Outdoor Recreation

a. An article related to outdoor recreation for individuals with disabilities {w/ 1 page reflection} (10pts)

• "The Benefits of Therapeutic Outdoor Recreation" - Darice Britt

Other than mindless childhood fun, outdoor recreation has been proven to help build confidence in those who participate in it. As people participate in such activities, they are more willing to take physical risks and therefore tend to be more fit and healthy individuals. Once they know they are able to do an activity, they are more likely to continue doing the activity.

Outdoor recreation is often used as a form of therapy for those who are recuperating from injury or suffering from illness. It’s a fun way to get people active and slowly build up to more difficult tasks. As stated in the article, Darice Britt said, “the primary focus of treatment services, which are often referred to as recreational therapy, is to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning and independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability.” In recreational therapy, participants are encouraged to find their abilities rather than focus on their disability. By focusing on the right thing, whether that be through self-determination or positive reinforcement, the participant is more likely to be more successful and willing to continue with treatment and recreation.

Overall, outdoor recreation seems to have positive effects on those who participate. Some of those effects include “improvement in physical health status, psychosocial status, cognitive status, and an improved ability to deal with life, recreation, and community activities.” By simply doing fun activities, individuals can ultimately change their lifestyle.

b. Ideas/strategies found related to outdoor ed. for your specific activities (2pts)

In the article, Britt mentioned how South African runner Oscar Pistorius was the first double-amputee Olympic athlete. He was able to make it to the Olympics by participating in physical and recreational therapy treatments. Despite his disability, Pistorius was able to make it as far as he did by starting with small fun tasks first, and building on from there.

c. LESSON PLANS/WRITE UPS: (1pt)

*See below

d. Opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enjoy outdoor recreation activities (3 pt)

• George Washington National Forest has a number of accessible outdoor recreation activities:
  • A rope trail marked with braille signs at the Lion’s Tale Trail
  • A half-mile wheelchair-accessible route at the Story Book Trail
  • A fully accessible pier at Cole’s Point Fishing Site
• Massanutten has many opportunities for those with disabilities with Massanutten Adaptive Ski School.
• The Shenandoah Caverns have elevator accessibility and hands-on exhibits for those with visual impairments.

CITATIONS

Britt, D. (n.d.). THE BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC OUTDOOR RECREATION. Retrieved April 21, 2017, from http://source.southuniversity.edu/the-benefits-of-therapeutic-outdoor-recreation-102985.aspx

Duke, C. (n.d.). Accessible Shenandoah Valley. Retrieved April 21, 2017, from http://www.accessiblevirginia.org/shenval.htm