The Profession of Leisure Programming

1. The Profession of Leisure Programming chapter 2 Russell & Jamieson

2. What Is a Leisure and Recreation Programmer? • The programmer plans, coordinates, executes, and evaluates recreational opportunities or experiences. • The programmer is an extremely important part of the leisure experience!

3. Recreation Programmer Roles • Developing single programs • Planning special events • Planning community functions • Developing a series of related programs • Establishing an entire program • What are some other examples?

4. Organizational Settings • The term system is used to identify any assembly of entities that share purposes and processes. • An organized leisure service system involves staffing, facilities, and fiscal operations. • Organized leisure service systems have these qualities: • Diversity • Pervasiveness

5. Leisure Service Systems • Governmental recreation and park agencies • Nonprofit community organizations • Private membership organizations • Employee services • Armed Forces recreation organizations • Campus recreation organizations • Commercial recreation businesses • Therapeutic recreation services • Sport services • Tourism and hospitality services

6. Governmental Recreation and Park Agencies • Public or governmental organizations provide networks of parks, community centers, and sport facilities for citizens. • Programs are typically supported by tax funds as well as by fees and charges, grants, and other sources.

7. Nonprofit Community Organizations • These leisure service systems rely heavily on volunteer leadership, donations, and other community agency partnerships. • A high priority is placed on recreation programs for youth development.

8. Private Membership Organizations • These restrictive membership-based organizations focus on giving members what they want. • Programming positions might include sport, recreation skill classes, social events, and cultural activities.

9. Employee Services • Employee services are aimed at building a sense of camaraderie and loyalty among company employees and helping them lead healthier and more productive lives. • Programs range from holiday events, sport leagues, and special interest activities.

10. Armed ForcesRecreation Organizations • Recreation in the Armed Forces is supported by Congress as well as by user fees. • The Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps assign responsibility to provide recreation programs that make a positive contribution to military life.

11. Campus Recreation Organizations • College and university campuses offer recreation programs for students, faculty, and staff. • Programs include intramural and club sports and outdoor recreation. • They are designed to promote student well-being, which may lead to academic success.

12. Commercial Recreation Businesses • These recreation programs are provided for the purpose of making a profit. • Recreation businesses do not often have clearly classified job descriptions or hiring procedures.

13. Therapeutic Recreation Services • The therapeutic recreation sector is a “melting pot” of various sponsor and program types. • This leisure service system provides recreation programming for persons with illnesses or disabilities.

14. Sport Services • Many agencies offer sport services. • This leisure service system has a program and entertainment component. • Programs may include coaching and officiating, athletic fitness and conditioning, facilities management, and league coordination.

15. Tourism and Hospitality Services • Tourism and hospitality make up a complex system encompassing holiday and vacation travel, sport travel, cultural travel, and other tourist activities. • Programming opportunities may include coordinating guest- and patron-centered events in tourist areas.

16. Personal Qualities Programmers must possess these qualities in order to be successful: • Empathy • Energy • Integrity • Vision • Professionalism

17. Programmer Attributes College degrees • Available degrees include associate, bachelor’s, master’s, directorate, and doctorate in a variety of fields. • These degree programs teach students technical, theoretical, and philosophical guidelines. • Colleges and universities also may include continuing education opportunities for practitioners.

18. Continuing Education • Professional associations provide continuing education workshops. • For example, NRPA offers the National Playground Institute for practitioners who wish to continue their education.

19. Certification • The purpose of certification is to assess competence according to a set of standards to determine if practitioners have needed skills and abilities for particular jobs. • Some programming areas offer certification of programmers and leaders. • Today, there are more than 16,000 actively certified therapeutic recreation specialists (www.nctrc.org; accessed 1/11/05). (continued)

20. Certification (continued) • In 1981, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) instituted a national certification plan. • Certified park and recreation professional (CPRP)