Rec Therapy Today – July 2026

The Explore More Issue

A monthly resource for recreational therapists since 2004

From the Editor

Hello Innovative Rec Therapist —

July is a great time to break out of routine and try something new.

As Recreation Therapists, we encourage others to explore new activities, build new skills, and create meaningful experiences. This month, I encourage you to do the same.

Visit a new place. Learn something new. Attend an event. Try a different activity. Take a small adventure.

Growth often begins with curiosity, and some of life’s best memories come from experiences we almost didn’t try.

I hope this month’s issue inspires you to explore more—both personally and professionally.

Thank you for being part of the Rec Therapy Today community.

Your friend and partner in Rec Therapy,

Danny W. Pettry II, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, NCC, CTRS-BH

P.S. Want to win an amazon gift card? The giveaway details are at the end of this newsletter so you’ll have to scroll down to the bottom. 

Opening Insight 

Every day presents opportunities to learn, explore, connect, and create. Sometimes growth begins with a simple decision to say “yes” to something new—a new experience, a new place, a new conversation, or a new idea. Exploration doesn’t require a passport or a major life change. It begins with curiosity. This month, challenge yourself and the individuals you serve to step beyond routine, discover new possibilities, and leave evidence you lived.

What Recreation Therapists Said About Our Mini Momentum Teleconference

On June 12, 2026, Rec Therapy Today hosted the Mini Momentum Teleconference featuring Brent D. Wolfe, ATRA, presenting Empowering Change: The Future of Recreation Therapy and the Role of ATRA and Noelle Molloy, NCTRC, presenting Recertification and Specialization Area Designation.

The free event brought Recreation Therapists together from across the United States and around the world, including attendees from Qatar and New Zealand.

Following the event, participants shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about the experience. Attendees praised the quality of the presentations, the convenience of online learning, and the opportunity to earn free CEUs.

Here are a few comments we received:

“Thank you for always providing top tier webinars.”

“I love Rec Therapy Today. It’s such a great resource!”

“Please offer more free webinars!”

“Thank you for providing accessible ways to gain CEUs online.”

“Great webinar! Ease of learning and I absolutely loved the reminders!”

“I appreciate you partnering with others in the RT community to provide us education and learning opportunities.”

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success. We remain committed to providing Recreation Therapists with accessible, practical, and affordable continuing education opportunities.

Looking for more Recreation Therapy CEUs? Visit RecTherapyToday.com to explore our growing library of courses, teleconferences, and professional development opportunities.

Explore More CEU Opportunites 

Explore New Ideas. Earn CEUs.

Every great journey begins with a single step. Continuing education helps Recreation Therapists stay informed, strengthen their practice, and discover new approaches to helping others.

Whether you’re working toward recertification, exploring emerging topics, or looking for practical tools you can use immediately, Rec Therapy Today offers engaging continuing education designed for today’s Recreation Therapist.

Along the Way You’ll:

✓ Expand your knowledge
✓ Strengthen your skills
✓ Connect with peers
✓ Advance your professional growth

Keep Exploring. Keep Growing.

Visit Rec Therapy Today to access live events, on-demand courses, and resources designed specifically for Recreation Therapists.

Rec Therapist Identity

Recreation Therapists Unlock Possibilities

Recreation therapy is about much more than activities. Through purposeful leisure experiences, Recreation Therapists help individuals discover strengths, build confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and find a greater sense of purpose and belonging.

Whether it’s exploring nature, creating art, enjoying music, participating in sports, playing games, or connecting with others in the community, recreation therapy uses leisure as a tool for growth, recovery, and improved quality of life.

Five Keys Recreation Therapists Help Unlock:

• Leisure – Finding enjoyment and healthy ways to spend free time.
• Community – Building connections with people and places.
• Confidence – Developing skills, independence, and self-esteem.
• Purpose – Creating goals and meaningful experiences.
• Belonging – Fostering inclusion and social connection.

Bottom Line: Recreation Therapists don’t just plan activities—they help people open doors to new possibilities. Every person. Every ability. Every day. 💙

Rec Therapy Insights

The Ripple Effect of Exploration

Sometimes the smallest step can create the biggest change.

When individuals explore a new activity, visit a new place, learn a new skill, or try a new experience, the benefits often extend far beyond that single moment. Exploration can set off a positive chain reaction that influences participation, confidence, well-being, and overall quality of life.

How the Ripple Effect Works

1. Exploration

• Trying something new
• Discovering new interests
• Opening doors to possibilities

2. Participation

• Becoming involved in meaningful activities
• Engaging with people, places, and experiences
• Expanding leisure choices

3. Confidence

• Developing new skills
• Building self-esteem
• Increasing independence and self-efficacy

4. Well-Being

• Experiencing enjoyment and positive emotions
• Reducing stress and boredom
• Supporting emotional health

5. Quality of Life

• Strengthening social connections
• Creating a greater sense of purpose
• Living a richer, more meaningful life

For Recreation Therapists, exploration is more than an activity—it is often the starting point for growth. A single new experience can become the first ripple in a series of positive life changes.

Small steps. New discoveries. Big impact. 🌊

Outcome Reminder: Participation in exploration-focused activities may help individuals identify new leisure interests, increase community participation, enhance well-being, and improve overall quality of life.

Evidenced Based Insight

“Water is medicine for everyone.” — Wallace J. Nichols

Key Points from Blue Mind

• Water environments can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
• Time spent near water may support mindfulness and present-moment awareness.
• Natural water settings often encourage reflection, creativity, and clear thinking.
• Experiences involving water can enhance emotional well-being and overall quality of life.
• Even simple interactions with water—such as sitting beside a lake, watching a fountain, or listening to rain—may have restorative benefits.

Evidence-Based Practice Connection

• Consider incorporating visits to lakes, rivers, ponds, fountains, aquariums, or beaches into recreation therapy programming.
• Use water-based experiences as opportunities for relaxation, mindfulness, and leisure exploration.
• Encourage participants to observe, photograph, journal about, or discuss their experiences with water.
• Pair water experiences with wellness goals related to stress management, coping skills, and quality of life.
• Remember that meaningful therapeutic benefits may come from simply being near water—not just participating in aquatic activities.

Citation

Nichols, W. J. (2014). Blue mind: The surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do. Little, Brown and Company.

RT Spotlight: 

Rachel Smith, CTRS

This month, we are pleased to recognize Rachel Smith, CTRS, as our Recreation Therapist of the Month.

Rachel earned her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Southern Mississippi and has dedicated nearly 13 years to serving adults receiving behavioral health and addiction treatment at Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services. She currently provides recreation therapy services to adults ages 18–99 on an adult psychiatric unit.

Rachel’s passion for helping others led her to the recreation therapy profession. Through interventions such as exercise, play, humor, team-building activities, and leisure education, she helps individuals develop skills, build connections, and move toward recovery.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her work is seeing patients improve and make progress in their lives. Rachel credits much of her professional growth to her internship supervisor, Frank Lestrade, whose enthusiasm and dedication to the profession inspired her daily.

When asked what advice she would offer new Recreation Therapists, Rachel shared:

“Have fun, try new things, always have a Plan B, and practice self-care.”

Rachel has received a Leadership Award and remains committed to lifelong learning. She appreciates the variety of continuing education opportunities offered through Rec Therapy Today and describes herself as “a work in progress” who enjoys learning new things about the growing recreation therapy profession.

Outside of work, Rachel is a proud wife and mother of three. She enjoys running, reading, kayaking, and supporting her children in the activities they love. Interestingly, Rachel once said she would never work in psychiatry—but nearly 13 years later, she believes serving this population is her calling.

Thank you, Rachel, for your dedication to the individuals you serve and for the positive impact you make every day through recreation therapy.

Be Featured in Rec Therapy Today

Recreational therapists are making a difference every day. Complete our quick survey for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of Rec Therapy Today

Share your experiences, ideas, and insights with the RT community.

Actionable Tool

Actionable Tool: Explore More

Purpose: Help participants identify new leisure opportunities and areas of life they would like to explore.

Instructions: 

Draw a large circle in the center of a piece of paper and write EXPLORE MORE inside the circle.

Draw arrows extending outward from the circle and label them:

• Social
• Fitness
• Outdoors
• Creativity
• Hobbies & Interests
• Intellectual
• Emotional Enjoyment

1. Under each category, write 2–5 activities, places, experiences, or interests you would like to explore.
2. Circle one item from each category that you could realistically try during the next month.
3. Share one or two ideas with the group.

Examples:

• Social: Attend a community event, call an old friend, join a club.
• Fitness: Walk a new trail, try yoga, go swimming.
• Outdoors: Visit a state park, watch a sunset, go fishing.
• Creativity: Paint, write poetry, take photographs.
• Hobbies & Interests: Learn chess, collect postcards, visit a comic book store.
• Intellectual: Read a nonfiction book, visit a museum, attend a lecture.
• Emotional Enjoyment: Listen to music, visit a favorite place, enjoy a special treat.

Discussion Question:
Which area of your life needs more exploration right now, and what is one small step you can take this week?

Outcome Reminder

Participation in exploration-focused activities may help individuals identify new leisure interests, increase community participation, enhance well-being, and improve overall quality of life.

Source: American Therapeutic Recreation Association. (n.d.). About recreational therapy. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://www.atra-online.com/about-rt

Get Your CEUs Today

 Recreational Therapists Voices

Nearly 7 in 10 Recreation Therapists Work Alone.

Are You One of Them?

We recently asked our Facebook and Instagram communities:

“Are you the only recreational therapist where you work?”

The response was overwhelming.

A total of 103 recreation therapists participated across two social media posts.

Here’s what we learned:

• 70 recreation therapists (68%) said they are the only recreation therapist where they work.
• 33 recreation therapists (32%) said they work alongside other recreation therapists.

The comments painted an even richer picture of our profession.

Recreation therapists shared that they serve in behavioral health, inpatient psychiatry, physical rehabilitation, skilled nursing, long-term care, memory care, assisted living, adult day health, public schools, special education, pediatrics, and geriatrics.

Many solo CTRSs explained that although they are the only recreation therapist, they often lead or work alongside recreation assistants or activity professionals. Others described the joy of being part of a larger recreation therapy department and multidisciplinary team.

Several common themes emerged:

• Be proud of your CTRS credential.
• Continue educating others about the value of recreation therapy.
• Solo practitioners often become leaders, advocates, and program builders.
• Recreation therapists value connecting with colleagues who understand the profession.

Why This Matters

If you’re the only recreation therapist where you work, you’re not alone.

In fact, nearly 7 out of 10 respondents reported being the sole recreation therapist in their organization. That reality makes professional connections more important than ever.

Stay connected with colleagues through communities like Rec Therapy Today, where recreation therapists can share ideas, celebrate successes, and learn from one another.

We also encourage recreation therapists to become involved with the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). Professional associations provide valuable opportunities for networking, advocacy, leadership, and advancing the profession. While Danny Pettry is not a spokesperson or representative for ATRA, he is a proud Lifetime Member and encourages recreation therapists to consider membership as one way to stay engaged with the profession.

Thank you to everyone who participated. Your voices help strengthen recreation therapy and remind us that no matter where we work, we’re part of a much larger professional community.

 Danny’s Corner

June also brought Father’s Day, which gave me an opportunity to spend time with both of my parents. I took Mom and Dad to Dad’s favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, for dinner. Good food, good conversation, and time together made for a meaningful celebration.

Life Insight: Some of our most important experiences aren’t found on a bucket list—they’re found around a dinner table with the people who matter most. ❤️

Monthly Article Feature

The Best Adventures Don’t Require a Passport

By: Danny W. Pettry II, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, NCC, CTRS-BH

Sometimes the next great adventure is just outside your front door.

This month, challenge yourself to explore more. Take a walk on a new nature trail. Visit a local park you’ve never explored. Attend a community event, concert, or festival. Try a new hobby, create something with your hands, or reconnect with friends over a shared activity. Every new experience has the potential to improve well-being, build confidence, strengthen relationships, and create lasting memories.

Don’t forget to explore intellectually, too.

Learning is one of the most meaningful forms of exploration. Whether you’re discovering a new intervention, strengthening your clinical skills, or earning continuing education credits, investing in yourself benefits every person you serve.

At Rec Therapy Today, we’re proud to support recreation therapists through affordable, evidence-informed self-study CEU courses that fit your schedule. Explore a new topic, sharpen your practice, and continue growing—one course at a time.

This month, make a commitment to explore something new. Your next favorite place, experience, idea, or opportunity may be waiting just around the corner.

FREE PDF Gift — Coming Soon….

🎁 A Free Gift Is Coming!

Before the end of June 2026, everyone subscribed to Rec Therapy Today will receive a FREE PDF copy of Rec My Life!

Inside you’ll discover 101 real-world experiences designed to help you explore more, create meaningful memories, and live life more intentionally.

This isn’t just another journal.

Each experience invites you to leave evidence you lived by attaching:

• 📸 A photo of your adventure
• 📄 A second keepsake, such as a ticket stub, brochure, postcard, business card, sticker, receipt, map, flyer, or other memento

Over time, your journal becomes a personal scrapbook filled with memories and experiences that tell the story of your life.

We’re putting the finishing touches on the Rec My Life website, so keep an eye on your email. We’ll send your complimentary PDF download before the end of June.

We hope it inspires you to explore more, experience more, and leave evidence you lived.

Congratulations to

Our June 2026 Giveaway Winners!

Enter the July 2026 Giveaway!

amazon gift card

Who couldn’t use a little extra spending money?

This month, Rec Therapy Today is giving away:

• One (1) $25 Amazon Gift Card
• Nine (9) $10 Amazon Gift Cards

How to Enter

Complete the entry form before 12:00 p.m. (Noon Eastern) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

Everyone is welcome to enter!

Winners will be selected at random from eligible entries and announced in a future issue of Rec Therapy Today.

Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Good luck, and thank you for being part of the Rec Therapy Today community!

Never Miss an Issue

Rec Therapy Today has been supporting recreational therapists every month since 2004.

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