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Bennett Institute Physically Challenged Sports of Kennedy Krieger

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Bennett Institute Physically Challenged Sports of Kennedy Krieger

At Kennedy Krieger Institute, we believe that individuals living with disabilities should have every opportunity to pursue their dreams. Participating in sports and recreational programs gives both children and adults the opportunity to set goals and achieve increased independence. Sports, both competitive and recreational, teach life skills, promote confidence and develop leadership. Friendships are built, accomplishments are recognized, and people are supported to achieve their fullest potential.

Whatever your age, ability level, experience, or schedule, the Adaptive Sports Program at Kennedy Krieger has something for you

 

The Bennett Blazers, founded in 1990, are one of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s adaptive sports programs which offers year-round recreational and competitive opportunities for children and young adults who have a diagnosed physical disability and are functioning cognitively at their appropriate age level. Programs are offered for athletes who use a manual or electric wheelchair, as well as for children who are ambulatory with or without assistive devices. Athletes do need to have an independent means of mobility as this is an active sports and recreation program.

 

A wide variety of programs are offered for children ages 2-18. Wheelchair Basketball, Tennis, Track and Field, Swimming, Baseball and Sled hockey are some of the favorites; with Motor Development Programs offered for our youngest athletes ages 2-7. We also offer adult Sled Hockey and Wheelchair Basketball to keep our alumni athletes and any others who want to join in on the fun active.

 

Programs are offered on a weekly basis on the grounds of the Greenspring Campus of Kennedy Krieger Institute. Some off-site venues are used for more sport specific training, such as ice rinks and tracks. Athletes also travel to participate in a variety of competitions at the local, regional, national and international level. Three semesters of programming are offered during the school year with additional specialty programs during the summer.

Activities

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Baseball

Archery

Archery is a versatile activity. It is something that can be done for fun, for hunting, or for competition. “Target shooting wasn’t a thing for me,” said US Para Archery Head Coach Jonathan Clemins. “But I realized I enjoyed shooting my bow as much as I enjoyed hunting.” In addition, archery can be a year-round…

Basketball

In the beginning you had to have a spinal cord injury in order to play wheelchair basketball. But that, much like the game itself, has come a long way since 1946. Today, in order to be eligible to play wheelchair basketball within the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) a person must have a permanent lower…

Camping

Cycling

Rain, sleet, snow, or hail … it seems that no matter the weather, you can always see a cyclist biking for pleasure, on an errand, or keeping fit. The love of bike riding is rapidly growing across nearly every demographic. Cycling has always been a great way to enjoy the outdoors, socialize with fellow bikers,…

Fishing

Flyfishing made a real big difference in my recovery and helped flip that switch from thinking about negative things to positive things. There is a lot of peace and a lot of connecting with nature involved with fishing. – David Folkerts, Chief Operations Officer of Project Healing Waters   Fishing 101 Photo Credits: Matt Romero,…

Ice Skating

Kayaking

When you go skiing, you need to find a mountain and cold weather. You don’t need anything special to start kayaking. Kayaking is just down the road. -Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner   Getting Started Looking to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying the outdoors and scenery?  Perhaps you’re more of a thrill…

Lacrosse/Wheelchair Lacrosse

Sailing

I have always been a competitive athlete and I enjoy that aspect of sailing. It’s not about who is the strongest, but who can think the best. It’s a three dimensional game of chess that is going on and the chess board is always changing. Water is never the same because of currents and the…

Sled Hockey

All About Sled Hockey Sled Hockey A Sport for All Abilities Sled hockey had its beginning in the early 1960s when some enterprising athletes at a physical rehabilitation center in Sweden wanted to play the game. The men modified a metal frame sled with two regular-sized ice hockey skate blades that allowed the puck to pass…

Soccer/Power Soccer

There is a rapidly growing adaptive sport that is changing the way people think of those using a power chair. That sport is power soccer. “It is not only changing the perception others have, but also how participants think of themselves,” said Jonathan Newman, the Adult Sports Coordinator at Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program…

Softball

Swimming

Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, swimming has been one of the Games’ main sports.   The thrill of competition aside, swimming offers many benefits including strengthening the cardiovascular systems and the major muscle groups of both the upper and lower body. It also develops flexibility in the muscles and joints as…

Table Tennis

Table tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world with 16 million players in the U.S. alone. You can find table tennis in the basements and rec rooms of individual homes and apartments across the country. You can also play the game at sport and recreation facilities, university centers, and various other…

Tennis/Wheelchair Tennis

The people you meet through tennis are friendly, happy, optimistic and outgoing, They just want to have a good time and want others to have a good time. – Steve Kappes, Director of the San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program and Director of Military Outreach for the San Diego District Tennis Association   All About…

Track and Field

Track and Field is the largest Olympic and Paralympic sport in terms of the number of athletes and number of classifications and categories. In addition to the races that take place on the track, there are a number of competitions that take place on the field inside the track. In particular, there are throwing and…

Sit Volleyball

Becoming Familiar with Sitting Volleyball See You On The Floor! Looking for a sport that will give you a cardio workout, challenge your strategic thinking, and enable you to be on a team, all while just having fun? Then sitting volleyball may be perfect for you. Like many adaptive sports, sitting volleyball can be played…

CONTACTS

3825 Greenspring Ave. Baltimore MD 21211

LOCATION

3825 Greenspring Ave. Baltimore MD 21211

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