Community and Therapeutic Recreation
St. Joseph’s University, New York recently hosted more than 110 students, faculty and recreation professionals for the annual Reunited in Recreation (RIR) conference. Hosted by the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, in collaboration with the New York State Recreation and Park Society, and the RIR team of educators from other universities and colleges in related majors, the event aims to bring together individuals from across New York to learn, network and explore different areas within the recreation field.
The conference included a variety of sessions that covered both community and therapeutic recreation. Topics ranged from career development, such as turning camp experiences into professional skills, to more specialized areas, including the use of artificial intelligence and virtual reality in therapeutic recreation settings. The presenters explained that virtual reality is not meant to be intense or overwhelming, but instead provides a calming and interactive experience. Through 360-degree videos, individuals can explore different environments such as beaches, travel destinations and guided meditation spaces. In addition, virtual reality can help address challenges like isolation, stress and pain, especially in long-term care and rehabilitation settings.
“The Reunited in Recreation conference represents an important opportunity to bring together educators, professionals and students to learn from one another, engage in thoughtful discussions, ask questions and share ideas that strengthen the field of recreation in both community and clinical settings,” said Veronica Kaninska, M.S.Ed., CTRS, senior teaching professor at SJNY. “We were happy to see many of our alumni who came back as professionals, and some even presented.”
Reconnecting in Person
One of the main ideas emphasized throughout the conference was the importance of reconnecting in person. Speakers explained that while many professional events have shifted to online formats over the past few years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual settings can limit opportunities for networking and real connections. The Reunited in Recreation conference, and other similar events, give students and professionals a space to meet face-to-face, build relationships and explore potential career paths.
Throughout the day, the sessions gave students a broader understanding of how diverse the field can be, the different directions they can take after graduation and more insight on how much the field of recreation focuses on people. Many of the professionals emphasized that their work is centered around improving quality of life, whether that’s through parks, community programs or healthcare settings.
The Reunited in Recreation conference was started at SJNY after the COVID-19 pandemic for students from colleges and universities in the New York area, as well as educators and professionals from the recreation field. The conference has since grown and has been replicated on the campuses of numerous New York institutions.
Photos From The Event
