THERAPEUTIC RECREATION NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2023

Our goal with this newsletter is to bring a creative spin to the way that we stay in touch while showcasing all the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department’s Therapeutic Recreation Division has to offer.

Group Photo

NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

November was a fun month for us as we celebrated our Third Annual Fun F.I.T. 5K with over 80 participants finishing the race. Our TR participants trained for 8 weeks prior to the race to increase stamina, build endurance and get accustomed to the 5K route at Walter Fuller Park. We are so proud of each one of our participants and the members of the public who completed the race. Congratulations to each of you on your hard work! A huge THANK YOU goes out to Dynasty Youth presented by Paramount Ballroom for sponsoring this wonderful event. We appreciate your partnership with the Therapeutic Recreation Program.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Are you in need of a neuropsychological evaluation for your child to help get them the support they are seeking? Dr. Kelsey Lisle at Bay Kids FL provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations to uncover your child’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as to create an individualized recommendation plan. Learn more about Bay Kids FL at www.baykidsfl.com/ 

 

The City of St Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department provides this information as a resource only for the consideration of those we serve.

REMINDERS / UPDATE

• Online registration stops 3 days before the program begins for all TR programs.

• TR programs must have a minimum of 4 participants to begin programming.

• Check with TR staff to ensure that your child’s Therapeutic Recreation Membership is up to date and their eligibility to register for programs is not impacted this winter season!

Parks & Rec Connect User Guide

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

TR Dances at Gladden Park

Come dance the night away with all your friends at our popular TR Dances. These dances are held bimonthly.


December 1: Holiday Party

Celebrate the holidays with all your friends in your most festive attire.

Time: 7– 9 p.m.

Cost: $10

Who: Adults 18 and over

Where: Gladden Park Recreation Center

Holiday Fun 

Enjoy some holiday cheer with your TR friends! 


When: Mondays 

December 4 – December 18 

Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m. 

Cost: $5 per session 

Who: Kindergarten and up 

Where: Azalea Recreation Center 

December 4 – Holiday Door Decorating 

December 11 – Holiday Craft Night 

December 18 – Cookies & Gift Wrapping

Kids Bowling 

Come learn new skills in a fun setting with your peers! 


When: Tuesdays, December 5 – December 19 

Time: 5 – 6 p.m. 

Cost: $15 for the month 

Who: Kindergarten – 8th grade students 

Where: Sunrise Bowling Lanes 

Adult Bowling League 

Bowling provides an opportunity for motor and social skill development while practicing etiquette in a fun community setting. There will be one 11-week session for the winter season. 


When: Tuesdays, December 5 - February 27 

Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m. 

Cost: $80 for the 11-week session 

Who: Adults, 30 participant spots available 

Where: Sunrise Bowling Lanes

NEW PROGRAM ALERT:

Challenge Island 

Introducing Antarctic Iceberg, a three-week, on-site program provided through Challenge Island. The challenge for this 3-week series will include learning about penguins, their habitats, adaptations, and how they move. We will be designing and building penguin sleds to learn more about inclined planes, and velocity and potential and kinetic energy. 


Challenge Island is a program provider for the City of St. Petersburg in collaboration with the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB). Participants will work in STEAM Teams® to tackle cross-curricular engineering challenges using only a treasure chest of low-tech supplies and their imaginations. With 140 locations across the US and worldwide, Challenge Island has partnered with 10,000 schools and served five million children through field trips, after school classes and summer programs.


When: Thursdays, December 7 – December 21 

Time: 6 – 7 p.m. 

Cost: FREE. Funded by JWB Enrichment Program 

Who: 6th grade and up 

Where: Azalea Recreation Center

Level Up 

Enjoy video games all night at TASCO’s Tech Center! Play by yourself or with your friends. There are plenty of games to choose from.


When: Friday, December 15 

Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

Cost: $5 

Who: 6th grade and up 

Where: Azalea Recreation Center

TR Family Holiday Party 

Come celebrate the holidays with your TR friends and family this holiday season! We will enjoy a catered dinner, music, and dancing along with holiday crafts to make and take home with you. We can’t wait to see you there! 


When: December 8 

Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Cost: $5 

Who: TR members & families 

Where: Azalea Recreation Center

Out on the Town: Holiday Shopping & Dinner

Adults just want to have fun! If you are looking for some entertaining and enjoyable outing to participate in, look no further. The Out on the Town program is a social-based program for adults who have finished high school. 


All participants will need to bring their own money and a shopping list for Holiday Shopping at Tyrone Square Mall. Once we finish shopping for our loved ones & friends, we will head back to Azalea Recreation Center to enjoy traditional Chili or White Chicken Chili and wrap the gift items purchased. 

When: December 16

Time: 1 – 8 p.m.

Cost: $5

St. Pete Gives Back 

This holiday season, we want to be a model for charitable giving. Starting November 20, and continuing through December 20, the following recreation centers will be collecting donations of nonperishable food and hygiene items to help us with our campaign.

• Azalea Recreation Center

• Gladden Park Recreation Center

• J.W. Cate Recreation Center

• Walter Fuller Recreation Center


On December 20, TR will be hosting a Family & Friends Night to sort and bag all the items collected to prepare for the donation drop off to help families in need this holiday season. This special event will be sure to teach everyone the gift of giving. Light refreshments will be provided for all who volunteer their time to help. 


Who: TR Members and family and friends 

Where: Azalea Recreation Center 

When: December 20 

Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Together we can make a difference.

Parks & Rec Connect Activity Calendar

TR WINTER BREAK CAMP

December 26 – December 29 

January 2 – January 5

Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Who: Kindergarten and up 

Where: Azalea Recreation Center 

December 26: Old McMicky’s Farm

Participants will travel to Odessa to explore Old McMicky’s Farm. We’ll investigate the grounds, learn about farming, and get involved feeding the pigs, milking cows, and riding horses. A box lunch with a choice of ham or turkey sandwich, chips, cookies and lemonade, provided by Publix, is included. 

Cost: $26 *We need a minimum of 15 to get the group rate*


December 27: Pajama Jam Party Day 

Participants will enjoy a day of holiday movies, snacks, Disney trivia, and an ultimate pillow dodge ball. Lunch will be provided by Firehouse Subs with a choice of ham, turkey, or meatball, along with chips and cookie. 

Cost: $16


December 28: Painting in the Park 

Participants will be traveling to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve for a tour of the Birds of Prey aviary and then head to Hammock Hall for an afternoon of painting, music, and fun. Lunch will be provided by Chipotle, which will include a rice bowl with chicken, cookie, and drink. 

Cost: $20


December 29: Inflatable Day

Participants will enjoy a day jumping and bouncing in our inflatable fun land and showcase their skills in the holiday maze. Lunch will be provided by Hungry Howie’s, which includes two slices of pizza, fruit, and drink. Be sure to wear socks and dress comfortably. 

Cost: $14 

January 2: Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow

Park Participants will enjoy a 2-hour snow tubing session on Snowy Slopes and all-day access to the Arctic Igloo, Alpine Village, Flurry's Outpost, and Crystal Ribbon activities area. Lunch will be provided, which will include two slices of pizza, fruit snack, and drink. All attractions, except Snowy Slopes, are wheelchair accessible. Please note: The Crystal Ribbon is wheelchair accessible within the main ice-skating rink. Guests in wheelchairs must always maintain control of their wheelchairs while on the ice. 

Cost: $54 


January 3: Wacky Tacky Sports Day

Participants will enjoy a day of wacky rules for flag football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. Lunch will be provided by Chick-fil-A, which will include nuggets, chips, cookie, and drink. Please be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle. 

Cost: $11


January 4: Marina Fun Day

Participants will enjoy a tour of the City of St. Petersburg Municipal Marina located in the Waterfront District of St. Petersburg. Afterwards, head to Mr. & Mrs. Crab Seafood Restaurant for lunch.

Cost: $20


January 5: Bingo, BBQ, and Bocce

Participants will enjoy the last day of Winter Camp participating in Bingo games offering some cool prizes. Lunch is BBQ. We’ll end the day playing a TR favorite, Bocce.

Cost: $8



Learn More & Register Here
Click here for more information about the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department's Therapeutic Recreation Division, programs, and resources.
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