Recreational Sport

Chapter 20

Introduction• People seek to be involved directly or indirectly with

recreational activities for a variety of reasons, including fun, excitement, relaxation, social interaction, physical or mental challenge, and lifestyle enhancement.

• The recreation industry in the United States is extensive and diverse, although the various segments usually share a common mission.

• Direct participation: Active performance in an activity• Indirect participation: Spectators contributing to economic

base, effective strategy for tourism industry (e.g., triathlons)

History: The Rise of Recreation• 1800s: 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 resulted in the establishment of public lands, such as Central Park in New York City.

• Technological advances such as the bicycle and golf ball.– Moderate prices of sporting goods made recreation

accessible to more people.

History: The Rise of Recreation (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)• 1900s: Organized summer camps for children (fresh air)• Post WWII: Establishment of armed forces recreation• Emergence of commercial recreation enterprises (Ski)• Federal legislation passed that promoted recreation• 2010: America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to reconnect

people in the United States, particularly children, to the nation’s natural and cultural heritage

Trends in Participation• The total number of people who participated in one or more

outdoor activities grew by approximately 7.5% from an estimated 208 million in 2000 to 224 million in 2009.

• The total number of participation days in all activities increased from 61 billion to 81 billion, representing growth of approximately 32% (Cordell, 2012).

• Walking for pleasure is most popular recreational activity.

• Extreme sports participations has grown at variety of ages.

• Over the past 5 years, the recreational activities with the greatest growth rate among individuals have been adventure racing and triathlons. Adventure racing has grown by 211%, off-road triathlons by 199%, and traditional triathlons by 174% (Outdoor Industry Association, 2013).

Trends in Participation (cont.)

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

• 68% expect to participate in recreational activities 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, possibly through new technology such as mobile devices and recreation-based applications.

Segments of Recreation Industry: Community-Based Recreation

• Local parks and recreation departments and community agencies such as the YMCA, YWCA, Jewish Community Centers, Girls and Boys Clubs, and Scout organizations

• 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, user fees, and sponsorships

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.

• Negatively impacted by federal funding reductions.• 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

• Majority of employees at military facilities are civilians rather than military personnel

• 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.

• Support programs for disabled veterans and the training of enlisted men for Olympic and Paralympic competitions

• Challenge: Recent decreases in appropriated funds are affecting program quality

Segments of Recreation Industry: Outdoor Recreation

• For those who enjoy natural environments in different seasons

• Highly diverse industry: Mix of for-profit and not-for-profit

• Outdoor recreation economy is $646 billion business, 140 million people in the United States participating annually

• Spending on outdoor recreation falls primarily in two categories: Outdoor recreation product sales (e.g., gear, apparel, footwear) and trips and travel-related spending

• 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: Campus Recreation

• Includes any recreational activity provided by colleges or universities, ranging from exercise facilities and fitness programming to club and intramural sports and coordinated outdoor recreation activities.

• Three out of four college students participate in campus rec.

• Excellent opportunities for students to participate in a variety of outdoor activities and develop instructional and leadership skills through instructor training programs

• NIRSA and the Association for Experiential Education provide educational trainings and host activities to develop prospective leaders in campus recreation.

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.

• Diverse programs offered to assist with the modification of behaviors to improve holistic health.

Career Opportunities• Opportunity to work indoors or outdoors, for a

public or private group, or a for-profit or non-profit company

• Introduce others to the benefits of participation at any age and any ability level

• Expect a high degree of professionalism service in instruction and overall service delivery

• Responsibility to deliver these programs with a high degree of skill and manage them with an eye to providing acceptable degrees of risk

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

• College−university 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

• 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 and promote programs to meet a variety of abilities and disabilities.

• Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (2006)• Need for an understanding of how a shift from institutional

care to home-based care will affect delivery of health services

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

– Participant health screening prior to participation to determine the appropriate level of involvement

– Preprogram information to inform participants about an activity

– Equipment and facility safety checks

– Criteria for staff hiring, including necessary activity certifications or experience and first aid credentials

– Continuing education and training for staff

Current Issues: Risk Management (cont.)

– Recommended progressions of activities that meet current national standards

– Adequate staff–student ratios and protocols for general and specific supervision of groups

– Emergency response protocols, including first aid response, evacuation, and search and rescue

– Critical accident protocols, including those covering interaction with families and the press

– Informed Participant Consent

Summary• Challenging recreational activities offer both a

diversion for the public and a partial solution to problems faced in our society.

• Industry professionals face numerous challenges as they seek to provide quality recreational experiences for diverse participants.

• Recreational specialists will need to bring a broad range of skills to their positions and continue their education to deliver quality experiences that meet consumer demands and current standards in the field.