Recreation as a Developmental Experience (PDF)

It's not all "fun and games." A growing body of research suggeststhat recreation activities can be powerful development contextswhen they are properly framed and intentionally designed. Thisvolume highlights much of that research, and the articles thatfollow provide ample evidence that well-framed recreationactivities and contexts can provide a range of positivedevelopmental outcomes.

Editors Lawrence R. Allen and Robert J. Barcelona draw on theirown work in human and youth development and have assembledcontributing authors who explore the important of meaningfulrecreation and leisure experiences in the lives of youth and thevalue of recreation from a developmental perspective. Chaptersfocus on the developmental potential of specific recreationcontexts and settings and provide research and evidence-basedstrategies outlining the activities that best promote positiveyouth development. Finally, the volume demonstrates how recreationis being used to strengthen individual and community assets and itsrole as a contributor in addressing pressing social issues.

This is the 130th volume of New Directions for YouthDevelopment, the Jossey-Bass quarterly report seriesdedicated to bringing together everyone concerned with helpingyoung people, including scholars, practitioners, and people fromdifferent disciplines and professions. The result is a uniqueresource presenting thoughtful, multi-faceted approaches to helpingour youth develop into responsible, stable, well-roundedcitizens.