Therapeutic Recreation Newsletter | May 2014 | VBgov.com/Parks

Registration for Summer & Fall Programs

Registration will begin on Tuesday, June 3rd starting at 6:00 pm both online via EZreg and in person at any recreation center. Our programs are designed to promote community recreation and are not intended to provide behavior therapy interventions, tools or techniques. Participants will be expected to manage their own behavior with minimal staff intervention and have a desire to participate in programming.

As a reminder, please check your account balance prior to registration. Online registration will require that you pay your balance in full in order to register for programs.

Summer Programs

Around Town I - Age 36 & up
#118963 | BS | Fri | 6/27 - 8/1 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm | $35

Around Town II - Age 22-35

#118964 | KV | Fri | 6/27 - 8/1 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm | $35

Fall Programs

Outdoor Challenge Series - Age 12-35

#118984 | KV | Sat | 9/13 - 10/4 | 9 am - 1 pm | $85

Fall Aquatic Programs

Adult Swim - Age 16 & up

#119114 | KV | Mon | 9/8 - 10/27 | 6:30 - 7:20 pm | $46
#119115 | KV | Wed | 9/10 - 10/29 | 6:30 - 7:20 pm | $46

#119116 | KV | Wed | 9/10 - 10/29 | 7:30 - 8:20 pm | $46

Intro to Competitive Swimming - Age 12 & up

#119113 | KV | Mon | 9/8 - 10/27 | 7:30 - 8:20 pm | $46

Learn to Swim - Age 6-15

#118986 | KV | Mon | 9/8 - 10/27 | 4:30 - 5:20 pm | $46

#118993 | KV | Mon | 9/8 - 10/27 | 5:30 - 6:20 pm | $46

#119155 | KV | Wed | 9/10 - 10/29 | 4:30 - 5:20 pm | $46
#119112 | KV | Wed | 9/10 - 10/29 | 5:30 - 6:20 pm | $46

Learn to Swim - Age 1-5 with parent

#118985 | KV | Mon | 9/8 - 10/27 | 4:30 - 5:00 pm | $35

Learn more about these programs on our website!

Sites: BS = Bayside | KV = Kempsville

Catch a Wave at Our Surf-N-Fun Program!

Have you ever been surfing? Would you like to give it a try? Join us for our 8th Annual Summer Surf-N-Fun program and create memories that will last a lifetime! This program provides each participant with a 30-minute session guided by a surf instructor and supported by staff and volunteers. Whether sitting, standing or lying on the foam surfboard, this is your chance to catch a wave! Enjoy some sunshine, smell the sea air, hang out with friends, and wiggle your toes in the sand! New surfers welcome; come 'hang ten' with us!

Surf-N-Fun is offered at Pendleton Beach (Croatan) on Saturday, July 19th or August 2nd from 11 am to 3 pm. The program cost is $20. You can register online beginning Tuesday, June 3rd at 6 pm for the July 19th or August 2nd program, or register in person at any recreation center.

In the Spotlight: Helena Riker

With hard work, dedication, and continuous support from family, one of our participants made the Kempsville Stingrays swim league team this year! Helena Riker participated in Therapeutic Recreation Programs' Youth Learn to Swim for two years and quickly excelled in developing and refining her skills. Last fall, TR Program supervisor, Carolyn Cox, recommended she try out for Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation's Winter Swim League. Helena has a high interest in swimming, and with support from parents and coaches, she successfully competed in multiple individual events at team meets for the 9-10 year old division.

Throughout the season, Helena showed significant improvement, even shaving seconds off her times after each meet. She was dedicated and increased her ability to focus. She practiced often, wanting to master each skill. Her determination paid off because over the course of the season, Helena had improved her 25- and 50-meter freestyle, and 25-meter backstroke event times by 30% or better! At the close of the season, Helena received three distinctions in the 9-10 year old girls' division: Most Improved Freestyle, Most Improved Backstroke, and Most Valuable Swimmer.

Helena's mom explained that what she and her husband enjoy most about Helena swimming has been the joy that Helena experiences. "We got to watch her socialize with other children and we got to watch her start to develop as an athlete. It was an amazing experience to watch our little girl practice, train, and develop a discipline and then apply that discipline at the swim meet. The most amazing experience was Helena's ability to focus at the meets. I initially thought that she would be distracted and overwhelmed, but when it was time for Helena to swim her event, she remained completely calm and extremely focused. We are just really happy that we have found an activity that is healthy and will help her mental focus, as well as develop her self-confidence as a young girl."

Helena is getting ready to swim on another league this summer, and she and her family are looking forward to the new adventure. TR staff are excited to see what the future holds for Helena. Our hope is that her enthusiasm for swimming grows, and that her story will inspires others to "make a splash!"

Be On the Lookout: After School Programs Registration

Registration for 2014/15 Champions After School Program begins Tuesday, August 12th at 5 pm, both online and in person at any recreation center. Please note that this program will be held at a new location: Great Neck Recreation Center.

Champions is an opportunity for middle and high school students (age 11-22) with special needs to participate in instructional and recreational activities after school. Each participant will work towards the achievement of individual goals through a variety of activities that include crafts, group games, drama, music, fitness, swimming and community outings.

Price: $45 registration fee; $275 per session (registration and payments are by session - approximately 4 weeks). All participants will be responsible for any admission fees on community outings.

Champions runs concurrent with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools calendar. The first session begins September 2. Program operates from 2:00 - 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to coordinate transportation from school to the recreation center.

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.