2025 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions
October 18–20, 2025 | San Antonio, TX
The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2025 ATRA Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.
For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance
For information on our Bonus Day at Morgan's Sports on Friday October 17th, please visit: ATRA San Antonio Bonus Day: Morgan's Sports
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC approval is currently pending. Please check back for updates prior to the conference.
Note: Poster presentations may be eligible for CEUs in 2025. Final determinations will be reflected once CEU approvals are finalized.
For questions related to specialty certification areas, please refer to the PDF version of the program for designation icons and CEU-eligible sessions.
Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.
Note on Non-ATRA Activities:
Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA San Antonio program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.
“Communitas and Liminality Reimagined”: Renewing Overnight Programming for the Future of Recreational Therapy
Session Description
In this interactive session, I will explore overnight programming as a viable tool for building community and addressing a client’s social goals. I will define key terms that contribute to the inherent benefit of overnight programs across different populations serviced by CTRSs, as well as explore theoretical frameworks that both explain why the benefits are consistent across populations as well as provide a foundation for programmers to foster a stronger sense of community in their programs.
This session will include the speaker’s personal perspective, a brief and synthesized review of literature, theories related to the benefits and outcomes of overnight programs, and a reflection on what has been covered and achieved through discussion. Attendees will have opportunities to discuss their own experience and the populations they work with and will gain a deeper understanding of how to foster community and address social goals for their clients.
Learning Outcomes
1. Attendees will be able to identify at least 3 ways that overnight programs foster community across different populations.
2. Attendees will walk away with at least 3 ways that they can foster community in their own programs.
3. Attendees will gain an understanding of communitas and liminality as a function of therapeutic programming.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Business/Private Practice
Child and Adolescent
Community
Management
Military/Veterans
Older Adults
Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine
All
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/560fe1fae1bb4def67a465480e2f523c.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Ben Rivet, University of Tennessee at Knoxville")
Ben Rivet, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Biographical Information
Ben is a master's candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He received a Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Tennessee in 2023, and now serves on the TREE Team, a team of therapeutic recreation graduate students who oversee the planning and implementation of camp programs for individuals with disabilities. Ben has 3 years of experience with the University of Tennessee's Camp Koinonia programs, as well as experience planning and facilitating overnight travel opportunities for individuals with disabilities with The Travelling Gnomes in Denver. Ben is currently doing an independent study on the therapeutic benefits of overnight programming across different populations.