No gym, no problem — members of the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) adult independence program (AIP) recently visited White Plains Regional Park to explore its accessible amenities and learn more about how engaging in leisure activities can reap physical benefits.
The AIP is a vocational rehabilitation program for students 18 to 21, who have completed the requirements for a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion. AIP students receive instruction that often takes place in the community, learning specific skills firsthand that will help them transition to the workforce and better integrate into their communities outside of school.
Students in the AIP from La Plata, St. Charles and Thomas Stone high schools — along with teachers and instructional assistants (IA) — attended the “Explore and Engage” event at the park in White Plains. While there, they played bocce and cornhole, frisbee golf, played catch with a football and walked a track that allowed for different levels of ability.
“White Plains has an asphalt walking track that is able to be used by people with gate trainers, wheelchairs or walking assistances devices,” Alison Cheney, a CCPS adapted physical education (PE) teacher, said.
The outing was an opportunity to introduce students to leisure activities that can double as exercise.
“Fitness levels in the disability community tend to be lower compared to the general population,” Seth Rak, an adapted PE teacher, said. “It is vital to promote and facilitate physical activities for improved health and wellbeing.”
Adapted PE staff came up with the “Engage and Explore” event to create authentic opportunities for AIP students. “The overarching aim is to continually identify community activities that are accessible and to develop a program that facilitates a smooth transition for students into suitable activities,” Rak said.
It was fun too, Caroline Foster, a special education teacher at St. Charles, said. While the visit to the park gave students a chance to explore new activities, it served as a reunion of sorts. “Students are seeing old friends and making new friends,” Foster said.
Other parks in Charles County have amenities that can be used by people of various physical abilities. Pisgah Park in La Plata has a paved loop, Laurel Springs Regional Park in La Plata has a turf field, an accessible baseball field known as the “Field of Dreams,” and a playground that is accessible for people with disabilities, and Bensville Park in White Plains has an accessible basketball court that could be adapted for various activities.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).