chapter
2
The Profession
of Leisure
Programming
Russell & Jamieson
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!
Recreation Programmer Roles
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Developing single programs
Planning special events
Planning community functions
Developing a series of related programs
Establishing an entire program
• What are some other examples?
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
Leisure Service Systems
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Armed Forces
Recreation 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.
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 wellbeing, which may lead to academic
success.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Personal Qualities
Programmers must possess these qualities
in order to be successful:
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Empathy
Energy
Integrity
Vision
Professionalism
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.
Continuing Education
• Professional associations provide
continuing education workshops.
• For example, NRPA offers the National
Playground Institute for practitioners who
wish to continue their education.
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)
Certification (continued)
• In 1981, the National Recreation and Park
Association (NRPA) instituted a national
certification plan.
– Certified park and recreation professional (CPRP)