Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation Section

Therapeutic Recreation Section

Contact Information
Karla Gray
TR Senior Manager
Karla.Gray@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1314
Danielle Dobbs-Jackson
TR Specialist
Danielle.Dobbs@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1309
Karen Howard
TR Specialist
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1303
Melissa Johnson
TR Specialist
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1304
Ariel Kliem
TR Specialist
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1306
Shannon Maxwell
TR Specialist
Shannon.Maxwell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1308
Jana McMullen
TR Specialist
Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1305
Stacey Thomas
TR Specialist
Stacey.Thomas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1302
Shawn Whitman
TR Specialist
Shawn.Whitman@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1307
http://tr.charmeck.org

Staff Spotlight!!
Meet Shannon!
Shannon has been with the department since May
2012! Here are some fun facts about her!!

As a gift to myself after just having had knee surgery,

Im training to run my first half marathon in
November of this year!
I love to play and watch sports and pull for the
Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Braves, Ohio State
Buckeyes and the Duke Blue Devils!
Therapeutic Recreation Wire -April 2016

Programs
Challenger Soccer
For youth and teens, ages 6-21, with disabilities
Marion Diehl Adaptive Field
2229 Tyvola Road (Queens Sports Complex)
April 14th May 19th (Thursdays)
6:00 pm 7:00 pm
$40.00
Stacey.Thomas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Adaptive Lacrosse
For persons ages 10-25, with disabilities
Marion Diehl Adaptive Field
2229 Tyvola Road (Queens Sports Complex)
April 12th May 17th (Tuesdays)
6:00 pm 7:00 pm
$40.00
Stacey.Thomas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Participants will learn to dribble the ball,

offensive and defensive play, proper ball
handling, goalie skills, shooting techniques and
good sportsmanship.
Registration Deadline: April 11, 2016

Participants will learn the basics of lacrosse including

scooping, cradling, shooting and scoring! All equipment
is provided!
Registration Deadline: April 7, 2016

TR: Bowling
For adults, ages 18 and up, with disabilities
10 Park Lanes
1700 Montford Drive
April 11th May 16th (Mondays)
3:30pm-5:00pm
$60.00
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Need a night out full of fun? Join us for 6 weeks
of bowling! Improve your bowling skills while
having fun with friends!
Registration Deadline: April 6, 2016

The Grub Club

For teens and adults, ages 16 and up, with disabilitiesSouth Park Mall Food Court
4400 Sharon Road
April 14th (Thursday)
5:30 pm-7:00 pm
$10.00 (does not include dinner)
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Come hang out with your friends, enjoy a good dinner at
the food court, and engage in a facilitated group discussion.
This new social program provides the opportunity for
participants to improve social skills, and engage with their
peers.
Registration Deadline: March 14th, 2016

Therapeutic Recreation Wire -April 2016

Programs
Robotics
For youth, ages 7-12, with disabilities.
Marion Diehl Recreation Center,
2219 Tyvola Road
Multipurpose Room 1
April 6th - May 25th (Wednesdays)
5:30 pm-6:30 pm
$35.00
Danielle.Dobbs@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Using KNex/Lego, we will learn Science,
Technology, Education, and Math concepts in a
social setting. We will build a variety of kits that
explore and encourage creative thinking while
having fun.
Registration Deadline: April 4, 2016

VIP Travel Club

For adults and seniors, ages 35 and up,
with a visual impairment
Pick-up/Drop-off locations:
Marion Diehl Recreation Center (MDRC),
2219 Tyvola Road
Metrolina Association for the Blind (MAB),
704 Louise Avenue
April 20 (Wednesday) UNCC Botanical Gardens
Pick-up: MDRC @ 9:00 am, MAB @ 9:30 am
Drop-off: MAB @ 3:30 pm, MDRC @4:00 pm
$15.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Enjoy a social day with friends, while building

independence in the community. Learn about historical,
educational and recreational attractions in the Charlotte
area. Please bring money for lunch.
Young Adults on the Go!
For young adults, ages 21(out of high school)-40, Registration deadline: April 15, 2016
with disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
Sports & More
April 16th (Saturday) Scottish Highland Games
For adults, ages 18 and up with disabilities
at Rural Hill
Marion Diehl Recreation Center
10:00 am-4:00 pm
2219 Tyvola Road
$15.00
April 8th May 13 (Fridays)
Shannon.Maxwell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
10:00 am 12:00 pm
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
$60.00
Get ready to be on the GO with our Young Adults
on the Go Program! Youre sure to enjoy the wide
variety of attractions and events well take in
hang out with people you know, and make new
friends, too! Participants must be independent in
self-care.
Registration Deadline-April 13 2016
3

Shannon.Maxwell@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Come one, come all! Join us for this exciting program
focusing on building basketball skills, soccer skills and
more!
Registration Deadline-April 6, 2016

Therapeutic Recreation Wire -April 2016

Programs
**NEW PROGRAM**Adapted Kayaking
For teens and adults, ages 13 and up, with
physical disabilities
Latta Plantation Accessible Kayak launch
6211 Sample Road, Huntersville, 28078
April 12th and 26th (Tuesdays)
4:00 pm-6:00pm
$10.00 per session
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
This program is for individuals with physical
disabilities who are interested in learning about
kayaking. Kayak instruction will take place on
land and in the water. All gear and kayaks will
be provided.
Registration Deadline: April 8th (for April
12th date), April 22nd (for April 26th date)
**NEW PROGRAM** Geocache Club
For teens and young adults, ages 16-35,
with disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center
2219 Tyvola Road
April 14th-28th (Thursdays)
5:30pm-7:00pm
$20.00
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

**NEW PROGRAM**Adapted Rock Climbing

For teens and adults, ages 16 and up, with physical
disabilities
UNC Charlotte Student Activity Center
9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte
April 19th (Tuesday)
5:00pm-8:00pm
$20.00
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Enjoy a night of rock climbing on UNC Charlotte's
climbing wall! This is for new or experienced climbers
who have a physical disability. Adaptive equipment and
instruction will be provided. More details TBD.
Registration Deadline: April 14th, 2016

**NEW PROGRAM**Tiny Tots

For children, ages 2-5, with disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center
2219 Tyvola Road
April 6th-27th (Wednesdays)
1:30pm-2:45pm
$25.00
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Enjoy an afternoon with your young child as we engage

in different craft and sensory activities, games, music and
story time. During this 4 week program, we will work on
Come enjoy a modern day treasure hunting
social skills, fine and gross motor skills in a fun
club! We will learn about geocaching, hunt for
environment! Parents will stay with their child during
geocaches all over Charlotte, and even create our the entire program. This is a great opportunity for other
own! All equipment and materials are
parents to meet each other and a fun environment to bond
provided. We will meet on the second and fourth with your child!
Thursday of the month (except during Summer); Registration Deadline: April 1, 2016
the fee covers both sessions for the month.
Registration Deadline: April 11, 2016
4

Therapeutic Recreation Wire -April 2016

Programs
Sensational Teen Science Club
For teens, ages 13 to 21 (in high school), with
developmental disabilities
Atomz Lab, 9608 Longstone Lane,
Charlotte, 28277
April 5th -26th (Tuesdays)
5:30 pm 6:30 pm
$60.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

TR Dance: Superhero Dance!

For teens and adults, ages 13 and up, with disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center
2219 Tyvola Road
April 15th (Friday)
6:00 pm 9:00 pm
$10.00
TRinfo@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Join us at Atomz Lab for this NEW hands-on

science program for teens! This exciting 4-week
session will focus on 2 topics:

Holy dance party Batman! Take a break from those long

nights of crime fighting and get ready for a night of
dancing, fun, and friends. Dress up as your favorite
superhero and showoff your best dance moves.
Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

Jurassic World (2 weeks) - Explore what

our planet was like when dinosaurs
ruled! Investigate volcanoes, geysers, earth
quakes and other geologic phenomena! Learn
how scientists study the dinosaurs fossilized
remains, including bones, footprints, claw marks,
and more!
Animal Survival (2 weeks) Learn how some
interesting critters have adapted to two of the
most extreme locations on earth: the scorching
desert and the icy Antarctic!
Registration deadline: March 28, 2016

TR Dance North: Spring Fling

For teens to adults, ages 13 and up, with disabilities
Robert B. Blythe Building,
102 Gilead Road, Huntersville
April 8th (Friday)
6:00 pm 9:00 pm
$10.00
TRinfo@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Join us for an evening of Spring-time fun, food and
dancing - hang out with old friends and meet some new
ones as well! You may pre-register or pay at the door.

Therapeutic Recreation Wire -April 2016

Programs
Adult Cooking Class
For adults and seniors, ages 18 and up,
with developmental disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center,
2219 Tyvola Road
April 4th-May 16th (Mondays)
10:00 am. 12:00 pm
$70.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Gifted Gardeners
For adults, ages 18 and up, with
developmental disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center,
2219 Tyvola Road
April 5th-May 24th (Tuesdays)
10:00 am 12:00 pm
$80.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Start your week in the kitchen! In addition to

learning or improving basic cooking skills,
participants will learn about kitchen safety and
hygiene; making healthy food choices; and
proper food handling and storage practices.
Registration deadline: March 30, 2016

Spring has sprung for the Gifted Gardeners! Well

spend plenty of time filling our raised tables and
beds with spring season vegetables and flowers;
caring for permanent plantings at the Marion Diehl
Center; harvesting produce to take home; and
crafting items using plant materials. Please dress
for the weather, as we spend part of each class
outdoors, weather permitting.
Registration deadline: March 31, 2016

Artsy Crafts
For adults and seniors, ages 18 and up
with developmental disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center,
2219 Tyvola Road
April 6th -May 18th (Wednesdays)
10:00 am 12:00 pm
$70.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Express yourself through a wide variety of art

and craft projects! Activities may include: sand
casting; watercolor painting; weaving; wearable
art and more! All materials for this 7-week class
are included in the program fee.
Registration deadline: April 1st, 2016

Crafts and Cooking - North

For adults and seniors, ages 18 and up
with disabilities
Torrence Lytle Center,
508 Dellwood Drive, Huntersville
April 8th -May 20th (Fridays)
10:00 am 12:00 pm
$70.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
As warm weather approaches, well be bringing
out your creative side! Join us for a variety of art,
craft and cooking projects with a festive, seasonal
theme. Healthy food choices and creative
expression are always part of the fun! All materials
are included in the program fee.
Registration deadline: April 5, 2016
Therapeutic Recreation Wire -April 2016