ATRA SoCal
The Connection Rx: Prescribing Belonging Through RT
October 17-19, 2026 | Brea, CA
ATRA Socal 2026
Where Connection Creates Meaningful Change
ATRA’s Annual Conference is the largest gathering of Recreational Therapists in the country. Each year, professionals from across the nation and around the world come together to learn, collaborate, and shape the future of the field.
In 2026, we invite you to explore a powerful idea:
connection as the foundation of health and wellbeing.
The Connection Rx: Prescribing Belonging Through Recreational Therapy
centers on the
essential role Recreational Therapists play in fostering belonging, strengthening communities, and advancing systems that support social connectedness. At a time when
loneliness and isolation are increasingly recognized as public health challenges, Recreational Therapy offers a unique and vital solution. This year's conference will explore
how we connect to our clients, our communities, our profession, and the
systems that shape our work.
Centering connection in socal
What to Expect at ATRA SoCal
Throughout the conference, attendees will have opportunities to engage in shared conversations about the future of Recreational Therapy while also exploring ideas that strengthen their own practice and leadership.
Each day will be anchored by general sessions that bring the entire community together, creating a shared foundation for dialogue around the role of connection, belonging, and wellbeing in our work. Concurrent sessions will offer opportunities for deeper engagement and explore new approaches alongside colleagues who understand the challenges and possibilities of the field.
Additional opportunities for connection include post-conference workshops, Research Institute engagement, on-demand learning, and community building opportunities throughout the event, creating space for both structured learning and meaningful professional relationships.
ATRA SoCal is more than a conference; it is a gathering of professionals committed to advancing Recreational Therapy and strengthening the role of connection in health and wellbeing.
Download our What To Expect Infographic to learn more.
NOW ACCEPTING PROPOSALS
ATRA SoCal Call for Presentations
ATRA invites proposals for In-Person and On Demand educational sessions for the 2026 ATRA SoCal Conference. The 2026 Call for Presentations has been updated to a single, universal submission process that includes Research Institute Oral and Poster sessions and new and exciting speaker opportunities
Proposals are due by April 23, 2026
An Exciting Partnership
Meet Our Title Sponsor
Caliber Therapies
ATRA’s vision is a world where every person has access to recreational therapy. Caliber Therapies’ mission, to provide specialized, evidence-based therapies that advance health outcomes and ensure equitable access to care, aligns seamlessly with that vision. Where ATRA empowers the professionals who deliver care, Caliber Therapies creates the opportunities for that care to reach individuals and communities. Together, we can close the gap between those who provide therapy and those who need it most.
This partnership represents more than conference sponsorship. Together, ATRA and Caliber Therapies will collaborate on initiatives that support the recreational therapy workforce, including scholarship fundraising and opportunities that strengthen the future of our profession. We’re excited about what this partnership represents for ATRA, for our members, and for the field of recreational therapy.
View Caliber Therapies' scholarship merch here.
Start Planning for ATRA SoCal
Plan ahead for socal
Registration Rates
Registration for ATRA SoCal has not opened yet. Please utilize the pricing schedule to plan ahead.
Refund Policy: Refunds are not available except in extreme cases such as personal or family illness, death in the family, etc. Requests for refunds should be put into writing and submitted to conference@atra-online.com. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Peg Connolly Scholarship
Undergraduate, graduate and PhD student members of ATRA are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Peg Connolly Scholarship, which offers financial support for recreational therapy students to attend the ATRA Annual Conference.
Applications are due May 15, 2026 by 11:59 pm.
Martha Judge Scholarship
Professional members of ATRA who have never attended an ATRA Annual Conference (or who have not attended an in-person ATRA conference in over five years) are encouraged to apply for the 2026 Martha Judge Scholarship, which offers financial support for recreational therapy professionals to attend the ATRA Annual Conference.
Applications are due May 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm
Exhibit/Sponsor
ATRA is seeking Exhibitors and Sponsors for our 2026 Annual Conference! Join us in sunny SoCal for an exciting event centered on social connectedness.
ATRA SoCal Venue & Accommodations
ATRA SoCal will be held at Embassy Suites by Hilton Brea North Orange County, Brea, CA.
Explore Brea, CA!
Brea is known as "the city of art" and is considered Northern SoCal's hub for dinning, shopping, and art! Brea is also home to Orange County’s only redwood grove located in Carbon Canyon Regional Park, just a 10 minute drive from our conference venue!
View past conferences HERE.
