Teaching & Research

  • Volunteers and staff working with tools

We take pride in preparing the next generation of therapists at the University of New Hampshire through practical classroom and living lab teaching. We also conduct clinical research demonstrating the efficacy of our work and new advances in the field of Therapeutic Recreation.

Students from the University of New Hampshire and beyond are welcome to join us for job shadowing and volunteer opportunities, tours of the office space, and practicum placements.   We accept student interns looking for an internship experience in therapeutic recreation under the supervision of one of our Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS).

Courses Taught by Northeast Passage Staff

RMP 500: Therapeutic Recreation Methods in Physical Rehabilitation Setting
RMP 613: Interventions and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation
RMP 615: Clinical Applications in Therapeutic Recreation
RMP 664:  Recreation Management and Policy Internship
RMP 720/820: Adaptive Sports and Recreation Facilitation
RMP 963: Field Practicum for Adaptive Sports

Course Descriptions

Northeast Passage staff also serve as guest lecturers in other courses within Recreation Management and Policy and related departments at the University of New Hampshire.

Ongoing Research at Northeast Passage

We believe that community based, goal directed, recreational therapy interventions can play a significant role in new and emerging healthcare models leading to the reduction of healthcare costs and improved quality of life for individuals living with disabilities. While the vast majority of Recreational Therapy programs are housed within larger medical facilities, Northeast Passage is free standing.  This structure allows our therapists to use the full breadth of skills and techniques within the RT scope of practice to maximize a client’s quality of life, investment in personal health, independence and community engagement.  While we do offer a full menu of adapted sports opportunities, our research focuses on the efficacy of our goal based recreational therapy interventions.

Our focus areas include Therapeutic Recreation services in school systems, and 1:1 community based interventions for individuals with acquired physical disabilities and those aging into and with disability.

Community-Based Recreational Therapy - Research Summary PDF

Published Research Articles Relating to Northeast Passage

  • McNamara, S. W., Craig, P., Henly, M., & Gravink, J. (2024). Relegated to the Sidelines: A Qualitative Inquiry of Gatekeepers’ Perspectives and Values of Physical Education for Disabled Children. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2023-0174

  • McNamara, S., Craig, P.J., Henly, M., & Gravink, J. (2024). Unveiling ableism: How disability still leads to marginalization of children in physical education spaces. 2024 SHAPE America National Convention and Expo Research Program, Peer-Reviewed Abstracts, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 95(sup1),524-525. https://doi.org/10.108/02701367.2024.2313964

  • Bennett, J. L., Craig, P. J., Aytur, S., Thompson, T., Roscoe, H. S., & Gravink, J. (2022). Community-Based Recreational Therapy for Veterans with Behavioral Health Disorders: Impacts on Quality of Life, Participation, and Happiness. Community Mental Health Journal,  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-022-00962-6

  • Craig, P. J., Barcelona, B., Aytur, S., Amato, J., & Young, S. J. (2019). Using inclusive sport for social change in Malawi, Africa: A research-based case study. [Special issue on global and cultural perspectives in TR]. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 53(3).

  • Barcelona, R., Craig, P.J., Aytur, S., Amato, J., & Frye, M. (2018). UNH Sports Inclusion- Malawi. Sub-award submitted to Indiana University School of Public Health: Youth Enrichment through Sports (YES) Africa Program. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and    Cultural Affairs (ECA) – Sports Diplomacy. Funded: $40,000. 
  • Aytur, S., Craig, P. J., Frye, M., Bonica, M., Rainer, S., & McGilvrary, M. (in press, 2018). Through the lens of a camera: Exploring the meaning of competitive sport participation among youth athletes with disabilities. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 52(2).
  • Thompson, C.V., Bennett, J.L., Sable, J.R., & Gravink, J. (2016). Northeast Passage PATH (TM) Program: A strengths-based and recovery-oriented approach for veterans who experience mental health disorders. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 50(2): 138.
  • Wilder, A., Craig, P. J., & Frye, M. S. (2014). Therapeutic Recreation Empowering Kids: Exploring best practices in transition. American Journal Of Recreation Therapy, 13(2), 33-48.
  • Craig, P. J. Wilder, A., Sable, J. R., Gravink, J. (2013). Promoting access, transition, and health: A community-based approach to managing chronic health conditions. ATRA Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, 21.
  • Wilder, A., Craig, P. J., Sable, J. R., Gravink, J., Frye, J., & Carr, C. (2011). The PATH-way home: Promoting access, transition, and health for veterans with disabilities. Therapeutic Recreation Journal. 45(4), 268-285.
  • Sable, J. & Gravink, J. (2005). The PATH to Community Health Care for People with Disabilities: A community based therapeutic recreation service, Therapeutic Recreation Journal,XXXIX, 78-87.
  • Sable, J. & Bocarro, J. N. (2004). Transitioning Back to Health: Participants’ Perspective of Project PATH. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, XXXVIII, 206-224.
  • Bocarro, J. N. & Sable, J. (2003). Finding the right PATH: Exploring familial relationships and the role of a community TR program in the initial years after a spinal cord injury. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, XXXVII, 58-72.
  • Sable, J. (2003). The efficacy of PATH (Promoting Access, Transition and Health): A community based therapeutic recreation intervention. ATRA Research Abstracts, 18-25.
  • Sable, J. & Gravink, J. (2002) In-home therapeutic recreation intervention for people with recent spinal cord injuries. In B.Wilhite, M.J. Keller, & L. Epps (Eds.), In-home therapeutic recreation: Successful strategies and services (pp. 72-93). Arlington, VA: NTRS.
  • Gravink, J. (2002) Essay on disability and sports in Joukowsky, A., & Rothstien, L., Raising the Bar: New Horizons in Disability Sports. Ppg.73. Umbridge Editions
  • Sable, J., Craig, P. & Lee, D. (2000). Promoting health and wellness: A research-based case report. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, XXXIV, 4, 348-361.
  • Sable, J. & Gravink, J. (1999). Project PATH (Promoting Access, Transition and Health): A health promoting intervention for people with spinal cord injuries. Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, VIII, 33-42.
  • Sable, J., Powell, L., Gravink, J. (1997). Northeast Passage: Strengthening the empowerment process. Journal of Leisurability, XXIV, 1, 30-36.
  • Sable, J. & Gravink, J. (1997). Exemplary Program III: Northeast Passage. In Schleien, S., Ray, M.T., & Green, F., Community Recreation and People with Disabilities (pp. 194-198). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brooks.

Research Abstracts

  • Aytur, S., Craig, P. J., Barcelona, B., Amato, J., Ffrench, K., & Young, S. (under review, February 2019). Using inclusive sport to facilitate health in all policies: A research-based case study in Malawi, Africa.   American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, November 2-6, 2019, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Aytur, S., Bennett, J., Greig, A., Thompson, C., Craig, P. J., & Gravink, J. (2019). Individual and county-level factors associated with quality of life among Veterans with disabilities and behavioral health disorders.  Active Living Research Conference, February 17, 2019, Charleston, SC.
  • Bennett, J., Thompson, C., Aytur, S., Craig, P. J., & Gravink, J. (2018). Community-based Recreational Therapy for Veterans with disabilities: Impacts on functioning and quality of life. American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference, September 15, 2018, Grand Rapids, MI.
  • Bilynsky, N., Craig, P. J., Barcelona, R., Bennett, J., Gravink, J., Chalich, C., & McGilvray, M. (2018). Perceived competencies of adaptive sports professionals: A Delphi study. Disability Sport Conference, September 3-5, 2018, Coventry, UK.

  • Thompson, C., Bennett, J. L., & Sable, J. (2015). Northeast Passage PATH™ program: A pilot study of outcomes for veterans experiencing mental health disorders. Presentation at the 2015 American Therapeutic Recreation Association, Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, September 26-30, 2015.

  • Bennett, J. L., Trauntvein, N., Craig, P., Jeralds, M., & Lee, D. (2015). Constraints to Recreation Participation Among Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities. Presentation at the 2015 American Therapeutic Recreation Association, Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, September 26-30, 2015.

Recent Conference/Poster Presentations

  • Thompson, C., Aytur, S., Bennett, J., Craig, P.J., Wilder, A., & Gravink, J. (2018). The PATH to active living: Promoting Access, Transition, and Health for rural veterans in the home/community environment. Active Living Research Conference, February 11-14, Banff, Canada.
  • Aytur, S., Craig, P.J., Rainer, S., Frye, M., Bonica, M., Finn, E., Hapke, L., Annand, J., & Drum, C.  (2017). Physical activity participation at the nexus of social change: Exploring barriers and enablers of active living among persons with disabilities. Active Living Research Conference,   February 26-March 1, 2017, Clearwater, FL.
  • Aytur, S., Craig, P.J., Frye, M., Bonica, M., Rainer, S., Hapke, L., & Finn, E. (2017). Physical activity participation at the nexus of social change: Exploring barriers and enablers of active living among persons with disabilities. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, November 4-8,  2017, Atlanta, GA.