Adaptive/Therapeutic Sports & Recreation

Overview May 17, 2019

Adaptive/Therapeutic Sports & Recreation

Sports and recreational activities that are fun, competitive, and rewarding for individuals with special needs or disabilities. Through community partnerships we are able offer a comprehensive list of unique programs and events.

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Class July 24, 2019

Adaptive Sports Calendar
Thanks to our partners and sponsors, there are adaptive sport and recreation events and classes throughout the year - please click below for our calendar of exciting events and ongoing classes!

Flipping through months of a paper calendar

Class March 12, 2021

Adaptive Memberships
Checkout the exclusive membership options for unlimited access to DRD Adaptive/Therapeutic programs [some exclusions apply].

Adaptive memberships and programs are designed specifically for individuals with disabilities and special needs.

Adaptive Memberships provide individuals with disabilities and special needs unlimited access to any of the adaptive/therapeutic recreation programs taught by DRD staff for the set amount of time of the membership [annual or semi-annual] from the date of purchase. Program exclusions include, but are not limited to adaptive contract instructor classes, adaptive aquatics, and golf programs.

Class May 17, 2019

Adaptive Archery
Archery is a sport that assists with muscle development, accuracy, balance, coordination and patience. The program takes place in a highly supervised environment where positive encouragement and individualized instruction is provided to encourage success.

Girl in wheelchair shooting an arrow with a bow

Class April 6, 2022

Adaptive Badminton
This indoor sport will begin with drills to learn the basics and progress into game play for anyone with a disability or special need. Basic swing methods, proper footwork and rules of playing will be covered.

Class May 17, 2019

Adaptive Basketball
Participants will learn the fundamentals and basic rules of basketball while developing motor skills, building confidence, and increasing physical activity by participating in the class/sport.

Young man shooting basket from wheel chair and standing

Class October 27, 2020

Adaptive Boccia
Join us on the Palm Desert Tennis Courts for Boccia, the Paralympic sport for all abilities. We are looking to expand this high skill and accuracy driven game within the valley, and the skill sets of the participants.

Class December 21, 2022

Adaptive Eggstravaganza
Thousand Palms Community Center offers the first adaptive Easter Egg Hunt for the community. Adaptive egg hunt will occur from 9 - 10 a.m. followed by an open egg hunt for individuals of all abilities.

Person picking up eggs during Easter egg hunt

Date: Saturday, April 1
Time: 9 – 10 a.m.
Ages: All Ages
Fee: Free

Class April 12, 2021

Adaptive Fitness
Join us for a demanding workout that has options all ability levels. Class focuses on strength & conditioning with the use of minimal equipment.

Class August 3, 2020

Adaptive Fitness – Hybrid Online or In-person
Join us for our hybrid online or in-person class for fitness - you can attend via ZOOM from your home, or attend in-person at our Bermuda Dunes Community Center! Class will focus on strength & conditioning with the use of minimal equipment.

Class May 17, 2019

Adaptive Fitness Class – 16 Years of Age and Over
Increase coordination, stability, flexibility and posture with a class focused on strength, conditioning, cardio and movement. A variety of options are available for anyone with a special need or adaptation.

Woman raises barbell over her head photo

Class July 25, 2019

Adaptive Golf (Abili-Tee)
First Tee instructors will move participants through putting, chipping, driving and course play during the 7 hands-on classes. A focus on progressive course play and skill development will progress participants into regular game play.

Class May 17, 2019

Adaptive Gymnastics
These gymnastics classes focus on vestibular and proprioceptive sensory inputs to engage participants in various gymnastics activities including tumble track, balance beam, obstacle course, bars and more. Classes are designed for youth with special needs.

Class March 23, 2021

Adaptive Hiking
Join us on a group hike in varying locations around the valley. Hiking takes place every other Saturday, with the start time dependent on the length of the hike, and the month/temperature. ALL ABILITY LEVELS WELCOME.

Group of people out hiking who stopped to take a photo

Class December 8, 2022

Adaptive Music
Join us to make music with instruments made for all bodies! This class will incorporate fitness and fun into a great workout.

Illustration of a musical note with saxophone

Class May 17, 2019

Adaptive Pickleball
Truly an all-ability game, pickleball is a great opportunity that can be played indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Swing a paddle and play with new friends for an exciting way to stay fit. Parent or caretaker is welcome if participant requires

Class December 20, 2022

Adaptive Pickleball & Badminton
Work on hand-eye coordination and develop your pickleball and badminton skills with us. Classes work on skill development through drills with progression to game play. Throughout the hour-long program we will cycle groups through both sports.

Image showing a woman playing pickleball and a man playing badminton

Class December 20, 2022

Adaptive Pickleball / Volleyball Intro
Join us for adaptive pickleball and BIG volleyball. This program is designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, all ability levels welcome. We encourage siblings, and friends to join, too.

Image showing someone playing adaptive volleyball and someone playing pickleball

Class August 3, 2020

Adaptive Seated Fitness – Hybrid Online/In-person Class
Join us for our online class from home OR in-person at our Bermuda Dunes Community Center for seated adult fitness! Class will focus on strength & conditioning with the use of minimal equipment.

Class December 6, 2021

Adaptive Snow Day
Join us for a day of challenging, safe, and success-oriented adaptive snow sports in Big Bear (United States Adaptive Recreation Center - USARC)

Utilizing adaptive equipment and/or teaching techniques, each student can discover the freedom of gliding down a snow-covered mountain. Fee includes five hours of private instruction, ski equipment and lift ticket. You can bring yourself or leave the driving to us (see fees below).

Date: March 8, 2022
Time: Full Day (approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Ages: All Ages with Special Needs
Fee: $110 and an extra $20 if transportation is desired

For questions about this event, please contact Kendra Smith at ksmith@drd.us.com or call 760-347-3484.

Class October 14, 2020

Adaptive Tennis
Learn to play tennis with our certified instructor at the Palm Desert Tennis Courts. Participants can join the program as a standing or sitting player. Sport chairs are available for use during the program. All ability levels welcome.

Class August 4, 2022

Adaptive Walk, Run, Roll Club
You can walk, run, or roll in one of our sport wheelchairs as we get our bodies moving again in Civic Center Park. As the weather cools down, we will work on technical running skills, endurance, and of course, have LOTS of fun!

Group of adaptive sports participants outdoors at a park

Class December 8, 2022

Adaptive We Can Fish!
In partnership with We Can Fish, we are excited to offer a new experience to our adaptive participants, Fishing! The staff and volunteers will teach participants how to bait, cast, reel, catch and take home the fish they catch to eat.

Class August 1, 2022

Community Adapted Sports Day
This disability sports festival is open to the community and offers participants the opportunity to experience adaptive sports programs, obtain information and more.

Group of Adaptive Sport participants posed for a photo

Class December 19, 2022

Explore the Coast
Thanks to funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy, we are able to offer these fun day trips for free for our residents. We invite Seniors, those with a Disability or Special Need, and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Class July 19, 2021

Pathfinder Ranch – Adaptive Day Trips
These trips offer a fun-filled adaptive day trip to Pathfinder Ranch, open to those with disabilities or special needs and their families. Exact activities to be determined, but examples are rock climbing, canoeing, rope courses, etc.

Adaptive/Therapeutic Sports & Recreation

Adaptive Sports Calendar
Thanks to our partners and sponsors, there are adaptive sport and recreation events and classes throughout the year - please click below for our calendar of exciting events and ongoing classes!

Adaptive Memberships
Checkout the exclusive membership options for unlimited access to DRD Adaptive/Therapeutic programs [some exclusions apply].

Adaptive Archery
Archery is a sport that assists with muscle development, accuracy, balance, coordination and patience. The program takes place in a highly supervised environment where positive encouragement and individualized instruction is provided to encourage success.

Adaptive Badminton
This indoor sport will begin with drills to learn the basics and progress into game play for anyone with a disability or special need. Basic swing methods, proper footwork and rules of playing will be covered.

Adaptive Basketball
Participants will learn the fundamentals and basic rules of basketball while developing motor skills, building confidence, and increasing physical activity by participating in the class/sport.

Adaptive Boccia
Join us on the Palm Desert Tennis Courts for Boccia, the Paralympic sport for all abilities. We are looking to expand this high skill and accuracy driven game within the valley, and the skill sets of the participants.

Adaptive Eggstravaganza
Thousand Palms Community Center offers the first adaptive Easter Egg Hunt for the community. Adaptive egg hunt will occur from 9 - 10 a.m. followed by an open egg hunt for individuals of all abilities.

Adaptive Fitness
Join us for a demanding workout that has options all ability levels. Class focuses on strength & conditioning with the use of minimal equipment.

Adaptive Fitness – Hybrid Online or In-person
Join us for our hybrid online or in-person class for fitness - you can attend via ZOOM from your home, or attend in-person at our Bermuda Dunes Community Center! Class will focus on strength & conditioning with the use of minimal equipment.

Adaptive Fitness Class – 16 Years of Age and Over
Increase coordination, stability, flexibility and posture with a class focused on strength, conditioning, cardio and movement. A variety of options are available for anyone with a special need or adaptation.

Adaptive Golf (Abili-Tee)
First Tee instructors will move participants through putting, chipping, driving and course play during the 7 hands-on classes. A focus on progressive course play and skill development will progress participants into regular game play.

Adaptive Gymnastics
These gymnastics classes focus on vestibular and proprioceptive sensory inputs to engage participants in various gymnastics activities including tumble track, balance beam, obstacle course, bars and more. Classes are designed for youth with special needs.

Adaptive Hiking
Join us on a group hike in varying locations around the valley. Hiking takes place every other Saturday, with the start time dependent on the length of the hike, and the month/temperature. ALL ABILITY LEVELS WELCOME.

Adaptive Music
Join us to make music with instruments made for all bodies! This class will incorporate fitness and fun into a great workout.

Adaptive Pickleball
Truly an all-ability game, pickleball is a great opportunity that can be played indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Swing a paddle and play with new friends for an exciting way to stay fit. Parent or caretaker is welcome if participant requires

Adaptive Pickleball & Badminton
Work on hand-eye coordination and develop your pickleball and badminton skills with us. Classes work on skill development through drills with progression to game play. Throughout the hour-long program we will cycle groups through both sports.

Adaptive Pickleball / Volleyball Intro
Join us for adaptive pickleball and BIG volleyball. This program is designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, all ability levels welcome. We encourage siblings, and friends to join, too.

Adaptive Seated Fitness – Hybrid Online/In-person Class
Join us for our online class from home OR in-person at our Bermuda Dunes Community Center for seated adult fitness! Class will focus on strength & conditioning with the use of minimal equipment.

Adaptive Snow Day
Join us for a day of challenging, safe, and success-oriented adaptive snow sports in Big Bear (United States Adaptive Recreation Center - USARC)

Adaptive Tennis
Learn to play tennis with our certified instructor at the Palm Desert Tennis Courts. Participants can join the program as a standing or sitting player. Sport chairs are available for use during the program. All ability levels welcome.

Adaptive Walk, Run, Roll Club
You can walk, run, or roll in one of our sport wheelchairs as we get our bodies moving again in Civic Center Park. As the weather cools down, we will work on technical running skills, endurance, and of course, have LOTS of fun!

Adaptive We Can Fish!
In partnership with We Can Fish, we are excited to offer a new experience to our adaptive participants, Fishing! The staff and volunteers will teach participants how to bait, cast, reel, catch and take home the fish they catch to eat.

Community Adapted Sports Day
This disability sports festival is open to the community and offers participants the opportunity to experience adaptive sports programs, obtain information and more.

Explore the Coast
Thanks to funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy, we are able to offer these fun day trips for free for our residents. We invite Seniors, those with a Disability or Special Need, and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Pathfinder Ranch – Adaptive Day Trips
These trips offer a fun-filled adaptive day trip to Pathfinder Ranch, open to those with disabilities or special needs and their families. Exact activities to be determined, but examples are rock climbing, canoeing, rope courses, etc.

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