I am modfying my career path to have a saftely net from IT.
I am developing a background in Recreational Therapy.
I hope to focus on age groups from 9 to 17 years old. And hope to have strong training in working with children with learning and behaivoral disorders such as ADD, ADHD, etc.
I will draw upon my years of experience in:
Guitar/music
Photography
Computers/Technology
Outdoors (hiking, fishing, climbing, etc.)
Teaching
Automotive
RPGing
Acting

All these skills I've developed over the years can tie in nicely with many different programs.
First I need to find the best schools/training programs.
I'm trying to create a national TOP 20 list.
Next I need to find some intern work as soon as possible at entry level.
I need o find a location that has:
A> One of the top 20 training programs
B> Has plenty of work available
C> Has a climate, culture, schools, housing, and life style conducive to healthy living for the family

Ouch, federal limits are being imposed restricing the amount of compensation for therapy related services!

Rec Therapy ATRA compliant School listings:

Arizona has 1 in Tempe UofA
No distance learning.
BS only.


California has 7
No distance learning.
Bacheclors and Masters in Science or Art both available.
several in Bay Area
1 in Sacreamento
Several in Southern CA, San Diega, Santa Clara areas.



Idaho has 1 (Moscow, ID) no distance learning, Bachelors only.
85 miles from spokane, wa.
300 miles from Boise, id

N.Carolina has 10.
No distance learning.
AS, BS/BA, MS/MA/MSRA
New York has Some distance learning courses available.
BS/BA, MS/MA/MSE, PhD

Oregon has NONE.

Utah has 2 (BYU and UofU)
No distance learning.
Offer BS/BA, MS, PhD, EdD
Provo and SLC only.

AS only offerd in Kansas, Maine, and New York

Only distance learning programs in:
Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Missippi, and Washington.


Other  (non-ATRA) Rec Therapy colleges:
1 listed in Oregon Eugene, OR, UofOR
8 listed in California.
2 listed in Washington


JObs:
Asst Director Rec Therapy
Chapel Hill, NC require BS & 6 yrs experience = 32k
ATRA listing

It appears the top 3 states offering the most Rec Therapy programs are:
California
New York
North Carolina

Currently one site lists 338 internship positions open.
2 in Idaho, Boise and Nampa
Mostly Wilderness based.
Boise is summer only.
Nampa is year round 15 week units.

Utah currentlylists  11:
wide variety.

oregon lists 3:
1 is girl scouts (women only)
1 is kids 0-18 in Portland
1 is portland parks and recreation

California lists 11

Arizona lists 1 in Phoenix at a Veterans facility.

North Carolina lists 6:
All over the state, wide range.

Therapeutic recreation website (same as above for intern listings) lists:
AZ=0
CA=1
ID=0
NC=0
OR=0
UT=0

hotjobs.com
Recreation therapy=15 total national
AZ=0
CA=5
ID=1 (up to 65k plus 10k signon courdealene)
NC=6
OR=0
UT=0

monster.com
recreation therapy=29
recreational therapist=39