Therapeutic Recreation Intern

Make an Impact This Summer — Become a Therapeutic Recreation Intern!

City of Kentwood – Parks & Recreation Department

Are you passionate about recreation, inclusion, and helping every person enjoy meaningful experiences? Are you pursuing a career in therapeutic recreation or a related human-services field? The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a Therapeutic Recreation Intern to assist with planning and delivering adaptive and senior programming throughout the summer.

This hands-on internship is a great opportunity to gain experience working with individuals with disabilities and seniors (50+), build your professional skills, and play an important role in creating accessible recreation opportunities for all.

What You’ll Do

As a Therapeutic Recreation Intern, you will:

Plan and lead adaptive and senior recreational, social, and enrichment activities

Assess participant needs and modify activities to support success and inclusion

Foster a welcoming, supportive, and encouraging environment

Complete attendance records, incident reports, and other required forms

Supervise participants to promote safety, engagement, and social interaction

Assist with program materials, supplies, set-up, and organization

Provide basic office support (phone calls, mailings, data entry, etc.)

Support a collaborative team committed to meaningful recreation access

This role combines recreation leadership, hands-on learning, and real-world impact.

About You

You are empathetic, patient, and motivated to help others succeed. You enjoy being active, working as part of a team, and thinking creatively when adapting activities.

Minimum Requirements:

High school diploma or GED

Currently pursuing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field

At least one (1) year of experience working with individuals with disabilities and/or seniors, OR equivalent experience

Valid driver’s license

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

For full details on qualifications and responsibilities, view the complete job description here.

Internship Details

Seasonal summer internship (dates align with Parks & Recreation seasonal programming)

Primarily outdoor and recreation-based work, with some indoor/office tasks

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and assist with participant transfers when needed

Work environment includes parks, activity centers, and community locations

Why Intern With Kentwood Parks & Recreation?

You will:

• Gain hands-on TR experience with a diverse population
• Build skills in program planning, adaptation, and evaluation
• Work alongside a supportive and experienced team
• Have meaningful impact through recreation and inclusion
• Learn while having FUN outdoors and in community settings

At Kentwood, you won’t just shadow — you’ll contribute.

Apply Today!

If you’re ready to grow your skills, gain real-world experience, and help create inclusive recreation opportunities, we’d love to hear from you!