RTI Conference Next 2 Days

The Recreation Therapists of Indiana (RTI) are holding their Annual Conference the next two days at Bradford Woods. Bradford Woods is Indiana University's outdoor recreation/education center located near Martinsville, Indiana. Best of success RTI members with the conference. Learn much, enjoy being with one another, and have fun!

Call for Presentations

From Dawn Lewellyn, CTRS:


We are seeking session proposals for the August 24-26, 2013 Therapeutic Recreation Institute at the beautiful Hilton Bonnet Creek, Orlando, Florida.


You can download a proposal form from the link: http://web.frpa.org/index.cfm?PageId=36
Both PDF and word versions are available.

We received great feedback from this year’s Institute and that people are looking for less PowerPoint and more interactive sessions.

We all have something to offer to our field in 2013.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at dawn.lewellyn@myclearwater.com.
Thank you

Dawn Lewellyn, CTRS
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
City of Clearwater
1501 N. Belcher Rd.
Clearwater, Fl. 33765
727-793-2339 ext. 245

Several Faculty Positions Open

A reminder that I have posted several RT faculty positions recently. Schools with openings include Virginia Wesleyan College, Clemson, Grand Valley State, East Carolina, and BYU-Idaho.

NART Holds 2nd Meeting in Arizona

The National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART) met during the recent ATRA Annual Conference in Arizona. According to the NART secretary, Marcia Carter, Re.D., CTRS, the meeting was stimulating with many ideas being shared.

Good! The ATRA Listserv is Growing

I just saw that there are now 423 recipients on the ATRA Listserv. This is great but the number should be even higher. If you aren't on ATRA's Listserv go to the ATRA website and sign on!

Advocacy Training in RT -- Needed?

The October, 2012, issue of APA’s Monitor on Psychology contains an article titled “Innovative Education” which focuses on the advocacy training provided graduate students in the counseling psychology program at the University of Tennessee. APA recognized the program for this curricular innovation.
In discussion of U of T’s 15 credit hour advocacy training and a practicum in social justice, the article states that “On top of traditional training in research and counseling the model teaches students to advocate for policy change—a component that enables students to help people beyond the therapy room.”

I couldn’t help but wonder just how much advocacy training our RT graduate students are receiving today. While 15 credit hours appears to be a lot, I wonder if any university offers a single RT course on advocacy. I seriously doubt that any RT graduate program has such a course. I even wonder how many graduate students are receiving even a major unit on advocacy in any of their RT courses.
As I have written in my book, Lessons Learned: An Open Letter to Recreational Therapy Students and Practitioners (Sagamore Publishing, 2011): “I have come to believe that advocating for our profession is a responsibility that all recreational therapists should assume.” I hope that those RT educators who agree with my sentiment will make sure that their students receive training in advocacy.

Shouldn't RTs be Concerned about Obesity?

I recently read a column written by the president of the American Psychological Association (APA) titled “Addressing the obesity epidemic: Don’t blame the victim.” The article talked about how two-thirds of Americans are overweight and one-third can be considered obese – displaying the being overweight in the United States is the “new normal.” The column focused on how psychologists need to address public policy and the factors that create an overweight population.


As I read the words of the APA president, I could not but help think about what we in recreational therapy are doing -- or not doing -- to combat the problem of obesity. Where are the RT programs directed at obesity? Why aren’t RT researchers examining how RTs can help clients with weight problems? Where is ATRA in terms of calling attention to the problem of obesity, providing practitioners with suggestions for intervention strategies, and affecting public policy?

What say you?

Faculty Position at Virginia Wesleyan College

From Wayne Pollock:


VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE (VWC), a small (1400 students, 94 full-time faculty), diverse liberal arts institution sited on 300 beautiful wooded acres in the heart of the historical, economically dynamic, and culturally rich Hampton Roads metropolitan area (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk), seeks applications for a tenure-track position as assistant professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, beginning fall, 2013. A Doctorate in Recreation, Leisure Studies, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field is required at the time the position begins. The successful candidate will have both academic and applied experience in the discipline and hold the credential of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. The selected candidate will contribute to the Department’s core curriculum as well as the Recreational Therapy career track and courses associated with his/her area of expertise. Course assignments may include, but not be limited to, Introduction to Recreation & Leisure Services, Introduction to Recreational Therapy, Disabilities & Recreational Therapy, Recreational Therapy Analysis & Assessment, Recreational Therapy Management & Organization, and Recreational Therapy Process & Facilitation Skills. Development of courses related to the individual’s areas of interest also will be encouraged. VWC seeks committed teacher/scholars who will foster undergraduate research, be professionally active, and advance the college’s quest for Phi Beta Kappa recognition. The primary focus of the college is excellent teaching and faculty members are encouraged to exercise their academic freedom to enhance student learning through dynamic classroom and practical application experiences in the community. The teaching load is three four-credit courses per semester. The salary is competitive and an attractive benefits package is offered.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, transcripts (unofficial are acceptable at this point), and three letters of reference as PDF attachments to Ms. Jane Kiefer, Assistant to the Recreation & Leisure Studies Search Committee, at jkiefer@vwc.edu. Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2012 and continue until position is filled. Questions prior to application may be directed to Dr. Wayne Pollock, Department Coordinator, via (757) 455-3369or wpollock@vwc.edu

Department website: http://facultystaff.vwc.edu/~rec/index.php



VWC is an equal opportunity employer; the college offers employment, advancement opportunities, and benefits in a harassment-free environment on the basis of merit, qualifications and competency to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation or covered veteran status. Please visit our website at www.vwc.edu.

Pacific Northwest ATRA Annual Conference

Call for Presenters


Pacific Northwest ATRA Annual Conference
Friday, January 18, 2013
Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, Oregon

Greetings! The Board of Directors for the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the American Therapeutic
Recreation Association invites submissions to present at our upcoming annual conference Friday,
January 18, 2013 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. This conference
provides annual continuing education and networking opportunities for CTRSs in Oregon and
Southwest Washington.

Conference Theme: “Future of Recreational Therapy”
Presentation Topic Suggestions: Accreditation in Higher Education, RT Licensure, Future
Populations in RT, Co-treating with Allied Health Professionals, Future of Management in RT,
Practitioner Contribution to Evidence-based Practice.
Presentation Submission Deadline: November 16, 2012

Proposal Requirements:
• Presenter biography and contact information including address, phone, and email.
• Presentation description including three measurable learning objectives and how the
presentation fits the theme of the conference.
• Presentation outline including length of presentation.
• Audio/visual needs list
• Submit any requests for accommodations, travel, presentation support, or speaking stipends.

Proposal Submission: For questions and proposal submissions, please send required proposal
documents to Jason Ryther, PNWATRA President at pnwatra@gmail.com.

Southern Mississippi Director's Position Open

From Mary Ann Aquadro, PhD, CTRS:


The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg has announced the Director of the School of Human Performance and Recreation position.
Please see the attached .pdf and feel free to share with your colleagues. Also, the url below contains additional information and will direct you to the USM HR site.
https://jobs.usm.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1349470106421

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the ATRA Conference!!!!

Mary Ann Aquadro, PhD, CTRS
Instructor and Internship Coordinator
University of Southern Mississippi
School of Human Performance and Recreation
118 College Drive #5142
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 266-5207
mary.aquadro@usm.edu

Reminder -- Clemson Faculty Position

From Lynne Cory:
I want to remind everyone that Clemson is seeking an Associate/Full Professor for our TR position. Please see description below and attached. Although I am unable to attend ATRA, Clemson will be represented by Brent Hawkins and Brandi Crowe. Both Brent and Brandi can assist you with questions and additional information about our thriving program. Please feel free to email me (cory2@clemson.edu) or call (864)656-2198 if I can be of help in answering your questions.
Have a great 2012 ATRA Conference!!
Take care and safe travels –

Lynne Cory

Position Openings at Grand Valley State

From Teresa M. Beck, PhD, CTRS:
Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI will be announcing two positions for their Therapeutic Recreation Program. One position is a tenure track 9 month faculty position at the assistant/associate level and the second position is clinical affiliate faculty (contract) with the primary responsibility of clinical coordination and placement supervision.

Grand Valley will be represented at ATRA, so if you have any questions, please ask.
Teresa M. Beck, PhD, CTRS
Chair, Department of Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Sciences
Cook – Devos Center for Health Sciences
301 Michigan Street NE; Suite 249
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-331-2735

Temple Appoints New Faculty

Temple University's Therapeutic Recreation Program is pleased to introduce three new full-time faculty members. They are:
Gena Bell Vargas, Ph.D., CTRS joins the program as an Assistant Professor.
Elaine Hatala, Ph.D., CTRS also joins the program as an Assistant Professor.
Ann Dolloff, M.Ed., CTRS jons the program as an Instructor.

ATRA Midyear in Chattanooga March 10-12

The 2013 Mid-Year Professional Issues Forum will be held Sunday, March 10th through Tuesday, March 12th. Reduced lodging rates have been secured at the Marriott Chattanooga at the Convention Center in Chattanooga, TN.

Faculty Position at ECU

East Carolina University seeks an individual to fill a nine-month, tenure track assistant/associate/full professor position in the Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Lab in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies (RCLS) within the College of Health and Human Performance effective August 20, 2013.

BYU-Idaho Faculty Opening

BYU-Idaho has a Faculty Opening:
Official Title: Full-time Faculty - Health, Recreation, & Human Performance (Recreation Management)


Department: Health, Recreation & Human Performance
Position Type: Faculty

Position Summary: Teach courses in recreation management, therapeutic recreation, and community recreation. Courses may include: Theories in Therapeutic Recreation, Leisure in Society, Adaptive Physical Education, Adaptive Recreation, Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation, and Risk Management. Periodically, all faculty are expected to participate in teaching Foundations (general education) courses. Advise students regarding academic progress and career development; develop undergraduate classroom and special topics research projects in the field of recreation to prepare students for internships and post-graduate opportunities; mentor undergraduate student researchers in projects; and engage in the continuous improvement and expansion of the Recreation Management program. Additional responsibilities include department and university assignments. Throughout their careers, all BYU-Idaho faculty are expected to actively pursue professional development opportunities in learning and teaching and ongoing scholarly development within their discipline.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience: Doctorate preferred; Master's degree required. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification is required. Demonstrated practical experience in the field of therapeutic recreation is required. A strong commitment and willingness to devote significant time and resources to teaching is required. Experience in college teaching is highly desirable. Successful candidate must be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and eligible for a temple recommend.

RTI Registration Deadline is October 5th

From the Recreational Therapists of Indiana
We have record registration for our awesome RTI conference! We are extending the deadline to 10/5 to make sure we get all the RTI folks we can, but after 10/5 registration will be closed, and no onsite registration will be accepted.
Please register online at rtindiana.edu, and the conference is under events.
We look forward to seeing you in 30 days at Bradford Woods!

Clinical Instructor/Lecturer Opening at UNCW

From Candace "Candy" Ashton, Ph.D., LRT/CTRS:
The recreation therapy faculty at UNCW would like to announce the retirement of Ms. Vickie Parker, MS, LRT/CTRS after more than 20 years of outstanding service to the university and recreation therapy in NC. Although she can never be replaced, we have been given permission to hire a clinical instructor/lecturer to fill the position she will be vacating, which begins July 1, 2013. We will begin reviewing applications on Nov. 9, 2012.
UNCW’s recreation therapy program is a stand-alone undergraduate degree program in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences (http://www.uncw.edu/shahs/ ). We have over 120 RT majors and four full-time faculty lines. Our curriculum consists of 12 required RT content courses, two field experiences, and multiple experiential and applied learning opportunities. In addition, we offer interdisciplinary courses in pediatrics, aquatic therapy, and assistance dog training through our curriculum.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

Candy Ashton
Professor and Coordinator, Recreation Therapy
School of Health and Applied Human Sciences
3010 McNeill Hall
Phone: 910-962-7794
Fax: 910-962-7073
www.uncw.edu/hahs