Therapeutic Recreation Internship Opportunities
The Bend Park & Recreation District offers undergraduate and graduate internships in therapeutic recreation under the supervision of two Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Internships are offered over 12-15 week periods each semester. Fall internships typically run from September through December; winter/spring internships run between January and May; summer internships run from June through late August. Each student will be expected to work 40 hours per week with some overnight trips. Schedules are quite varied, but fall and winter/spring therapeutic recreation internship hours roughly look like: Tuesday/Thursday 9:00am – 12:00pm and 2:00pm – 7:00pm; Wednesday 12:00pm-8:00pm; Friday 12pm-8:00pm, Saturday 10:00pm-4:00pm. A typical summer internship schedule is: Tuesday/Thursday 12:30pm to 9:00 pm, Wednesday/Friday 12:00pm to 7:30 pm, and Saturday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The student intern will typically have Sunday and Monday off, however, the annual campout is scheduled as a Saturday – Monday trip.
The intern experience will include:
• Hands on experience with specialized, inclusive, and adaptive recreation programs.
• Exposure to a wide range of physical and intellectual disabilities.
• Exposure to all aspects of the therapeutic recreation process.
• Exposure to all aspects of recreation administration (outreach, special events, fundraising, budgeting, program development, volunteer coordination, marketing, and public relations).
• Training in most park and recreation program areas (youth, senior, outdoor, TR Programs)
• Preparation for the NCTRC exam.
• Stipend of $100 per week if you find your own housing OR $50 per week if you live in District housing where you may be asked to share a room.
Interns will be exposed to a wide variety of activities such as:
• Exploring central Oregon
• Rafting
• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Swimming
• Coast trip
• Snowshoeing and skiing
• Hiking
• Attending outdoor concerts
• Playing in local parks
• Developing arts and crafts projects
• Campouts
• And much, much more!
To qualify for an internship at the Bend Park and Recreation District, candidates must possess:
• Current First Aid and CPR certification
• A clean criminal background
• A commitment to fun and safety
• Valid driver's license with good driving record
• Experience working with people with disabilities
Deadline for Winter/Spring Internships: October 1, 2011
Other intern application deadlines: Summer: March 1, 2012 Fall: June 10, 2012
For more information, contact Cheryl Kelley, TR Program Coordinator (541) 706-6121, cheryl@bendparksandrec.org.
To learn more about Bend go to www.visitbend.com
