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Upcoming Recreation Therapy Events

Our Health and Wellness Clinics are for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities. These clinics provide the opportunity to become physically active and gain insight to achieving a well-balanced lifestyle.

Health and Wellness Clinics are held throughout the year. Download the Recreation Therapy Upcoming Events flyer to stay up to date on the latest events. 

Download 2024 Recreation Therapy Yearly Program Events

In-Person Programming

    August Waterski Clinic    

    This event will take place at Lake Allatoona in Acworth, GA. Participants will have the opportunity to join the Shepherd Center and local disabled athletes to learn the basics of waterskiing. This course offers educational and hands-on demonstrations of adaptive water skiing. Please note there is a 200 lb. weight limit due to equipment capacity.   

    • Date: August 3
    • Time: TBD 
    • Location: Atlanta Waterski Club Site - Lake Allatoona 
    • Cost: $20 (includes instruction and equipment)    

    Washington DC Clinic     

    This event will take place in Washington DC and will be sponsored by the Jack Trottier Foundation. Participants will have the opportunity to join the Shepherd Center and Catalyst Sports for a clinic focusing on adaptive climbing. This course offers educational and hands-on demonstrations. Please note that participants will be responsible for securing their own transportation for this event  

    • Date: August 10     
    • Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.  
    • Location: Sport Rock , 5308 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304  
    • Cost: Free! – Thanks to the generosity of the Jack Trottier Foundation (includes t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)     

    Two therapists assist a woman as she lifts herself out a her wheelchair to begin rock climbing.

    People are sitting on chairs in a fitness room, facing large, black, teardrop-shaped punching bags hanging from the ceiling. A man in a red shirt with boxing gloves is exercising with assistance.

    August Boxing Clinic     

    This event will take place at Pepper Boxing in Atlanta, GA.  Participants will have the opportunity to join Shepherd Center and Pepper Boxing instructors for a 50-minute fitness class. This course offers educational and hands-on demonstrations. Equipment will be provided.      

    • Date: August 21    
    • Time: 9:30-11:00 a.m.    
    • Location: Pepper Boxing in Atlanta, GA, 3090 Early Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30305     
    • Cost: $20 (includes t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)     

     September Golf Clinic     

    This golf clinic will be with Shepherd Center Recreation Therapists and Georgia State Golf Association. This course offers education and hands-on demonstrations. The event will be held at Bobby Jones Golf Course.     

    • Date: September 4th   
    • Time: 9:00-12:00 p.m.  
    • Location: Bobby Jones Golf Course , 2205  Northside Drive, NW,  Atlanta, GA 30305   
    • Cost: $20 (includes t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)    

    A man in a gray cap and shorts practices golf with the guidance of an instructor in a blue shirt. The man is using a wheelchair, and several other people are in the background on the golf course.

    Charleston Clinic    

    This event will take place in Charleston, SC. Participants will have the opportunity to join the Shepherd Center and Adaptive Expeditions for an outdoor clinic focusing on adaptive surfing. This course offers educational and hands-on demonstrations. Please note that participants will be responsible for securing their own transportation for this event. 

    • Date: September 14    
    • Time: TBD
    • Location: TBD 
    • Cost: Free! – Thanks to the generosity of the Jack Trottier Foundation (includes t-shirt, instruction, equipment, and lunch)  

    Camp Twin Lakes Clinic     

    This event will take place at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. Participants will have the opportunity to join the Shepherd Center and Camp Twin Lakes for various outdoor and adventure-based activities. Please note, participants will be responsible for securing their own transportation for this event. Meals, lodging, equipment, and instruction are included. 

    • Date: September 20-22  
    • Location: Camp Twin Lakes- Rutledge,1391 Keencheefoonee Rd, Rutledge, GA 30663  
    • Cost: $125 for participants and $125 for family member/attendant (includes meals, lodging, t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)    

    Hiking Clinic    

    This event will give the opportunity for participants to join the Shepherd Center to learn more about adaptive hiking. This course offers educational and hands-on demonstrations. Event location will be determined closer to the program date. 

    • Date: October 4    
    • Time: TBD
    • Location: TBD
    • Cost: Free! (includes t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)    

    People in wheelchairs are playing tennis on an outdoor court with a few onlookers around. Tennis balls and equipment are scattered across the court.

    Tennis Clinic    

    This event will take place at Blackburn Park in Brookhaven, GA. Participants will have the opportunity to join the Shepherd Center and local disabled tennis athletes/instructors to learn more about wheelchair tennis. This course offers educational and hands-on demonstrations. This program is being funded by the ALTA Foundation.  

    • Date: October 6     
    • Time: 9:00-12:00 p.m.  
    • Location: Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road Brookhaven, GA 30319   
    • Cost: Free! (includes t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)    

    Birdwatching Clinic  

    This event will take place at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Participants will have the opportunity to join the Shepherd Center and The Georgia Audubon Society in this guided birding adventure. This guided tour will increase your skill and knowledge in birding, community mobility, and camaraderie with other bird watchers. This program will also offer lunch at completion of guided tour.  

    • Date: October 8   
    • Time: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
    • Location: Atlanta Botanical Gardens,1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30309 
    • Cost: $20 (includes t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)  

    Two women in wheelchairs are birdwatching with binoculars.

    Two people are working on a terrarium project at a table.

    Fall Horticulture Clinic  

    This event will take place at the Callenwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta, GA.  Participants will have the opportunity to join Shepherd Center and Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance for a horticulture clinic that will focus on a basic horticulture/nature craft session. Program activity will be basic floral arrangements.   

    • Date: October 17  
    • Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 
    • Location: Callenwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road NE Atlanta, GA 30306 
    • Cost: $20 (includes t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)  

    Mexico Trip with Wheel the World 

    This event will take place in Riveria Maya, Mexico. Participants will have the opportunity to join Shepherd Center and Wheel the World for an international adventure through Mexico. Please note that participants will be responsible for securing their own airfare for this event. Please visit the Wheel the World website for additional information about touring Mexico with Shepherd Center. 

    • Date: January 18-23, 2025   
    • Location: Riviera Maya, Mexico
    • Cost: $2,990 for participants and $2,990 for family member/attendant (includes most meals, lodging, on site transportation/shuttles, bilingual guide, t-shirt, instruction, and equipment)   

    Burnalong Online Fitness Programming 

    Shepherd Center Collaborates with Burnalong to Provide Online Wellness Programming for Neurological Conditions

    Burnalong is an online wellness platform and interactive community, that offers 50,000+ live and on-demand classes. Shepherd Center has partnered with Burnalong to provide custom content such as adaptive workouts, yoga, art, mindfulness and meditation, education, classes in Spanish, and so much more for people with neurological conditions. In addition to Shepherd Center classes, Burnalong offers 70+ categories for all ages, including traditional fitness, nutrition, finance, chronic conditions support, and even dog workouts.”

    To register for Burnalong, please scan the QR code or apply discount code SC22a (annual subscription) or SC22m (monthly subscription) using the Burnalong discount link. 

    Graphic of a QR code that goes to the Burnalong registration site.

    *If you are a current in- or outpatient of Shepherd Center, please email burnalonginfo@shepherdcenter.org for your complimentary subscription.

    All questions can be sent to burnalonginfo@shepherdcenter.org

    August Fitness Series Focus: Tai Chi   

    This event will take place at online on the burnalong platform. Participants will have the opportunity to join Shepherd Center instructors for a live 45 minute tai chi based fitness class. This course offers educational and hands-on demonstrations.         

    • Date: August 6, August 13, August 20, and August 27  
    • Time: 11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m      
    • Location: Online virtual platform       

    Recreation therapist Shannon Ali leads a strength and cardio class on the Burnalong platform.

    October Fitness Series Focus: Cardio/Strengthening    

    This event will take place at online on the burnalong platform. Participants will have the opportunity to join Shepherd Center instructors for a live 45 minute cardio and strengthening based fitness class. This course offers educational and hands-on demonstrations.         

    • Date: October 1, October 8, October 15, and October 22
    • Time: 11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m      
    • Location: Online virtual platform       

    Registration

    Registration is required for all events and opens at least six weeks prior to the start of the class or course. Most courses require a small fee; however, financial assistance is available. Please contact Katie Harmon at katie.harmon@shepherd.org for more information regarding requirements for financial assistance.

    Remember to register in advance for classes, courses, and trips to join our Health and Wellness Clinics.

    Register for Recreation Therapy Events

    Questions?

    For more information or requests for assistance, please contact Katie Harmon at katie.harmon@shepherd.org.