February is Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month in Canada.

This time each year, practitioners promote and advocate for the field, which helps people to overcome barriers through engagement in recreation and leisure opportunities.

On Wednesday Feb. 10 beginning at 2 p.m., students from the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Program Planning (RECL 3P32) course, invite you to celebrate TR Awareness Month on campus.

Booths and activities led by TR students will be set up in the hallways of Mackenzie Chown, Thistle and Computer Commons, with the goal of promoting the role of leisure in our daily practices. 

Third-year TR student Alana Bertolo says, “I hope Brock students will stop at the booths and take a moment to reduce the stress of mid-terms. We want them to be aware of their own mental health by realizing the importance of taking care of themselves both physically and mentally. I believe by promoting this, we can help our fellow students remember what they enjoy doing in their free time. Even listening to music or walking can be viewed as a relevant way of participating in leisure.”

The various booths will give students the opportunity to focus on: leisure and stress, laughter yoga, adapted sports, mindfulness, and meditation.

“Promoting TR Awareness Month on campus is a great way for Therapeutic Recreation students to promote their future profession and our role in enabling all individuals to achieve quality of life through meaningful participation in recreation and leisure,” says Recreation and Leisure Studies Assistant Professor Colleen Whyte.

Whyte is also a member of the Niagara Therapeutic Recreation Network (nTRn). As part of TR month, RECL students are invited to view the documentary ‘Cyber Seniors’ at the Landmark Cinema at the Pen Centre on Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. This event is hosted in partnership with nTRn and Brock University’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

On twitter? Use the hashtag #TRmonth for more information.