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Recreation partnerships expand park programs
By Douglas McEwen Those familiar outdoor scenes — songs around a campfire, an early morning canoe on a still lake, hiking up a mountain or canoeing down a peaceful river — are recognized as enjoyable recreation. Yet for many professionals in local and community settings, such activities are considered someone else's responsibility. In the past there has been a division between those professionals who program in community settings and those who work in outdoor camps, adventure programs and nature centers. However, this situation is changing as the climate becomes more conducive for contracting services. Many park districts are now beginning to see the possibility of offering outdoor recreation within their program without assuming the responsibility for organization or staffing. To date, some Chicago area park districts have begun to contract for adventure programs in locations like the Boundary Water Canoe area, but much more can be done. Nature appreciation, day camps and traditional resident camps are other areas of outdoor recreation that may be offered within a park program. An outdoor partnership Three organizations in Carbondale formed an outdoor camp partnership. The Carbondale Park District held a series of meetings with the Department of Recreation at Southern Illinois University (SIU) and the Touch of Nature Environmental Center, Illinois Parks and Recreation 15 May/June 1985 which is also associated with the university. The Recreation Department wanted to involve its students in outdoor recreation programming for both camps and adventure trips. The Center wanted to serve more program participants and maximize utilization of its staff and facilities. Since the needs of the three organizations were complimentary, a program proposal was developed. Through negotiation, it was decided that the Carbondale Park District would offer day, theme and residential camps for children as part of its summer program. A phone survey revealed tremendous interest in the idea and the district's board of commissioners approved a three-year pilot program. The community's enthusiasm came not only from a wish to see children participate in outdoor recreation, but also from the need of working parents to find care for their children during the summer months. Program goals Five basic goals were developed for the program; • To provide campers with a memorable summer of fun and companionship under the guidance of qualified and dedicated staff. • To develop resourcefulness, initiative, self-reliance and recognition of the worth and dignity of each individual. • To provide an inner satisfaction, a sense of awe and wonder, and a deep enjoyment for both camper and counselor. • To help campers learn to live cooperatively with others in an unfamiliar social environment. • To fill the camper's day with new friends, fresh experiences and a strong appreciation of outdoor environments and participation in those environments. • To encourage the development of skills and knowledge that may contribute to wholesome, lifelong recreation attitudes. Once approved, planning for the program began. A camp management class at SIU was assigned responsibility for creating the programs. A camp director was hired by the park district to coordinate the class activities with the Touch of Nature Environmental Center staff. Publicity activities began immediately and efforts were made to attend outdoor trade shows, shopping centers and schools where people interested in such a program might be found. Program ideas generated by the university class were incorporated into brochures for distribution Illinois Parks and Recreation 16 May/June 1985 throughout the community. The park district registers participants and collects fees, but the programs are contracted by an agreement between the district and the Environmental Center. Program update Thus far the cooperative has received tremendous support. The park district has enhanced its program offering and is providing the needed services for its youth. The university gained an opportunity to involve students in a very practical outdoor recreation program exercise. And, finally, the Environmental Center is making better utilization of its staff and facilities while providing a greater liaison service with the surrounding community. This project illustrates how community park and recreation agencies can cooperate with outdoor organizations to enhance their programs. There are a number of outdoor programming centers throughout the State and midwest region. More information can be obtained through the Department of Recreation or Touch of Nature Environmental Center at SIU. Other opportunities A number of residential camps are available and probably anxious to have cooperative agreements to fill certain sessions. Many of these camps can reserve time periods for theme camps that would meet the needs of a particular recreation program offering. For example, theme camps could range from sports, computers and performing arts to those designed for families, handicapped populations or seniors. Many of these camps have facilities for shorter weekend stays (three or four days) and day camps. More information can be obtained from the American Camping Association or local youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. A number of environmental interpretive centers exist throughout the State and in the Chicago metropolitan area. These organizations are Illinois Parks and Recreation 17 May/June 1985 always willing to develop cooperative programs. Many of them offer day hikes or day camps in which nature study and recreation are combined. Often the staff will come to community recreation facilities or parks to offer a number of quality programs. This does not require transportation by the local participants. Finally, there are a number of adventure program organizations that will contract to lead canoe trips, hiking trips and other adventure outings. Such outings can last for several days or several weeks and be designed for specific clientele. Most of these adventure organizations provide all necessary equipment except personal belongings. They also provide instruction on needed outdoor skills such as canoeing, hiking, rock climbing and outdoor cooking. An expedition can be the highlight of a summer playground sports league or other youth program. It can also be a tremendous opportunity for a family vacation or a get-away weekend.
Values of outdoor recreation Adventure is perhaps one of the most important values of outdoor recreation. People enjoy a sense of exploration and discovery in the out-of-doors. Many times this is coupled with the need to escape from the routine and boredom of the normal work-home life. Outdoor recreation also can be very important for reduction of stress. Just getting away from the home environment into the outdoors can have a relaxing, therapeutic effect on many people. The outdoors can offer fellowship. Many people hike into the out-of-doors in small groups to know each other better. There is something about a camp that lets the executive director and the bulldozer operator come together and enjoy themselves with fewer social barriers. The outdoors help young people develop their personalities and their inner personal relationships through working with others and testing themselves against the environment. Outdoor recreation can develop a love of nature. The discovery of wildlife and rare plants, or just viewing natural scenery, captures our interests and provides an understanding of the world around us. Observing nature many times culminates in aesthetic or peak experiences that provide memorable events in a person's life.
Finally, the outdoors can offer a sense of excitement. Rafting down a river or climbing a rock face provides a sense of real excitement and challenge against the elemental forces of nature. For many people the world is overly regulated and overly safe, and the outdoors provide an opportunity to gain excitement by being more reliant on one's own efforts and abilities. A local recreation and park organization can provide a variety of new program opportunities that would have not been traditionally offered. While many of these outdoor recreation activities are associated with summer, fall and spring, even winter outdoor adventures and nature studies can be planned. Also, many residential camps have winterized buildings which are sometimes offered at reduced rates during the slack seasons. Outdoor recreation is a traditional value held by Americans, and recreation programmers can do much more in making these opportunities available to their clientele. Let us all work together to bring the outdoors to our community and our community to the outdoors! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Douglas McEwen is an associate professor in the Department of Recreation at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Illinois Parks and Recreation 18 May/June 1985 |
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