Therapeutic Recreation programming is designed to enhance the overall quality of life and to meet the social, cultural, recreational, physical, and rehabilitation needs of clients served by Parsons. Staff provide activities enabling children and families to reach their full potential, always linking these activities to treatment goals and the agency mission.

The staff facilitate opportunities for youths' improvement in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical functional abilities in relation to play and recreation participation. In addition, the staff provide and seek opportunities to enhance youths' overall development and adjustment to the community. Annually, more than 300 youth from the Neil Hellman School, Residential Treatment Facility, Day Treatment, Foster Care, Community Group Homes, Residential Treatment Center, Foster Care, Prevention, and the Home and Community Based Waiver program benefit from recreational programming.

The staff provide direct oversight of the gymnasium, pool, challenge course (REACH), sports, summer program for public school youth, and agency-wide events such as the spring talent show. The staff also facilitate continued growth through a range of campus and community-based activities, non-competitive exercise classes such as aerobics, art and music-based activities, and purchase of services from external recreation programs.

Therapeutic Sports Program
Staff work cohesively with youth to teach teamwork and cooperation, address self-esteem, and engage youth in physical activity. Basketball, cheerleading, flag football, soccer, softball, and volleyball are offered on a seasonal basis to all clients associated with Parsons. Youth in need of added support are referred to the sports program and independent community sports integration is sought.

Summer Program
The summer program offers eight weeks of programming to Parsons' public school youth. The program is divided into two groups: the recreation component includes youth ages 7 to 13 and the prevocational program includes youth ages 14 to 19. The recreation group participates in weekday trips from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to area parks and special interest venues. The prevocational program is further divided into groups of three, with one job coach supervising each group at local community worksites. The prevocational program operates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and enjoys Friday fun trips similar to those of the recreation component.

REACH (Risking, Exploring, Adventuring, Challenging, Healing) is Parsons' challenge course program, and contains both indoor and outdoor courses.