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Recreation Program
 In the past, people devoted a much larger proportion of their time to earning a living and a much smaller part to leisure pursuits than we do today. The amount of leisure time at the disposal of the average person has increased significantly as the work week has shortened.
Management of leisure pursuits is now a thriving business field, and trained professionals in recreation are finding many career options open to them. They may work in outdoor recreation for state parks or national forests; in commercial recreation, managing health clubs or resorts; in colleges or universities, managing recreation programs for students; and in communities, providing recreation services for all in dividuals. They may move into advanced managerial positions. Some pursue the related field of therapeutic recreation, where leisure activities are used to help treat and improve the condition of special populations such as senior citizens or individuals with disabilities.
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale established one of the first comprehensive recreation programs in the United States. The program has long been recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and service: for example, we pioneered in the development of outdoor camping programs for people with disabilities.
 We have done much over the years to advance the professions as a whole, helping it achieve its current stature. Outstanding resources are available to our students- the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Touch of Nature Environmental Center, Shawnee National Forest, and Giant City State Park are within a few miles of the Carbondale campus, and there are numerous correctional, mental health, and recreation agencies that provide excellent opportunities for practical experience and research projects. In short, we offer one of the finest degree programs in recreation that you can find.
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