12 Chapter 12 Leisure as a Profession

Objectives Discuss the career options in the leisure- service field. List and discuss the seven criteria outlined for professional practice. Identify appropriate professional certifications. Discuss operational philosophies of recreation and leisure.

Scope of Employment Millions employed in the leisure field –Amateur and professional sports –Entertainment and amusement –Travel and tourism –Commercial, government, and nonprofit community organizations Volunteer, part-time, and full-time employees

Scope of Employment (cont’d) Education from high school diploma to PhD. 5.5 million working in the field. Tourism is one of nation’s largest employers. Demand growing faster than average through 2020.

Professional Identification in Recreation Definition beyond being paid Possession of specialized training Seven criteria

Criterion 1: Social Value and Purpose Improving quality of life Contributing to personal development and social cohesion Preventing socially destructive leisure pursuits Protecting the environment

Criterion 2: Public Recognition Image of the professional –Perception tends to be unclear. –No single role stands out. Workers must establish their own identity. –Enrich competence through professional study. –Join organizations.

Criterion 3: Specialized Professional Preparation Professional preparation in recreation and parks –Two-year curricula –Four-year programs –Master’s degree and doctoral programs Specialized body of knowledge

Criterion 3: Specialized Professional Preparation (cont’d) Accreditation in higher education –Meeting standards of a governing body  Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions –Benefits to accreditation  Ensure program quality.  Students may take certification exam upon graduation.

Criterion 4: Existence of Related Professional Associations Functions of professional associations –Regulate standards for professional development. –Promote legislation. –Develop public information programs. –Sponsor conferences and publications. –Press for higher standards of training, accreditation, and certification.

Criterion 4: Existence of Related Professional Associations (cont’d) National Recreation and Park Association Other Professional Organizations –American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) –American Camp Association

Criterion 4: Existence of Related Professional Associations (cont’d) Other Professional Organizations –Resort and Commercial Recreation Association –National Intramural Recreation Sports Association –Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education –North American Society for Sport Management –World Leisure and Recreation Association –International Special Events Society –Professional Convention Management Association

Criterion 5: Credentialing, Certification, and Agency Accreditation Credentials –Qualifications that must be satisfied through a formal review process before an individual is permitted to engage in professional practice in a given field

Criterion 5: Credentialing, Certification, and Agency Accreditation (cont’d) Sample certifications –Certified Park and Recreation Professional –Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist –Certified Meeting Professional –Certified Playground Inspector

Criterion 5: Credentialing, Certification, and Agency Accreditat ion (cont’d) Agency accreditation –Meet predetermined standards –Visitation team of Accreditation Commission members

Criterion 6: Code of Ethical Practice Outlines the public responsibilities of practitioners and establishes a code of ethical behavior. ATRA’s Professional Code of Ethics outlines 10 principles guiding practice such as justice, confidentiality, and competence. American Camp Association stresses integrity, truthfulness, fairness to all people, and an agreement to comply with relevant laws of the community.

Criterion 7: Existence of Extensive Professional Development Opportunities Career training and development –Post-degree training –Conferences, seminars, workshops –State, regional, national levels –Professional publications

Philosophy The body of principles underlying a major discipline or human activity, as expressed in guidelines for conduct Seven approaches

1. Quality-of-Life Approach Traditional dominant approach. Recreation is an experience contributing to human development and community well-being. Recreation is a vital form of human experience. Engaged in for its own sake. Recreation satisfies a human need. Freedom and self-choice inherent in recreation.

2. Marketing Approach Business focus. Increasing importance in delivery of services. Suggests a business approach best determines what should be offered. Reduces impact on taxes. Potential negative impact to those unable to afford services.

3. Human Services Recreation seen as an important form of social service. Recreation designed to achieve community change. Need to meet social problems head-on and achieve beneficial human goals.

4. Prescriptive Approach Outgrowth of therapeutic recreation model. Recreation should bring about constructive change in individuals. Defined outcomes based on goals and objectives focusing on individual change. Reliance on practitioners expertise and authority.

5. Resource Manager Approach Three approaches –Resource manager: Focus on managing resources. –Aesthetic: Focus on values and appearance of the environment. –Preservationist: Maintain the environment for future generations and past generations.

6. Hedonistic/Individualist Focus on individual fun and pleasure. Drug and alcohol abuse. Gambling is the fastest growing recreation activity. –Has expanded dramatically across the U.S. Commercialized sex.

7. Benefits-Based Management We must move beyond goals and objectives and embrace benefits to the participant and community. Measures are focused on outcomes impacting long-term change. Examples include social, physical health, mental health, youth development, economic development, and others.