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Recreation

ARC's recreation program offers an associate degree that provides training for an entry-level career in the field of recreation and leisure services. Our program explores the many career fields in recreation, including public service, private recreation, outdoor recreation, and leadership positions.

Degrees Offered

A.A. in Recreation

Interim Dean Carson Lowden
Department Chair Tim Finnecy
Phone (916) 484-8201
Email askhb-healthed@arc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree

A.A. in Recreation

This degree provides training for an entry-level career in the field of recreation and leisure services. It explores the many career fields in recreation, including public service, private recreation, outdoor recreation, and leadership positions.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
COMM C1000	Introduction to Public Speaking (3)	3
or COMM 331	Group Discussion (3)
ECE 312	Child Development (3)	3
or PSYC 372	Child Development (3)
GERON 305	Introduction to Geropsychology and the Aging Brain (3)	3
or PSYC 375	Introduction to Geropsychology and the Aging Brain (3)
RECR 300	Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services	3
RECR 310	Outdoor Recreation	3
RECR 320	Recreation Activity Leadership	3
A minimum of 2 units from the following:		2
RECR 498	Work Experience in Recreation (0.5 - 4)
Total Units:		20

The Recreation Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

analyze community needs for parks and recreation programs.
create recreation programs and supervise staff.
demonstrate leadership skills in recreation programs.
administer a wide variety of parks and community services.

Career Information

Careers in recreation include jobs in park facilities and services in federal, state, municipal, and voluntary nonprofit agencies. Commercial and private recreation also provide opportunities for employment. Travel and tourism, club management, resort recreation, food and beverage services, lodging, professional sports, entertainment, and cultural services are very much an integral part of the recreation and leisure services market.

Recreation (RECR) Courses

RECR 300 Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an overview of recreation, park, and leisure services. It covers recreation as a form of community service, as well as the nature, scope, and significance of leisure and recreation as a social force in contemporary society. It emphasizes the role of the professional leader in organizing recreation programs and services, operations, facilities, and resources. Field trips may be required.

RECR 310 Outdoor Recreation

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an orientation to job opportunities in the outdoor recreation field. It includes an overview of different types of outdoor recreation, socio-economic factors in outdoor recreation, the role of government, the role of the private sector, management, and issues and trends in outdoor recreation. Philosophies and operating purposes of outdoor recreation facilities run by federal, state, and local governments are discussed. Virtual and or in-person field trips are required.

RECR 320 Recreation Activity Leadership

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is an introductory course for recreation majors, involving a study of essential elements and basic principles of organization and leadership of various types of recreation programs. It covers the methods and materials used in planning and conducting organized recreation programs in public and private agencies. It also emphasizes the role of the leader in organizing recreational programs in a variety of settings. Field trips may be required.

RECR 498 Work Experience in Recreation

Units:0.5 - 4
Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Enrollment Limitation:Before students can participate in the Work Experience program, Los Rios Community College District must have a signed Employer Agreement on file with the student’s employer. If the employer already has an active agreement with the district (viewable at losrios.edu/wexpemployeragreement), no further action is required. In addition, students must have a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job that aligns with their career goals and a cooperating worksite supervisor who will sign all required course documents. Dual enrollment students are not permitted to enroll in Work Experience courses. Students are advised to consult with the Recreation Department faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU
General Education:Local GE L7B
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides students with opportunities to reflect on their current skills, knowledge and abilities and explore how these are work assets and how these can be enhanced and/or developed to increase employability within the field of recreation. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in transfer-level degree occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at an approved work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.

During the semester, the student is required to complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units.

Students new to Work Experience will be required to engage weekly while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. All students are required to attend the first course meeting.

Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times. Students are encouraged to develop new or expanded learning objectives in consultation with their employer when the course is repeated. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

RECR 499 Experimental Offering in Recreation

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.