Investigated the attitudes of staff members working in a therapeutic adventure program toward people with disabilities. Staff surveys indicated that overall, staff members' attitudes were positive, and they perceived people with and without disabilities similarly. However, there was a stronger negative preference to work with people with physical…

Excerpts from the book, "The Advantage of Being Useless"; anecdotes from the author's experiences; and observations of his dog illustrate how counselors can be so busy counseling that they miss the human connection. Outdoor activities are conducive to unself-conscious spontaneity and unconditional acceptance--a just "letting it…

Describes service learning, presenting various techniques, tools, and tips for student projects, based on the principles of self-directed classroom and organizational development theories, that were developed through a reflection-in-action process. The article discusses applications of these techniques to the operations of student-run projects at…

This conference proceedings report includes papers submitted by 19 presenters addressing current trends, critical issues, and emerging perspectives. Titles of the papers are as follows: (1) "Envisioning Your Own Destiny: The Case for Strategic Planning in the Park and Recreation Movement" (H. Gray, D. McLean, and E. Crook); (2)…

This newsletter addresses the nutritional needs of people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PWAs) which are of concern to recreational professionals who are responsible for providing leisure services for them. Recreation professionals need to incorporate into their programs nutritional counseling, food banks or referrals to such, healthy…

This volume contains the following articles under the headings "Philosophical Ideas" (Articles 1-5), "Research Studies" (Articles 6-15), and "Practical Techniques" (Articles 16-22): (1) "Coming Home to a Change of Lifestyle" (Connie O'Connor); (2) "The New Age and Leisure" (Karla Henderson, Angela Whorton); (3) "A Backcountry Dichotomy" (Gary…

Discusses the history and theory of drama therapy and illustrates it through case studies. Makes suggestions for counselors who wish to use drama to promote psychological development. Notes that using dramatic activities allows counselors to view the inner world of their clients through symbolization, characterization, and interaction. (ABB)

This paper describes the services and activities of the Orion Center, a drop-in day-use facility for homeless and runaway youth in Seattle (Washington). Orion Center uses experiential therapy and adventure-based activities to develop trust, promote fun and relationship building, and facilitate growth and healing among this homeless population. A…

Two studies collected quantitative and qualitative data from 24 families participating in an 8-hour outdoor adventure program and from 11 families in a residential family camping program. Findings demonstrate a strong positive relationship between structured outdoor family programming and family strength, and suggest that adventure activities…

Recommends the inclusion of cross-cultural competencies in therapeutic recreation practice and organizations, presenting narratives from two cross-cultural interactions (one of which involved an American Indian and one of which involved an African American) that ended with premature termination of treatment for substance dependency because of lack…

The Open Studio as a way of working evolved in an effort to maximize the effectiveness of the artmaking project as a means to increase and deepen consciousness. This method differentiates art from psychotherapy and calls into question the validity of marrying the two experiences. (JPS)

A 3-year study of 115 youth offenders ages 14-17 who were involved in a program that integrated wilderness or adventure therapy with a community-based component revealed significant positive changes in 10 out of 33 psychometric scales considered essential precursors to behavioral changes. However, no significant behavioral changes were observed.…

Study explored the perception of parents of campers with mental retardation regarding the benefits of summer camps. Parents rated the relative importance of 22 possible benefits and indicated 6 dimensions of benefits in an ideal program: social skill development, social competence, respite care, cognitive development, expressive development, and…

Therapeutic recreation is important in treating substance abuse problems. It addresses attitudes and behaviors leading to substance abuse (inability to experience pleasure or control). It encourages participation in activities that help abusers cope and obtain enjoyable states, reducing reliance on drugs. The article discusses the theory of flow…

Right to leisure is considered an appropriate moral mission for therapeutic recreation. The paper explores the right to leisure for individuals with disabilities, discussing a variety of documents and discourses. It notes the relevance and several implications of the right to leisure for therapeutic recreation in health care. (SM)