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ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description
October 17–19, 2026
The Embassy Suites, Brea, California
2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions
October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA
The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. 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 On Demand Conference offerings, please visit: ATRA SoCal On Demand
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending fr all sessions for CEUs.
Once the program is pre-approved; 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 SoCal 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.
Developing Vocational Skills in Teens with Disabilities through Horticultural and Recreational Therapy.
Session Description
This session will review a unique program designed to develop vocational skills. Teens who have disabilities often have limited opportunities for summer programming, social interaction, and job skill development. We will explore the development of University of Tennessee Gardens’ Sow 2 Grow program. This program utilizes both horticultural therapy and recreational therapy techniques to give teens with disabilities opportunities to learn about horticulture and connect their interests to future career and leisure opportunities. This presentation will review the development of Sow 2 Grow from idea through implementation. This case example will give participants the ability to see the benefits of needs assessments, program piloting, and program implementation to develop a vocational skill straining program. Presenters will also discuss funding options and share an example of a successful grant application to fund future program development. The session will end with tips and recommendations on program development and evaluation to help practitioners apply recommendations to future program development or enhancement.
Learning Outcomes
1. identify three reasons to utilize needs assessments during the program development stage. 2. discuss the benefits of using horticulture and recreational programs to enhance vocational training for teens with disabilities. 3. explore at least three funding methods to help support recreational therapy programming.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Schools
Other
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/cbd7d2302a63c841f3e260f75d6c8745.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Derrick Ryan Stowell, University of Tennessee at Knoxville")
Derrick Ryan Stowell, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Biographical Information
Dr. Derrick Stowell has over 25 years of experience leading recreational and therapeutic programs. Derrick was a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee (UT) and directed Camp Koinonia in 2006. Derrick received his CTRS in 2007 and worked for the Amputee Coalition of American for five years leading their national youth camp program. He joined the University of Tennessee Gardens as their educator and developed horticultural therapy programs for a variety of community organizations. Dr. Stowell has focused his work on the benefits of horticulture/gardening as leisure and therapy. He became a Horticultural Therapist – Registered (HTR) through the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) in 2015. Derrick served on the Board of Directors for the AHTA from 2016-2018. He also served AHTA as President-elect (2021), President (2022), and Immediate-past President (2023). He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the horticultural therapy profession including AHTA’s Rhea McCandliss Professional Service Award (2016), American Horticultural Society’s Therapy Award (2022), and AHTA’s Lifetime Membership Award (2024). Derrick took a new position in August of 2025 as a Lecture and Internship Course instructor for UT’s Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies Department. He is sought out internationally for consulting on horticultural therapy program development.
Co-Presenter/Panelists
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/63919025e2735943f79d786c23d50555.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Alice Dupree MS, Univeristy of Tennessee")
Alice Dupree MS, Univeristy of Tennessee
Credentials
MS, CTRS
Biographical Information
Alice Dupree is an emerging Recreational Therapy practitioner and newly credentialed CTRS (2025). She completed her Recreational Therapy Internship at the University of Tennessee Gardens in 2023, where she focused on the use of horticultural therapy to promote wellness, engagement, and connection to nature. Alice earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she is now pursuing a PhD in Recreational Therapy. Her doctoral research explores the role of Recreational Therapy in public school systems, with an emphasis on access, inclusion, and the therapeutic benefits of nature-based interventions. Alice is passionate about integrating the outdoors into therapeutic practice and is committed to advancing the field by demonstrating the power of horticultural and recreational therapy across diverse settings.