Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, Third Edition, presents perspectives from 52 leading experts from around the world. It delves into foundational concepts, delivery systems, and programming services; offers an array of ancillaries; and helps students make informed career choices.

This course textbook provides a comprehensive three-step plan for successful programming of services, programme leadership and understanding operational management in recreation and leaisure organisations.

It has been over 20 years since the first edition of "Productive Management of Leisure Service Organisations" was conceptualised, written, and published. Now in it's 4th edition, "Managing Recreation, Parks & Leisure Services" considers three critical changes in the leisure services field: technology and information resolution, nature of the workforce, and the basic revision of our economy. These changes have greatly impacted the management of human resources, which is the main focus of this book.

This third edition is unique. In the first edition, entitled Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Service Organisations, the authors organised the effort into separate theoretical and practical applications sections that covered a variety of direct service areas. The second edition was split into textbooks, Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Service Organisations and Leadership for Recreation and Leisure Programs and Settings. The current effort focuses on bringing together a number of interrelated elements that influence leadership in recreation, parks, and leisure service organisations. The first part of the book discusses the work of leaders and includes presentation of theoretical and foundational information. The second part focuses on leaders in groups. Finally, the third part is dedicated to leadership elements in a number of recreation, parks, and leisure service settings. Leadership in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services also features many distinctive pedagological elements. The authors have identified learning objectives and key terms at the beginning of each chapter. This will be useful in helping students focus their attention to the intent of each chapter. In addition, each chapter has marginal quotations featuring perspectives from notable individuals. These quotations will provide heightened awareness and understanding of the subject matter. Also featured in each chapter is an outstanding leader in the recreation, parks, and leisure service field. These vignettes, known as A Legacy of Leadership, feature historic and current figures in the recreation, parks, and, leisure service field. Further, leadership perspectives from professionals across the United States are included in the section entitled Leadership: A Point of View from the Profession. Each chapter is concluded with discussion questions, a case study, and experiential learning experiences from which students can explore and analyse their own thinking, engage in problems-solving strategies, and reflect upon their own thinking regarding leadership.

Often requested and fully updated, the 4th edition of Leadership in Leisure Services: Making a Difference by Deb Jordan and Ronald Ramsing, includes fully updated chapters with contemporary practices for leadership in the broad field of recreation and parks. In addition, the first two chapters of previous editions (introductory material and leadership theories) have been combined into one chapter; this enhances the flow of material while still setting the stage for understanding leadership as an important construct in our discipline. The text continues to integrate issues of diversity throughout the chapters and includes new information about the impact of microaggressions on participants in a range of recreation settings. Additional emphasis is put on professional practicebecoming a recreation and parks professional and continuing professional development are addressed in such a way as to encourage students to view professionalism as a journey rather than an end. Group development is presented using the Tuckman model and social issues have been updated to include the role of professionals in addressing the obesity epidemic as well as bullying and violence. All material has been updated to reflect the current state of research in each topic area. Test questions and PowerPoint presentations for each chapter are included as ancillaries.

Used in numerous universities throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, this book provides programming insights for educators, practitioners, and students. The book will present readers with the vital tools necessary in providing successful programs for their patrons.