The Camp Koinonia
Dr. Gene A. Hayes
Dr. Hayes is the Executive Director of The Camp Koinonia Foundation and a professor in
the Department of Exercise, Sport, and Leisure Studies at the University of Tennessee. He
holds a BS degree from California State University in Recreation Administration, a Master’s
degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of North Carolina, a doctoral degree in
Therapeutic Recreation from Columbia University in New York, and a Ph. D. at North
Texas State University.
Before moving to the University of Tennessee in 1984, Dr. Hayes was Associate Professor of
Recreation and Leisure Studies at Virginia Tech from 1976 to 1984. He has also taught at
California State University in Fresno, The University of Iowa, The University of Waterloo in
Canada, and Texas Woman’s University. He has published over 50 articles, given more than
150 professional presentations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels,
and has also successfully written 2.0 million dollars in federal and state grants.
Dr. Hayes developed Camp Koinonia in 1977 while at Virginia Tech and continued the camp
at The University of Tennessee. While at the University of Tennessee he has developed other
experiential recreation programs over the years. Project TRiPS (Therapeutic Recreation in
Public Schools), Camp Clubhouse for children with Spina Bifida, Vision Camp, and Camp
Koinonia II. He has assisted with 'Grief Camp' for children, and weekend and summer
programs for children with disabilities.
His current interests and funded activities include: working with therapeutic recreation students
in developing and conducting outdoor education/recreation programs for children with
disabilities, placing students in public school special education classrooms to conduct therapeutic
recreation programs, and working with his companion dog, Lanai, in rehab centers, hospitals,
nursing homes, classrooms, and camps for children with disabilities.
Dr. Hayes is the Executive Director of The Camp Koinonia Foundation and a professor in
the Department of Exercise, Sport, and Leisure Studies at the University of Tennessee. He
holds a BS degree from California State University in Recreation Administration, a Master’s
degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of North Carolina, a doctoral degree in
Therapeutic Recreation from Columbia University in New York, and a Ph. D. at North
Texas State University.
Before moving to the University of Tennessee in 1984, Dr. Hayes was Associate Professor of
Recreation and Leisure Studies at Virginia Tech from 1976 to 1984. He has also taught at
California State University in Fresno, The University of Iowa, The University of Waterloo in
Canada, and Texas Woman’s University. He has published over 50 articles, given more than
150 professional presentations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels,
and has also successfully written 2.0 million dollars in federal and state grants.
Dr. Hayes developed Camp Koinonia in 1977 while at Virginia Tech and continued the camp
at The University of Tennessee. While at the University of Tennessee he has developed other
experiential recreation programs over the years. Project TRiPS (Therapeutic Recreation in
Public Schools), Camp Clubhouse for children with Spina Bifida, Vision Camp, and Camp
Koinonia II. He has assisted with 'Grief Camp' for children, and weekend and summer
programs for children with disabilities.
His current interests and funded activities include: working with therapeutic recreation students
in developing and conducting outdoor education/recreation programs for children with
disabilities, placing students in public school special education classrooms to conduct therapeutic
recreation programs, and working with his companion dog, Lanai, in rehab centers, hospitals,
nursing homes, classrooms, and camps for children with disabilities.
Publications:
Hayes, Gene A. and Chandler, Madeleine C. "Critical Issues To Consider When Planning Recreation
Interventions for Women with Alcoholic Dependency." Annual In Therapeutic Recreation. Volume 10,
2001. pp. 1-11
Anderson, Lynn S. and Hayes, Gene A. "Looking Back at Outdoor Adventure Programming in
Therapeutic Recreation." The Best of Adventure Therapeutic Recreation. Therapeutic Recreation
Journal. October, 2001. pp. 1-19.
Hayes, Gene A., Higelmire, Wm., Brown, Larry Y. "Transition Programming for Individuals with
Disabilities." Expanding Horizons in Therapeutic Recreation XVII. Selected Papers from the 1996
Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation. The University of Missouri. pp. 109-118.
Higelmire, Wm. F., and Hayes, Gene A. "Residential Camping for the Multihandicapped, A Two-way
Experience." PALESTRA: The Forum of Sport, Physical Education, and Recreation for the Disabled.
Fall, 1998. pp. 44-46, 60.
Higelmire, Wm. F., and Hayes, Gene A. "A Model Residential Camping Program for Multihandicapped
Individuals." Therapeutic Recreation Journal. Fourth Quarter, 1988, pp. 30-38.
Hayes, Gene A. "Leisure and Leisure Counseling from a Recreation Point of View." Journal of Career
Development. December, 1984. pp. 145-155.
