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Melwood Terrific Teens program earns innovative program award Wednesday, March 31, 2010

NANJEMOY, MARYLAND (March 31, 2010) – Melwood Recreation Center's Terrific Teens program will receive Maryland Recreation and Parks Association's Innovative Program Award for its novel approach to introduce youth with special needs to vocational training at its annual conference April 14 in Ocean City, Maryland.

Terrific Teens enables young people to explore career goals, begin job skill training and build social skills, leadership and independence while enjoying a recreational summer camp experience.  The program prepares youth for jobs in the community or at Melwood Recreation Center at an age when most campers begin to age out of summer camps.

During two-week sessions, Terrific Teens are able to try several different potential career paths in a summer camp environment, making it a great match for adolescents looking to gain work experience.  Terrific Teens live at camp during their session, where they experience group living that is similar to residential college.

Participants combine recreation and work hours, where they assist in a camp program or facility area, shadow a counselor, or help lead activities.  During orientation, Terrific Teens choose an area in which they want to work, and help plan, budget and carry out an activity over the course of the first week.  They can then continue in their area or choose a new work opportunity.  Participants receive two evaluations, similar to employment evaluations that allow them to monitor their progress and become more confident in and aware of their areas of strength and need.

Program enrollment is similar to a college or job application with an application and interview. Youth with special needs who may be intimidated by applying for a job become familiar with applications in a positive, non-stressful, supportive way.  The process also helps staff learn more about each teen's learning style, goals, ability level, maturity and interests.

Terrific Teens come from many backgrounds, and may or may not have special needs. Some have previously attended summer camp.  Most apply because they are too young for jobs and want vocational experience, or are old enough to work but need more preparation before getting a job in a less structured environment.

"Terrific Teens was formed when we noticed a lapse in support for transitioning youth," said Jonathon Rondeau, Melwood vice president for community services.  "The program gives campers who want to explore job and career opportunities a way to do so while they improve their personal relationship skills."

Melwood Recreation Center is still accepting applications for the 2010 Terrific Teens program. For information, please visit www.kampakomplish.org or call (301) 870-3226.

About Melwood Recreation Center:
Melwood Recreation Center is a 108-acre facility in western Charles County, Maryland that operates year-round programs for people with and without disabilities.  Programs include Access Adventures, an assisted travel program for adults with disabilities; the Retreat Center, which provides facility rentals; the Equestrian Program, which provides therapeutic and general horsemanship activities; and Kamp A-Kom-Plish, an inclusive residential and day summer camp program for children with and without disabilities.  Melwood Recreation Center is owned and operated by Melwood.

About Melwood:
Melwood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving more than 1,600 people with disabilities with employment, community supports and recreation in the Washington, DC area.  Sixty-two percent of Americans with severe disabilities are unemployed.  Melwood employees support 42 contracts through the AbilityOne Program, through which federal agencies contract with approved, qualified organizations to provide job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. For information about Melwood capabilities and services for people with disabilities, call Melwood at (301) 599-8000, or visit www.melwood.org.

Media Contact:
Jay Thomas, Melwood
jthomas@melwood.org
(301) 599-4550

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