Therapeutic Recreation Newsletter: Spring/Summer Programs!

Therapeutic Recreation Newsletter | March 2011 | VBgov.com/Parks

Since November 2010, we have had the opportunity to introduce Karen Morgan-Hill to our unit. Karen is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. She is one of five Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) working in the AQ/TR unit. With over 4 ½ years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, Karen comes to us with experience in residential summer camp and aquatics.

A Norfolk native, Karen is a loyal ODU Monarch football and basketball fan. She enjoys spending time with her family and golden retriever, Blue. Karen has been a great addition to the Therapeutic Recreation Programs!

Check Out Our New Programs!

For the Love of Food (Age 9 -14)

A program is designed for youth who are interested in the culinary arts. Participants will be cooking various recipes, sampling food, learning nutritional value, kitchen safety and dining etiquette. The nights will be filled with friends, fun, and food!

Sense-Sational Gardening (Age 14 & Up)

This Therapeutic Gardening program will give individuals the opportunity to experience gardening in a new way! Smell, touch, see, grow and even taste a variety of flowers, plants, and herbs. Participants will engage in planting, potting flowers, and making crafts related to gardening. Learn and practice lifelong leisure skills while enhancing fine and gross motor coordination.

Quick Links

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Programs & Activities Catalog

Our Mission:

To provide programs and services to individuals with disabilities that will...

· Enrich quality of life
· Meet community needs
· Enhance skill development, leisure education and recreation participation
· Increase independence through individualized goals and objectives

The staff achieve this mission by offering a variety of programs for children, teens and adults including after school programs, summer day camps, dance, fitness, aquatic and social programs.

Therapeutic Recreation Programs Survey

Survey Help provide us with valuable feedback by completing our Therapeutic Recreation Survey! Specifically, results will allow our department to gauge the needs of current participants and individuals who are not currently enrolled in programs. It could assist in identifying new program interests.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. We greatly appreciate your feedback as Therapeutic Recreation Programs continue to grow!

Registration for Spring/Summer Programs

We will be holding registration on Saturday, March 12 at Kempsville Recreation Center room 103 (TR office) from 9 am to noon. Fishing

Spring Programs
Outdoor Challenge Series - Age 12 - 35
Kempsville | Thursday | 4/28, 5/5 & 5/19 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm | $79
Outings: Saturday | 4/30, 5/7 & 5/21 | 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

NEW! For the Love of Food - Age 9 - 14

Kempsville | Monday | 4/4-5/9 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm | $85

NEW! Sense-Sational Gardening - Age 14 & up

Kempsville | Saturday | 4/9-5/21 | 10:00 - 11:00 am | $85

Summer Camps: (Non-Resident registration begins April 1)

Camp Explore - Age 6 - 21
Brookwood Elementary | Monday - Friday | 6/27 - 8/11 | 8:30 am - 3:00 pm | $1000 ($200 deposit due at registration)

Extended Care Option
Brookwood Elementary | Monday - Friday | 6/27 - 8/11 | 3:00 - 5:45 pm | $400 ($100 deposit due at registration)

NEW! Junior Ventures - Age 13 - 16
Kempsville | Monday - Friday | 6/27 - 8/11 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm | $800 ($200 deposit due at registration)

New Ventures - Age 17 - 21
Kempsville | Monday - Friday | 6/27 - 8/11 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm | $800 ($200 deposit due at registration)

Aquatic Programs

Swim, Stretch or Tone - Age 14 & up
Kempsville | Wednesday | 6/15 - 8/3 | 6:00 - 6:50 pm or 7:00 - 7:50 pm | $43

Learn to Swim - Age 1 - 5 with parent Swimming

Bow Creek | Tuesday | 6/21-8/9 | 5:00 - 5:30 pm | $32

Learn to Swim - Age 16 & up
Bow Creek | Thursday | 6/23-8/11 | 7:00 - 7:50 pm | $43

Intro to Competitive Swimming - Age 6 & up
Bow Creek | Tuesday | 6/21-8/9 | 7:00 - 7:50 pm | $43

Staff in the Spotlight: Carolyn Stark

For the past nine and a half years, Carolyn Stark has called Therapeutic Recreation Programs "home!" Carolyn attended Radford University and Troy University to lead her to a career as a Recreation Therapist and Public Administrator. What a journey it has been! This is a career that Carolyn feels lucky to have. She is able to spend time with amazing people each day and says that if it wasn't her job, she would volunteer her time. Carolyn gets her energy from the variety of TR programs offered and the joy and success experienced each day!

As a recreation and leisure professional, she loves to work hard and play hard! In her leisure time, Carolyn spends time with family and friends relaxing, visiting and traveling.

Be On the Lookout: Summer Hiring!

Work with us! Summer hiring is here! Therapeutic Recreation Programs is recruiting summer staff to work with and assist children and teens with special needs in Camp Explore and New Ventures. Positions will be posted online at VBgov.com/careers. Join us for a summer of FUN with new friends, new challenges and rewarding experiences!!

Positions Available:
- TR Camp Counselor Aide - $7.25/hour

- TR Activity Assistant Leader - $8.62/hour

- TR Activity Leader - $9.99/hour

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If you or your child require additional support, we can help. Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.

We welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to email us at fun@vbgov.com.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.