College - Author 1
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Department - Author 1
Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration
Date
6-2010
Primary Advisor
Brian Greenwood
Abstract/Summary
Teen programs in community recreation have seen a decline in participation in recent years. Adolescents present recreation professionals with the challenge of designing programs that are enjoyable and developmentally stimulating. The purpose of this study was to assess the motivations of San Luis Obispo adolescents to participate in community recreation programs. This study was conducted at Laguna Middle School in San Luis Obispo by conducting two focus groups, one with seventh grade students and the other with eighth grade students. It was found that students are both intrinsically and extrinsically motivated by factors such as competition, an established history with the activity, social aspects, and performing. Adolescents have a negative view of the local recreation department but enjoy participating in extracurricular activities. Recommendations regarding future research include using a multifaceted approach to data collection and obtaining a larger sample size. The recreation department should involve adolescents in the planning of teen activities.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/rptasp/11