Course Description
This course examines the theories and strategies used in the organization and delivery of leisure and recreation programs and services. Students will apply the total program planning process including: needs assessment, program design, implementation strategies and leadership and evaluation of recreation programs.
Course Content
The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:
Leisure and recreation programming in contemporary society
- Contemporary views of leisure and recreation
- Philosophy of programming and customer service
- Defining leisure and recreation service
- Describing leisure and recreation personnel
Strategies used in the delivery of leisure and recreation service
- Social planning
- Community development
- Social marketing
- Social action
Customer leisure behaviour
- The relationship between the customer and the programmer
- Factors influencing customer decision making
- Behavioural science and their application to leisure
- Lifestyle variables and their impact on leisure and recreation
Needs Identification and Assessment
- Differentiate between leisure needs, wants and values
- Process of needs assessment
- Needs assessment tools and techniques
- Need typologies
Program Design
- Program theories and models: Kraus, Tillman, Edginton & Hanson
- Determining goals and objectives for program development, program promotion and financial strategies
- Common characteristics of goal and objective writing
- Program areas: arts, literary, aquatics, sports, athletics, outdoor recreation, social recreation, self-improvement, wellness, travel, volunteer
- Program formats: drop-in, club, class, special event, workshop, tournament
Implementation Strategies
- Budget – various types, importance
- Resource attainment and strategies to acquire resources
- Pricing a program or service
- Promotion and marketing
- Risk management and safety
- Effective leadership skills
- Leadership roles and responsibilities
Program Evaluation
- Formative and summative evaluation
- Key concepts of evaluation
- Evaluation methods including: direct and indirect observation, surveys or questionnaires, interviews, standardized instruments and record documentation
Means of Assessment
This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations.
An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. Typical means of evaluation will include a combination of written assignments, presentations and testing.
This is a graded course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- discuss the role of leisure and recreation programming in contemporary society
- explain theories and strategies used in the organization and delivery of leisure services
- analyze leisure behaviour and factors that influence leisure decision making
- describe the process of needs assessment as it applies to recreation and leisure program planning
- design a plan including program goals and objectives
- discuss implementation strategies including concepts of budgeting, resource attainment, marketing, leadership
- discuss methods of program evaluation
Textbook Materials
A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.
Resources include:
- Selected readings from a variety of therapeutic recreation practice textbooks
- Selected audio-visual and computer resources
- Selected readings from books and journals