Nature As A Recreation Therapy Intervention

*This course has been pre-approved by NCTRC for 5 clock hours.

This course will cover how nature can be used as a Recreational Therapy intervention for people of all ages and ability levels. The past and present use of nature as a therapeutic modality across settings will be discussed. This course will highlight the benefits of using nature within RT programing and provide an introduction to the types of nature interventions that could be used. Important policy and program considerations needed to effectively incorporate nature-based intervention into your RT practice will be shared. At the completion of this course, participants will need to pass an exam with a minimum score of 70%. Participants must complete the course within 365 days of starting the course to receive a completion certificate.
Purchase Now! - $60

Course Objectives

  • At the completion of this course participants will be able to identify 1 benefit of nature interventions within each domain of health.

  • Participants will be able to identify 3 populations that can benefit from nature-based interventions.

  • Participants will be able to identify 2 planning considerations to consider before implementing a nature intervention.

  • Participants will be able to identify 2 areas of inherent risk to address when leading programs outdoors.

Wendellyn Hershberger, CTRS

Instructor Bio:

Wendellyn Hershberger is a CTRS who graduated from Indiana University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Recreational Therapy. She has worked in a variety of settings, providing Recreational Therapy to children and adults with disabilities of all ages in camps, in homes, and in the community. This has allowed her to work with participants with TBI, Autism Spectrum Disorders, CP, mental illness, Down Syndrome, and many others. Throughout her experiences she has started a new travel program that integrates a variety of nature activities within programming and provides inclusive learning to all ages. Wendellyn has also taught at a Forest Preschool, providing inclusive learning for children with differing ability levels in an all outdoor environment. She is passionate about providing healing through the outdoors/nature and early intervention.

Wendellyn Hershberger, CTRS

SMART Instructor