Georgian College (Georgian) offers a wide array of programs designed to prepare students for meaningful employment opportunities upon graduation.
Launched in the 1980s as the first of its kind at Ontario colleges, Georgian’s Therapeutic Recreation program trains students for a career in recreation, health, or social service delivery systems that serve individuals with illness or disabilities.
Students will acquire the skills needed to complete client assessments and to develop and evaluate group and individualized programs. They’ll also learn a variety of techniques to assist individuals to participate in meaningful recreational activities that will enhance health, improve functional ability, and increase their quality of life. The program is based on the firm belief that play, recreation and leisure benefit all individuals.
The program is delivered on a full- or part-time basis and includes an internship. Program Co-ordinator Alison Bates says, “Careers in therapeutic recreation are in demand especially in long-term care and retirement settings.” Bates adds that she’s proud Georgian is the leader in therapeutic recreation curriculum at the postgraduation level.
“We’re also very fortunate that our Orillia Campus is located in a beautiful area with access to so many wonderful lakes, trails, parks and outdoor spaces, so we take advantage of that in the outdoor education portion of the program,” says Bates. “We offer an outdoor education and adventure programming experience where our students spend three days and two nights at the YMCA Camp Pine Crest in Bala learning about outdoor leadership and adventure-based programming. These are valuable skills they can bring with them when they graduate.”
Bates adds that another benefit is the new two-day dementia certification course the students get to take. “This workshop gives students specialized knowledge on how to work and care for individuals with dementia.”
Benefits of the TREC program
- Graduates are eligible to become registered members of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario.
- Graduates may apply to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) using one of two specific pathways.
- Graduates can secure employment in acute, chronic care, and other specialized hospitals, long-term care settings, retirement homes, children’s treatment facilities, and adult day programs.
Benefits of becoming a Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/TRO) member
- Demonstrates excellence in field of therapeutic recreation.
- Demonstrates dedication in the profession.
- TRO offers professional development and networking opportunities in the field of therapeutic recreation.
Recent alumna Kate Kucera credits Georgian and its Therapeutic Recreation program for launching her career. She currently works with the Acquired Brain Injury Adult Day Program, CBHS York-Simcoe Brain Injury Services, Mackenzie Health Hospital.
“I’m the Team Lead for a group of 25 individuals who are living in the community and in need of social and therapeutic activities. I organize activities that provide cognitive, physical, and social stimulation in a day program setting. In my role, I’m responsible for the development, organization, and implementation of leisure/recreation programs, as well as assessing leisure needs/goals. I can access appropriate community support and work effectively with a culturally diverse and complex clientele. In this leadership role, I work with students and volunteers from various school programs and provide them with on-going feedback.”
Kucera says that Georgian provided her with the knowledge she needed to expand her career. “It was a safe and supportive place that guided me and gave me what I needed to move into my future confidently. The most beneficial hands-on learning opportunity was within my internship. The internship gave me the hands-on experience to make me more aware of the roles and opportunities I could have within my career. The lectures from guest speakers from within the field were a highlight as well.”
TREC is a graduate certificate designed for people with existing studies in human services, humanities, health sciences and recreation/leisure who want to specialize in providing client-centred, strength-based therapeutic recreation services using the therapeutic recreation process.
Have questions about the TREC graduate certificate program? Please contact Program Co-ordinator Alison Bates at [email protected].
Find out more about all of Georgian’s programs at GeorgianCollege.ca. Explore the college by attending a virtual Get to Know Georgian event, March 14. RSVP online.
~February is National Therapeutic Recreation Month~