What Is Recreational Therapy?
Recreational therapy is an integral part of the total rehabilitation process. Leisure-time activities help define who we are, give life fullness, and keep us healthy. We have seen patients make dramatic improvement in their rehabilitation program when they rediscover their leisure-time activities.
Craig also offers an Adventure Program with unique opportunities for travel, sports and outdoor recreation. In addition, our Adaptive Equipment Scholarship is a way for us to partner with our graduates both to ensure they are getting the right piece of adaptive equipment and also to supplement a financial shortfall that prohibits them from acquiring equipment on their own.
Recreational Therapy, like many of the programs that contribute to Craig’s unique Culture of Care, is not covered by insurance companies and relies on charitable support to offer services to Craig patients, grads and their families. To achieve these important programs, the Craig Foundation produces a variety of fundraising events each year to raise money, including Pedal for Possible.
Recreational Therapy in Action
Limitless Recreation: Our former patients with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries have discovered that there are no limits to their recreational interests. They have participated in everything from hunting big game in Africa, to gardening in their backyards.
Rec at the Res: Our inpatients and families have so much fun at our newest outing, Recreation at the Reservoir, also known as Rec at the Res! The annual summer event offers paddleboarding, cycling, kayaking, nature hikes and more. The event is an evolution of our longstanding Hobie Day event, moving out from the beach and into the surrounding trails at Cherry Creek Reservoir. The day's activities are a great opportunity for patients to find recreation and independence while addressing specific treatment goals outside the walls of the hospital.
Hobie Day: For 40 years, Craig Hospital, in partnership with Denver Hobie Fleet #61, hosted Hobie Day – the largest patient outing of its kind. The event involved hundreds of staff and volunteers. Hobie Day provided patients with the opportunity to experience what is possible after catastrophic injuries through participation in "applied therapy," using functional skills. Patients and their families had an opportunity to ride Hobie Cats (small sailboats), take power boat rides, and enjoy a picnic lunch and music.
Families are an integral part of the rehabilitation process at Craig Hospital.
Our recreational therapy team gets to know each patient's recreational interests.
Craig offers a greenhouse with an accessible garden.
Craig Hospital has several accessible garden areas on the campus grounds with flowers and vegetables.
The Recreational Therapy staff works very closely alongside the rehabilitation team in meeting patient's goals.
We strongly encourage patients to participate in community outings.