Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP)

The Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) provides opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities to acquire skills that enable them to participate in leisure experiences of their choice and enhance their abilities to function within a community setting. The TRP staff provides advocacy and inclusion support for individuals with disabilities to enjoy general recreation activities, as well as specialized therapeutic programs that include opportunities in the following core areas:

Arts and culture;
Sports, fitness and aquatics;
Social enrichment;
Community integration/leisure education;
and outdoor adventures.

It is the goal of the Therapeutic Recreation Program to provide a positive, safe, and fun recreation experience for all individuals. To provide you with the best possible experience, we have developed the following policies:

Appropriate social behavior is stressed during all programs. The staff and volunteers will do their best to ensure each participant’s success in the programs.
If a participant’s behavior is detrimental to the group or self (kicking, biting, hitting, self-abusing, refusal to stay with the group, etc.), a parent or guardian will be called to pick up the participant immediately.

Learn more about a few of TRP's programmatic offerings by watching the videos below:

TRP Overview

Aquatic Rehabilitation

Splish Splash Bash

Adaptive Water Skiing

Inclusion provides the right to leisure, quality of life, and aid through support, assistance, and/or accommodations. One mission of the Therapeutic Recreation Program is to support neighborhoods through the operation of Recreation Services and to provide programs to targeted populations through partnerships with the community. Inclusion services are offered for people of all ages who choose to participate in general recreation programs sponsored by the Recreation Services Division.

Inclusion Process

Individuals will register for a program of their choice through the City of Colorado Springs Recreation Services division.
Please answer the question titled “Inclusion Coordinator” regarding requesting an accommodation or having a disability. If there is not an option, please reach out to the program contact and share that you would like to be contacted by the Inclusion Coordinator.
The Inclusion Coordinator will reach out to the individual/family to determine the individual’s needs to participate in the chosen program and report back to the program staff regarding the accommodation(s).
Inclusion process will begin with identifying support needed.
Inclusion Coordinator will periodically observe the program to provide support and/or answer questions. (provide additional training)
Communication between the Inclusion Coordinator, the program staff, and the individual/family is continued throughout the cooperative inclusion process.

Inclusion Eligibility Requirements

Meeting age and registration requirements of the program (i.e. registration is based on chronological age, not developmental age)
Following the rules of conduct
Voluntary participation: participation is encouraged, not forced.
Level of participation: the participant is engaged in activities for at least 75% of the time.
Ability to use a consistent form of communication to indicate basic needs and to follow basic directions

TRP is a proud partner with the National Inclusion Project. Our goal is to provide better training to general recreation staff on how to be more fully inclusive in their programming. We also aim to be a better resource for general youth recreation activities and community centers in the areas of advocacy, education, and training. Through this partnership, we want to help make inclusion the expectation, not the exception. For more, visit www.inclusionproject.org.

For more information about the inclusion process, please contact Ashley Bordenet at Ashley.Bordenet@coloradosprings.gov or at 719-385-6953.

View the Ability Awareness Training Flyer

A resident in the TRP Ability Awareness program plays cornhole in their wheelchair.

Purpose

The Ability Awareness Training was developed to help gain a better understanding and acceptance of individuals with disabilities. Attitudes of intolerance, biased presumptions, labeling, and outdated terminology can all affect the way individuals with disabilities are viewed and treated.

Objectives

Give individuals an opportunity to simulate different disabilities to increase their awareness of abilities versus disabilities.
Give individuals an opportunity to examine their own attitudes and feelings about disabilities.
Increase awareness to improve customer service.
Support diversity and inclusion in the city of Colorado Springs.

Training Topics

Common myths and disability facts
Disability characteristics
Words with dignity & disability etiquette – person-first and identify-first language
Common barriers for people with disabilities
Americans with Disabilities Act: Basics
Experiential disability simulations:
- Intellectual/developmental disabilities
- Hearing impairments
- Learning disabilities
- Physical disabilities
- Sensory processing disorders
- Visual impairments

Meet Your Trainers

The Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP)’s purpose is to enable persons with disabilities to participate in recreation opportunities of their choice. The TRP staff include three Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) with over 50 years of combined experience working with individuals with disabilities of all ages and diagnoses.

For more information or to schedule a training, contact Felicia Barnhart at Felicia.Barnhart@coloradosprings.gov or at 719-385-6964.

We are moving to a new registration portal for recreation programming in 2025. Registration and facility bookings will not be available until 9:00 a.m. on January 15 as we transition to the new system. Get a head start and create your account by visiting https://coloradosprings.gov/CreateAccount.

Volunteer with us

Therapeutic Recreation Program volunteers take a picture together in front of a body of water.

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the Colorado Springs Community? Join us as a volunteer for the Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP)!!! The TRP is designed to empower adults with disabilities by offering enriching recreational activities, promoting social connections, and fostering personal growth. From arts/culture to sports/fitness and social events, every moment you spend with our participants makes a difference in their lives and yours!

Why Volunteer?

Transform Lives: Help create memorable experiences that bring joy and confidence to others.
Learn & Grow: Gain valuable skills in communication, leadership and empathy.
Build Community: Form lasting connections with participants, families, and fellow volunteers.
Personal Reward: There's nothing more fulfilling than seeing the smiles that you created!

Who can volunteer?

No special skills required - we're looking for a willingness to learn and share your time. Whether a student, professional, retiree, or simply looking to give back to the COS community, we have a place for you.

For more information, please contact Casey Grice at Casey.Grice@coloradosprings.gov or at 719-385-6965.

Therapeutic Recreation Internships

TRP Internship Manual

TRP Internship Application

Interested in participating in an internship with the Therapeutic Recreation Program? We offer 15-week internship three times a year during the summer, fall and winter/spring seasons. Interns are expected to work 40 hours/week for a total of 600 hours logged.

Deadlines to apply

Summer Internship (May/June-August/September)

March 15

Fall Internship (September-December)

June 15

Winter/Spring Internship (January-May)

October 15

How to apply for an internship with the City of Colorado Springs:

Complete and submit the internship application.
Attach a current resume related to the position for which you are applying.
Include up-to-date college transcripts (copies/unofficial transcripts are acceptable.)
Include two letters of reference/recommendation.