Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation Section

Therapeutic Recreation Section Saturday, March 12, 2011, thirteen teams

Contact Information
participated in TR’s Amazing Race - a
Karla Gray fundraiser for the TR Summer Day Camp
TR Senior Manager
Karla.Gray@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov Scholarship Fund. You will get to see
704.432.4322 pictures of many of the teams throughout
Megan Hotze this publication. The teams met at
TR Specialist
Megan.Hotze@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Marshall Park at 9:00 AM, the first team
704.432.4326 turned in their trivia by 9:15 AM and they
Karen Howard were off to solve riddles and search for
TR Specialist history and art within the 277 loop in
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
704.432.4325 Charlotte’s Uptown.
Margot Howell
TR Specialist
Margot.Howell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
If you missed the opportunity to
704.432.4328 participate, we will be doing it again in the
Ariel Kliem Spring of 2012!
TR Specialist
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
704.432.4327
Jana McMullen
TR Specialist
Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
704.432.4330
Angela Tate
TR Specialist
Angela.Conti@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
704.432.4329
Peggy Walker
TR Specialist
Peggy.Walker@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
704.432.4331

Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011

Table of Contents
Programs by Age Group Programs by Category
Page
Page
Sports
Preschool 10 VI Spring Break Sports Camp 3
Pool Pals 3
Youth 3-4
Challenger Soccer Clinic 4
Teen 4-9
Young Adult 5-9 Enrichment
Adult 5-9 Young Adult Day Program 7
Seniors 7-9 Wilderness Bunch 7
Parents & Caregivers 9 Super Saturday Chefs 8
Dance and Fitness 8

Clubs & Socials

School’s Out Club Youth 3
Youth Spring Break Camp 4
School’s Out Club Teens 4
Supper Club 5
TR Dance 5
Fuel for Life 6
Spill Your Beans 6
Y-LITES 6
VIP Travel Club 7

Community
Paralympic Swim Club 9
Summit 9

TR Summer Day Camps 10-11

22 Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011

Preschool & Youth Programs
VI Spring Break Sports Camp
for youth and teens, ages 6–15, who are blind
or have a visual impairment
Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 21 (Thursday)
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
$35.00
Angela.Conti@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
In this day camp adventure, kids will learn
about a variety of sports and games, go swim-
ming, and just have fun! Kids will develop a
variety of new skills, and gain confidence
from their experiences.
School’s Out Club for Youth
for youth, ages 6-12, with disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 1 (Friday) - Zootastic
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
$35.00 per day
Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Angela.Conti@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
During these holiday and seasonally themed
days, children will play games, make crafts,
learn about special topics, and possibly take a
field trip! All of these activities are used to
promote peer interaction & appropriate social
skills, physical activity, and independence.

Pool Pals
for youth, ages 2–10, with disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 5—May 17
No Pool Pals April 19
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm (group 1—ages 2 –5 with
adult participation)
4:45 pm—5:15 pm (group 11—ages 6-10)
$60.00
Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Make a splash! This pool-based program
offers a positive water experience where
youth can socialize, acclimate to the water,
play games and have fun.

33 Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011

Youth & Teen Programs
Challenger Soccer Clinic School’s Out Teens
for youth and teens , ages 6–21, with for teens, ages 13-21, with disabilities
disabilities Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 1 (Friday) - Zootastic
Marion Diehl Adaptive Field,
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
2219 Tyvola Road $35.00 per day
April 12 (Tuesday) Margot.Howell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
4:30 pm—6:00 pm
During these seasonally themed days, teens
$15.00
will play games, make crafts, learn about
Margot.Howell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov special topics, and possibly take a field trip!
Players will participate in a non-competitive All of these activities are used to promote
atmosphere while demonstrating the basic peer interaction & appropriate social
skills of soccer, including: dribbling, goal skills, physical activity, and independence.
tending, passing, and shooting on goal.
Youth Spring Break Camp
Participants will have 1:1 coaching from for youth, ages 6-12, with disabilities
members of the Queens University Men’s Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
Soccer Team. April 18, 19, and 20 (Monday—Wednesday)
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
$35.00 per day or $90 for all three dates
Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Angela.Conti@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Can’t get enough of summer camp? Then
join us for a summer day camp experience
during spring break. We will spend our days
swimming, taking trips, and playing games.
All of these activities are used to promote
peer interaction & appropriate social skills,
physical activity, and independence. Snacks
will be provided each day, but kids should
come prepared with a lunch.

44 Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011

Teen & Adult Programs
Supper Club
for teens and adults, ages 13 and up, with
disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 15 (Friday) - Spring Fling
6:00 - 7:00 pm
$7.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Deadline: 1 week before each program
date - NO EXCEPTIONS!
Be part of a favorite tradition by spending an
evening out with your friends! We will enjoy
a healthy meal before each TR Section
Dance...sign up today!

TR Dance
for teens and adults, ages 13 and up, with
disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 15 (Friday) - Spring Fling
7:00 - 9:00 pm
$8.00
TRinfo@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Dance the night away with friends at our
monthly Therapeutic Recreation Section
themed dances! Meet new people and make
new friends while having fun in a relaxed
social atmosphere. Light refreshments will be
served.

55 Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011

Teen & Young Adult Programs
Fuel for Life
for young men, ages 16 and up, with disabilities
Donato’s / Bojangles Cafeteria
6555 Morrison Boulevard
April 4 (Monday)
6:00 - 7:30 pm
$10.00 (does not include the cost of dinner)
Angela.Conti@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Come hang out with the guys, fuel your body
with a good dinner, and fuel your life with
good conversation. Fuel for Life provides the
opportunity for young men to talk about and for issues they’re facing in their lives, such as
gain support for issues they’re facing in their health & safety, independent living,
relationships, friendships, and self-esteem.
lives. Each month we will host guest speakers
Each month we will host a guest speaker or
and discuss different topics, such as lead a discussion about these issues that are
employment and job skills, relationships, life important to you.
goals and values, and other topics that are im-
portant to you. Y-LITES
for young adults, ages 18-35, with disabilities
Spill Your Beans Group departs from
for young women, ages 16 and up, Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
with disabilities April 8 (Friday) - Movie Madness
Caribou Coffee, 4327 Park Road 6:00 - 9:00 pm
April 11 (Monday) April 16 (Saturday) - Reed’s Gold Mine
6:00 - 7:30 pm 9:30 am—2:00 pm
$10.00 (does not include the cost of dinner) $15.00 (does not include cost of meals/snacks)
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov Peggy.Walker@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Peggy.Walker@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov If you enjoy having fun and socializing with
Welcome to a super-charged ladies night! your friends, this is the group for you. We
Spill Your Beans provides the opportunity for will participate in leisure activities while so-
cializing with our friends. We will also learn
young women to talk about and gain support some valuable life skills.

66 Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011

Young Adult & Adult Programs
Young Adult Day Program VIP Travel Club
for young adults ages 18-35, with disabilities
for adults & seniors, ages 35 and up, with a
Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center visual impairment
800 E. MLK Jr. Boulevard Pick Up / Drop Off Locations:
April 5—28 (Tuesday/Thursday) Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola
1:00 - 5:00 pm Road
$15.00 per date or $30.00 weekly Metrolina Assoc for the Blind (MAB),
Peggy.Walker@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov 704 Louise Avenue
April 19 (Tuesday) - Wing Haven Gardens
Welcome Young Adults who have a disability Pick Up: MDRC 9:00 am, MAB 9:30 am
and want to enrich their lives through Drop Off: MAB 3:30 pm, MDRC 4:00 pm
personal growth, service learning, and com- $15.00
munity involvement. This program will Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
enhance and support daily skill development Deadline: 3 business days before program
in interpersonal relationships, etiquette,
personal safety and appropriate social/ Enjoy a social day with friends, while build-
personal boundaries. ing independence in the community. Learn
about historical, educational and recreational
Wilderness Bunch—Spring Break attractions in the Charlotte area - please bring
for teens and young adults, ages 13-30, with money for lunch.
disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 18—20 (Monday—Wednesday)
8:30 am (Mon.) - 4:30 pm (Wed.)
$150.00
Margot.Howell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Deadline: April 13
Tent camping at McDowell Nature Preserve,
hiking, kayaking, geocaching, camp cooking,
day trips to State Parks and nature
exploration.

77 Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011

Young Adult & Adult Programs
Dance & Fitness
for adults, ages 18 and up, with disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 1—May 27 (Fridays)
No class on April 22
10:30 am—11:30 am
$40.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Deadline: 3 business days before program
Dance and move your way to fitness! Activities
will include basic line dance instruction; simple
sport skills; and stretches and exercise to music,
movements to music. All equipment is provided.
88
Super Saturday Chefs
for teens and adults, ages 13 and up, with
disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec. Center,2219 Tyvola Road
April 16 (Saturday) - Springtime Favorites
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
$15.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Deadline: 3 business days before program
Teaching great cooking...one Saturday at a time!
Join us for instructional cooking class with a
―side order‖ of fun and conversation! Each 1-day
class has a different focus—in addition to learn-
ing or improving basic cooking skills, partici-
pants will learn about kitchen safety and hygiene;
making healthy food choices; and proper food
handling and storage practices.
Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011
Community
Paralympic Swim Club
for youth and adults, ages 12 and up, with
physical and visual disabilities
Marion Diehl Rec. Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
April 6—27 (Wednesdays)
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
$50.00 for one day a week
Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Deadline: December 30
Paralympic swim club offers a unique social
setting to learn, develop & improve swim
skills.

Summit - Parent/Caregiver Group

A monthly group for parents, guardians, and
caregivers that is facilitated by a Therapeutic
Recreation staff person but is directed by the
group members. This FREE informal group
gives participants the opportunity to meet and
talk with other parents and caregivers who are
experiencing the challenges of
parenting a child, teen, or young adult with a
For a synopsis of TR’s Amazing Race, please read
disability.
Vanessa Infanzon’s blog. She and her husband, Ryan
Donato’s / Bojangles Cafeteria
participated and fundraised.
6555 Morrison Boulevard
April 5 (Tuesday)
http://www.especiallyben.com/2011/03/and-we-finish-11th.html
6:00 - 7:00 pm
FREE! - group members may purchase food
individually if desired
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

99 Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011

TR Summer Day Camps
PRE-SCHOOL (ages 2-6):
Imagination Station: for pre-school, ages 2-6 with
disabilities
All aboard! Spend you summer on the Discovery Train
exploring yourself and the world around you. Camp will
allow for curious discovery through science, art, health,
music, friendships, sports, and games. Each week the Dis-
covery Train will travel to a different place, such as Ani-
mal World, Health Island, and Helping Hands Blvd.
Imagination Station is a great opportunity to introduce
children to a group recreation setting or allow for contin-
ued interaction with their peers during the summer
months. There’s no doubt, kids will enjoy this camp that
encourages non-stop fun and imagination!
Location: Tom Sykes Recreation Center, 1501 Euclid
Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28203
Fee: $100.00 per week
Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: Angela Tate at 704-432-4329 or
Angela.Conti@mecklenburgcountync.gov
YOUTH (ages 6-12):
Natural Wonders: for youth, ages 6-9 with disabilities
This program is designed to introduce the joys of summer
to children with disabilities ages 6-9. Together they will
learn about nature, sports, group games, arts and crafts,
aquatics, outdoor adventure, science, theatre and friend-
ship. They will participate in group play, fitness, sports,
music, art and be involved in camp field trips.
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola
Road, Charlotte, NC 28210
Fee: $100.00 per week
Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: Megan Hotze at 704-432-4326 or
Megan.Hotze@mecklenburgcountync.gov
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Summer Express: for youth, ages 6-10
with disabilities
Climb aboard the ―Summer Express‖! This camp is de-
signed for children who are at their best in a small group
setting. Our travels will take us to Summer Fun Depot, Art
-full City, Great Outdoors Center, Musical Mountain,
Stars & Stripes Station, Olympic Kids Peak, and other ex-
citing destinations! Camp activities will also include water
play, group games, arts & crafts, gardening activities,
playground time, field trips and more.
Location: Tom Sykes Recreation Center, 1501 Euclid
Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28203
Fee: $100.00 per week
Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: Karen Howard at 704-432-4325 or
Karen.Howard@mecklenburgcountync.gov
World of Wonders: for youth, ages 10-12 with dis-
abilities
Children will learn about nature and environmental stew-
ardship through hands-on educational activities, stories,
music, art and craft activities, skits and games. We’ll take
time for fun, summer-time activities, too, including swim-
ming, homemade ice cream, picnics and outdoor play!
Learn about plants, trees, the seasons, insects, spiders,
birds, bats and more!
Location: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola
Road, Charlotte, NC 28210
Fee: $100.00 per week
Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: Ariel Kliem at 704-432-4327 or
Ariel.Kliem@mecklenburgcountync.gov
Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011
TR Summer Day Camps
TEENS (ages 13-21):

Teen Scene I: for teens, ages 13-21 with disabilities

Teen Scene is an eight-week summer day camp for teens
ages 13-21 with disabilities. This camp will feature
weekly themes and activities. Campers will participate in
sports, swimming, arts and crafts, music and art therapy,
cooperative games, guest speakers and a weekly field trip.
Location: Elon Recreation Center, 11401 Ardrey Kell
Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
Fee: $100.00 per week
Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: Jana McMullen at 704-432-4330 or
Jana.McMullen@mecklenburgcountync.gov

Teen Scene II: for teens, ages 13-21 with disabilities

Teen Scene is an eight-week summer day camp for teens
ages 13-21 with disabilities. This camp will feature
weekly themes and activities. Campers will participate in
sports, swimming, arts and crafts, music and art therapy,
cooperative games, guest speakers and a weekly field trip.
Location: Veteran’s Park Indoor Shelter, 2136 Central
Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
Fee: $100.00 per week
Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: Margot Howell at 704-432-4328 or
Margot.Howell@mecklenburgcountync.gov
YOUNG ADULTS (ages 22-35):
TRue (TR uptown experience): for young adults
ages 22-35 with disabilities
The TR Uptown Experience will mix fun summer activi-
ties with important life skills. This camp will focus on
various activities such as swimming, field trips, sports,
crafts and more. It will also give participants an opportu-
nity to work on independent living skills such as utilizing
public transportation, improving money management
skills and practicing appropriate social skills while utiliz-
ing the Light Rail, Goldrush and CATS bus system.
Location: Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 800 E.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202
Fee: $100.00 per week
Time: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: Peggy Walker at 704-432-4331 or
Peggy.Walker@mecklenburgcountync.gov

1111 Therapeutic Recreation Wire –April 2011