Exercise is good for the body. Play is good for the soul.

On the surface, the Chuckie Magee Flag Football and Cheerleading League for adults with disabilities is all about physical activity. But just below it resides elements of competition, socialization and fun.

"Everybody needs physical activity," said Randy Samuels, a coach and the coordinator for the program. "A lot of these young people don't get out as much as others. Some aren't very fast, but we get them out there running and having a good time. They learn teamwork. They get to socialize with their friends."

Affiliated with Aaron's Acres, the Chuckie Magee Flag Football and Cheerleading League has opened registration through the early days of July and the program is looking for players, sponsors and volunteers. The program consists of a 10-game schedule and games are played indoors on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon from Aug. 3 to Nov. 2 at Manheim Brethren in Christ's gymnasium, 54 N. Penryn Road, Manheim.

The program is open to individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 40 from Lancaster County. To register, go to http://www.aaronsacres.org/programs/chuckie-magee-flag-football-cheerleading-league.

"It's like sandlot football," said Samuels. "We show up and play. We make sure everyone scores and everyone kicks off. There's no tackling, no pushing, no shoving. We don't keep score. We make sure everyone has fun."

"It's hard to describe; you've got to see it," Samuels continued. "It's two hours of action-packed football. There's a lot of trash talking. These young people can give it good, but it's all in good fun."

Last year, the Chuckie Magee Flag Football and Cheerleading League consisted of two teams, 20 players and eight cheerleaders, affectionately referred to as "The Lancaster Sweethearts." This year the program is hoping to grow the league to 40 players, enough for four teams.

"A lot of these young people want to play football," said Samuels. "They can't play football, so this is our way to get them to play."

During the winter months, Aaron's Acres, which is headquartered at 1861 Charter Lane, Suite 114, Lancaster, offers sports programs for adults with disabilities in floor hockey, kickball and soccer.

"When kids with disabilities hit age 21, there's not a whole lot out there for them to do," said Samuels. "We know there are young people out there who want to play football. Come join us. We want them to come out. We want to expand. We love what we do."

The league is named for Chuckie Magee, a former Aaron's Acres camper from Lititz who passed away in 2015. The program was started in his honor but only over the last three years has it become associated with Aaron's Acres.

"We talked to a couple of different organizations, and someone brought up Aaron's Acres," said Samuels. "We contacted Risa (Paskoff, executive director) and she loved it."

Samuels' 27-year-old son R.J. has Down syndrome.

"I worked with special needs kids a long time ago, but other than that I didn't have much interaction until my son was born," said Samuels. "Honestly, if I didn't have a son with Down syndrome, I wouldn't be doing anything like this. It's opened a whole new world for me."