People spend much of their leisure time participating in a wide variety of organized recreational activities, such as arts and crafts, the performing arts, camping, and sports. Recreation workers plan, organize, and direct these activities in local playgrounds and recreation areas, parks, community centers, religious organizations, camps, theme parks, and tourist attractions. Increasingly, recreation workers also are found in businesses where they organize and direct leisure activities for employees.
Recreation workers hold a variety of positions at different levels of responsibility. Workers who provide instruction and coaching in art, music, drama, swimming, tennis, or other activities may be called activity specialists.
Camp counselors lead and instruct children and teenagers in outdoor recreation, such as swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. In addition, counselors teach campers special subjects such as archery, boating, music, drama, gymnastics, tennis, and computers. In residential camps, counselors also provide guidance and supervise daily living and socialization. Camp directors typically supervise camp counselors, plan camp activities or programs, and perform the various administrative functions of a camp.
Recreation leaders, who are responsible for a recreation program's daily operation, primarily organize and direct participants. They may lead and give instruction in dance, drama, crafts, games, and sports; schedule the use of facilities; keep records of equipment use; and ensure that recreation facilities and equipment are used properly.
Recreation supervisors oversee recreation leaders and plan, organize, and manage recreational activities to meet the needs of a variety of populations. These workers often serve as liaisons between the director of the park or recreation center and the recreation leaders. Recreation supervisors with more specialized responsibilities also may direct special activities or events or oversee a major activity, such as aquatics, gymnastics, or performing arts.
Directors of recreation and parks develop and manage comprehensive recreation programs in parks, playgrounds, and other settings. Directors usually serve as technical advisors to State and local recreation and park commissions and may be responsible for recreation and park budgets.
Work environment. Recreation workers may work in a variety of settings—for example, a cruise ship, a woodland recreational park, a summer camp, or a playground in the center of a large urban community. Regardless of the setting, most recreation workers spend much of their time outdoors and may work in a variety of weather conditions. Recreation directors and supervisors, however, typically spend most of their time in an office, planning programs and special events. Directors and supervisors generally engage in less physical activity than do lower level recreation workers. Nevertheless, recreation workers at all levels risk suffering injuries during physical activities.
Some recreation workers work about 40 hours a week. However, many people entering this field, such as camp counselors, may have some night and weekend work, irregular hours, and seasonal employment.
| 1. | Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety. |
| 2. | Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies. |
| 3. | Manage the daily operations of recreational facilities. |
| 4. | Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures, and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary. |
| 5. | Ascertain and interpret group interests, evaluate equipment and facilities, and adapt activities to meet participant needs. |
| 6. | Greet new arrivals to activities, introducing them to other participants, explaining facility rules, and encouraging participation. |
| 7. | Explain principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants in recreational activities, and demonstrate use of materials and equipment. |
| 8. | Evaluate recreation areas, facilities, and services to determine if they are producing desired results. |
| 9. | Complete and maintain time and attendance forms and inventory lists. |
| 10. | Confer with management to discuss and resolve participant complaints. |
| 11. | Supervise and coordinate the work activities of personnel, such as training staff members and assigning work duties. |
| 12. | Meet and collaborate with agency personnel, community organizations, and other professional personnel to plan balanced recreational programs for participants. |
| 13. | Schedule maintenance and use of facilities. |
| 14. | Direct special activities or events such as aquatics, gymnastics, or performing arts. |
| 15. | Meet with staff to discuss rules, regulations, and work-related problems. |
| 16. | Provide for entertainment and set up related decorations and equipment. |
| 17. | Encourage participants to develop their own activities and leadership skills through group discussions. |
| 18. | Serve as liaison between park or recreation administrators and activity instructors. |
| 19. | Evaluate staff performance, recording evaluations on appropriate forms. |
| 20. | Oversee the purchase, planning, design, construction, and upkeep of recreation facilities and areas. |
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