LINKS
Murray
State University Recreation Club Builds Strong Leaders and Community Pride
while Having a Good Time Through participation in Recreation Club activities,
students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, volunteer
in the local community and have a good time socializing with fellow classmates.
The club has a three-part mission: Professional Development, Community
Service and Social Activities. By adhering to the club mission, students
gain some valuable experiences, develop job-related skills and forge new
friendships.
Professional Development
Students gain professional experience in a variety of settings. At the state
level, recreation students have been highly involved with the Kentucky Recreation
and Park Society (KRPS). MSU recreation majors have successfully organized
educational sessions presented at KRPS state conventions. In addition, students
have served as room hosts at conferences and have sponsored student social
events. Many students have actively participated in therapeutic and outdoor
section meetings and events as well as attended board meetings.
Community Service
Recreation majors have provided several hundred man-hours to the local community
through a variety of community service projects. With the help of the Kentucky
Division of Forestry, club members planted nearly 400 pine trees in a local
city/county park as a buffer between developing businesses and the park.
The tree planting was held on Arbor Day. By example, the club hopes to encourage
other groups in the community to get involved with this worthwhile cause.
Recreation students spent one weekend collecting garbage at Parker's Field,
a local Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources recreational
area. The students collected a variety of trash including aluminum cans
and automobile tires. This event turned out to be more than a workday. Many
of the students and faculty brought their families, fishing poles and picnic
lunches. One student brought his canoe to help haul garbage and recreate.
Above are only a few examples of MSU student involvement in their community.
Recreation majors are involved in many other service activities including
Special Olympics, Relay for Life, Girl and Boy Scouts, and church events.
Social Activities
Each semester, the club organizes a picnic at a local park. Students have
an opportunity to socialize with each other, the faculty, park board members
and members of community agencies such as the Red Cross, Senior Citizen
Center, etc. This is a great time for students to develop community contacts,
inquire about volunteer, internship, or seasonal positions.
