Chapter 21 Recreational Sport

Introduction

• Recreation industry is extensive and diverse • Creation of structured activities that provide personal and social benefits to individuals during leisure time

Direct participation

– Active performance in an activity

Indirect participation

– Recreation spectators contributing to economic base; effective strategy for tourism industry (e.g., triathlons)

History: The Rise of Recreation

• Leisure time emerged as a result of urbanization and industrialization • Increase in perception of recreation as – Important to growth and health of individual – A means to improve community well-being • The

parks movement

public lands resulted in the establishment of • Technological advances such as the bicycle and golf ball – Moderate prices of sporting goods made recreation accessible to more people

History (cont.)

• Growth of YMCA and YWCA • Increased fascination with American wilderness • Creation of formal organizations (local clubs, national associations) devoted to recreation (Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts) • Proliferation of organized summer camps for children • Establishment of armed forces recreation • Emergence of commercial recreation enterprises

Trends in Participation

• Participation has been growing both in terms of participants and days of activities • Family-centered outdoor activities remain strong – Viewing and photographing – Kayaking – Surfing • Extreme sports as well • Women’s participation has also incrased

Trends in Participation (cont.)

• Recreation industry can capitalize on baby boomers moving into retirement.

• 68% expect to have a hobby/special interest that will absorb a lot of time during retirement.

• There is an anticipated increase in racial and ethnic diversity in urban areas.

• Recreation industry will need to respond to needs of a more diverse population. • Challenge will be to sustain growth by continuing to attract youth to activities.

Segments of Recreation Industry: Community-Based Recreation

• Participants united by a common interest in recreation at the local level • General services offered by local parks and recreation departments that target specific ages through youth/senior centers • Parks and recreation departments supported through mix of local property tax money and user fees from participants

Segments of Recreation Industry: Public Recreation

• Recreational opportunities on public lands managed by state forest and parks departments, the National Park Service, and the National Forest Service • Policy issues regarding vehicle congestion, recreational vehicle access, deteriorating infrastructure, and control of visitor volume and duration • The National Forest Service employs 30,000 permanent employees to manage the nation’s 191 million acres of forest lands

Segments of Recreation Industry: Military Recreation

• Maintained by U.S. Department of Defense • Overriding mission is fitness and military readiness of personnel • Armed services also provide an array of recreational opportunities for families on bases as a means of improving overall morale and sense of community • Also support the training of athletes for Olympics and other major international competitions • Challenge: Recent decreases in appropriated funds are affecting program quality

Segments of Recreation Industry: Outdoor Recreation

• Attracts people who enjoy natural environments in different seasons • Highly diverse industry, with mix of for-profit and not-for-profit ventures • Segments include skiing, snowboarding, boating (rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing), golf, summer camps, backpacking and camping, natural resource management, and tourist travel

Segments of Recreation Industry: University Outdoor Recreation

• Excellent opportunities for students to participate in a variety of outdoor activities and develop instructional and leadership skills through instructor training programs • Association for Experiential Education has 10 accredited programs

Segments of Recreation Industry: Therapeutic Recreation

• The use of recreational activities improves a participant’s physical, emotional, and mental health • Offered through park and recreation departments, independent living centers, schools, community mental health agencies, specialty recreation organizations, and social service agencies © Photos.com

Career Opportunities

• Opportunity to work indoors or outdoors, for a public or private group, or a for-profit or non profit company • Expect a high degree of professionalism service in instruction and overall service delivery • People-oriented employees who know how to communicate well with public, who work well with variety of customers and staff, responsible individuals, and bring business skills

Job Search Strategies

• Participate in a variety of activities • Develop general instructional and programming skills • Refine skills in several specific programming areas • Consider associated skills that can strengthen a resume

Professional Preparation

• Recreation skills approach – shorter, more intensive preparation in particular area, often resulting in certification – National Outdoor Leadership School – Outward Bound • Other approach – academic program of one, two or four years’ duration at college or university, which provides broader knowledge base

Current Issues

• Federal, state, and local governments have reduced their proportionate share of recreation budgets • Deteriorating park and recreation infrastructures, increasing crime, and declining federal, state, and local tax resources • Making facilities safe from vandalism, crime, gangs, and substance abuse to enhance image and facility usage

Current Issues (cont.)

Public sector

(government) – Owns and manages trails, beaches, information centers, and wildlife

Private sector

(nongovernment) – Often provides jobs and services enabling people to enjoy their experiences • Effective government coordination needed between all parties to promote viable recreation and tourism industry • Park managers need to be politically savvy – Balance a variety of constituents’ interests in public lands and handle the public scrutiny

Current Issues: Public and Private Sectors (cont.)

• Improved environmental awareness is necessary as instructors, guides and managers need to abide by strict regulations • Need to also develop cultural awareness as recreation has become more global – Understand local customs, laws and environment

Current Issues: Americans with Disabilities Act

• People with physical disabilities are growing more interested in enhancing their lives with physical activity • Programmers need to adapt programs to meet a variety of abilities • Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (2003) • Need for an understanding of how a shift from institutional care to home based care will affect delivery of health services © Nicolas Rjabow/ShutterStock, Inc.

Current Issues: Risk Management

• Risk management plans needed – To establish guidelines for equipment and facility use – For program development and operation – For management of changing environmental conditions – For emergency preparedness

Current Issues: Risk Management (cont.)

• Elements of risk management plan – Health screening process – Preprogram information – System for conducting and recording equipment checks – Facility safety checks – Criteria for qualified staff hiring and informed participant consent