National Therapeutic Recreation Week
July 11-17, 2004

About
History
Definition
Benefits

What is National Therapeutic Recreation Week?

National Therapeutic Recreation Week is an annual observance that promotes awareness of the benefits of therapeutic recreation programs and services. During this weeklong celebration, organizers spotlight and encourage recreational activities involving people with mental illnesses and people with disabilities. The observance is celebrated across the country with health fairs, career days, festivals, wheelchair athletic events, workshops, receptions, and informational events.
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What is the history of National Therapeutic Recreation Week?

The National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS), a membership organization for people interested in providing therapeutic recreation services, established National Therapeutic Recreation Week in 1984. Since then, the observance has been celebrated during the second week of July. Each year, NTRS develops special promotional items to help organizations participate in the celebration.
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What qualifies as therapeutic recreation?

The U.S. Department of Labor defines recreational therapy as “a variety of techniques, including the use of arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings, [that are used to] treat and maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of clients.” Essentially, therapeutic recreation, or recreational therapy, is any organized activity undertaken for the purpose of mental and/or physical rehabilitation or benefit.
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What are the benefits of therapeutic recreation?

Research has found that therapeutic recreation affects social and motor skills as well as intellectual abilities in people with mental illnesses or disabilities. Those who participate in therapeutic recreation improve in social interaction, play and recreation, and vocational abilities.
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