Dates and locations announced for the 2012 Fundamentals Of Horticultural Therapy classes
Perkins School
for the Blind
Watertown, MA
October 11-14, 2012
Anchor Center
for Blind Children
Denver, Colorado
November 1-4, 2012
Elkus Ranch
Half Moon Bay, California
November 15-18, 2012
More about Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy
Learn how to combine a passion for gardening and helping people through the innovative field of horticultural therapy. Join students from across the country to learn more by enrolling in the first class in the certificate program, Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy this fall in one of three locations. To complete a full certificate in HT plan to attend three additional classes. Each will be offered in Colorado and California in 2013.
HTI Intern Forum
Launched September 1, 2011
Linking People and Plants
The Horticultural Therapy Institute (HTI) introduces the first online multi-media educational and professional networking forum just for people who are preparing for, pursuing, currently doing or are supervising horticultural therapy internships. This new resource is designed to enhance the intern experience by providing participants with the opportunity to:
- Learn from an HT professional who has led many interns into various types of successful practice
- Engage in professionally led and thought-provoking discussions
- Receive feedback on successes and issues from an experienced HT
- Network among current and future horticultural therapy professionals
- Be inspired by successful projects shared by other interns as well as learn from challenges faced
- Post pictures and descriptions of favorites projects as well as those with cautionary tales
- Connect with others working with the same population or environment
- Find and share resources
Click Here To Join!
Why a forum?
In addition to being required for professional registration with AHTA, internships are valuable learning experiences that provide opportunities to apply learned knowledge to real clinical situations. The Horticultural Therapy Institute is committed to provide education that prepares students to practice HT with confidence and professionalism. The forum is designed to meet the needs of individuals as they transition into practice in their own communities. The HTI Intern Forum does not take the place of an internship supervisor. Nor does it directly match prospective interns with sites or supervisors. The purpose is to help build relationships, while equipping and enabling prospective and current interns as well as supervisors to make the most of the HT internship experience. The process of sharing successes, challenges, hopes and fears leads to emerging HTs that are versed in problem solving and versatility. Often geographical barriers separate us from others learning in the field of horticultural therapy. The HTI Intern Forum provides those valuable connections instantly.
Moderator:
Karen L. Kennedy, HTR, who has worked for 25 years in the field of HT, and supported interns in various working environments, will moderate the Intern Forum. She has developed and led therapeutic, wellness and vocational HT programs and is experienced with HT in many different settings. See Karen's full bio.
Forum and Networking Features:
The forum site is composed of sections that allow participants to create a personal profile and blog as well as to connect with others through member pages, interactive forum, photos and videos. The forum section has ongoing discussions in a variety of categories to interest people in various stages of the internship process - from seeking to supervising. New topics are initiated both by participants and the moderator. For example, those seeking internships are able to compare notes with others seeking sites, creating new internships at a facility, looking for supervisors as well as explore internship sites through participant’s experiences. Issues relevant to the intern experience such as session development, staff and client relationships and developing creative ways to address client goals through creative, seasonal plant activities are of interest to current interns. Supervisors have their own category in which to discuss administrative and other issues to facilitate success for interns, staff and the facility.
Interns are able to use the forum to blog about their day-to-day experiences. This helps others get a sense of what it is like to work in a particular environment, site or with a particular population. It also gives interns a place to process experiences with the support of the Intern Forum community. Prospective interns can use this space to record their journey in finding a suitable site that best meets their needs.
Photos and videos are an extremely valuable and popular section of the Intern Forum. Posted with respect to client privacy and in accordance to facility rules, members have the ability to share photos of beautiful gardens, greenhouses and creative projects to inspire others. This is also a great way to get feedback in the project development phase or in the event of unforeseen problems.
Click Here To Join!
The official launch date of the Horticultural Therapy Institute Intern Forum is September 1, 2011. Introductory rates are available through January 31, 2912. Join the forum to have access to this incredible resource and engaging community.
Costs for a 1-Year Membership
Until January 31, 2012: $75 HTI current/past student, $125 non affiliate.
After January 31, 2012: $125 HTI current/past student, $175 non affiliate
If you have taken at least one class with the HT Institute you are eligible for the discounted rate.
