Adapted Volunteer

Welcome to Adapted Aquatics Program
Classes for adults and children with disabilities
to master aquatic safety and swimming skills

The Park Authority's award-winning Adapted Aquatics is an individualized swimming and water activity program for adults and children with physical and developmental disabilities. This success-oriented program is designed for those who are not yet ready for the inclusive environment of standard classes. Adapted Aquatics aims to develop basic swim skills in a structured setting with support from trained volunteers who work one-on-one with students. The only requirement for volunteering is a willing heart and a commitment to a class series of eight or 10 weeks. You don’t have to be an expert swimmer; all you need is to be comfortable in the water.

Classes are held at...

RECENTERS

Audrey Moore RECenter
Cub Run RECenter
Lee District RECenter
Mt. Vernon RECenter
Oak Marr RECenter
Providence RECenter
South Run RECenter
Spring Hill RECenter

HIGHLIGHTS...

Help Swimmers Go for the Gold

Volunteers are needed for the Special Olympic Swim Training classes this winter and spring at Audrey Moore and Spring Hill RECenters. The Saturday afternoon classes at both RECenters begin in mid-January. Volunteers will be assisting athletes of all ages, helping them develop their skills for competition.

They’ll be working under the direction of an experienced coach, so they don’t have to be stroke specialists but they should have a strong swimming background. For more information, call Adapted Aquatics Coordinator Leeann David, 703-324-8565.

UPCOMING TRAINING

Next training session is held on April 24, 2012
Providence RECenter: 1pm-4pm
All Adapted Aquatics volunteers must attend this training.
To register call Leeann David at 703-324-8565

APPLY ONLINE NOW

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Margaret Turek
Adapted Aquatic Program’s
2011 Outstanding Volunteer
of the Year

Margaret Turek has been an active volunteer in the Fairfax County Park Authority Adapted Aquatics program for the past six years. Throughout her volunteer experiences, Margaret has provided outstanding leadership with participants and with other volunteers. She has demonstrated capacity to work individually with participants who have a broad range of functional abilities, and displays a 'can-do' approach as she works with individuals in the program. Margaret has expressed a great level of interest in learning more about various diagnostic groups, and related disability.

Adapted Aquatics Assistant Instructors are expected to be consistent aids in the water helping with individual swimmers progress on specific fitness goals. Her job does not begin or end with "assistance in the water", she takes it upon herself to learn personal stories and future plans of swimmers and other volunteers. Extra time and energy is spent to build a family atmosphere in the water, on deck, and often at many of the extra social events put on by the swim class. He is extremely motivated, and consistently portraits a positive attitude regardless of the challenges presented. She takes a personal interest in participants and connects with family members before and after class.

I am pleased to nominate Margaret Turek for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE THE BENEFITS OF...

Free RECenter facility use, free RECenter classes, Family Discount Pass. Active RECenter volunteers who maintain an average of four hours of service per week, or three weekly classes per class session as an Adapted Aquatics assistant, can use their RECenter’s general facilities free of charge. Volunteers who have served a minimum of 32 hours and maintain an average of eight hours of service per week, or volunteer as an Adapted Aquatics assistant for four weekly classes per class session, are eligible to take one free FCPA class per session on space available basis.