Articles
Take Control Of Aquatic Staffing
Aquatic facilities across the country are facing unprecedented staffing challenges. How they are addressed today can lead to an even stronger foundation in the future.
Getting “Green”horns Started
In the profession of parks, recreation and leisure services, creating, implementing and evaluating programs are the primary tasks. The scope of work is ever-changing, and now includes many non-
Pooling Resources
Hiring, training, and retaining a quality lifeguard staff presents many challenges. Managers depend on the lifeguards to keep the pools safe, the public happy and the facilities clean. While safety
Effective Supervision
Every year in parks and recreation departments across the country, coaches and supervisors take center stage as a new group of athletes files in to participate in swimming lessons, basketball camps, gymnastics,
Where's The Bully?
If you’ve spent any time watching TV, reading a newspaper or magazine, or talking to colleagues who work with kids, the topic of bullies has surely come up. Among the important issues to address:
Hey, Lifeguard, Look At Me!
This past June, I paused to observe an energetic 5-year-old who was getting a lifeguard’s attention by yelling, “Hey, lifeguard, look at me!” As an aquatic manager, I’ve heard those five
Youth Development
When conducting an online search for “positive youth development,” one will likely find a wide range of definitions and approaches.
More Than A Box On A Resume
Many parks and recreation agencies take the time to prepare students for the industry through internships. For those organizations looking to hire an intern, the following will provide some
Aquatic Management Training
As a decentralized aquatic operation within a large urban recreation and parks department, swimming pools must be operated with a seasonal pool-management team consisting of a manager, assistant
A Positive Spin
“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” – Peggy O’Mara
As a parent of three young children, I have to second-guess so many things I’ve said to my kids. Was I too tough? Not tough enough?
Adopt A Reflective Mindset
Those readers who have spent time working with young people are likely familiar with the phrase “teachable moments.” And those who have heard the term probably embrace the idea
Squash It!
Too often, park and rec or youth-development professionals become inadvertently paralyzed by fear, and programs and participants suffer. While apprehension and fear are perfectly normal feelings,
The Trouble With Labels
We live in a time when the terms “normal” and “abnormal” are used far too often to describe the news, politics, and, unfortunately, even our young people. While the idea that some terms
Tell it Like it Is!
If you’ve read my columns in the past, you might remember me quoting a presenter I saw several years ago at a conference (unfortunately, I remember the statement but not the
Science Says
No matter what our place is on the political spectrum, if we live and work in the United States, we exist in a world of facts, and “alternative facts.”
Engaging Preschoolers
“Daddy, you be Simba, and I’ll be Nala,” says my almost 4-year-old daughter as I try for what feels like the hundredth time to get her to take a bite of her oatmeal.
Learn To Share
How many times have you learned about something happening in your program, department, or community and thought to yourself, “Wow, I wish someone would have talked to me before they made that choice”?
When To Chime In
We’re very lucky working in parks and recreation because most of what we do with young people is focused on building skills, character, and sportsmanship, and just having fun.
Reevaluating Staff Evaluations
For most program supervisors, preparing and delivering staff evaluations is about as much fun as getting a root canal.
Leadership Development
Do these issues sound like those you tackle daily: encouraging staff morale, leading engaging meetings, dealing with a high number of part-time workers and staff turnover, and delivering first-class customer service?