(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  Celebrate National Therapeutic Recreation Week: July 12-18, 2009 by getting involved with the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department, Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) summer camps and programs! Now, some of you reading this are probably questioning yourself "What is Therapeutic Recreation? I do not know if I have heard of that before?"

Therapeutic Recreation uses a holistic approach to continually maximize the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Within the philosophy of Therapeutic Recreation, it is believed that leisure, recreation and play are natural and necessary aspects of human development. Involvement in leisure, recreation participation and social, peer and family relationships are crucial to positive development and to maintain the highest quality of life possible.

There are many individuals who have disabilities, impairments, and illnesses affecting their cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual domains which in turn build barriers that limit their full participation in gratifying, beneficial and valuable leisure experiences. These individuals have the same need for and right to positive leisure opportunities as the non-disabled.

Therapeutic Recreation, practiced in residential, clinical and community settings, utilizes a range of services and activities that include: leisure education, recreation participation, and positive socialization to improve the quality of life of its participants by inducing positive change in the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual domains.
The purpose of Therapeutic Recreation is to assist and facilitate individuals in restoration, adaptation and inclusion to achieve the optimal quality of life, independence and well-being. Therapeutic Recreation's goal is to enable individuals to develop and express a satisfying and independent leisure lifestyle through new recreational experiences, peer involvement, skill development, and leisure awareness.

The City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, Therapeutic Recreation Services is committed to providing challenging, innovative, inclusive, accessible and cost-efficient recreation programs which enhance the health, well-being, and quality of life for all persons with disabilities.

While activities and events are run throughout the entirety of the year; the summer season offers a wide range of day camps available:

•    15th Annual Camp at the Bay: Monday, July 13-Friday, July 17 (10:00am-3:00pm). Campers, ages 7 to adult, with any disability will experience jet skiing, water skiing, tubing, sailing, kayaking, crafts, handcycling, and much more! Siblings and friends are welcome to attend. Camp meets at North Crown Point Shores.
•    Camp Wet and Wild: Monday, July 27-Friday, July 31 (10:00am-3:00pm). Campers, ages 7 to adult, with any disability will enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, crafts, special exhibits and a field trip! Siblings and friends are welcome to attend. Camp meets at South Mission Beach.
•    Kidzone Adventure Camp: Monday, August 10-Friday, August 14 (9:00am-3:00pm). Campers, ages 6 to 12, with any disability join the adventure this summer in visiting fun spots around San Diego. Siblings and friends are welcome to attend. Cost includes: t-shirt, daily field trips, admission, and transportation costs.
•    Registration for the above camps: By phone, please call (619) 525-8247/ TDD (619) 692-3866
•    Enrollment is limited and camps do fill up fast, so call early. Partial scholarships for all TRS camps are available to those who demonstrate need. More information for each camp will be mailed out upon registration. The cost for each camp is $157.50 (City Resident) / $165.00 (Non-City Resident)
•    Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp: Tuesday, August 11-Saturday, August 15 (8:00am-3:00pm) Please call San Diego Adaptive Sports Foundation at (619) 336-1806 for details and cost.
So, please celebrate this year's National Therapeutic Recreation Week, July 12-18, 2009, by getting involved, staying active, and challenging yourself to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities and yourself!

Written by Stephanie Brown