PHOTOS PROVIDED Shown are heart wreaths made by Lock Haven University recreation management students, together with residents from the Memory Care Unit at Haven Skilled Rehabilitation and Nursing in Lock Haven. The students planned and executed the activity with the residents.

LOCK HAVEN– In February, three Lock Haven University recreation management students visited residents at Haven Skilled Rehabilitation and Nursing in Lock Haven. Angela Walter, Kayla Smith and Laura Rook, all in the therapeutic recreation track at LHU, worked with the residents in the Memory Care Unit to create heart wreaths together.

The students are required to complete programming hours in which they plan and execute meaningful leisure or recreation activities and-or events within the community. Recreation management majors must complete no more than 25 community service hours and at least 25 programming hours for a total of 50 service hours.

Walter, a senior at LHU, said she had participated in a class project at the center before, and thought it would be nice to go back to work with the residents again. The three students provided most of the supplies for the activity.

“The benefits from doing a project like this with the Memory Care Unit residents is knowing that something as small as putting together this heart wreath can bring them enjoyment,” Walter said. “The residents do not always have the ability to make autonomous decisions, but when we do leisure or recreation activities with them, they gain some of that back. It becomes meaningful to both them and to us.”

Smith, LHU junior, said she enjoys doing these types of activities as a way to give back to the community in a meaningful and therapeutic way. “Doing activities similar to this, helps us as emerging professionals to ensure we can provide quality activities that are appropriate for our client group,” she said.

For more information on Lock Haven University, visit www.lockhaven.edu, email admissions@lockhaven.edu, or call 570-484-2011.