The administrator of a recreational program needs to constantly evaluate that program to be sure it is accomplishing the objectives for which it is established; while objective and subjective evaluation on the part of leaders and participants are valuable, factual computerized data are also a reliable tool. (JD)

Intrinsic motivation is discussed as the main concern of evaluation of leisure and recreational programs. Two factors influencing leisure behavior are perceived freedom and perceived competence. Two types of intrinsic rewards are possible from leisure participation: rewards and those obtained from a change in environment. Evaluation should then…

The benefits of wilderness camping for juvenile delinquents are explored. (JD)

A symbolic interactionist approach to evaluation views the evaluator as an observer of group behavior in which individual action aligns with collective action. The evaluator attempts to discover what is actually going on in the program being evaluated. Though the interactionist approach frees the program manager from having to articulate goals, it…

A successful community festival will be unique, will fit the character and interests of the community, and should be headed by a versatile coordinator who can administer fund raising, publicity, and recordkeeping. (RJG)

The question of how close a recreation program approximates the original objective of the programer can only be answered by extensive evaluation. The true value of the total recreation program may be determined by evaluating the benefit of a recreation program to the participant. (JN)

Issues that must be dealt with when training recreation managers about evaluation skills are discussed and training strategies, such as simulation and case studies, are explored. The importance of converting evaluation techniques and theory into useful daily practices is stressed, whether the training takes place in the classroom or in a staff…

The deplorable condition of recreation services for women inmates was examined in a national study. The study had a twofold purpose: to ascertain the status of prison recreation services for women, and to develop a set of recreation guidelines applicable to state correctional institutions for female offenders. (JN)

Evaluation is one method of determining accountability in human service programs. A generic evaluation approach contains several steps: (1) stating a purpose for evaluating the program; (2) identifying evaluation questions; (3) identifying the nature of evaluation information; (4) collecting evaluation information; (5) analyzing evaluation…

In the fall of 1978, a study was conducted to ascertain the status of recreation personnel and programs in state maximum security facilities. The frequent criticism that correctional recreation is too sports oriented was supported by the findings of the survey. (JN)

Public leisure service agencies were surveyed in eight states in the Great Lakes region to examine the extent of public leisure service programs directed toward drug and alcohol abusers or programs directed toward neighborhoods at risk. The article offers descriptive information and survey results. (SM)

The development of an instrument to measure the satisfaction of those participating in community recreation programs is described. The resulting instrument investigates seven dimensions of participant satisfaction: achievement, family escape, environment, risk, autonomy, physical fitness, and social enjoyment. Suggestions for use of the instrument…

Most research on the effectiveness of therapeutic recreation in substance abuse treatment is either theory-based and programmatic or descriptive. This paper examines the research, noting multicultural and interdisciplinary issues. The few existing studies present generally positive results, though not always due solely to the therapeutic…

This article considers the concept of accreditation as a proper method of evaluating public park and recreation systems. Arguments for accreditation are presented, and the system used to evaluate college park and recreation curricula and administration is described. (MT)