Recreation Leader Job Description

Recreation Leaders: Experience and Qualification

A recreation leader is responsible for overseeing sports and other extra-curricular activities for nursing homes, youth centers, schools, or parks and recreational departments. A recreation leader's job description includes the ability to encourage others to work as a team while also fostering good sportsmanship and building camaraderie. A high school degree is all that is needed to become a recreational leader.

It is helpful to have experience as a camp counselor nursing home volunteer before being hired. A two or four-year degree in a specialty program in music, drama or art could be helpful in getting a job. The leaders can work indoors or outdoors.

They can be physically demanding when they are involved with leading athletic activities. They work with a lot of different people who have different skills and abilities. Weekend and evening work is required, and positions can be full or part time.

Recreation Workers in the United States

Recreation workers help people stay active, improve their fitness and have fun. They work with groups in summer camps, fitness and recreational sports centers, nursing care facilities, nature parks and other settings. They may lead activities such as arts and crafts, sports, music, dramatics, or games.

Recreation leaders are responsible for the daily operation of the program. They primarily organize and direct participants, schedule the use of facilities, set up and keep records of equipment use, and ensure that recreation facilities and equipment are used and maintained properly. They can lead classes and teach in a recreational activity.

Camp counselors, activity specialists, and other recreation workers may work weekends or part-time or irregular hours. Depending on where they are employed and the type of activity they lead, seasonal workers can work as little as 90 days or as long as 9 months. In areas of the United States that have warm winters, outdoor swimming pools may use related recreation workers for a majority of the year.

They can only work during the summer in other areas of the country. The educational requirements for entry-level positions vary. A summer camp counselor with children will have the same requirements as an activity leader with the elderly.

Workers who gain experience may be promoted to positions with greater responsibilities. Recreation workers with managerial skills can advance to managerial positions. They may start their own recreation company or become directors of a recreation department.

Team Leaders

Team leaders may play a role in managing a subgroup or project. The way they perform their duties can have a big impact on their team's productivity. A team leader helps members achieve goals and develop skills that get results.

Team members are offered feedback and shown the skills and expected work ethic. A coach-style team leader works with their members to improve their skills. The leader of the team is responsible for identifying the team's strengths and weaknesses.

By determining which team member is the best at a given task, you can assign the tasks to someone else. It is helpful to determine areas of opportunity and the steps to improve them. Conflict can sometimes occur because teams are made up of different personality types.

The leader of the team is responsible for resolving conflicts when they arise. Setting ground rules and assigning tasks can help prevent conflict. If you notice a conflict, it is best to resolve it.

Meeting with both team members can give you a better idea of the problem. When there are many people working on a single goal, organization is needed. Important documents should be accessible and clear.

The Recreation Department of the City Center

The center plans and organizes a limited program of athletic, cultural and social recreation activities to meet the needs and interests of the community and various age groups. Establishes and maintains contact with community, civic, school, religious and social groups; keeps advised of community interests and events; publicizes the programs for the center utilizing multiple channels; may speak before community groups; advises and assists individuals and groups on the mechanics of community recreation programs. Schedules encourages staff members to be creative in starting new recreation programs, works with community groups to secure donated services and resources, develops recreational programs for residents who range in age from 30 years of age and over, and coordinates an intergenerational program to recruit neighborhood school children to visit and work.

Supervises the issuance, use, care and return of recreational supplies and equipment, secures funds for new equipment via fund raising or other creative means, prepares monthly and quarterly reports for the Board of Trustees, and the requisition. The recreation department develops, plans, teaches, supervises and coordinates athletic, cultural and social recreation activities to meet the needs and interests of the center residents. Supervises the issuance, use, care and return of recreation supplies and equipment, as well as the preparation of periodic reports on the centers activities, accomplishments and special events.

The Recreation Director for a Community Recreation Center

The position must either administer the recreation program of activities for the public at one of the City's intermediate sized recreation centers, or administer the recreation program in a secure detention center for youth awaiting adjudication. Schedules, assigns and observes the activities of subordinates conducting athletic and cultural programs; orients new staff to the department's policies and procedures; trains personnel in skills and group motivation; and evaluates programs and personnel conducting programs. Establishes and maintains contact with community, civic, school, religious and social groups; keeps abreast of community interests and events; publicizes the programs for the center through multiple channels including social media; speaks before community groups; advises and assists individuals and groups on the mechanics of community recreation programs.

The Best Recreation Therapists

The best recreation therapists know how to heal and change lives. Those entering the field have a sense of the power of recreation. Why would they choose a different field?

A dentist that doesn't like teeth is like a recreation therapist that doesn't like recreation. Great Recreation Therapists realize the impact their programming has on their participants even during the most challenging days. Recreation Therapists see things that others don't.

They have a unique perspective on using recreation to improve lives. Recreation Therapists find new ways to use recreation for their participants' best interests when they develop therapeutic relationships with clients. Getting participants out of their comfort zones is a great way to address need areas.

Quality recreation programming reaches people in ways other disciplines don't. Being creative and adaptable could turn a bad moment into a good one. Great Recreation Therapists think on their feet from groups, outings, and individual therapy.

They handle challenges and changes in stride and use their best judgement to make sure their programming is in line with their clients' needs. Recreation Therapists have leadership roles. A strong leader is needed to be successful in facilitating groups, educating coworkers, and directing volunteers.

The Salaries of Recreation Workers

Recreation workers need a high school degree or equivalent and a few weeks of on-the-job training to be eligible for the job. Over the decade, 64,600 openings for recreation workers are projected. Many openings are expected to be caused by the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire.

The annual wage for recreation workers was over $30,000 in May 2020. Half of the workers in an occupation earn more than the median wage, and half earn less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,510, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,510.

Outdoor Recreation Degree Program

You can choose to pursue a career in the field of outdoor recreation or you can choose to pursue a career outside of the field. The degree programs are designed to prepare you for careers in the field of outdoor recreation. The study of recreational activities and leisure activities dependent on the natural environment is emphasized in the course.

You will develop a highly employable skill set as a result of the coursework you will be taking. Skills that are highly relevant to outdoor recreation careers will be the most valuable. The outdoor recreation graduate salary is in Ontario.