Incorporating an Outcome Orientation into the Curriculum

Abstract

While the fact that recreation provides a multitude of benefits to participants, communities, the economy, and the environment is certainly not a new concept to parks and recreation academics nor professionals, the general public has yet to be fully convinced. In response to this felt need, the National Recreation and Park Association launched the Benefits Movement in the mid 1990s as a means to help establish the legitimacy of the field. Academia, however, has not fully integrated an outcome orientation into its curricula, causing many graduates to seek additional training in the field to gain a working knowledge of this approach. The purpose of this paper is to provide park and recreation educators with an overview of the Benefits Movement and to explore its utility as one means through which academia can incorporate an outcome orientation across the composite of course offerings.

Keywords:

• outcome orientation
• Benefits Movement
• curriculum development

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karen P. Hurtes

Biographical Information

Karen P. Hurtes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at the University of Utah, 250 South 1850 East, Room 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84112–0920.

Lawrence R. Allen

Lawrence R. Allen is a Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University, 532A Edwards Hall, Box 340701, Clemson, SC 29634–0701.