Recreation and Leisure Services

Program Overview

Recreation and Leisure Services Ontario College Diploma 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 participation in a number of events or programs working with children to seniors. Students gain proficiency in leadership and group facilitation by designing, delivering and evaluating diverse, inclusive, relevant, environmentally sustainable recreation leisure and wellness initiatives.

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
• 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

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

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.

Course Information

• Accounting Fundamentals (ACCT 1013)
• Activation in Gerontology (RECR 2017)
• Arts Culture and Heritage in Recreation (RECR 2012)
• Community Development (RECR 2006)
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ENTR 2009)
• Event Planning (RECR 1002)
• Fitness and Wellness (FITN 1002)
• Inclusive and Adaptive Recreation (RECR 2014)
• Introduction to Marketing (MKTG 1000)
• Introduction to Recreation (RECR 1000)
• Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Sustainability (RECR 2001)
• Professional Opportunities and Issues (RECR 2016)
• Program Planning (RECR 1001)
• Recreation Across the Lifespan (RECR 1006)
• Recreation Leadership and Group Dynamics (RECR 2013)
• Research in Recreation and Sport (REAS 2003)
• Social Entrepreneurship (ENTR 1000)
• Sport and Recreation Administration (RECR 2003)
• Sport and Recreation Facility Operations (RECR 2005)
• Sports Tourism (TOUR 2014)
• Technology in Administration (COMP 1058)
• Therapeutic Recreation (RECR 2015)

Program Delivery

• Part-time
• Program delivery method(s): Online

Duration

• 2 Years

Credential

• Ontario College Diploma

Program Code

• RELN

Frequently Asked Questions

Finance and Fees

• Are part-time students eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)?
  • As a part-time student, you may be eligible for OSAP funding, depending on the number of courses you take per semester.
• What is the cost of the program?
  • As a part-time student, you can take one to three courses per semester, paying on a course-by-course basis.

Online Learning

• What is an OntarioLearn (ODE) course?
  • These courses are offered through OntarioLearn. Visit the OntarioLearn webpage to learn more.
• OntarioLearn courses are set up as equivalents to the Georgian courses. You can choose to take the ODE courses or the Georgian courses.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

• Can I transfer credits or prior life or work experience to fast track my studies?
  • Previous postsecondary education: If you’ve completed courses, or some or all of a program, at another accredited postsecondary institution, you may be able to transfer all or some of your courses into a related program at Georgian.
  • Relevant work or life experience: If you have relevant work and/or life experience that relates to your program(s) of interest at Georgian, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is an academic credit option.

Program Outline

Extracted Information from the Recreation and Leisure Services Diploma Program at Georgian College:

Degree Overview:

• Overview: This two-year Ontario College Diploma program equips students with the skills and practical experience to design, deliver, and evaluate recreation and leisure programs for all ages.
Graduates are prepared for a fun and fulfilling career in the field.
• Objectives:
• Introduce students to the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in recreation and leisure services.
• Provide a curriculum that 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.
• Integrate business administration fundamentals with courses in marketing, accounting, technology, human resources, entrepreneurship, and research.
• Offer experiential learning opportunities through participation in a number of events or programs working with children to seniors.
• Help students gain proficiency in leadership and group facilitation by designing, delivering, and evaluating diverse, inclusive, relevant, and environmentally sustainable recreation, leisure, and wellness initiatives.
• Description:
• Students learn about 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.
• They also gain business administration fundamentals through courses in marketing, accounting, technology, human resources, entrepreneurship, and research.
• Experiential learning opportunities are provided through participation in various events and programs with different age groups.
• The program emphasizes leadership and group facilitation skills, enabling students to design, deliver, and evaluate diverse, inclusive, relevant, and environmentally sustainable recreation, leisure, and wellness initiatives.

Outline:

• Program Content: The program covers a wide range of topics related to recreation and leisure services, including:
• Community recreation
• Outdoor adventure
• Arts and culture
• Heritage
• Leisure
• Fitness
• Retirement activities
• Life enrichment in long term care
• Adaptive-therapeutic recreation
• Facility operations
• Programming
• Event planning
• Business administration
• Marketing
• Accounting
• Technology
• Human resources
• Entrepreneurship
• Research
• Structure: The program is delivered part-time and can be completed in two years.
Students can choose to take one to three courses per semester.
• Course Schedule: The course schedule is available on the program webpage and is subject to change.
• Modules: The program consists of the following modules:
• Module 1: Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services:
This module provides students with an overview of the field of recreation and leisure services. It covers topics such as the history of recreation, the role of recreation in society, and the different types of recreation and leisure services.
• Module 2: Programming and Event Planning: This module teaches students how to plan and deliver recreation and leisure programs and events.
It covers topics such as needs assessment, program development, marketing, and evaluation.
• Module 3: Leadership and Group Dynamics: This module helps students develop the skills they need to be effective leaders in recreation and leisure settings.
It covers topics such as communication, group dynamics, conflict resolution, and team building.
• Module 4: Business Administration for Recreation and Leisure Services: This module provides students with the business skills they need to be successful in the recreation and leisure industry.
It covers topics such as marketing, finance, accounting, and human resources.
• Module 5: Inclusive and Adaptive Recreation: This module teaches students how to create recreation and leisure programs and services that are inclusive of people with disabilities.
It covers topics such as the principles of universal design, adaptive equipment, and program modifications.
• Module 6: Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Sustainability: This module explores the role of recreation in the natural environment.
It covers topics such as Leave No Trace principles, outdoor recreation planning, and environmental stewardship.
• Module 7: Research in Recreation and Leisure Services: This module introduces students to the research methods used in the field of recreation and leisure services.
It covers topics such as data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Module 8: Professional Development and Career Planning: This module helps students develop the skills they need to be successful in their careers.
It covers topics such as resume writing, interview skills, and networking.
• Module Descriptions: More detailed descriptions of each module are available on the program webpage.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
• Assignments
• Exams
• Presentations
• Participation
• Assessment Criteria: The assessment criteria are based on the learning outcomes of each module.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Field trips
• Faculty: The program is taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their field.
• Unique Approaches: The program uses a hands-on, experiential learning approach.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of events and programs to gain practical experience.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the program can pursue careers in a variety of settings, including:
• Community recreation centers
• Sports and fitness facilities
• Parks and recreation departments
• Camps
• Tourism companies
• Non-profit organizations
• Government agencies
• Career Opportunities: The program prepares students for a variety of career opportunities, including:
• Recreation programmer
• Event planner
• Fitness instructor
• Outdoor recreation leader
• Park ranger
• Camp counselor
• Tourism officer
• Youth worker
• Career Outcomes: Graduates of the program are highly employable.
Many graduates find jobs in the recreation and leisure industry within six months of graduation.

Other:

• Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check: Students are required to obtain a criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement.
• Program Delivery Methods: The program is offered online and in-person.
• OntarioLearn Equivalents: Some of the program courses are available as OntarioLearn equivalents.

Note:

This information is based on the context provided and may not be completely accurate or up-to-date. Please refer to the official program website for the most current information.