Therapeutic Recreation Internship Opportunities
The Bend Park and Recreation District offers undergraduate internships in therapeutic recreation and related fields under the supervision of two Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Internships are offered for 12-16 week periods each semester. Fall internships typically run from September through December; winter/spring internships run anywhere between January and May; summer internships run from June through early September. 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 12:00pm-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, special recreation).
• 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 lakes and rivers
• Rafting
• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Swimming
• Skiing
• Adapted sports
• Hiking
• Attending outdoor concerts
• Playing in local parks
• Developing arts and crafts projects
• Campouts
• Coast trip
• And much, much more!
To qualify for an internship at the Bend Metro 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
Download the Therapeutic Recreation Intern Manual
For more information, contact Cheryl Kelley, Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator at cheryl@bendparksandrec.org
To learn more about Bend go to www.visitbend.com
