Main Office: 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 320, Newport News, VA 23606

Phone: 757-926-1400, fax: 757-926-1460

Telecommunications Assistance: use VA RELAY 7-1-1

For current programs, see our Quarterly Tabloid (pages 28 – 29).

The Therapeutic Recreation Program provides a wide range of recreation programs and leisure opportunities for children and adults who have special needs that may limit their involvement in recreation programs often offered to the general public. Our goal is to provide services and resources to enable participants with special needs to acquire new leisure and recreational skills appropriate to their level of skill and interests.

All programs are developed and supervised by a nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with the National Parks and Recreation Association. For more information on the Therapeutic Recreation Program and the activities provided, call 926-1400.

Therapeutic Recreation Programs:

For school age children ages 4 – 21 with physical, emotional, developmental and/or mental disabilities. Programs are geared to enhance living, leisure, and social skills through a variety of activities including arts and crafts, swimming, field trips and much more. The Rising Stars Program is licensed with the Department of Social Services as a childcare facility.

For individuals ages 11-21 years with physical, emotional, developmental, and/or mental disabilities. Programs are geared to enhancing living, leisure, and social skills through a variety of activities including arts and crafts, swimming, non-competitive games, field trips, volunteer experience, and much more. The Bright Futures After School Club is licensed with the Department of Social Services as a childcare facility.

The Playgroup is sponsored by Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism’s Therapeutic Recreation Program and Newport News Family Focus. Playgroup is for children 8-36 months. Cost is $10.00 per month.

Come out and enjoy an evening of refreshments and Bingo at RecClub’s Birthday Bingo Blast. Our party is held the last Friday of each month from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. All adults 21 years and older with developmental and/or mental disabilities are welcome to join in on the fun. The total cost for this eventful evening is $1.00. To reserve your space at our party, call 926-1400

Fall, Winter, & Spring the Therapeutic Recreation Program, along with Newport News Public Schools’ Parent Educator Resource Center (PERC), Smart-One, Inc., Kidz, and PADDA (People with Developmental Disabilities Association), offers a monthly speaker series on various topics. The aim of the Speaker Series to help educate parents and guardians on the resources that are available to them, and to provide any assistance possible in raising a child with special needs. For more information or to be put on the mailing list, call 926-1400.

Newport News Special Olympics provides year-round sports, training, and athletic competition to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Athletes participate in swimming, bowling, basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, ice skating, martial arts, weight lifting, and much more. For more information or to register for the Special Olympics Program, call 926-1400.

Girl Scout Group 5056 invites you to join our dynamic group. This program is for girls’ ages 7 and older with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. Girls Scouts provides the opportunity for girls to earn badges and patches while improving their daily living and leisure skills. If you would like more information, call 926-1400.

Summer Camp Program

2008 dates TBA
The Therapeutic Recreation Program – Camp Cheers for children with emotional disabilities and Camp Discovery for children with physical, social and cognitive disabilities is held each summer for eight weeks at one of the local Newport News Schools. Campers must be between the ages of 2 ½ and 21 years of age. Campers participate in such activities as arts and crafts, adaptive physical education, water play, competitive and non-competitive sports, talent shows, art shows, cook-outs, picnics, and much, much more. Snacks and lunch are provided daily.

Space is limited and the camp fills quickly. For more information and/or to schedule an assessment call 926-1400.

Therapeutic Recreational Instructional Classes

Disability Awareness Day (D.A.D.)

(Fall 2008)
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism’s Therapeutic Recreation Program along with the Patrick Henry Mall, the Newport News Mayor’s Committee on Disabilities, and Fox Screen Print provide Disability Awareness Day each October at Patrick Henry Mall. Disability Awareness Day is designed to further awareness of individuals with special needs. Countless individuals and agencies volunteer their time to make this event an annual reality. Highlights of the event include educational displays, entertainment, demonstrations, and live performances. If you are interested in getting involved in this celebration or would like more information, call 926-1400.

Therapeutic Recreation Internship Program

The Therapeutic Recreation Program provides a comprehensive paid internship experience in Therapeutic Recreation. The program takes students from all over the country majoring in or concentrating in Therapeutic Recreation. There are 3 full-time Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists on staff to supervise various aspects of the internship program: administration, supervision, and implementation. If you are interested in applying for or would like more information on the Therapeutic Recreation Internship Program, call 926-1400.