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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
"Are We Doing All We Can For Our Kids"
January, 2000
by: Laurie A. Jerge, guest writer
Recreation Department
City of Roswell
"Are We Doing All We Can For Our Kids"
Dave McCormick, CLP
APRS State Newsletter Editor
Over the last twenty-five years, how our profession provides recreation and
leisure services for young people has changed dramatically. Do you remember
the days when we all met down at the local park, or school playground to pick
teams and play baseball all day long? Or, went to the lake to swim at the
beach and the hi-lite of the afternoon was to go down the new fifteen foot
metal water slide, or to jump off the floating dock. How times have changed.
From organized baseball, soccer, football, tennis and golf leagues (just to
name a few) for hundreds of children within our communities to multi-million
dollar water parks, the recreational opportunities for the youth in this
country have improved a thousand fold.
The benefits of these services impact the entire community in a very
positive manner and have special meaning to young people. Unfortunately, we do
not have to look far beyond the boundaries of cities and towns throughout this
nation to see that young people of our communities need our help. It is not a
perfect world. The abuse and violence, poverty and social misfortunes that
threaten the healthy environment of a young person’s development is evident
throughout the nation. The health of our communities is not related only to
economics. By providing a sound, wholesome and meaningful environment, parks
and recreation opportunities nurture and assist in the development of this
nations greatest asset, the children. Theodore Roosevelt once said, "This
country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a
good place for all of us to live in. "
How is this achieved? There are a variety of ways recreation and park
opportunities have influenced and made a positive impact on children. Through
participating in leisure activities the social interaction, empowerment,
constructive use of time, adult support and mentoring are essential to the
sound development of children. Departments continually seek to provide part of
the fundamental positive building blocks for youth development by creating an
atmosphere and environment of fun, challenge and excitement. Do recreation and
park professionals have all the answers? No, but we continue to seek ways to
meet the diverse needs of young people in our communities. It is a never
ending process. (Excerpt from Dave McCormick, CLP, APRS State Newsletter).
Dave McCormack’s remarks encourage Departments to analyze what they are
doing to combat the problems that today’s youth are encountering. To be even
more specific, what is the Roswell Recreation Department doing to meet their
needs? Realizing the challenges that exist facing today’s youth, the Roswell
Recreation Department plans programs that address these issues. The Yucca
Recreation Center has several projects being offered to include the Extramurals
Program under the guidance of Jack Batson. February has the participants
"Jumping for Heart", March's sport will be Dodge Ball, April will be
focusing on Badminton, and the May program of the month will be the Roswell
Games. The program is run cooperatively through the Roswell Independent School
District and the Yucca Recreation Center. Children learn technique,
sportsmanship, the chance to belong and participate and have better use of their
after-school time. When youth are actively involved in recreational programs
they will feel better about themselves, and will be less likely to turn to
drugs, gangs, vandalism and crime. Parks & Recreation programs provide our
youth with opportunities for constructive use of their leisure time. A safe
& educational program for children of working parents is the all day
Vacation Fun Days, the Spring Break Camp, and the Summer Vacation Fun Program.
Other programs at the Yucca Recreation Center are the "One Day
Outings" with trips to White Sands, Sitting Bull Falls, and several other
outing experiences and promises to be a day of fun, exercise, and play. S.O.Y.
Mariachi Band participation will expose youth to the culture arts and enhance
their musical skills. The Roswell Folklorico Program places a high value on
learning about Mexican Culture through their dance program. The program helps
over 80 children annually to perform in exhibitions and gives self confidence.
The Roswell Youth Basketball League builds character and assists over 900
children and is based on the philosophy that "all children are
winners". Youth need and deserve the opportunity to succeed - the Yucca
Recreation Center continues to provide the programs that allow it to happen.
Parks and Recreation - The Benefits are Endless...TM
