, participants will need to maintain low voices and slow movements during animal care. The program is free, but registration is required. Objectives: learn about the importance of animal ambassadors and animal care, community building, and increase interest in the natural world.

• Lesson Dates
  • 11/2 from 10:30am – 12:00pm