1. careers
2. nursing

Up to 2.0 Continuing Education Units
available for full session attendance!
SCHEDULE AND SESSION
DESCRIPTIONS
Sponsored by:
University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
School of Natural Resources – Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Northwest Missouri State University - Maryville, Missouri
College of Education and Human Services
Department of Health and Human Services
In cooperation with
the MU Conference Office and PALAESTRA Magazine
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Sunday, April 19, 2015
5:00 – 8:00 pm....................................................................
Symposium Registration/Check-In.......Alpine Foyer
Monday, April 20, 2015
7:00 – 8:00 am
Continential Breakfast...................... Versailles Foyer
7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Symposium Registration/Check-In...... Alpine Lobby
8:00 – 9:00 am
Welcome, Opening Remarks, Keynote Address
(.10 CEU)....................................... Versailles Ballroom
9:15 - 10:45 am
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.15 CEU)
9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Exhibits and Resources...................Versailles Lobby
10:45 – 11:00 am
Beverage Break.................................Versailles Lobby
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.10 CEU)
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch Break (on your own)
1:00 – 2:30 pm
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.15 CEU)
8:00 – 9:00 am
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.10 CEU)
8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Exhibits and Resources...................Versailles Lobby
9:15 – 10:45 am
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.15 CEU)
10:45 – 11:00 am
Beverage Break.................................Versailles Lobby
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.10 CEU)
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lunch Break (on your own)
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Speaker Appreciation Lunch (invited guests only)
1:00 – 2:30 pm
Keynote Address (.15 CEU)......... Versailles Ballroom
2:30 – 2:45 pm
Beverage Break.................................Versailles Lobby
2:45 – 3:45 pm
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.10 CEU)
4:00 – 5:30 pm
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.15 CEU)
5:30 – 6:30 pm
Wine & Cheese Reception................Versailles Lobby
2:30 – 2:45 pm
Beverage Break.................................Versailles Lobby
2:45 – 4:15 pm
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.15 CEU)
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.10 CEU)
TOTAL CEUS FOR DAY: .75
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
7:30 am – 12:00 pm
Symposium Registration/Check-In...... Alpine Lobby
TOTAL CEUS FOR DAY: .75
8:00 – 9:30 am
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.15 CEU)
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Evening Session #27 (.20 CEU)...............Matterhorn
9:45 – 11:15 am
Concurrent Symposium Sessions (.15 CEU)
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Hospitality Suite........................................ Room TBD
11:30 – 12:30 pm
Midwest Symposium Brunch...... Versailles Ballroom
TOTAL CEUS FOR DAY & EVENING: .95
TOTAL CEUS FOR DAY: .30
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
7:00 – 8:00 am
Continential Breakfast......................Versailles Lobby
7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Symposium Registration/Check-In...... Alpine Lobby
TOTAL CEUS FOR MONDAY: .75
TOTAL CEUS FOR MONDAY INCLUDING
EVENING SESSION: .95
TOTAL CEUS FOR TUESDAY: .75
TOTAL CEUS FOR WEDNESDAY: .30
TOTAL CEUS FOR SYMPOSIUM: 2.0
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
classes at both the undergraduate and graduate
levels. He is also Associate Dean of the College of
Health and Human Services and serves as Director
of the Southeast Regional Support Center. He has
directed health promotion programs in corporate,
public and university settings.
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2015
7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Symposium Registration/Check-in.......Alpine Foyer
9:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Exhibits and Resources................... Versailles Foyer
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .15)
9:15-10:45 a.m.
7:00-8:00 a.m.
Continential Breakfast...................... Versailles Foyer
2. Building basic skills for evidence-based practice
(Part one of a two part session. Must attend both
sections.)......................................................... Alpine I
Shinichi Nagata, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Bryan Dorrel & Terry Long, Northwest Missouri State
University, Maryville, MO
Opening Welcome and Keynote (CEU: .10)
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Jerry Hitzhusen, Symposium Coordinator and
Associate Professor of the Department of Parks,
Recreation and Tourism, University of Missouri
Terry Long, Northwest Missouri State University,
Maryville, MO
Although evidence-based practice has been
emphasized in therapeutic recreation field for a long, it
is difficult for practitioners to determine where to start.
This session uses hybrid methods of lecture and handson practice to offer the very basic skills for evidencebased practice. Content includes the following: basic
terminology used in journal articles, how to search for
the articles you need, how to decipher the articles, and
how to evaluate the articles. First half of the session
demonstrates how to find articles related to your work,
and participants will do their own research to find at
least one such article during the session. During the
second half of the session, participants will read typical
research articles and decipher them together. Please
bring your computer, iPad, or other wireless device if
you have one.
1. The Relationship of Therapeutic Recreation and
Wellness....................................... Versailles Ballroom
Jeremy Barnes, Southeast Missouri State University,
Cape Girardeau, MO
“Five years ago, on April
15, 2009, Dr. David M.
Compton, gave the keynote
at the Midwest Symposium
on Therapeutic Recreation &
Adapted Physical Activity. At
the time he was Professor and
Chairperson of the Department
of Recreation Park and
Tourism Studies, at Indiana
University in Bloomington.
In the program description
Dr. Compton stated that “Our profession needs to
refocus its efforts on health promotion and disease
prevention.” In his presentation Dr. Barnes will
discuss why he feels Dr. Compton was correct in his
assessment. Dr. Barnes will discuss his prevention
philosophy and challenge us to adopt a similar
philosophy. He will also discuss one of the most
important lessons he has learned during his career
particularly what he has learned about individualizing
both prevention and treatment interventions.”
3. Solution Focused Processing: Top 10 Strategies
for Facilitating Adolescent Recreation Therapy
Groups (repeated as #51)................................... Bern
Melissa D’Eloia, Keith Fulthorp, & Terry Robertson,
California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
This session will introduce recreation therapist to
various solution focused strategies and techniques
that they can employ when facilitating group
interventions for adolescents. This session will
bridge emerging theoretical techniques with current
practice. Session participants will engage in impactful
group interventions that utilize duct tape instead of
expensive intervention kits that can be immediately
implemented upon returning to work.
4. Pickleball: One Sport Fits All.....................Matterhorn
Nicole Kohler & Maggie Rutenbeck, S.O.A.R. (Special
Opportunities Available in Recreation), Bloomington, IL
Dr. Jeremy Barnes is a professor in the Department
of Health, Human Performance and Recreation
at Southeast Missouri State University where he
has taught since 1996. He received his Ph.D. in
Health Education from the University of Missouri in
Columbia. At Southeast he teaches health promotion
What is Pickleball? Its part tennis, part badminton,
part table tennis and lots of fun! This is a sport, we
1
believe, was made for everyone to play. It’s relatively
inexpensive to facilitate, perfect for your athletes and
those with low mobility and provides loads of benefits
to your clients. In this session, you’ll learn about the
sport, how to play, scoring, equipment needed, how
to pay for it and how it has been implemented in a
community setting. Pickleball can be played indoors
or outdoors, so how can you see it used in your
agency? We’ll explore challenges and adaptations for
the sport as well. Come ready to play because we’re
also bringing some equipment for demonstration and
may challenge you to a match.
second half of the session, participants will read typical
research articles and decipher them together. Please
bring your computer, iPad, or other wireless device if
you have one.
8. Milwaukee VA Spinal Cord Injury Health and
Wellness Overview........................................ Alpine II
Joyce Casey and Erinn Kulba, Veterans
Administration/ Spinal Cord Injury Unit
This program will provide insights into the Health and
Wellness Program for our Spinal Cord Injury veterans.
It will highlight the specfics of the program which
includes the team approach and our vision for this
new program. The patient factors, goals and program
feedback will also be discussed in this session.
5. Mindfulness & Guided Imagery.....................St. Moritz
Kerry Wynn, Retired, Jefferson City, MO
Sessions will demonstrate the techniques of
Mindfulness & Guided Imagery and their principles.
Information will be presented on procedures, topics,
methods, therapy group safety. Also, the benefits for
the therapist.
9. Strategic Planning.............................................. Bern
Charles Caspari, Caspari Associates, St. Louis, MO
WHERE ARE WE NOW? WHERE DO WE WANT TO
BE? HOW DO WE GET THERE? Declining revenue?
no specific plans for the future? STRATEGIC
PLANNING leads to meaningful action: a clear
mission, a vision of where you want to be, objectives
and goals to achieve them, and the strategies and
tactics to reach the goals. This session will describe
Strategic Planning and how it might work for you.
6. Decoding our night time movies through playing
Dream Bingo................................. Versailles Ballroom
Sheila Benjamin, Lakeland Behavioral Health
Systems /School of Metaphysics, Springfield, MO
For the pass 30 years I have been interpreting
my dreams and the dreams of others which have
provided great insight in to the circumstances and
conditions in my live and the lives of others. Through
playing Dream Bingo I am able to introduce some of
the troubled teens which I work with to the Language
that their mind speaks, as well as the possibility that
they can gain objectivity and insight into their lives.
10. Building your Professional Network.......Matterhorn
Dr. Kathleen Scholl & Amy Davison, University of
Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
How often do you take the time to network with other
TR professionals? During this interactive session
you will engage in a series of exchanges to share
professional backgrounds, affiliations and passions.
Please bring business cards and social networking
devices and join this session to learn from each other
and broaden our professional TR network while at the
conference.
10:45-11:00 a.m.
Break
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .10)
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m
11. Resetting the Biological Clock...................St. Moritz
Joel Gutierrez, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Michael McNicholas, Chicago State University,
La Grange Highlands, IL
7. Building basic skills for evidence-based practice ....
(Part two of a two part session. Must attend both
sections.)......................................................... Alpine I
Shinichi Nagata, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Bryan Dorrel & Terry Long, Northwest Missouri State
University, Maryville, MO
Seven days of living in a natural environment without
technology resets your biological clock and has
positive effects on sleeping disorders. Discussion
will include data from studies, programming in
nature without technology, and future partnerships in
research examining holistic remediation of anxiety,
depression and sleep disorders.
Although evidence-based practice has been
emphasized in therapeutic recreation field for a long, it
is difficult for practitioners to determine where to start.
This session uses hybrid methods of lecture and handson practice to offer the very basic skills for evidencebased practice. Content includes the following: basic
terminology used in journal articles, how to search for
the articles you need, how to decipher the articles, and
how to evaluate the articles. First half of the session
demonstrates how to find articles related to your work,
and participants will do their own research to find at
least one such article during the session. During the
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Lunch on your own
2
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .15)
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .15)
2:45-4:15 p.m.
12. The Quest for Self: The Journey Within
(Part one of three part session. Must attend all
three parts)..................................................... Alpine II
Sharon McGloin, Experiential Alternatives, Kansas
City, MO
17. The Quest for Self: The Journey Within
(Part two of three part session. Must attend all
three parts)..................................................... Alpine II
Sharon McGloin, Experiential Alternatives, Kansas
City, MO
This session is designed to assist you in looking at
your life and answer some of the hard questions
that come up from time to time. This session is
experiential in nature and provides an opportunity for
self examination, reflection and a clear set of goals
with an action plan. Be prepared to come and a part of
yourself with others and be validated for who you are.
This session is designed to assist you in looking at
your life and answer some of the hard questions
that come up from time to time. This session is
experiential in nature and provides an opportunity for
self examination, reflection and a clear set of goals
with an action plan. Be prepared to come and a part of
yourself with others and be validated for who you are.
13. Fundamental Steps in Writing a Grant
Proposal............................................................... Bern
Dr. Joe Wilson, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar
Falls, IA
18. Scuba Therapy: Imagine the possibilities........ Bern
Jim Elliott, Diveheart
At Diveheart we believe that Scuba Therapy is about
to Revolutionize Rehabilitation. Not just for individuals
with disabilities, but for people of all abilities. Diveheart
is helping to facilitate pioneering research with
medical universities around the country and is leading
the world in adaptive scuba training for therapists,
instructors and divers who want to help individuals
with disabilities escape sedentary lifestyles and reap
the benefits of physical therapy in zero gravity.
Attendees will learn the steps to follow and the
information to include when writing a basic grant
proposal.
14. Tai Chi & Qigong........................................Matterhorn
Michael Denmeade, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health
Center, Windsor, VT
Tai Chi is not just a martial art (in its origin), it is form
of physical exercise that promotes strength, balance
and flexibility. It helps improve relaxation, thus
improving circulation to our joints and neuro-muscular
systems. It is also very adaptable as many exercises
in tai chi can be done seated. The key is practicing
the tai chi principles and breathing as one practices
these gentle flowing exercises.
19. Therapeutic Recreation & Brain Balance: Joint
Treatment Modalities.................................Matterhorn
Karalee White, Shelterwood Academy, Independence,
MO
Amanda Gunter, Brain Balance Center,
Independence, MO
Explore Therapeutic Recreation interventions through
the lens of sensory motor and cognitive assessments
gained from a Brain Balance Program, a neurobehavioral program that focuses on reducing the
functional disconnect between the two hemispheres
of the developing brain. As part of an interdisciplinary
team working with adolescents in a therapeutic
boarding school, see how we use both treatment
modalities to assess and address sensory, social,
cognitive and psycho-motor deficits in students
with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia or other neurological
disorders with interventions tailored to strengthen
overall level of function.
15. Multicultural Leisure Education: Addressing
Health Inequities (repeated as #57) ...........St. Moritz
Lisa Schumacher, Serenity Wellness Center, Iowa
City, IA
The purpose of this session is to inform CTRS’s of the
disparities in health based on ability, socioeconomic
status, race, gender, sexual orientation, and age.
This continuing education workshop will highlight
leisure education as a mechanism for improving
health outcomes for people who experience health
inequities, with a focus on chronic health conditions.
20. Look after Number 1: The Best Preventive Health
Practices.......................................................St. Moritz
Jeremy Barnes, Southeast Missouri State University,
Cape Girardeau, MO
16. Tools and Ideas, Learn to Golf with a
Disability....................................... Versailles Ballroom
Dany Baker, Accessible Golf Consultant, Coffeen, IL
Learn to golf with a disability, the tools, carts, clubs
and find out how and what needs are to make your
golf course accessible
Professionals in the ‘helping professions’ are typically
very good about helping others improve their
health and quality of life. However, many of these
professionals are not as good when it comes to taking
care of their own health and decreasing their risk for
2:30-2:45 p.m.
Break
3
chronic disease. This session will focus on several
preventive health practices that have the potential to
have a huge impact on health and quality of life.
24. University Partnerships & Employee
Recruitment................................................Matterhorn
Eric Longsdorf & Ruthie Kucharewski, University of
Toledo, Toledo, OH
21. Starting Your Own Adaptive Sports
Program........................................ Versailles Ballroom
Joyce Casey, Veterans Administration, Milwaukee, WI
Nicole Verneuille, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports
Association, Lake Forest, IL
Identifying and recruiting individuals to fill part-time
positions that require applicants to have advanced
training or certification can be difficult. In order to
overcome difficulties in recruiting applicants to fill
part-time positions, agencies may want to consider
establishing a partnership with a local or regional
college or university to fund a graduate assistantship.
The establishment of an externally funded graduate
assistantship provides many benefits to a sponsoring
agency. This presentation addresses the externally
funded graduate assistantship model, the benefits
commonly received by a sponsoring agency, the
development of an external assistantship contract, as
well as an outline for establishing an externally funded
graduate assistantship with a college or university.
Course or Workshop Description: At one point in our
lives, during our childhood years, our parents put us in
a sport or many sports. It is a characteristic in human
nature. Parents all think we can be a star player until
the realization that your child stinks. It does not matter.
Sports is something that is instilled in all humans
since childhood. After a catastrophic incident such
as SCI, CVA or amputation, one can utilize sports
as a mean to jump start their new life and become
a productive member of the society. This workshop
will provide clinicians the knowledge of adaptive/
assistive sports equipment, medical complication of
adaptive sports and on setting up one’s own adaptive
sports programs. The workshop will include hands on
demonstration of some adaptive equipment.
25. Motivation for Exercise...............................St. Moritz
Jeremy Barnes, Southeast Missouri State University,
Cape Girardeau, MO
Regular exercise is extremely important as a means to
prevent chronic disease. However, exercise is a health
behavior that most people have difficulty both adopting
and maintaining. This session is designed to help you
and your clients stay on track and working towards
exercise goals. The session will include a review of
various techniques that can help keep motivation
levels high and increase exercise adherence.
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .10)
4:30-5:30 p.m.
22. The Quest for Self: The Journey Within
(Part three of three part session. Must attend all
three parts)..................................................... Alpine II
Sharon McGloin, Experiential Alternatives, Kansas
City, MO
26. Therapeutic Use of Children’s Books, Puppets,
Music, and Movement.................. Versailles Ballroom
Deborah Stuart, Certified Therapeutic Recreation
Specialist/Consultant, East Lansing, MI
Carol McDowell, Coverdell Elementary School, St.
Charles, MO
This session is designed to assist you in looking at
your life and answer some of the hard questions
that come up from time to time. This session is
experiential in nature and provides an opportunity for
self examination, reflection and a clear set of goals
with an action plan. Be prepared to come and a part of
yourself with others and be validated for who you are.
This interactive session will demonstrate how
to create integrated learning experiences in a
therapeutic recreational setting. These activities will
introduce children’s books and how to incorporate
music, movement, and puppetry into the story.
23. Clarifying Diagnosing SMS................................ Bern
Katrina Place, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Michael McNicholas, Chicago State University, La
Grange Highlands, IL
Concurrent Session (CEU: .20)
7:00-9:00 p.m.
As our field grows increasingly dependent on
accurate diagnosis to plan activities that meet
specific client needs, it has become increasingly
important to delineate the differences addressed in
accurate diagnosis. Protocol for diagnosis of SMS as
differentiated from Autism is a simple and important
measure in serving our clients accurately ad with the
most appropriate strategies.
27. Creative and Innovative Arts and Crafts...Matterhorn
UNI Students, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar
Falls, IA
Join UNI students to gain the knowledge and skills
of creative and innovative arts and crafts that benefit
participants of all ages in a variety of settings.
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Hospitality Suite..............................To Be Announced
4
Jenny Tomczak, Special Recreation Services/New
Hope Center, Inc., Dolton, IL
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015
Creating inclusive programming in outdoor settings
incorporating safe, community-based locations
to engage and enjoy literature as a method of
developing healthy leisure lifestyles.
7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Symposium Registration/Check-in.......Alpine Foyer
8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Exhibits and Resources................... Versailles Foyer
32. Engineering Optimal
Experiences................. Versailles Ballroom, Section II
Paul Wright, Lindenwood University, Saint Charles, MO
7:00-8:00 a.m.
Continential Breakfast...................... Versailles Foyer
The ultimate goal for every therapeutic recreation
program should be to deliver an optimal-peak
experience to participants. The question is, how does
a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist engineer such
experiences for all people, in all settings, across all
functioning abilities? Participants in this session will
learn a simple formula for delivering positive flow-like
experiences to clients.
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .10)
8:00-9:00 a.m.
28. TR Program Design for Adults with DD in Day
Care Programs.................................................... Bern
Michael Crawford and Carly DeBruin, Munroe Meyer
Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .15)
9:15-10:45 a.m.
Designing meaningful curriculum for adults with
severe and profound intellectual and developmental
disabilities is challenging. This program provides
details of a three year services project at the
University of Nebraska Medical Center. Select
case studies will highlight adaptations utilized with
medically fragile persons requiring extraordinary
programming efforts.
33. Sanctuary Through the Eyes of Our Comic Book
Heroes (repeated as #58)................................... Bern
Grey Endres, Lifeworks Family Treatment Group,
Shawnee Mission, KS
Who is your favorite superhero? Why are comic
books and superheroes so popular? Rosenberg, a
clinical psychologist, explains that comic book fans
love superheroes and their origin stories as they show
us how to be heroes, Choosing altruism over the
pursuit of wealth and power. Each hero goes through
three life-altering experiences that their readers can
relate to; trauma, destiny, and sheer chance. Since
the golden age (1930’s) and the silver age (1950’s,)
as well as the silver screen, comic books and
superheroes have made us cry, cheer, and gnash our
teeth. It’s rich history provides the perfect landscape
to teach trauma theory, and the Sanctuary SELF tool.
This module is designed to use in Individual, Family,
and Group therapy.
29. Smell the Flowers and Blow Out the
Candles............................................................ Alpine I
Sheila Benjamin, Lakeland Behavioral Health
Systems/School of Metaphysics, Springfield, MO
This will be an experiential session as well as one that
will provide lecture. We will explore the therapeutic
benefits of essential oils. How using the breath and
the sense of smell can aid in producing calmness and
teach positive coping.
30. Circles of Connection
(Part one of three part session. Must attend all
three sessions.)..........................................Matterhorn
Tom Smith, Raccoon Institute, New Orleans, LA
Sharon McGloin, Experiential Alternatives, Kansas
City, MO
34. Social Media Use and How It May Affect Your
Career............................................................... Alpine I
Katharine Pawelko & Rachel Smith, Western Illinois
University, Macomb, IL
Join us for an experiential session of interactive
activities for community building and connection.
Historically, people have been connecting in circles
for centuries. We talk in circles. We dance in circles.
We play in circles. This session is highly interactive so
come prepared to participate.
Social media via the Internet provide us with an
extensive array of communication, information, and
networking opportunities. It can also transmit and
expose some information that we might unknowingly
not desire to share for personal or professional
reasons. Become better informed about how to
protect yourself, your family, and/or your clients from
the pitfalls inherent in the metadata of social media.
31. Bibliotherapy in Nature...............................St. Moritz
Cassie Newton, Special Recreation Services/New
Hope Center, Inc., Dolton, IL
Michael McNicholas, Special Recreation Services/
New Hope Center, Inc., La Grange Highlands, IL
Sydney Jackson, Special Recreation Services/New
Hope Center, Inc., Dolton, IL
5
35. Circles of Connection
(Part two of three part session. Must attend all
three sessions.)..........................................Matterhorn
Tom Smith, Raccoon Institute, New Orleans, LA
Sharon McGloin, Experiential Alternatives, Kansas
City, MO
musical sound during session in order to discuss the
effects of the audio-visual presentation on the level of
relaxation. Lastly, the presenter will demonstrate how
to create a customized DVD for clients.
39. Circles of Connection
(Part three of three part session. Must attend all
three sessions)...........................................Matterhorn
Tom Smith, Raccoon Institute, New Orleans, LA
Sharon McGloin, Experiential Alternatives, Kansas
City, MO
Join us for an experiential session of interactive
activities for community building and connection.
Historically, people have been connecting in circles
for centuries. We talk in circles. We dance in circles.
We play in circles. This session is highly interactive so
come prepared to participate.
Join us for an experiential session of interactive
activities for community building and connection.
Historically, people have been connecting in circles
for centuries. We talk in circles. We dance in circles.
We play in circles. This session is highly interactive so
come prepared to participate.
36. Four String Therapy: Ukulele for Recreation
Therapists (repeated as #52)......................St. Moritz
Michael McGowan, Western Illinois University,
Macomb, IL
Ukulele is perfect for therapists with no musical
training to begin integrating participatory music
activities into recreation therapy programs. Learn to
play the ukulele for instrumental instruction and to
accompany communal singing in reminiscence, remotivation and socialization. This session is limited
to ten participants. You must sign up in advance
for this session at conference registration.
40. TR for ABI -- There’s No Place Like
Home!............................................................St. Moritz
Catherine O’Connor, Survivor Family member,
Springfield, IL
Therapeutic Recreation is often overlooked and
underappreciated as a cost effective and inclusive
therapy for all stages of Acquired Brain Injury
recovery -- from acute stages though the many long
years that survivors and their families deal with a lifechanging event. Based on my first-hand experience
as the parent of a child who was born with cerebral
palsy, then was the victim of a pedestrian vs. auto
collision at age 13, and who suffered a second,
very severe brain injury from a fall at age 30 -- this
session will offer a view of the power of using TR, to
promote healing and measurable progress everyday,
especially in an individual, family or small community
residential-based setting.
37. Wii-Hab: Using the Nintendo Wii Console as an
Intervention................. Versailles Ballroom, Section II
Nicole Kohler, S.O.A.R. (Special Opportunities
Available in Recreation), Bloomington, IL
Zach Johnson, Jeff Wehmhoefer, Emily Heard, &
Carson Shannon, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Everyone knows about the Nintendo Wii system and
how much fun it can be to play. A group of students
from Illinois State University will demonstrate how
certain games can potentially benefit your clients.
We will go beyond the Wii Sports game that most
people are familiar with and walk you through other
games that are appropriate for clients in a therapeutic
recreation setting.
41. Nature as a Mechanism to Enhance
Mindfulness.................. Versailles Ballroom, Section I
Dr. Kathleen Scholl & Amy Davison, University of
Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
10:45-11:00 a.m.
Break
Do you incorporate nature into your TR practice?
Learn about the physical, cognitive, psychological
and spiritual benefits of nature. Participants will
experience mindfulness exercises that can be used
indoors and outdoors.
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .10)
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
42. RT Employment, Graduate School or
Both?............................ Versailles Ballroom, Section II
Ruthie Kucharewski & Eric Longsdorf, University of
Toledo, Toledo, OH
38. Audio-Visual Therapy to Enhance Relaxation for
Older Adults......................................................... Bern
Jun Kim, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
According to the psychological research, viewing
simulated images of nature and soothing music
contributed to mood enhancement including mental
relaxation (Felsten, 2009, Choi, Chung, and Kim,
2014). In this session, the use of audio-visual
presentation, which portrays the beauty of nature,
as a modality to increase mental relaxation among
older adult patients, who have limited access to
natural environment. The presenter will show two
sets of DVD sample with images of nature and
You may be graduating in RT and wondering whether
you should look for a job or whether you should
continue your education or you may be employed
and want to return to school to get a Master’s degree,
BUT you can’t afford to quit your job and go back
to school. What to do?? You’re in luck because
this session will address the pros and cons of being
a new grad and continuing your education without
experience and for the already employed RT it will
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also provide information about finding a graduate
degree program that will cooperate with your job,
family, personal life, etc.
46. Spectacular Events and Awesome
Volunteers........................................................ Alpine I
Erin Winch, Village of Pleasant Prairie, Pleasant
Prairie, WI
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Participant Lunch (on your own)
Learn tricks and tips from professionals in the field
on how to run a successful special event including
effective planning and time scheduling! Session will
also include many tips and techniques along with
how to recruit volunteers and keep them coming
back. Session will also review the importance
of background checks for volunteers and use of
volunteer job descriptions.
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Presenter Appreciation Lunch......................... Alpine
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .10)
1:00-2:30 p.m.
43. Artz Therapy by Tony Artz.......... Versailles Ballroom
Tony Artz, Empire Art Management, St. Louis, MO
47. Nobody knows what TR/RT is! Partnering to
Increase Visibility................................................ Bern
Sue Myllykangas, Northwest Missouri State
University, Maryville, MO
After being burned with a
cigarette and thrown into
a scalding hot shower and
beaten with a belt by his
dad’s girlfriend, Tony Artz
taught himself how to turn
his pain into artistic beauty.
Artz Therapy by Tony Artz
is a program that teaches
Therapists how to teach teens
and young adults how to
combat anger using music, art, and dance.
It is not uncommon to hear students and practitioners
of TR/RT say ‘nobody knows what we do!’ This
session will share how the creation of partnerships
within the community increased the awareness of the
TR/RT profession, improved the services available
to those in need, secured grant funding, and opened
up research opportunities. Suggestions on ways
to reach out into the community and partner with
businesses and agencies to improve grant funding
opportunities, advocate for the profession, and
network on research to document outcomes of the
services we provide will be shared with attendees.
2:30-2:45 p.m.
Break
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .10)
2:45-3:45 p.m.
48. Fun February: How to Advocate for TR
Month............................................................St. Moritz
Nicole Kohler, S.O.A.R. (Special Opportunities
Available in Recreation), Bloomington, IL
Rachael Zucker, Katelyn Baker, Kayla Richardson,
Kelly Cochrane & Emily Power, Illinois State
University, Normal, IL
44. Get Up and Move: Reduce obesity and
sedentary lifestyle.......................................... Alpine II
Jessica Beecham, CTRS, WE Fit Wellness, Colorado
Springs, CO
Students from Illinois State University will be sharing
the events they organized on their campus to advocate
for Therapeutic Recreation during the month of
February. Through a variety of initiatives, they were
able to bring awareness of Therapeutic Recreation and
disability awareness to their campus and community.
Many ideas for how these events can be promoted in
your own agency or community will also be shared.
The obesity rate of U.S. adults is over 30%.
Individuals with disabilities are twice as likely to be
obese. These alarming statistics that continue to rise
make it imperative that we GET UP AND MOVE.
Come learn tips and tricks for helping individuals with
disabilities, seniors, and other at risk populations
reduce obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
45. Funercise: Putting the FUN into Physical
Activity........................................................Matterhorn
Laura Covert, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .15)
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Physical activity does not have to be just exercise.
Physical activity also involves playing interactive
games, dancing, and much much more. Throughout
this session, how to take common games and bring
new life into them will be discussed. Session will be
interactive and active.
49. Message From the Inner Chambers of Your
Mind................................................................. Alpine II
Sheila Benjamin, Lakeland Behavioral Health
Systems/School of Metaphysics, Springfield, MO
In this session the presenter will share with you how
she used dreams with troubled teens and what type of
an affect it had on their treatment. You will learn the
beginnings of how to interpret the images in dreams
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to reveal the thoughts, emotion and changes that are
taking place within your clients. Please bring a recent
dream and as time allows receive an interpretation.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015
7:00-11:30 a.m.
Symposium Registration/ Check-in .....Alpine Foyer
50. Compassion Fatigue/Work Life Balance.......... Bern
Sharon McGloin, Experiential Alternatives, Kansas
City, MO
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .15)
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Are you tired? Do you take on more than you can
handle in the course of a work week? Are you
overwhelmed with everything that is on your plate?
Join me for an interactive session as we learn about
compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and
burnout along with strategies to help you with work/
life balance.
54. The Bumpy Road: Planning Engaging Purposeful
Programs for Elders....................................... Alpine I
Sue Myllykangas, Northwest Missouri State
University, Maryville, MO
Programming for older populations can pose a unique
challenges for TR professionals. Communication,
understanding participant wants, and accommodating
environmental and functional differences makes
the programming journey for this age group a bit
‘bumpy’ and complex. This session offers attendees
an opportunity to learn a research based concept
that can be applied to TR program design in ways
that improve communication, participation, and
accomplishment of goals and objectives.
51. Solution Focused Processing: Top 10 Strategies
for Facilitating Adolescent Recreation Therapy
Groups (repeated as #3)............................Matterhorn
Melissa D’Eloia, Keith Fulthorp, & Terry Robertson,
California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
This session will introduce recreation therapist to
various solution focused strategies and techniques
that they can employ when facilitating group
interventions for adolescents. This session will
bridge emerging theoretical techniques with current
practice. Session participants will engage in impactful
group interventions that utilize duct tape instead of
expensive intervention kits that can be immediately
implemented upon returning to work.
55. The Relaxation Response.................................. Bern
Michael Denmeade, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health
Center, Windsor, VT
Relaxation is a scope of practice for TR. What is
relaxation? Mindfulness? Relaxation Responses?
What is stress? In this session you will learn not only
learn simple and effective definitions for the above,
but how to get your patients or clients to initiate
relaxation for healing and health.
52. Four String Therapy: Ukulele for Recreation
Therapists (repeated as #36)......................St. Moritz
Michael McGowan, Western Illinois University,
Macomb, IL
Ukulele is perfect for therapists with no musical
training to begin integrating participatory music
activities into recreation therapy programs. Learn to
play the ukulele for instrumental instruction and to
accompany communal singing in reminiscence, remotivation and socialization. This session is limited
to ten participants. You must sign up in advance
for this session at conference registration.
56. Creative Arts Therapy: Ideas and Treatment
Goals...........................................................Matterhorn
Holly Eichner & Ruthie Kucharewski, University of
Toledo, Toledo, OH
Sometimes we are working so hard that we forget
to get outside the box and bring new activities into
the treatment room. This session will spark your
imagination and give you some creative ideas to allow
clients to reach their treatment goals and explore new
media of expression. All ideas will be presented with
a limited budget in mind!
53. Modified Cardio Drumming as Therapeutic
Exercise in TR Services... Versailles Ballroom, Section II
Holly Eichner & Maggie Steinmiller, University of
Toledo, Toledo, OH
57. Multicultural Leisure Education: Addressing
Health Inequities (repeated as #15)............St. Moritz
Lisa Schumacher, Serenity Wellness Center, Iowa
City, IA
Have you heard about the fun, new way to stay
fit? Cardio Drumming is a combination of aerobic
exercise, therapeutic music, and creative movement
that allows individuals to exercise and have fun!
You will learn the benefits behind the movements
incorporated and how to modify this activity for a
variety of populations.
The purpose of this session is to inform CTRS’s of the
disparities in health based on ability, socioeconomic
status, race, gender, sexual orientation, and age.
This continuing education workshop will highlight
leisure education as a mechanism for improving
health outcomes for people who experience health
inequities, with a focus on chronic health conditions.
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Hotel sponsored Wine and Cheese
Reception........................................... Versailles Foyer
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61. Mindfulness and Drumming for Behavioral
Health..........................................................Matterhorn
Keri Fager, Rosecrance, Rockford, IL
Concurrent Sessions (CEU: .15)
9:45-11:15 a.m.
In this session, I will introduce participants to the
implications of therapeutic recreation and experiential
learning in substance abuse and mental health
settings. Participants will review current research
and outcomes from specifically utilizing mindfulness
and therapeutic drum circles in order to enhance
clients’ connection with self and others. Attendees
with participate in various mindfulness and drumming
activities and learn how to integrate interventions to
address recovery values/concepts and wellness goals.
58. Sanctuary Through the Eyes of Our Comic Book
Heroes (repeated as #33)............................... Alpine I
Grey Endres, Lifeworks Family Treatment Group,
Shawnee Mission, KS
Who is your favorite superhero? Why are comic
books and superheroes so popular? Rosenberg, a
clinical psychologist, explains that comic book fans
love superheroes and their origin stories as they show
us how to be heroes, Choosing altruism over the
pursuit of wealth and power. Each hero goes through
three life-altering experiences that their readers can
relate to; trauma, destiny, and sheer chance. Since
the golden age (1930’s) and the silver age (1950’s,)
as well as the silver screen, comic books and
superheroes have made us cry, cheer, and gnash our
teeth. It’s rich history provides the perfect landscape
to teach trauma theory, and the Sanctuary SELF tool.
This module is designed to use in Individual, Family,
and Group therapy.
62. Fun Activities for Dementia/Alzheimeres
Clients...........................................................St. Moritz
Lisa Jamieson, Renaissance Park Apts/ Western
Home Communities, Waterloo and Cedar Falls, IA
Ever have trouble coming up with a game or craft for
patients with Alzheimer’s or Dementia that are “age
appropriate”? This session will leave you with several
games and crafts to do with this clientele.
59. Digital Distractions: Our Relationship With
Technology..................................................... Alpine II
Katharine Pawelko and Rachel Smith, Western Illinois
University, Macomb, IL
Digital technology permits us the opportunity to work
and/or play anywhere and with whomever we choose.
A technological conundrum is that it can help us save
time by doing some things more quickly or efficiently,
yet it also seems to drain us of time as well; we can
be more socially networked, while more socially
shallow; and more mobile, while raising a generation
reluctant to step outdoors to connect with nature.
This session serves as a clarion call and discussion
for parents, educators, and recreation therapists
regarding the influence of the digital world on our
lives, and how it shapes the way we think, learn,
and interact with one another. We will discuss how
to navigate to make use of the best of it and how to
steer away from the less desirable or pitfall aspects
of it.
Symposium States
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
Minnesota
MissouriNebraska
Ohio
Tennessee
Wisconsin
60. Equine-Assisted Activities & Therapy-A Treatment
Alternative........................................................... Bern
Patricia Rimkus, Thomas Van Dyke & Susan Puckett,
Disability Resource Association, Festus, MO
This session is designed to expand awareness of
how riders with both physical and mental disabilities
can be influenced by a horse rather than by physical
therapy machinery. There will be a short video of
actual participants along with a demonstration of
improvising and tailoring a lesson plan. Hand-outs will
be issued with group activities and a question/answer
segment.
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