Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) is a valued program within the Department of Parks & Recreation dedicated to supporting individuals with special needs or disabilities in participating fully in life-enriching activities.
Our Goal
To provide recreation opportunities for community members with special needs or disabilities, we do the following:
Enhance self-awareness and community resource exploration
Promote independence through personal choice of leisure pursuits
Provide participants with a sense of enjoyment, satisfaction and fulfillment while participating in community recreation programs
Provide recreation programs that encourage activity, skill development and socialization
Access to Recreation for Everyone
The Calvert County Parks and Recreation Department complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with differing abilities who may need assistance in order to participate in recreational activities.
Everyone who participates in our Therapeutic Recreation (TR) programs is asked to complete a TR Participant Profile (PDF). This helps us get to know you better so we can plan programs, make accommodations, and tailor activities to your interests.
We ask that you update your profile each August to let us know about any changes in abilities, needs, or interests. Keeping this information current helps us provide the best possible experience for every participant.
Services
Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) are offered to anyone who would like to participate in recreation. Most people who utilize TRS are people with differing abilities who may need assistance in obtaining activity skills or participating in a community recreation program. The following are the types of services provided by TRS:
Inclusion Services help ensure that people of all abilities have the opportunity to participate in community recreation programs alongside their peers. In Therapeutic Recreation, inclusion means creating welcoming spaces where everyone can take part in activities that interest them.
To make this possible, we work to remove barriers—whether physical, social, or attitudinal—and provide supports such as reasonable accommodations, adaptive equipment, activity modifications, staff training, or one-on-one assistance.
Our goal is simple: to help every participant feel included, confident, and able to enjoy recreation to the fullest.
Individualized Services are designed to help each person get the most out of our Therapeutic Recreation (TR) programs. We understand that everyone has unique abilities, needs, and interests—so we work with participants and families to create personalized supports that make recreation accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful.
This may include one-on-one assistance, adapted activities, or specialized equipment to help participants succeed and have fun. Our goal is to make sure everyone can fully take part, build confidence, and enjoy the benefits of recreation.
Specialized Services provide recreation opportunities that are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities or special needs. These programs focus on building skills, promoting independence, and encouraging social connections in a supportive and inclusive setting.
Activities may include sports, arts, fitness, social events, or life-skills programs that are tailored to meet the unique needs and interests of participants.
The goal of Specialized Services is to offer enjoyable, meaningful experiences that enhance quality of life and help every participant reach their personal goals—while having fun along the way.
Volunteers play a vital role in supporting our Therapeutic Recreation programs. If you’re interested in working with individuals of all abilities, we have rewarding opportunities for you to get involved.
As a volunteer, you’ll assist recreation staff with a variety of programs, gaining meaningful experience while making a positive impact in the community.
Opportunities include, but are not limited to, serving as inclusion companions, helping with special events, assisting with classes, and much more.
If you or your organization would like to learn more, please contact Therapeutic Recreation Services.