SPecially Adapted Resource Centers - SPARC

07/12/2025

🎉 What a morning! 🎉

Our 4th Annual Pancake Breakfast was a huge success — thanks to all of YOU! From the first sizzling pancakes to the last round of applause during the awards, the room was filled with joy, laughter, and the spirit of community.

We’re deeply grateful to every guest, volunteer, sponsor, and participant who made the day so special. Your presence uplifts our mission and ensures that adults with disabilities have a place where they are seen, celebrated, and supported every single day.

📸 Relive the magic and see all the smiles in our official photo gallery by Will Schermerhorn:
👉 https://will-schermerhorn.smugmug.com/SPARC-2025-Pancake-Breakfast

Thank you for making this year's breakfast one to remember. We can’t wait to do it again next year! 🥞💙

This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.

07/11/2025

Shout out to the set-up team! We are ready for the 4th Annual Pancake Breakfast!

🥞🎉 Tomorrow is the day! SPARC’s Pancake Breakfast is going to be EPIC! From golden stacks and sizzling bacon to awards, music, and pure community joy — it’s the most feel-good event of the summer! 🌞

Even if you can’t attend in person, you can still make an impact by bidding on our amazing silent auction items online! 💻✨ Check them out here:
👉 https://secure.qgiv.com/event/pancakebreakfast2025/

Every bid supports SPARC’s life-changing programs for adults with disabilities. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something meaningful and fun!

07/11/2025

🎶✨ SPARC ~ Leesburg was bursting with creativity, music, and smiles today! We kicked off the morning with dad jokes and reggae vibes, then dove into our All About Me books—Kim shared her love for singing and requested a dance party (you got it, Kim!).

Music Therapy kept the good vibes going with a fun lyric board game—Kim nailed it! 🎤 The afternoon brought back a fan favorite: Magic Wishing Sand Bottles, complete with colorful layers and heartfelt wishes.

From self-expression to laughter and creativity, today reminded us how joyful and magical connection can be. 💛

07/09/2025

Today at SPARC ~ McLean, we brought the island vibes to life with our festive Luau Day celebration!

Participants kicked things off by crafting their very own custom leis—cutting out bright tropical flowers, decorating them with flair, and stringing them together to create the perfect island accessory. The creativity didn’t stop there—our artists dove into designing bold and colorful Tiki masks, each one full of personality and flair.

The tropical fun turned competitive as everyone tried their hand at Blackjack, learning the ropes and getting into the spirit of the game. We also had fast-paced, energetic rounds of UNO, where participants went head-to-head in colorful card battles. We even enjoyed playing some basketball!

After a delicious lunch break, the fun kept rolling with Luau-themed Bingo, complete with tropical twists and island-inspired prizes. We wrapped up the celebration with a lively round of Emoji Pictionary, where laughter and creativity filled the room.

It was a day of color, culture, and connection—Aloha spirit was in the air all day long!

07/09/2025

SPARC ~ Arlington celebrated the incredible contributions of cows with a fun-filled and engaging Cow Appreciation Day! The morning began with a mooo-ving round of cow trivia that sparked laughter and learning. We then enjoyed homemade chocolate and vanilla milkshakes as a delicious tribute to one of cows’ greatest gifts—milk! After our sweet treat, we tapped into our creativity by crafting cow masks using paper plates, construction paper, and glue. This hands-on activity not only sparked imagination but also helped participants strengthen their fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and assembling their masks!

🐄 Cow Trivia Quiz! 🐄
Think you know cows? Let’s see how moo-ch you really know! 🧠✨
Comment with your answers below! 👇👇👇

1. What do you call a female cow that hasn’t had a calf yet?
A) Heifer
B) Calf
C) Moo-ma

2. How many stomachs does a cow have?
A) One
B) Four
C) Two

3. On average, how many gallons of milk can a dairy cow produce each day?
A) 2–3 gallons
B) 6–7 gallons
C) 7–10 gallons

4. What color are most Holstein cows?
A) Brown and white
B) Black and white
C) Gray and white

5. True or False: Cows can see almost 360 degrees around them.

6. Which country has the most cows?
A) Brazil
B) India
C) United States

7. What is a group of cows called?
A) A herd
B) A flock
C) A pack

🎉 Bonus Question:
What sound does a happy cow make? (Creative answers encouraged!) 🐮💬

🧡 Drop your answers in the comments and tag a friend who loves farm animals!

07/08/2025

Today at SPARC ~ Leesburg, our participants put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test with not one, but two hands-on building challenges! First up was our Marshmallow Tower Challenge, where we used marshmallows and gummies to create the tallest, most stable structures possible. This sweet science activity encouraged teamwork, patience, and exploration of concepts like gravity, balance, and structural strength.

Later, we switched gears to build with magnetic tiles, giving participants the chance to compare materials and reflect on which method created stronger or more stable towers. This side-by-side building experience deepened understanding of engineering basics and sparked thoughtful discussion about design, weight, and support.

In between our STEM fun, we worked on painting skills by practicing straight lines and circles, supporting fine motor development and visual focus. Art continued in the afternoon with Dani and Kristen, who love Tuesdays for the chance to dive into their All About Me Books. Kristen added a personal touch with her favorite color which is purple!

Today's activities encouraged not only hands-on learning, but also critical thinking, comparison, creativity, and joyful collaboration. It was another wonderful day of learning through play at SPARC!

07/08/2025

SPARC ~ Leesburg enjoyed an unforgettable day of connection, creativity, and fun as A Place To Be came to visit our center! Anee and Allison were especially excited to welcome their amazing new intern, who brought fresh energy, curiosity, and warmth to the group. The day started with some brain-boosting fun—Wordle and other word games sparked plenty of laughter and thoughtful conversation. When A Place To Be arrived, the room came alive with music, movement, and meaningful moments that left everyone feeling inspired. It was a beautiful chance to learn more about each other and bond in new ways. After a tasty lunch, the fun didn’t stop—we closed out the day with a high-energy, laughter-filled round of UNO that kept everyone on their toes. Here’s to new friendships, special visits, and joyful memories made right here at the center!

07/08/2025

🎸🎤 We Love Rock and Roll at SPARC ~ McLean! 🎤🎸

McLean celebrated National Rock and Roll Day in true SPARC style—by making music, moving to the beat, and singing our hearts out! 🎶💃

We kicked off the day by crafting our own maracas using plastic eggs, spoons, and colorful pasta for a sensory-friendly shake and rattle. Add a little washi tape flair and pipe cleaner pizzazz, and we had some rockin' instruments ready to go! 🪇✨

Next up: Zumba with the amazing Kime! Her energy is absolutely contagious, and she had the whole room dancing, laughing, and feeling the rhythm. 🕺🪩

After lunch, we cooled down (sort of!) with a rousing game of Music Bingo—Rock and Roll Edition. But let’s be honest, it quickly turned into a sing-along party featuring some of our favorite rock classics! 🎤🎸

From DIY instruments to dance and song, SPARC McLean knows how to turn up the volume on fun! 🤘❤️

07/04/2025

✨ Friday at SPARC ~ Arlington was full of reflection—literally! ✨

In honor of National Compliment Your Mirror Day, our participants crafted their very own mirrors and filled them with uplifting self-affirmations. 💬💗 Watching everyone speak kindly about themselves was a beautiful reminder of how powerful self-love can be!

After lunch, we kept the good vibes going with a round of Friendship Bingo 🧩—laughing, connecting, and sharing what it truly means to be a good friend. We ended the day with some fun games and a classic episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy 🔬🎥

It was a day full of smiles, kindness, and positive energy—and we’re carrying that joy right into the weekend! 🌈😊

07/03/2025

Today wat SPARC ~ Leesburg as a wonderful celebration of connection, creativity, and community, all wrapped in a festive 4th of July spirit! We began the day with puzzles and card games, encouraging cognitive engagement, strategy, and social interaction. These activities not only supported problem-solving and focus but also gave participants a chance to collaborate, take turns, and celebrate small wins together.

We gathered for a discussion circle where everyone shared their plans and hopes for the upcoming holiday. This type of open sharing helps foster communication skills, active listening, and self-expression all while strengthening the supportive community we've built together.

Music Therapy with A Place To Be brought energy and joy to our space, with a mix of upbeat sing-alongs and a creative Mad Libs-style songwriting game that had everyone laughing. Kristen was all smiles as she shook the hand bell, while Allison enjoyed a meaningful moment playing the Tank Drum with her dad, supporting sensory regulation, rhythm, motor coordination, and emotional connection.

Lunch was an in-house favorite, Chick-fil-A! We shared a relaxed mealtime together, practicing social skills and independence in choosing and enjoying our food. And to top it off, everyone built their own ice cream sundaes which is an engaging and rewarding way to support decision-making, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration. The sundaes were such a hit that participants have already requested a repeat next week!

Every activity today was rooted in purpose and designed to spark joy, strengthen skills, and nurture a sense of belonging. It was a day full of laughter, learning, and celebration, perfectly capturing the spirit of SPARC!