Program Overview

Recreation and Leisure Services Ontario College Diploma, Co-op program

Program Description

Students are introduced to skills and knowledge needed to succeed in recreation and leisure services. The curriculum includes: community recreation, outdoor adventure, arts, culture, heritage, leisure, fitness, retirement activities, life enrichment in long term care, adaptive-therapeutic recreation, facility operations, programming and event planning. Business administration fundamentals are incorporated with courses in marketing, accounting, technology, human resources, entrepreneurship and research. Experiential learning opportunities include a paid co-operative work semester, field trips, and participation in a number of events or programs working with children to seniors. Students gain competencies in leadership and group facilitation by designing, delivering and evaluating diverse, inclusive, relevant, environmentally sustainable recreation leisure and wellness initiatives.

Intake Information

• Start date: Fall 2025, Barrie
• Start date: Winter 2026, Barrie

Tuition and Fees

• Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
• You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.

Work-Integrated Learning

• This program includes a co-op work term component where you’ll gain experience in a workplace related to your field of study.
• Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.

Admission Requirements

• OSSD or equivalent with
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to:

Pathways

• Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

• Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

Why Study Recreation and Leisure Services at Georgian?

• Recreation makes everyone smile! If you’re looking for a career where you encourage people to meet, have fun and participate, then Recreation and Leisure Services may be right for you.

Well-Rounded Curriculum

• Explore recreation for all populations, including program planning, special events, fitness, administration and more
• Build on-the-job experience and explore recreation career options through a paid co-op work term

Hands-On Learning and Certifications

• Participate in practical learning experiences with hands-on community projects
• Visit recreation facilities, obtain certifications and a Parks and Recreation Ontario student membership

Expert Faculty and Guest Speakers

• Learn from recreation industry expert faculty that share current trends and opportunities
• Hear from knowledgeable guest speakers in the industry about their experiences

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Beginning in your first year and throughout the program, you’ll have an opportunity to visit recreation facilities , such as Variety Village and Bayview Wildwood Resort
• Complete your paid summer co-op as a recreation programmer, municipal summer staff supervisor, or resort event personnel
• Receive industry-specific certifications , including HIGH FIVE
• Enjoy a Parks and Recreation Ontario student membership
• Participate in an outdoor recreation excursion to practise your team-building and leadership skills
• Engage with local community recreation organizations on real-life projects that may be activated for these groups

Career Opportunities

• Career opportunities include: retirement home and long term care activity director/life enrichment, adaptive/therapeutic recreation, facility and parks operations, municipal programmer, administrator in community, arts, heritage and cultural organizations, leader, director, facilitator at registered charities, athletics in education institutions, fitness and healthy/active lifestyle centres, private and commercial clubs, event planning services, recreation supervisor- youth organizations, correction facilities, resorts- sport and recreation manager, outdoor and adventure recreation.

Potential Employers

• Governing bodies
• Municipal recreation
• Recreation event planning and management
• Intercollegiate campus recreation
• Private and commercial recreation organizations (e.g., YMCA, Boys and Girls Club)
• Long-term care – activation
• Senior centres
• Cruise lines
• Private summer camps
• Outdoor recreation centres
• Resorts

Course Overview

• 16 Program Courses
• 2 Communications Courses
• 3 Program Option Courses
• 3 General Education Courses
• 1 Co-op Work Term

Program-Specific Courses

• Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Recreation and Leisure Services program outline.
• COMP 1058 – Technology in Administration
• REAS 2003 – Research in Recreation and Sport
• RECR 1000 – Introduction to Recreation
• RECR 1001 – Program Planning
• Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
• Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.

Course Delivery Method(s)

• GC Flex
• This program is delivered via GC Flex, giving you choice and flexibility. Using technology-enabled, purpose-designed learning spaces, professors deliver lectures and labs in the classroom and simultaneously online. You can participate on campus or online during class or review course materials online later.

Pathways

• As a graduate of Georgian’s Recreation and Leisure Services program, you’ll have many opportunities to further your studies.
• Diploma studies
  • Complement your diploma by taking Sport Administration – a two-year diploma program offered at Georgian with two field placements.
• Graduate certificate studies
  • Pursue a one-year graduate certificate at Georgian, such as Event Management or Digital Content Creation and Strategy.
• Articulation agreements
  • Georgian also has articulation agreements with university programs for Georgian graduates interested in earning a degree.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What types of co-op experiences can I expect in this program?
  • Georgian College Chevron
  • Barrie and surrounding areas host a number of recreation organizations and clubs that work closely with Georgian to provide co-op positions to students.
• Is the co-op work term a paid or volunteer position?
  • Georgian College Chevron
  • The Recreation and Leisure Services diploma program includes a paid co-op work term.
• Do I need recreation experience to take this program?
  • Georgian College Chevron
  • No. Beyond the admission requirements listed above, all that’s needed is a passion for recreation!
• What if I’m not that outgoing? Is the Recreation and Leisure Services program right for me?
  • Georgian College Chevron
  • The wonderful thing about recreation is that anyone can participate! Recreation brings out the social in all of us.
• Is the Recreation and Leisure Services diploma transferrable to other programs?
  • Georgian College Chevron
  • Yes, graduates have many options to pursue further studies at Georgian and beyond. We’re actively working on growing our articulation agreements with other institutions to offer valuable pathways to Recreation and Leisure Services graduates.

Related Programs

• Fitness and Health Promotion
• Personal Support Worker
• Social Service Worker
• Sport Administration

Contact Us

• Thinking about applying to Georgian?
  • Contact our student recruitment team to explore your study options.
• Already applied to Georgian?
  • Connect with the Office of the Registrar for admissions-related questions.
• Are you an international student?
  • Contact our international recruitment team to learn more about studying at Georgian.