Well-documented educational inequities in the United States are often exacerbated by unequal access to high quality after-school programming, as well as extracurricular and summer activities. This “out-of-school” issue may receive less attention from education advocates, but research shows some of our most powerful learning and developmental experiences happen while playing a sport or when exploring nature and parks. In fact, regular and prolonged engagement in meaningful extracurricular activities has been strongly correlated with academic and professional achievement.
Students in the Recreation & Sport in Communities, Parks & Schools Minor will learn important theory and socio-cultural context. The program will prepare students to provide quality, inclusive, accessible, recreation experiences and services in a wide variety of public and nonprofit settings, including municipal parks and recreation agencies, middle and high school athletic departments, and state and national parks.