Parks Recreation Tourism with an Emphasis in Recreational

Parks, Recreation, & Tourism with an Emphasis in Recreational Therapy Cordova, A. TRS, CTRS (Student)

What is it, and what do you do? ? – Recreational Therapy (RT), also known as Therapeutic Recreation (TR) is a about human services and health care. Recreational Therapy uses activitybased interventions as a systematic process that targets specific, evidence -based outcomes. Your goal is to improve the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual functioning and well-being of individuals with injury, illness or disability. You strive to enable a greater quality of life for the individuals you serve through group counseling techniques which you will implement through prescribed play, recreation, experiential learning, and psycho-educational processes.

What population would you work with? – As a Recreational Therapist, you would have the opportunity to work with a variety of populations. You could work with individuals who have physical impairments. This could include people who have amputations, those who have SCI (Spinal Cord Injuries), or any situation that would leave an individual without the use of one, or all of their limbs. You might have the opportunity to work with individuals in a Group Home setting who could have a varying degree of cognitive or physical limitations and impairments.

What settings are available? – In Recreational Therapy, you have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings. You could work in a Long-Term Care Facility with the Geriatric population. There is a camp setting option, such as Camp Kostopulos Dream Foundation where you can work with youth, adolescents, or adults. There is also the possibility of working in Residential Care, this means the clients live in a facility to receive treatment for a period of time, and then they get to return home to their families and friends!

What skills do you need to be successful? – A student seeking an emphasis in – Think Independently Recreational Therapy will need – Receive and implement the following skills: constructive feedback – Effective Communication Skills – Be self-motivated – Interpersonal Skills – Stress Management Skills – Have a commitment to learning

Where could you work? – This is a very diverse profession and offers a variety of career opportunities in the following settings: – Adult Retirement Communities – Centers for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Residential Treatment Facilities Recreation Centers – Substance Abuse Treatment Centers – Outdoor Recreation Centers – Correctional Facilities – Wilderness Programs – Schools – Community-Based Non-Profit Agencies – Specialty Schools – After School Programs – Community – Veterans Administration Hospitals (VA)

What could you do?

Common Misconceptions – We are NOT Physical Therapists. – We are NOT Occupational Therapists. – We are NOT Psychiatrist. – We do NOT just play games. – The activities we engage in in a group setting are evidence-based and are for the purpose of developing life long, healthy, positive, coping skills.

Schooling – To pursue a successful career as a Recreational Therapist there are several requirements you must meet in your educational career first. You need to maintain a C+ or better in every class you take at the University of Utah. You will also need to successfully complete the required prerequisite classes to pass on to the senior level classes in Recreational Therapy. You will need a computer class, a marketing class, a management class, a UExplore class, amongst others to graduate. You will require a Professional Membership to URTA or ATRA, you will need to be CPR/First Aid Certified. You will also need to complete 300 volunteer hours from two different agencies and an internship of 560 hours to graduate!

Credit – “Parks, Recreation, & Tourism (BA/BS): Therapeutic Recreation Emphasis. ” University of Utah, 2016. April, 7, 2016. – Photos by Alissa Cordova