SNAPkids Adapted Aquatics Program
Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
About
SNAPkids Adapted Aquatics Program offers adapted aquatic activities where children exercise, swim, play, make friends, and have fun. Swimmers take part in group games, songs, and activities that foster communication, social and play skills, and friendships. Each swimmer begins with in-water assessments so a program can be designed to best meet their needs.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Price: Please check with us regarding class fees. SNAPkids offers a scholarship program because we feel that financial need should not be a barrier to participating.
Since 1991, SNAP has empowered children with special needs to exercise, swim, connect with others, make friends and enjoy the gifts of childhood through a community based and accessible adapted aquatics program. SNAPkids gives children with special challenges and gifts a place for their lights to shine brightly, to be respected and included, to exercise, play and have fun.
Programs are developed by the director, Dori Maxon PT, MEd, a pediatric physical therapist. Children participate in adapted aquatic programs tailored to address their physical, developmental, and social needs, and each swimmer receives individual attention and is partnered with 1–2 volunteer helpers. SNAPkids accepts swimmers with a variety of special needs, including common diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophies, spina bifida, autism, developmental delays, and a variety of genetic conditions, and swimmers must be medically stable and safe to participate in a community based program. For the youngest children, parents may be requested to participate.
Many of the children in SNAP use the water as their primary source of physical activity and exercise. The program describes water as the great equalizer, welcoming and forgiving, enabling the freedom of movement with the joyfulness of play, and notes that water can help children with balance, coordination, strength, fitness, focus, communication, social skills, and confidence. Classes are held in warm water pools with chair lifts available, and some sites include a warmer instructional pool and a cooler lap pool.
SNAP is described as a great social outlet that creates a caring and open community for the children, families, and volunteers who participate. Volunteers work one-on-one, creating unique bonds with swimmers and developing insights and sensitivities which ultimately make communities more accepting and inclusive. SNAP also works with families, swim teachers, and therapists to design aquatic programs, and offers professional training and support to aquatic and therapy professionals and agencies that support children with special needs.
Volunteers must be good swimmers, 15 years old and up (including retirees), have a playful side, be open to learning, and enjoy being with children. Volunteers may volunteer for one or more classes for a minimum of one semester at Berkeley and Albany locations, and for a minimum of two quarters at the Palo Alto location, and training and support are provided to volunteers on an ongoing basis.
Last updated April 1, 2026.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Price: Please check with us regarding class fees. SNAPkids offers a scholarship program because we feel that financial need should not be a barrier to participating.
Since 1991, SNAP has empowered children with special needs to exercise, swim, connect with others, make friends and enjoy the gifts of childhood through a community based and accessible adapted aquatics program. SNAPkids gives children with special challenges and gifts a place for their lights to shine brightly, to be respected and included, to exercise, play and have fun.
Programs are developed by the director, Dori Maxon PT, MEd, a pediatric physical therapist. Children participate in adapted aquatic programs tailored to address their physical, developmental, and social needs, and each swimmer receives individual attention and is partnered with 1–2 volunteer helpers. SNAPkids accepts swimmers with a variety of special needs, including common diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophies, spina bifida, autism, developmental delays, and a variety of genetic conditions, and swimmers must be medically stable and safe to participate in a community based program. For the youngest children, parents may be requested to participate.
Many of the children in SNAP use the water as their primary source of physical activity and exercise. The program describes water as the great equalizer, welcoming and forgiving, enabling the freedom of movement with the joyfulness of play, and notes that water can help children with balance, coordination, strength, fitness, focus, communication, social skills, and confidence. Classes are held in warm water pools with chair lifts available, and some sites include a warmer instructional pool and a cooler lap pool.
SNAP is described as a great social outlet that creates a caring and open community for the children, families, and volunteers who participate. Volunteers work one-on-one, creating unique bonds with swimmers and developing insights and sensitivities which ultimately make communities more accepting and inclusive. SNAP also works with families, swim teachers, and therapists to design aquatic programs, and offers professional training and support to aquatic and therapy professionals and agencies that support children with special needs.
Volunteers must be good swimmers, 15 years old and up (including retirees), have a playful side, be open to learning, and enjoy being with children. Volunteers may volunteer for one or more classes for a minimum of one semester at Berkeley and Albany locations, and for a minimum of two quarters at the Palo Alto location, and training and support are provided to volunteers on an ongoing basis.
Last updated April 1, 2026.
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