Recreational Services

The Recreation Department provides opportunities for children to play and be creative, a natural way of being for children. Play allows children to be transparent - that is to be themselves without fear of censure or consequence. This is of great therapeutic value for children and a wonderful opportunity for staff to engage kids in meaningful and profound ways.

There are of course the moments when a child is recognized for being the most valuable player of the basketball team or scoring the winning run in a baseball game and these are great moments when we all cheer and feel proud. But just as valuable is the first time a child jumps in the deep end of the pool and overcomes his fear of deep water or the child who gets his first hit in a baseball game after a dozen strikeouts.

If the least the Recreation Department does is provide children with some fun and exercise and maybe introduce them to something they have never experienced before then we are ahead of the game. If we provide a child with a lasting memory of playing on his first organized sports team or get them involved in Boy Scouts and that experience carries over to their life outside the Children's Home then we are REALLY of the game.