The mission of Northeast Passage is to create an environment where individuals with disabilities can recreate with the same freedom of choice, quality of life, and independence as their non-disabled peers.
We do this by developing, delivering, and evaluating innovative barrier-free recreation and health promotion programs. Our guiding principles are promoting client independence through education and problem solving, creating opportunities, and collaborating with others to create a strong network of accessible recreation.
History
Northeast Passage (NEP) was founded in1990 as a private non-profit
organization. In March of 2000, after years of successful collaboration,
NEP officially merged with the University of New Hampshire as the
service branch of the Recreation Management and Policy Department
within the College of Health and Human Services.
Philosophy
Listen carefully to consumers needs, think creatively to solve problems, attend to details, work as a team and explore the possibilities!
See Us In Action
NEP Movie Clip.mov (approx. 2
min.) Quicktime Player
NEP Staff
 Jill Gravink, CTRS/L Director/Founder |
David Lee, CTRS/L Assistant Director Program Operations |
 Tom Carr, CTRS/L Assistant Director Outreach & Athletics |
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 Keely Ames Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator |
 Cathy Thompson, CTRS/L Program Specialist |
 Chandler Bullard Outreach & Program Support |
What is a CTRS?
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist:
Recreational Therapy (RT) utilizes various methods and techniques to promote independent physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of individuals who experience disabling conditions. RT interventions assist individuals with disabilities, their friends and families in coping with the stress of illness and disability and prepare them for managing their disability so that they may achieve and maintain optimal levels of independence, productivity, health and well being, therefore reducing their need for further medical services due to secondary conditions. In many ways, recreation therapy embodies the principles and practices associated with empowerment, self-direction, prevention, and independent living. Recreation Therapy within the community focuses on interventions that promote health, functional independence, inclusion, activity and quality of life.
The therapeutic recreation profession has a national credential and an independent certifying entity. A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist must meet eligibility requirements, pass a knowledge-based exam developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), and be recertified every five years. The academic path necessary to sit for the exam requires individuals to complete a baccalaureate degree or higher with a major in therapeutic recreation. The curriculum includes course content in therapeutic recreation and general recreation, supportive coursework in related disciplines (e.g. psychology, human development, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, neurology) and an extensive internship in therapeutic recreation practice under the direct CTRS supervision.
If you are interested in Therapeutic Recreation as a career, please visit the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Recreation Management and Policy.
