Recreation Therapy Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

For students pursuing a career in recreational therapy, internships are a crucial step. These practical experiences provide invaluable hands-on training, networking opportunities, and a chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. This article explores the requirements, opportunities, and benefits associated with recreation therapy internships, offering guidance for aspiring professionals in this field.

The Importance of Recreation Therapy Internships

Recreation therapy internships serve as a bridge between academic learning and professional practice. They allow students to:

Gain practical experience: Interns engage in all aspects of community-based therapeutic recreation, gaining professional experience and knowledge with hands-on experience.
Apply theoretical knowledge: Internships provide a platform to implement the APIED (Assess, Plan, Implement, Evaluate, Document) process, a cornerstone of recreational therapy.
Develop essential skills: Interns hone their skills in assessment, program planning, implementation, evaluation, and documentation.
Meet certification requirements: Many internships meet the standards set by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), a key requirement for becoming a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
Network with professionals: Internships offer opportunities to connect with experienced CTRSs, build professional relationships, and learn from seasoned practitioners.
Explore career paths: By working in various settings and with diverse populations, interns can identify their areas of interest and refine their career goals.

General Requirements for Recreation Therapy Internships

While specific requirements may vary depending on the internship provider and academic institution, some common prerequisites include:

Enrollment in a Recreation Therapy Program: Interns are typically students pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in recreation therapy or a related field.
Coursework Completion: Most programs require students to complete core recreation therapy coursework before commencing an internship.
Fieldwork Hours: Some institutions mandate a certain number of fieldwork hours prior to the internship. For instance, at Sac State, students are required to complete 600 pre-internship hours and 400 internship hours. All pre-internship hours must be completed before a student can enroll in the internship course (RPTA 195).
GPA Requirements: A minimum GPA may be necessary to qualify for an internship.
Background Check: Many facilities require interns to undergo a background check to ensure patient safety. Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation requires that one must pass a background check in order to be eligible to intern.
Affiliation Agreement: Ensure that your college/university has a legal agreement with the internship site.
Immunizations and Health Screenings: Interns may need to provide proof of immunizations and undergo health screenings, such as TB testing.
CPR/First Aid Certification: Some internships may require interns to hold current CPR and First Aid certifications.
Application Process: The application process typically involves submitting a resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation.

Key Components of a Recreation Therapy Internship

A well-structured recreation therapy internship should provide experiences in the following areas:

Assessment: Interns participate in assessing residents’ needs, including reviewing documentation, personal interviews, and observation. Formal written interviews may be completed by TR interns.
Planning: Interns assist in planning person-centered programs of care, including writing goals and objectives, writing activity plans, and making necessary arrangements.
Implementation: Interns gain experience in planning and implementing interventions and in facilitating activities under direction of intern supervisor. This can include running group therapy sessions and individual sessions as well as family sessions.
Evaluation: Interns complete evaluation forms after activities and review with supervisor and evaluate campers who received an assessment during the week.
Documentation: Interns maintain appropriate documentation on attendance and progress towards goals.
Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration: The intern will participate in Interdisciplinary Team meetings to gain greater knowledge of the role of TR in the care planning process. The intern will have the opportunity to work with allied professionals to develop greater understanding of allied professions and the role of TR in the interdisciplinary role.
Program Development: The intern will participate in improvement processes of the TR program by developing protocols for interventions provided during programming.
Professional Development: The intern will participate in the local professional organization events during internship weeks to further their knowledge.
Regulatory Compliance: The intern will learn the federal and state professional regulations and practice laws to implement them into their daily practice.

Finding Recreation Therapy Internship Opportunities

Numerous organizations offer recreation therapy internships, including:

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Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers: St. Marks Hospital Behavioral Health Unit and VA Palo Alto offer internships in acute care, rehabilitation, and mental health settings.
Mental Health Facilities: Huntsman Mental Health Institute (formerly known as UNI) and Copper Hills Youth Center provide internships focused on mental health treatment for diverse populations.
Skilled Nursing Facilities: Bella Terra Skilled Nursing and Rehab offers internships working with short-term rehab and long-term care residents.
Adaptive Recreation Programs: National Ability Center and Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports offer internships in adaptive sports and recreation for individuals with disabilities.
Community-Based Programs: Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation offers internships assisting with outreach efforts to recruit people with disabilities, organizations, and agencies to participate in activities.
State Hospitals: The Recreation Therapy Internship at Department of State Hospitals (DSH) - Patton meets the standards of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

Spotlight on Specific Internship Programs

To illustrate the diversity of recreation therapy internships, here are some examples:

National Ability Center: This internship meets all the NCTRC requirements for certification in all the job analysis task areas. Programs include summer day and overnight camps, equestrian (adaptive horseback riding and equine assisted learning), archery, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, paddle sports, watersports, cycling, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, winter snow biking, ski & snowboard, sled hockey, family & group programming, military programs, social and life skills programs, and more!

Bella Terra Skilled Nursing and Rehab: The Recreational Therapy Intern works under the supervision of the Recreational Therapy Director (CTRS), to meet the needs of residents in the facility. The Recreational Therapy Intern learns and assists the Director in implementing the APIED process with residents in the facility.

St. Marks Hospital Behavioral Health Unit: The therapeutic recreation internship at St. Mark’s Hospital will meet the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) requirements through the following criteria: the internship will be a minimum of 560 hours or 14 consecutive weeks under the supervision of a full-time CTRS; the intern will participate in the development of professional roles by creating an educational in-service to provide education to the staff during the internship hours; the intern will participate in Interdisciplinary Team meetings to gain greater knowledge of the role of TR in the care planning process.

Huntsman Mental Health Institute (Formerly known as UNI): As a member of the Expressive Therapy department, the Recreation Therapy intern will: Prepare for NCTRC certification through assignments and projects; observe and facilitate groups across all units; learn to coordinate care with art therapists, music therapists as well as the multidisciplinary treatment team; apply the Therapeutic Recreation process through assessments, group notes, treatment plan reviews and discharge notes; learn and assist with challenge (ropes) course initiatives.

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Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports: A winter internship with Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports offers a creative and hands on experience. Through offering adaptive ski and snowboard lessons we hope to increase confidence, community, and life enjoyment for our participants.

Department of State Hospitals (DSH) - Patton: Each Recreation Therapy Intern is supervised by a NCTRC certified Recreation Therapist (CTRS) and will gain experience in following the care of patients on their supervisor's caseload. Assigned internship tasks will include the completion of assessments, progress notes and working in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team. Other tasks will include the development and the facilitation of group therapy sessions, planning and implementing a large group event, formulating a case study as well as completion of a special project.

Maximizing the Internship Experience

To make the most of a recreation therapy internship, students should:

Set clear goals: Define what you hope to achieve during the internship and communicate these goals to your supervisor.
Be proactive: Take initiative, seek out opportunities to learn, and ask questions.
Embrace challenges: View difficulties as learning experiences and opportunities for growth.
Seek feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from your supervisor and peers to identify areas for improvement.
Reflect on your experiences: Take time to reflect on your experiences, identify key learnings, and consider how they will shape your future career.
Network: Build relationships with professionals in the field and attend relevant events.
Maintain a professional demeanor: Adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain a professional attitude in all interactions.

The Role of Academic Institutions

Academic institutions play a vital role in preparing students for and supporting them during recreation therapy internships. This includes:

Providing guidance on internship selection: Faculty advisors can help students identify internship sites that align with their interests and career goals.
Ensuring program accreditation: Accreditation standards often require students to complete professional internships.
Facilitating affiliation agreements: Universities establish legal agreements with internship sites to ensure student safety and liability coverage.
Offering coursework and training: Academic programs provide the theoretical knowledge and skills necessary for successful internships.
Supervising interns: Faculty members may serve as internship supervisors, providing guidance and support throughout the experience.
Evaluating internship performance: Universities assess student performance during internships to ensure they meet program requirements.

CSULB Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies Internship and Fieldwork Guide

The CSULB Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies provides a comprehensive guide for students pursuing internships and fieldwork. Some key aspects of their program include:

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Fieldwork Hours: Recreation Management students need to complete and document 1000 fieldwork hours OR take one semester of the REC 485 Fieldwork class. Recreation Therapy students need 200hrs of fieldwork AND one Semester of the REC 485 Fieldwork class, where students complete an additional 200hrs during the semester they are enrolled in the class.
Recreation Management Internship: Recreation Management Students (with concentrations in Parks and Recreation Management or Outdoor Recreation and Tourism) are required to complete a 400 hour internship through enrolling in REC 498. This class must be completed AFTER you have finished all other required fieldwork hours and REC coursework, generally the semester after you enroll in REC 480.
Recreation Therapy Internship: Recreation Therapy students may meet the 1000 hours requirement by combining fieldwork and internship hours. Specifically, RT students can use 200 fieldwork hours from REC 485, PLUS 600 hours from REC 498, and 200 additional fieldwork hours (either from a second semester of REC 485, or via paid or volunteer recreation related experience) to reach the required 1000 hours. Complete a 600 hour internship in REC 498, supervised by a Recreation Therapist with a CTRS credential; at an agency that is an approved internship site with CSULB.

FIU's Rehabilitation & Recreational Therapy (RRT) Program

The Rehabilitation & Recreational Therapy (RRT) program at FIU consists of two different types of fieldwork placements: LEI 4940 (Fieldwork in RRT) and LEI 4941 (RT Internship). Students have a couple of options of how to complete their fieldwork placement(s). RT Track students are required to complete 6 credits of LEI 4940 (=320 contact hours). The RT Internship is completed only by students enrolled in the RT Track during their final semester of the degree program. This internship follows the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) guidelines. Students must be accepted to an approved internship agency under the supervision of a full-time Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) who has been working at the agency for a minimum of one year. All fieldwork and internship locations must be approved by the RRT internship coordinator before the experience begins.

Sacramento State's Internship Program

At Sac State, students are required to complete 600 pre-internship hours and 400 internship hours. All pre-internship hours must be completed before a student can enroll in the internship course (RPTA 195). RT students must carefully choose their internship sites with their advisor's advice in order to meet certification requirements. Be advised: that for national certification through NCTRC (see above), you must ensure that your supervisor is a CTRS.

Resources for Internship Seekers

University Career Services: Career services offices at universities often maintain lists of internship opportunities and provide guidance on resume writing and interviewing skills.
Professional Organizations: NCTRC and other professional organizations may offer internship listings and career resources.
Online Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Handshake often feature recreation therapy internship postings.
Networking: Reach out to CTRSs and other professionals in the field to inquire about internship opportunities.

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