VAMHCS RCATS!

2025 Update! Due to the growth of our adaptive sports and creative arts programs, our referral process has changed. Moving forward, Veterans who wish to get involved in adaptive sports opportunities will now require an Adaptive Sports and Wellness Consult from their provider and Veterans wishing to get involved in creative arts workshop opportunities will now require an Music/Creative Arts Therapy Outpt Consult with a referral to the "Arts in the Community" program. If you have additional questions, please see the links to our music therapy and adaptive sports pages below or e-mail VAMHCSRCATS@va.gov.

Workshops are single-day events primarily based in the community, although some may take place at VA facilities. This is a great opportunity to try out a new arts modality, connect up with community arts resources, and meet new people!

Veterans may sign up for single workshops each quarter, or multiple! Workshops are FREE and no prior experience is required! All Veterans are encouraged to attend at least one Open Studio time following involvement in a creative arts workshop in order to practice skills learned in the workshop.

Workshops are open to all veterans but will require registration prior to attending.

Open Studio times are available once a month at the Perry Point and Loch Raven VA Medical Centers. During open studio time Veterans may practice skills learned in that month's creative arts workshop, collaborate with peers, work on independent creative projects, or simply engage in creative practices in a supportive space. A licensed music therapist will be present at open clinics to offer therapeutic support as needed.

Open Studio times may allow for Veterans to work in various modalities including, but not limited to visual art, writing, drama, dance/movement, or music.

Music & Creative Arts Therapy is an evidence-based approach to clinical treatment that utilizes music and creative arts approaches and interventions in combination with a therapeutic relationship with a Board-Certified Music Therapist or Licensed Art Therapist to help work on clinical goals for rehabilitation and wellness purposes.

Click link below for more information about VAMHCS outpatient programs.

Across the country each year, Veterans enrolled at VA health care facilities compete in a local creative arts competition to highlight how the creative arts can help support the health, rehabilitation, and wellness of our nation's Veterans.

Divisions:

- Visual Art (ex. oil painting, leatherwork, paint-by-number kits)

- Creative Writing (ex. poetry, short story, personal essay, script)

- Dance (ex. line dancing, ballroom, freestyle)

- Drama (ex. dramatic prose, poetry reading, comedy)

- Music (ex. vocal, instrumental, band, songwriting)

Local creative arts competition finalists advance to a national judging process and selected gold-medal-winning Veterans are invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival hosted by a different VA facility each year.

For more information on this national event, visit National Veterans Creative Arts Festival - Veterans Health Administration, or click the link below for info about the VAMHCS local event.

National Veteran's Golden Age Games

National Veteran's Wheelchair Games

National Veteran's Winter Sports Clinic

National Veteran's Summer Sports Clinic

National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic

These specialized events aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being, and quality of life. For more information, click the link below.

Sports calm your mind, strengthen your muscles, and improve your overall well-being. Adaptive sports often run parallel to typical sports and are adapted to meet the individual needs of the participants. This allows many more people to participate with increased independence, comfort, and confidence. Our Clinics are designed to provide a good introductory event to learn and try new things at little to no cost to the participant. Our clinics will be held in a combination of inhouse and in the community. They are open to all veterans but will require registration prior to attending. Check out the quarterly calendar for clinic dates and details.

For general information about outpatient recreation and creative arts therapy programs, please e-mail: VAMHCSRCATS@va.gov

For questions on Creative Arts Programming contact:

Kelsey Eisenhauer, LPMT, MT-BC
Creative Arts Therapist – Music Therapy

State Coordinator, Veteran's Creative Arts Competition

Email: kelsey.eisenhauer@va.gov
Work Cell: (410) 585-4477

For questions on Adaptive Sports Programming contact:

Lauren Buckingham, CTRS

Recreation Therapist, Adaptive Sports Coordinator

Email: lauren.buckingham@va.gov

Cell: (443) 421-6548

Work Phone: (410) 642-2411 ext. 22917

Email: VAMHCSRCATS@va.gov
Website: https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/health-services/
Phone: 410-642-2411
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDVAHCS