Get out and join us for fun activities! All activities will have health and safety rules in place. Pre-registration is required for all activities. Signup online by following the buttons below. For assistance, email rise@lakewood.org.
Financial assistance is available via the Lakewood Possibilities Fund.
Special Olympics
Join us for Special Olympics! The Lakewood Spring Sports include Swimming, Basketball, and Track and Field.
Register for Special Olympics
Bowling League
Beginning, casual and avid bowlers are all welcome to join our Special Olympics Bowling League. Pre-registration is required! No drop-in.
Register for Bowling
Sibshop
Sibshops are a great opportunity for siblings to come together, learn, and have a good time while celebrating their unique roles in their families.
Register for Sibshop
Sensory Friendly Open Swim
Pre-registration required, no walk-ins allowed. Open swim sessions are offered during times with less noise in the pool area. All ages are welcome and sessions are held at the Lakewood Link Recreation Center.
Sensory Friendly Swim
Adaptive Private Swim Lessons
One-on-one swim lessons adapted to an individual's specific needs at Carmody Recreation Center. More lessons are offered at the Lakewood Link Recreation Center.
Adaptive Private Swim Lessons
Supervision of participants
As with any recreation program, an appropriate level of independence, self care and behavior is required from our participants. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide 1:1 supervision during any of our programs.
Our program staff do not provide hands on personal care to participants unless otherwise noted. If a participant requires additional assistance, a provider or parent may join the program at no cost except certain program expenses.
Camp Paha is a unique summer day camp for children and young adults with disabilities living in Lakewood and surrounding communities. Enjoy swimming, sports, games, nature, music, sensory, arts, crafts, and field trips in a safe, challenging, and fun environment. Camp Paha is a licensed Colorado Child Care program for campers ages 6-17. Paha Adults in Transition (PAT) is for adults ages 18-25.
Camper scholarships are available through the nonprofit, Friends of Paha. Visit FriendsofPaha.org for more information.
Friends of Paha
PLEASE NOTE: Registering for the "Camp Paha Pre-registration" sessions puts you on a "waitlist" for that session and does not guarantee your registration for that session. When campers are promoted off the waitlist, you will receive an email notification that you have been transferred to the official Paha registration, where you will pay the remaining registration fee ($700 for Lakewood residents and $900 for Non Residents if you paid the $50 deposit during pre-registration). You will also be sent an email requesting the completion of your camper’s ePACT profile. All families will be required to provide documentation of a physical from the last six months. Families registering for both sessions will be asked to rank a first and second choice of sessions. Depending on staffing availability sessions may be limited to one per camper.
We do our best to move campers off the waitlist based on time of registration but please know that there are a variety of factors that play into this process. Please reach out to paha@lakewood.org with any questions.
Camp registration opens Feb. 18 at 12 p.m. for residents and Feb. 20 at 12 p.m. for nonresidents.
Camp Paha Sessions
Ages: 6-17
Session A
June 9-27 (Mon-Fri) No Camp June 19
9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Green Mountain Elementary School 12250 W Kentucky Dr, Lakewood, CO 80228
$700 for residents
$900 for nonresidents
Session B
July 7-25 (Mon-Fri)
9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Green Mountain Elementary School 12250 W Kentucky Dr, Lakewood, CO 80228
$750 for residents
$950 Nonresidents
Paha Adults in Transition (PAT)
Ages: 18-25
Session A
June 9-27 (Mon-Fri) No Camp June 19
9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Green Mountain Elementary School 12250 W Kentucky Dr, Lakewood, CO 80228
$700 for residents
$900 for nonresidents
Session B
July 7-25 (Mon-Fri)
9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Green Mountain Elementary School 12250 W Kentucky Dr, Lakewood, CO 80228
$750 for residents
$950 Nonresidents
Camp Paha & Paha Adults in Transition
The purpose of Camp Paha is to provide recreational, educational and therapeutic opportunities in a safe, quality, and fun outdoor and indoor day camp environment. We operate on a 1:4 staff-to-camper ratio. The program is designed to incorporate quality supervision with an emphasis on the social, intellectual, and emotional growth of each camper and operates in compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act. Together with parents and caregivers, we will work to provide a positive summer experience.
Goals
- To provide access and supported exposure to recreation opportunities and new experiences within camp and the local community.
- To provide an inclusive experience where campers can be members of a group in a day camp setting.
- To provide an opportunity to develop awareness about self, others and the environment.
- To encourage independence.
- To provide opportunities for fellowship and fun for our campers.
Camper Activities & Outings
- Camper Activities vary but generally include Sports and Games, Arts and Crafts, Nature and Science, Music and Sensory, Drama and Theater, Swimming, etc. Generally, activities will fall within those categories.
- Community Outing: Campers will take a school bus to a variety of exciting and educational places such as the Sensory Gym, Zoo, Museums, and much more!
Enrollment Criteria/Continued Camp Participation
- Camp Paha is intended to meet the needs of many different individuals with disabilities. We must, at all times, look out for the safety and well-being of all the campers. Camp Paha is a good fit for most campers. We work very hard to ensure the safety of all our campers and staff. However, in some instances, Camp Paha is not an ideal fit.
- We are a summer day camp with recreation and child enrichment as our primary goals. To provide this safe and positive camp experience, our camp is staffed with one staff person supervising every four campers. If your camper typically requires 1:1 assistance in other settings such as school, please reach out to the Camp Directors to set up a meeting.
- Parents/Guardians may choose to withdraw their camper at any time during the summer. . Parents/guardians must notify a Paha Director either by phone or in writing of the withdrawal from camp and their reasons for doing so. Refunds will be handled on a case by case basis.
Financial Assistance
The Lakewood Community Resources Division has a scholarship program available to Lakewood Residents. For more information on the Lakewood Possibilities Fund please visit www.lakewood.org/possibilities .
Additionally, Friends of Paha, a nonprofit board that supports Camp Paha and Paha Adults in Transition offers Camperships based on need. The Campership application can be found on their website. Camp Paha is happy to work with Community Center Boards (DDRC, Developmental Pathways, etc.), if your camper has alternative funding that can be used to pay for Camp Paha. Lakewood residents may also apply to the Lakewood Possibilities Fund to receive funding from the City.
Waitlist Information
- We try our best to accommodate all campers into Camp Paha. However, we must maintain the quality of the program and therefore must limit the number of campers we can accept into Camp Paha.
- Individuals who are on the waitlist will be notified by phone or email when they have been promoted off the waitlist. If the camper profile is incomplete and/or intention of attendance are not communicated within 24 hours of our notification phone call or email or you are no longer interested, we will go to the next name on the waiting list. Your prompt communication is appreciated to help ensure your camper’s admittance to camp.
Contact us
To speak with someone about Camp Paha or Paha Adults in Transition, please contact Therapeutic Recreation staff.
By email: paha@lakewood.org
By phone: 303-987-4867
Support Paha
Friends of Paha, a nonprofit organization (not a City of Lakewood entity), helps support our summer day programs. Without this support, tuition and fees would more than double, making these programs too expensive for some. Please consider supporting Friends of Paha in their noble mission.
Friends of Paha
Campers and staff pose for a group photo.
Lakewood Therapeutic Recreation utilizes volunteers, interns and part time (variable) staff to support many of its programs. Our staff come from a variety of backgrounds and many have full time jobs, working or volunteering for our programs in their spare time.
Without their support, many programs could not function. Learn more about how you can get involved by browsing the sections below.
CONTACT US
For questions, contact the therapeutic recreation team at rise@lakewood.org or 303-987-4867.
Volunteer
Many of our programs are supported by volunteers interested in building community and learning more about working with people with disabilities. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities in our therapeutic recreation programs, including our monthly dance, which is held on the third Friday of every month at Clements Community Center.
Interested?
Contact the therapeutic recreation team at rise@lakewood.org or 303-987-4867.
Intern
SPRING AND SUMMER INTERNSHIP
Lakewood Therapeutic Recreation Department offers a spring and summer internship experience focused on community-based therapeutic recreation services.
The intern assists in providing leisure and recreation programs for individuals with disabilities ranging in age from six yrs. through adult.
- Spring interns supports our year-round program offerings and assist in camp preparations.
- Summer interns primarily support our summer day camp, Camp Paha.
Additional opportunities include organizing Special Olympics programs, specialty classes, social engagements and community outings and events. This internship experience will address all NCTRC Job Task Analysis areas through various areas of programming and prepare interns for both the NCTRC Certification Exam as well as entry-level therapeutic recreation positions.
INTERNSHIP STRUCTURE
Application Window: Rolling
- Length of Internship: 15 weeks, 40 hours per week (total 600 hours)
- Internship Supervisor: Full-time CTRS (Meets all NCTRC site supervisor standards)
Note: Interns are strongly encouraged to carry their own medical and liability insurance. Interns are eligible for mileage reimbursement when using their own vehicles to transport themselves in between sites.
INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a current senior in the process of obtaining a degree from an accredited college or university in Therapeutic Recreation and working to complete NCTRC requirements.
- Have a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in Therapeutic Recreation coursework.
- Applicants must pass a background check prior to an offer being made.
- Applicants must complete additional paperwork as mandated by the State of Colorado for Child Care Licensing including but not limited to passing additional background checks and providing documentation of a minimum of 460 hours supervising 4 or more children at a time.
INTERESTED?
Fill out an interest form via the link below. A staff member will reach out to you to discuss the internship further.
Complete an Interest Form
READY TO APPLY?
To apply, visit our Lakewood jobs listing, search for “Therapeutic Recreation Intern” and click "Apply".
The application process consists of a general application and supplemental questions and will also require the attachment of a cover letter, resume, college transcripts and two letters of recommendation. Applications will be screened and reviewed for eligibility. Successful candidates will be contacted for an interview. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email.
Apply Now
Work
Therapeutic recreation utilizes part time (variable) staff to support many of its programs. Open positions are posted on the city's employment listing when available.
Support Camp Paha
Friends of Paha, a nonprofit organization (not a City of Lakewood entity), helps support our summer day programs. Without this support, tuition and fees would more than double, making these programs too expensive for some.
Please consider supporting Friends of Paha in their noble mission.
Friends of Paha