The Natural Resource Recreation and Sports curriculum provides students the opportunity to obtain a general background in leisure studies and to focus their studies on one of five concentrations: Recreation and Sports Management, Adventure Recreation, Park and Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Science and Forestry (2+2 Transfer Program), or Forest Technology (1+1 Transfer Program). The program is designed to prepare students for post-graduation careers while at the same time offering the flexibility for students to transfer to four-year colleges or universities.

Each of the program concentrations offers students a number of opportunities. In addition to the theoretical background associated with each of the concentrations, students of the Natural Resource Recreation and Sports (NRRS) program gain a tremendous amount of practical experience that is applicable to numerous leisure-oriented jobs. Graduates of the program find opportunities as park managers, recreation leaders, aquatics specialists, campground managers, sports specialists, outdoor adventure guides, park rangers, fitness or sport center directors, social directors, activity directors in therapeutic and resort settings, outdoor educators, recreation therapy aides, conservation officers, and many more. Program concentrations are also designed to assist students in obtaining various certifications relative to the field, including NYS guiding license, kayaking instructor, wilderness first aid, and adventure program facilitator, among others.

Students who successfully complete the program receive either an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) or an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, with the exception of the Forest Technology concentration. For those students wishing to continue on for a bachelor's degree, the NRRS program has developed tremendous rapport with many four-year colleges and universities, both in and out of New York State. Graduates of the NRRS program are prepared to be certified as Recreation Associates by the National Recreation and Park Association, provided they have completed the necessary work experience requirement.

To learn more about the Recreation and Sports Management program, visit the NRRS program website at http://www.delhi.edu/academics/ parks.

The Instructional Program

The core courses of the NRRS program emphasize theoretical and practical application of park, recreation, leisure, physical education, and natural resource management. Small class sizes allow for considerable individual contact between instructors and students. This one-on-one, hands-on atmosphere is the cornerstone of the program. Additional hands-on experience comes from the Catskill Outdoor Education Corps (COEC). This AmeriCorps project provides NRRS program students with extensive instructional and resource support. The COEC also allows students the opportunity to gain valuable field-related experience through various community service projects such as trail development and outdoor education programming.

The NRRS program faculty view student advisement as one of their most important responsibilities. Students can fully develop the coursework necessary for their concentration while at the same time addressing individual interests and needs through consultation with their faculty advisor.

Educational Resources

The main campus at SUNY Delhi has excellent recreational facilities. The Clark Field House, which opened in the spring of 2004, houses the Floyd L. Maines Arena, the College's gymnasium, and the CADI Fitness Center. Adjacent to the Clark Field House is a mini-dome air structure that houses tennis and basketball courts, an indoor track, and an indoor driving range. Kunsela Hall is home to the College's indoor pool and two racquetball courts. Also located on the main campus are outdoor tennis and basketball courts as well as various athletic fields used for academics, athletics, and intramurals alike.

The lower campus includes an 18-hole golf course with practice putting green and driving range, two fishing streams, picnic area, and hiking and horseback-riding trails. Adjacent to the lower campus is the Catskill Outdoor Education Center, a 50-acre interpretive center that includes two miles of trails, a small amphitheater, an outdoor classroom, and various sitting and picnic areas.

Other educational resources at the program's disposal are a 100-acre arboretum that acts as a natural laboratory, featuring special woodland interpretive trails and wildlife planting trails, and the 185-acre John Lennox Demonstration Forest, the oldest conifer plantation of its type in New York State.

Recreation and Sports Management

The Recreation and Sports Management concentration is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in sports, recreation, and physical education outside of teaching. In close consultation with their advisor, students are offered the opportunity to tailor their program of study to suit their career aspirations. Whether this aspiration is coaching, working in the front office of a professional team, or facility management, the Recreation and Sports Management concentration allows students the flexibility to engage in a broad range of coursework related to each of these endeavors. Students who successfully complete this concentration receive an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and also fulfill the academic requirements necessary to obtain a New York State Coaching Certificate.

Curriculum

SUNY Curriculum Code: 1565

First Semester

Second Semester  

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Degree Requirement: 67 credit hours

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have a high school diploma and have completed Mathematics Course A and one year of biology (preferably Regents level or equivalent).

Program Objectives

A graduate of the Natural Resource Recreation and Sports: Recreation and Sports Management A.A.S. program should be able to:

1. Discuss the academic and career opportunities available in the field of park and outdoor recreation and have a working knowledge of how to utilize these opportunities.
2. Discuss the philosophy, history, scope, and significance of the park and outdoor recreation movement.
3. Select the appropriate sport, game, or outdoor activity for various situations in a park and/or recreational setting.
4. Plan and supervise recreation programs for governmental, non-profit, and commercial agencies.
5. Understand and apply fundamental concepts, principles, and procedures for the planning, development, and design of recreational resources, areas, and facilities.
6. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of park and recreation administration.
7. Understand the relationships between organisms and their physical and biological environments and the structure and function of ecosystems, communities, and populations.
8. Demonstrate a thorough grounding in the theory and application of at least one specific area of the physical education discipline, such as cross-country skiing, swimming, golf, tennis, fitness for life, team sports, volleyball, weight training, or badminton.
9. Demonstrate practical experience in the field of parks and outdoor recreation management.
10. Develop and lead a recreation activity.
11. Satisfy the educational requirements to be certified as a Recreational Associate with the National Recreation and Park Association.
12. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.