At Casa Pacifica therapeutic recreation is a part of each child’s daily treatment. Just as medicine may assist a cancer victim therapeutic recreation helps a traumatized youth heal. It is one of our strongest vehicles to help youth discover their strengths and develop a positive self image. It is often during recreation therapy the youth realize a vision for themselves or something they just love and want to pursue in life. And with that comes hope for a brighter future and healing. Our recreation therapists are certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and California Board of Recreation and Park. Certification (CBRPC, Inc.).
Recreation therapy activities are offered to all youth on campus at least twice daily, after school, evenings and weekends. It is considered part of their daily program and therefore, all youth are required to participate. Our program offers many physically as well as creative activities. Our sports programs in particular are highly supported through volunteer involvement. We separate our activities for age appropriate activities and treatment needs. Also, our climbing horizontal wall encourages many of our youth who love to climb an opportunity to challenged themselves and not be unsafe.
Our weekly hikes to near by National Forest areas continues to challenge our teens on their endurance abut also gives them an opportunity to explore nature at the same time. Beach trips, surfing and kayaking and very popular activities enable our youth to expand their horizons in area of strength, self confidence and just having fun. Our fitness room has really assisted us with many of our youth who have challenges with their weight and self image. The equipment offers them the ability to burns energy and increase self confidence. One thing that we always offer our youth is the option to suggest and activity they would like to do. Our creative program spans from painting, clay sculpturing, wood working weaving, knitting and many various crafts which the youth love to do. We have yoga, dance, fit and stretch classes, music and Tae Kwon Do.
Additionally, we have special events that we offer year round such as: Halloween Carnival, Easter egg hunts, Easter service, Seder (Jewish celebration of Passover), Prom, Holiday Party and End of Summer Blast. We are very fortunate to provide with youth recreation opportunities that they might not otherwise have experienced such as water and snow skiing, surf lessons, dance and music therapy, Disneyland, equestrian therapy and a therapy dog, Archie right on campus.
During each school break Recreation Therapy provides camps: Winter break (two weeks), Spring break (two weeks) and Summer break (6-10 weeks). All of these camps provide our youth with educational experiences such as the Getty museum, Natural History Museum and California Science Museum and also fun places such as Aquatic centers, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studio and many more. Youth are given the opportunity to have a day camp experience they might otherwise not experience due to their emotional challenges.