leadership

I am excited to continue working with my fellow BCTRA Board members to advocate for, and advance, the field and profession of therapeutic recreation.

As a Board we accomplished a lot over the past 2 years! In particular, we developed a strong brand for BCTRA giving us a clear identity and direction, created a suite of promotional tools for the practice of therapeutic recreation and updated our website. This year our focus is supporting members during the continuing pandemic and moving forward with strong advocacy efforts to ensure that the government and employers know the value and benefit of therapeutic recreation services.

I’m an ardent supporter of physical recreation in all people’s lives. It has always played a big role in my life and as I read more and more research extolling its benefits, not only its physiological benefits, but also its benefits for brain health, I’m motivated to continue to have it play a central role in my leisure. Currently walking, baking, reading, and zoom meet ups with family and friends gives me wonderful opportunities to experience “flow”. Post-pandemic I look forward to pursuing more travel adventures!

My life’s passion is Therapeutic Recreation (TR). TR has been a part of my life since I graduated from high school in 1979! In my TR practice I have worked primarily with Older Adults. I love the TR process and how individuals engage in recreation programs tailored to their interests with adaptations that meet their needs. It is pleasing when individuals experience success and find new pursuits to enjoy. I am currently employed as a Recreation Therapist for an Adult day program in Interior Health. I’ve done some work with Douglas College as well – I enjoy supporting students.

I am volunteering as Director of Membership because I believe that in order to be fully recognized for our practice individual Recreation Therapists across the province must find ways to engage as members of their professional association. During my term I will be reaching out to past members, current practitioners and new members.

Although TR is my passion, I also cherish time with my family and friends I enjoy participating in leisure activities including good conversations, reading, learning, snowshoeing, swimming, walking and being in nature, I love music and have learned to accept the TV during covid!

As the Director of Communications, I look forward to connecting with other passionate recreation professionals through email and our social media platforms. While completing my Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation degree at Douglas College in 2020, my studies largely focused on the benefits of recreation and leisure in the fields of older adult care and mental health. The more I completed research and various projects the more my enthusiasm for TR grew.

Since graduating I’ve been working with older adults in a long-term care setting and truly enjoy helping others increase their quality of life through recreation. When I’m not working, my time is spent in nature, working on various creative projects, and listening to podcasts.

Be sure to follow BCTRA on Instagram and Facebook!

Hello BCTRA members! I am very excited to continue my term on the Board of Directors as your Director of Education. I grew up in North Vancouver and began my post-secondary education in Ontario with a degree in Kinesiology. My Therapeutic Recreation education journey started at Mohawk College in Hamilton, and I later transferred into the third year of the degree program at Douglas College. While my passion in TR is working with older adults, I had many great experiences during student placements in community mental health programs that helped shape me as a Recreation Therapist and as a person. After graduating with my TR degree in 2017, I worked in a long-term care facility before taking a job as Recreation Manager at an Assisted and Independent Living community in Vancouver.

I look forward to supporting your continuing education and professional development as best I can!

Hello BCTRA Members! I am excited to be continuing my involvement with BCTRA as the Director at Large responsible for the Regulations Portfolio. I have previously been involved with BCTRA as the Northern Ambassador and as a member of the Regulations Task Group. I graduated from Brock University in the Fall of 2013 and soon after traveled from my home province of Nova Scotia to British Columbia. I am passionate about the role of Recreation Therapy in the field of mental health and substance use and have been fortunate to have worked in acute psychiatric and rehabilitation sites across the province. When not at work, I am an avid cyclist and enjoy riding Vancouver’s bike lanes. In the winter, I can be found on my skis.

I am very excited to be returning to the Board of Directors in my second year as Secretary/Treasurer. I previously served as Student Liaison (2014-2016) and Director of Regulations (2017-2019), during which time I developed an enthusiasm for developing and implementing strategic planning and branding initiatives.

I completed my Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation degree at Douglas College in 2017, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Rehabilitation Science degree at the University of British Columbia. I have a passion for working in mental health and I am working as a Recreation Therapist with mental health, substance use, and primary care clients in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Hello BCTRA! As a student working my way through my Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation I am SO excited to be here as Student Liaison! Already feeling inspired by this wonderful community, I can’t wait to settle in to learn and work alongside this team. I am passionate about inclusivity in the community and empowering others through wellness, and I hope to share this through the study and practice of Therapeutic Recreation!

When I’m not in class or studying TR, I can be found exploring the lower mainland area’s beautiful trails, curling up with my kitten and a book, or enjoying a good cup of coffee with friends.

I graduated with my degree in Therapeutic Recreation in 2018 while working in Long-term care. I have a passion for working with the older adult population but also found it very rewarding to learn about mental health during a practicum experience. I have worked on the coast and currently live and work within the Interior. My greatest joys are my family and spending time doing what we enjoy together; skiing, hockey and renovations are just a few of our favourite hobbies. I enjoy volunteering and have had many enriching experiences with different organizations.

Last year I assisted with the Education Committee and was honored to be nominated for the Regional Director position. I look forward to working with the board members while continuing to promote the TR career and grow as a practitioner.

As the Director at Large for Promotions, I am looking forward to my role advocating for an incredible field alongside inspiring people! I grew up in Gibsons, on the Sunshine Coast. As a kid, I was lucky to have beaches, forests and mountains nearby, and parents who recognized the value in exploring these wild places. My journey into the field started in Nova Scotia, where I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management in 2009 at Acadia University. I graduated from Douglas College in 2020 with my degree in Therapeutic Recreation and am currently working in Nanaimo, as a Recreation Coordinator in Complex Care. In my leisure time you can find me exploring the beaches, forests, mountains and rivers – I’ll never say no to a good puddle jumping opportunity!

I look forward to my time on the Board of BCTRA, to advocating for the field and to getting to know each of you!

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: info@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

I live by the Oyster River in Comox Valley, on Vancouver Island. I am very excited to support some much needed advocacy for TR in the North Island region! Currently I work for Comox Valley Family Services as an Outreach Worker. I support moms facing various challenges in a pre/postnatal health & wellness program. I have previously worked in a wide variety of settings and with most populations. Connecting with older adults through TR has been a true gift, and I also very much enjoy the dynamic field of mental health. My specialty areas are nature/ horticultural therapy and end of life / grief work.

I completed my bachelor degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Douglas College, after which I obtained my CTRS designation. I also have a certificate in horticulture as well as community counseling.

My leisure time often consists of reading a book by my woodstove, photographing wildflowers, foraging for mushrooms, playing with my cat Cholo, and shakin it on the dance floor!

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: regionalambassadors@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.

Jane is originally from Nova Scotia. She grew up on a military base and graduated from Concordia University in Recreation. She has a wonder husband and two beautiful girls.  She loves skiing, quilting, canning, gardening, exercising, hiking, travelling and the list goes on.

My name is Jennifer Davis, I was raised in Northern British Columbia and I began my career in 2009 when I graduated from the College of New Caledonia with a certificate in Long term Care/Home support.

I worked for The Northern Health Authority in both a Long Term Care facility and in 3 Mental Health and Addiction group homes. In 2013, I continued my studies and completed a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Saskatchewan Polytechnic (SIAST).

In 2015 my husband and I moved to Kelowna and I began working as a Recreation Therapy Worker at the Interior Health Authority and Baptist Housing. I am planning on continuing my education as I am passionate about Therapeutic Recreation as a profession and helping those in need.

A few of my interests and hobbies include hiking, gardening, painting, baking, camping, fishing and spending time with my family.

This position is currently vacant. Please contact: regionalambassadors@bctra.org if you are interested in this role.