Service-learning focused on the professional advancement of recreation therapy

Abstract

Service-learning can provide students with opportunities to gain invaluable insight related to the context of professional practice while offering practical benefits to the recreation therapy profession. Recreation therapy students, through their senior capstone management course at the University of Southern Maine, planned, implemented and evaluated a professional conference that focused on recreation therapy licensure. Students not only obtained practical knowledge and training, they also provided a timely educational opportunity for recreation therapy specialists in Maine and New England. Just as importantly, participation in this service-learning project greatly enhanced the students’ professional identities.