The Profession of Leisure Programming

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The Profession of Leisure Programming
chapter
2
Russell Jamieson
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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!

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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?

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Personal Qualities

• Programmers must possess these qualities in
  order to be successful
• Empathy
• Energy
• Integrity
• Vision
• Professionalism

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Programmer Attributes

• College degrees
• Available degrees include associate, bachelors,
  masters, 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.

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Continuing Education

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

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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)

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Certification (continued)

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