U of U Recreational Therapy

✨ Celebrating Our Recreational Therapy Graduates! ✨

At the close of the semester, we were honored to host our annual Recreational Therapy Program Pinning Ceremony, a meaningful tradition where we reflect on the year, celebrate our undergraduate students’ accomplishments, and recognize their transition into the next phase of their journey.

These graduates have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, demonstrating dedication, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. We are so proud of all they have achieved.

We were especially grateful to have College of Health Dean, Dr. Kelly Tappenden, and Department Chair, Dr. Lorie Richards, join us in celebrating this special occasion.

As our students move on to their capstone internships this summer, we wish them continued success and fulfillment. The future of Recreational Therapy is brighter because of you!

🎓 Congratulations, graduates - we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish!

Maycie Ge**er, a recent graduate of our MS RT program, successfully defended her Master’s project, "Evaluation of a Recreational Therapy-Based Curriculum in Utah High Schools."

Maycie’s work bridges a vital gap in adolescent health. Her Recreation and Wellness curriculum focuses on high school student mental well-being by blending the Recreational Therapy (RT) process and evidence-based interventions with the PERMA model, a framework for flourishing that emphasizes Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. She also strategically combined these elements with the core standards for Utah public schools to ensure the curriculum aligns with academic expectations and student needs.

The curriculum was evaluated by both Recreational Therapists and School Personnel. The evaluation focused on key areas:

Feasibility: Can it be realistically implemented in a busy high school?
Necessity: Does this address a critical gap in student mental well-being resources?
Effectiveness: Does it achieve the desired positive outcomes for students?
Therapeutic Quality: Does it meet the high standards of evidence-based RT interventions?

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, marking a significant step forward in exploring how evidence-based RT interventions can support student mental well-being. This evaluation provides valuable evidence for the potential of offering this curriculum in the future.

Please join us in congratulating Maycie!

What an unforgettable day celebrating our 2026 graduates! 🎓🙌

With our BS and MS in Recreational Therapy students alongside our Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences graduates, it was a joy to honor each of you at the College of Health convocation surrounded by loved ones and full of well‑earned pride and joy.

Congratulations on reaching this milestone through dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of learning. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to see all that you’ll accomplish! ❤️

🧩🔐 Where problem-solving meets practice! 🔐🧩

Our RTSA leadership hosted an escape room experience for our Recreational Therapy students, and it was a success! Our group split into two different rooms, tackled unique puzzles, and put their teamwork and communication skills to the test.

✅ Both groups escaped!
➡️ Even better? We wrapped up with a discussion on how escape rooms can be used as therapeutic interventions to target skills like communication, teamwork, emotional regulation, coping skills, and more.

Experiential learning at its best! 👏

🚴‍♂️🧗 Rec Tuesday Spotlight: Eric 🧗‍♂️🚴‍♂️

This week, Eric, also known as "Grandpa RT," is highlighting wheelchair sports and climbing as his recreational highlights!

What makes these activities meaningful for Eric is the ability to teach, connect with others socially, and stay physically active all at once. Recreation becomes even more powerful when it brings people together. ❤🖤

Organizing recent wheelchair sports events came with their own stress, but Eric stayed calm and collected to make it happen. When it came to climbing, the challenge was all about pushing himself, and proving just how far determination can take you. 💪

💬 Eric’s words of encouragement:
“Recreating is important and you will not regret the time spent playing.”

Let Eric’s passion for accessible and active recreation inspire you to get out there and play this week! 🌟

📚 Last Day of Class Is Tomorrow! 🎉

Tomorrow, April 21, marks the final day of Spring 2026 classes!
Good luck on your finals—you’ve got this! 💪

Wishing you a strong finish and an amazing, well‑deserved summer ahead 🌞

✂️ SATURDAY STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Meet Lucas! ✂️

This week we’re excited to spotlight Lucas, who is completing his internship with the King Adult Day Enrichment Program and creating meaningful, client‑centered recreation experiences. 💛

📸 About the Photo
Pictured is a rough draft of Lucas’s origami program final project - a collaborative illustration made up of origami creations crafted by clients throughout the semester. After weeks of working on individual pieces, clients chose to come together and build one unified project, thoughtfully arranging construction paper and each other’s origami into a shared design. The result highlights creativity, teamwork, and collective pride.

🌟 Internship Highlights
Some of Lucas’s favorite aspects of his internship include:

Having the freedom and trust to design programs that align his own strengths with client needs.
Being supported by a team that encourages independence while offering guidance when needed.
Watching clients grow, gain confidence, and discover new abilities through both interventions and social connection.

💬 Why It Matters
Lucas highlights that origami is much more than paper folding—it’s a powerful therapeutic tool that supports fine‑motor skills, spatial awareness, sequencing, memory, problem‑solving, confidence, and self‑esteem. Every intervention is intentionally designed to enrich quality of life while making the process engaging and meaningful.

Thank you, Lucas, for your creativity, thoughtfulness, and commitment to empowering individuals through Recreational Therapy. We’re proud to feature you in this week’s Saturday Student Spotlight! 🌟

Dr. Rhonda Nelson is currently serving as President of the National Academy of Recreational Therapists (NART).

NART is dedicated to recognizing and promoting excellence in the field of recreational therapy (RT) by bringing together accomplished scholars and practitioners who have demonstrated commitment, leadership, and expertise within the field.

Rhonda was elected to this leadership position by individuals who have been recognized as Distinguished Fellows in Recreational Therapy.

We are proud of the important role our RT faculty play in serving and leading the profession!

Learn more about NART here: https://www.nartfellows.org/

🌄 Rec Tuesday Spotlight: Kat (MS RT Student) 🌄

This week, Kat is highlighting rock exploring as her favorite recreational activity! 🪨✨

She loves getting outdoors, soaking in all the perks of nature, and—quite literally—getting hands‑on with the environment by touching and exploring rocks. There’s something special about slowing down and really connecting with the natural world. 🌿

While climbing and scrambling to find trails can be challenging, Kat embraces the adventure and pushes through—making the discovery even more rewarding! 💪🧗‍♀️

💬 Kat’s words of encouragement:
“Recreate and make memories always!! Life is too short to not have a baller of a time :)”

Let Kat’s adventure inspire you to get outside, try something new, and make this week one to remember! 🌞🌍