Careers in Public Recreation

1
Careers in Public Recreation

• What kind of profession will I be able to obtain
  with a major in Public Recreation?

2
Therapeutic Recreation

• Definition
• Use of recreational services to improve or
  maintain physical, mental, emotional and/or
  social functioning in order to assist individuals
  in expressing independent leisure lifestyles.

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Types of Therapeutic Recreation

• Community Recreation
• Special Olympics
• City Recreation

• Recreation as Therapy
• Behavioral Health
• Rehab/Acute Care
• Correctional Facilities
• Private Schools/Centers

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Three Areas of Professional Services

• Therapy
• Leisure Education
• Recreation Participation

5
Outdoor Recreation

• Camps and Parks

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Camp Sponsors

• Agencies
• Government
• Churches
• Private

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Camping Objectives

• Fun
• Safety
• Interaction Skills
• Knowledge

8
Types of Camps

• Day
• Troop
• Established
• Educational
• Family
• Therapeutic
• Trip

9
Trends in Camping

• More specialized programming
• High risk programs
• Growth of professionals
• More liability /insurance/abuse issues
• More agency cooperation

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Private/Commercial Recreation
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What is Private/Commercial Recreation?

• Provides a recreation product/service and creates
  a DEMAND.
• Examples
• Resorts/Spas
• Restaurants/Pubs/Night Clubs
• Bowling Allies/Skating Rinks
• Shopping Malls
• Video Store/Cable Companies/Newspapers

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Pros and Cons to Private/Commercial Recreation

• Advantages
• Can offer recreation which is expensive
• Can make decisions quickly
• Can try new ideas
• Can cooperate with public recreation
• Can keep non-profit agencies alert

• Disadvantages
• Can operate only with public support
• Can eliminate those who cant pay
• Can have just a spectator emphasis
• Can have a product/service which may not be for
  the public good

13
Corporate/Employee Recreation
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Examples of Employee Recreation

• Larson Manufacturing
• 3-M
• Coors Bottling
• Johnson Wax

15
Employee Recreation Can

• Help build morale
• Enhance corporate image
• Decrease absenteeism
• Enhance quality of life
• Recruit personnel

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Types of Activities Within Corporate Recreation
Facilities

• Indoor Activities
• Outdoor Activities
• Special Events/Services

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For Your Information

• Homestake Mining Company was the first employee
  recreation site. Site was created in 1914 with
  an indoor pool, bowling alley, pool room, social
  rooms, opera house, and library.

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Agency Recreation

• Working for agencies that base the majority of
  their function through the help of volunteers.

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Pros and Cons of Agency Recreation

• Advantages
• Can have a special focus
• Can act quickly
• Can experiment
• Can be a channel for volunteer initiative

• Disadvantages
• Dependent upon financial contributions
• Income can fluctuate
• May be difficult to recruit, train and retain
  volunteers
• Typically must use public lands
• May overlap services and be competitive for funds
  and people

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Different Agency Employers

• United Way
• YMCA/YWCA
• Boys/Girls Club of America
• Boy/Girl Scouts of America
• Service Clubs
• Conservation Groups
• Outdoor/Sports Organizations
• Art Organizations
• Churches
• Other