Imagine a place where those with disabilities can participate in water skiing, dog sledding and other activities they never felt would be possible. A program that focuses on inclusivity and participation in community activities and events. The Therapeutic Recreation Program, located in Colorado Springs, does all this and more.
The Purpose of the Therapeutic Recreation Program
The Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) is offered through Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services. It was started in the 1970s by a Colorado Springs city manager who had a child with a disability and recognized the need for inclusion. Since that time, the program has grown to offer programs and services for disabled individuals of various ages.
Felicia Barnhart, CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist), supervises the program along with the Westside Community Center, where programs are held. She began working with the program 23 years ago as a recreation assistant and has seen growth in providing inclusion for disabled individuals.
“The purpose of the program is to serve youth and adults with disabilities in a recreation setting,” Barnhart said. “We provide recreation and leisure activities. Because we are a therapeutic recreation program, everything we do is goal-oriented and everything we do has a purpose. We help individuals reach a goal, socialize more, try something new, increase their endurance, and more.”
Barnhart explained the program is open to individuals with all levels of intellectual and physical limitations. Such disabilities include down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, general developmental disabilities, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, and spinal cord injury. The program cannot accept individuals who have mental health listed as the primary disability.
Programs Offered
TRP offers a brochure full of programs in addition to working with outside sports coaches and staff to provide inclusivity for all participants. Staff work with coaches on an as-needed basis or can be available to assist the athlete at all times. The purpose, Barnhart said, is to provide inclusion support for those who want to be involved with outside parks and recreation programs.
Many of the programs through TRP are held at the Westside Community Center, located at 1628 W. Bijou St. in Colorado Springs. Others are held outdoors or take place in various community locations. Programs include opportunities in the following core areas: arts and culture, sports, fitness and aquatics, social enrichment, community integration/leisure education, and outdoor adventures.
Some programs are held seasonally while others are continuous. The brochure with all program listings is published every spring, summer, and fall. An elementary day camp is offered for those from 6 to 12 years of age, and a teen day camp for those 13 to 18 years of age. Other programs are restricted to individuals 18 and older. Participants can also participate in an aqua rehab class, indoor sky diving, adaptive water skiing, adaptive cycling, adaptive golf, adaptive paddleboard, a dance troop, and more. There are also trips to various community events, including the theater at Cripple Creek.
How to Get Involved
Brochures are distributed two weeks prior to registration and are available on the website. Hard copies are also available at the community centers and the parks and recreation building. Individuals can also request to be put on a mailing list. Fees are based on the activity and fees can be adjusted if necessary. “We never want to turn anyone away because they can’t pay,” Barnhart said. “We will work with them on an individual basis.”
Barnhart said the program is always looking for volunteers, especially with the adaptive water ski and adaptive cycling programs. “We couldn’t provide these two programs without volunteer support,” she added. “We are also always looking for youth volunteers to help with our summer camps.”
Although the program has made great strides over the years, Barnhart said there’s more to be done. “We want to be able to provide as much inclusion support as possible,” she said. “Another goal is to continue to evolve the programs we already have.”
The TRP has partnered with the United States Paralympics to offer adaptive sports programming for community members and veterans who have physical disabilities. The result is the formation of the Paralympic Sport Club Colorado Springs, which focuses on providing various sports and special events throughout the year.
For additional information about TRP and the brochure of programs offered, visit the website at http://coloradosprings.gov/trp or call 719-385-6855.
For additional information about Paralympic Sport Club Colorado Springs, call 719-385-6958.
