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“My son loves every KEEN event - the regular sessions, the annual Sports Festival, you name it - because, for that time period, he has a friend. KEEN gives people with disabilities the friendship they so desire but can't obtain on their own. ” – KEEN parent


Programs

All of KEEN's programs are based on a single principle: pair a trained volunteer with an athlete and let them discover together how much they can do. Programs are all open and unstructured, allowing athletes facing significant challenges to have fun and be successful. KEEN Greater DC now operates a dozen programs throughout the national capital area.

Sports
KEEN's core program is called "Sports," and takes place in a gym, with a variety of sports equipment available. Athletes and coaches may throw a basketball or kick a soccer ball, or they may take a walk around an outdoor track. Many athletes love to bounce on our large therapy balls, and others enjoy speeding across the floor on our 4-wheeled scooter boards. KEEN Sports programs are broken down into three age groups: kids (ages 5-12), teens (ages 13 - 19) and young adults (ages 20 -25). Programs are held in Montgomery County at Tilden Middle School in North Bethesda on Sunday afternoons and in Southeast DC at St. Coletta School on Saturday afternoons.
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Swim
KEEN Swim brings the KEEN formula to the pool. A large variety of inflatable equipment makes even the most cautious athlete eager to get in the water and splash about. Swimmers who are able are encouraged to swim a lap or two. KEEN swim is open to athletes of all ages and is held in Montgomery County at the Jewish Community Center in Rockville and in Southeast DC at the Rumsey Aquatic Center. Swim programs are all held on Saturdays.
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Music
KEEN Music takes a slight departure from the other KEEN programs in that sessions are led by trained professionals, with volunteer coaches helping their athletes sing, play basic instruments, and dance. Music is a very popular program with our athletes, and we have doubled the sessions offered in 2006/2007, with sessions for kids and for teens held on Sundays at Tilden Middle School in North Bethesda, MD.
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Tennis
KEEN Tennis is a program for kids and teens together. It is held at the 4 Seasons Tennis Club in Fairfax, Va. Students at the Bob Pass 4 StarTennis Academy coach KEEN athletes on the first Saturday of the month.
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KEEN Club
KEEN Club is a peer-companion program for teenaged athletes who are able to go out into the community and participate in more structured activities. This is the only KEEN program where volunteers are asked for a year-long committment of time, as each high school aged volunteer is paired with a single athlete for the school year. Coaches and athletes develop unique and lasting friendships while playing more structured games of basketball and kickball and attending community events such as Washington Wizards games. The group meets a Tilden Middle School in Bethesda on Sunday afternoons.
More KEEN Club information.

Bowling
In addition to Sports, KEEN offers 2 other programs for its young adult athletes: KEEN Bowling, KEEN Fit. Bowling is held Sunday afternoons at the AMF Shady Grove Lanes in Rockville, MD. Athletes have so much fun, it has become one of KEEN's most popular programs.
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Fit
KEEN Fit is held at the Washington Sports Club at the Chevy Chase Pavillion in Washington, DC. Coaches help Athletes train like pro's on all the different fitness equipment. KEEN retains the gym facility at the club for an open gym session for Adult Athletes and their families. The program is held on Sunday afternoons.
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Family Sports Day
From time to time throughout the year, KEEN holds Family Sports Days. These are "open gym" sessions at our Tilden and Payne sites. On these days, KEEN does not provide volunteers to work athletes, but rather invites families to come in, use the equipment, and enjoy some quality time together.
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Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) - P.O. Box 341590 Bethesda, MD 20827-1590 - info@keengreaterdc.org