Program Description The goal of the Recreation and Leisure Services program is to teach you how to improve the quality of life for all citizens by developing healthy communities.
The Recreation and Leisure Services courses in this college diploma program are based on a curriculum that reflects the current recreational focus on wellness and culture. As such, you gain strong leadership skills to:
Create and establish dynamic and diverse programming that appeals to all age groups Prepare budgets Market activities Recruit, train, assign and evaluate teams of volunteers
In addition to classroom learning, the Recreation and Leisure Services program allows you to apply your skills to the real world through the province's most extensive supervised field placement program. Students complete 880 hours of supervised field practicum, which helps to develop critical practical skills through integration of classroom learning into real life situations.
Program Highlights:
Courses include Program Planning, Community Development, Marketing and Public Relations, Recreation Management and much more. Supervised field placements take place in the second semester (two days a week), and in the third and fourth semesters (three days a week). Among the offering's field placement partners are the Town of Ajax, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Centre for Dreams, Kennedy House, Viva Pickering, Bridgepoint Health, Sienna Living (various locations), Variety Village, the City of Markham and the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club. Students receive supplemental training in standard first aid with CPR-C/AED, sensory training, music therapy training and High Five (Quest 2 and Principles of Healthy Child Development) Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) offers two province-wide student awards during its annual educational forum to students in their graduating year. Centennial College Recreation and Leisure Services graduates have captured these prestigious awards for 11 consecutive years (2007 to 2017). Established by the 2011 graduating class, the Sandy Foster Student Award of Merit is awarded annually to one student entering the second year of the Recreation and Leisure Services program at Centennial College. This award recognizes a student who consistently demonstrates a commitment to his/her studies and a passion for recreation and carries a $2000.00 cash value.
As a Recreation and Leisure graduate, you will be able to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
Develop, implement and evaluate inclusive recreation, leisure and wellness programs and events for individuals, groups and communities that respond to assessed needs, interests, abilities and that use available resources and incorporate best practices. Apply administrative and customer service skills to support the delivery of recreation, leisure and wellness programs, events and services. Analyze, develop and implement marketing strategies to reach diverse individuals, groups and communities for programs, events, services and facilities using current communication technologies. Contribute to the development of fiscally sustainable and responsible recreation, leisure and wellness programs, events and services using current and relevant principles and practices of business, finance and social entrepreneurship. Supervise, lead and support the development of staff and volunteers involved with recreation, leisure and wellness programs, events and services. Apply safety and accessibility practices to the efficient operation and administration of recreation and leisure facilities and settings. Promote the benefits and values of recreation, leisure and healthy active living and recommend inclusive programs, events and services to individuals and groups. Apply community development strategies that engage citizens and community partners while advocating for healthy communities. Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development as a recreation and leisure services professional.
Global Citizenship and Equity Portfolio:
Students in this program will develop a portfolio documenting their engagement with the College's signature global citizenship and equity competencies.
