Recreation and Leisure Services
Program Overview
Humber’s Recreation and Leisure Services diploma program provides you with the skills needed to start your career in government, not-for-profit and commercial recreation organizations. You will learn about recreation programming, special event management, staff management, facility operations, marketing and other services within the industry.
The curriculum is designed with industry collaboration, ensuring it is current and relevant. Within the program, students use ActiveNet software and PerfectMind, the most widely used registration management software in the recreation industry.
Students apply their skills by planning and implementing events for local community and charity organizations. A one-day leadership camp at Pursuit OCR helps build communication and leadership skills while guest speakers, practical training and field trips provide added benefits in preparing you for the workplace.
Learning from professors, as well as managers and directors of recreation programs, centres and agencies will give you valuable exposure to the industry and training in current issues.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
- Develop, implement and evaluate inclusive* recreation*, leisure* and wellness* programs and events for individuals, groups and communities which respond to assessed needs, interests, abilities and that use available resources and incorporate best practices.
- Apply administrative and customer service skills to support the delivery of recreation*, leisure* and wellness* programs, events and services.
- Analyze, develop and implement marketing strategies to reach diverse individuals, groups and communities for programs, events, services and facilities using current communication technologies.
- Contribute to the development of fiscally sustainable and responsible recreation*, leisure and wellness* programs, events and services using current and relevant principles and practices of business, finance and social entrepreneurship*.
- Supervise, lead and support the development of staff and volunteers involved with recreation*, leisure* and wellness* programs, events and services.
- Apply safety and accessibility practices to the efficient operation and administration of recreation* and leisure* facilities and settings*.
- Promote the benefits and values of recreation*, leisure* and healthy active living* and recommend inclusive* programs, events and services to individuals and groups.
- Apply community development* strategies which engage citizens and community partners while advocating for healthy communities*.
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development as a recreation* and leisure* services professional.
Work Placement
Qualified students will complete a work placement in Semester 4 – three days per week for 15 weeks (total of 250 hours). The faculty works with the student to find a placement with an industry partner. The placement occurs across industry sectors including municipal recreation facilities, professional sport associations, community and amateur sport governing bodies, and private sector recreation and/or sport organizations. These placements provide valuable experience and industry contacts.
Humber Advantages
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Industry Partnerships
Longo Faculty of Business has more than 500 industry partners. Partners provide funding for capital projects, offer internships for students, donate more than $60,000 in awards and scholarships and employ Humber graduates. Industry partners include municipal and commercial recreation facilities, sports organizations, not-for-profit service clubs, health centres, event management companies, seniors centres and long-term care facilities.
Internship Partners
Student Experience
Watch the video to see the International Sports Fair held by our Recreation and Leisure students.
Go Abroad
Summer Abroad
Students in this program may be eligible for a credit through Summer Abroad in Croatia, Denmark, Finland, India, Japan, New Zealand, Peru or Vietnam.
Placement Abroad
Students have the opportunity to complete program work placements in Canada or abroad. Students may also be eligible to receive a bursary from Humber.
Study Abroad
Qualified students in this program may apply to participate in a ten day experiential learning trip including one week at IMG Sport Academy, Florida and an experience with the Dunedin Blue Jays.
Qualified students in this program may also apply to a study abroad service learning trip to contribute to a global community. Past service learning trips were to Nunavut and Nicaragua. In addition, eligible students have the opportunity to apply for a study abroad experiential trip to Peru.
Each year, we offer a variety of experiential learning trip opportunities for students to study abroad. Our annual short duration experiential trips in May are approximately two weeks in length.
These trips vary each year and are subject to availability and eligibility requirements. Additional fees apply.
Your Career
People and governments are focused on the benefits of having an active lifestyle. Current estimates place the health-care cost of physical inactivity in Canada at $6.8 billion annually. As a result, the need for dedicated professionals who can help Canadians live healthier, active lives is greater than ever.
Graduates plan, deliver and manage leisure, recreation and wellness operations in a variety of roles and responsibilities for:
- commercial recreation organizations
- leisure centres
- municipal governments
- not-for-profit agencies
- outdoor education centres
- sport organizations
Potential employment opportunities include:
- active living co-ordinator
- aquatics supervisor
- camp supervisor
- program supervisor
- recreation programmer/co-ordinator
- special events co-ordinator
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Certification Opportunities
Qualified students have the opportunity to earn certification in Parks and Recreation Ontario’s HIGH FIVE Principles of Healthy Child Development program, QUEST Training for supervisory staff as well as a certificate in Inclusive Recreation Programming – Level 1. All full-time students receive a student membership with Parks and Recreation Ontario.
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Related Programs
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
About the COIsNews Feed
Taste Testing and Web Design: A Collaborative Project Between Baking and Pastry Arts and Digital Business Management Students
Tue, March 14, 2023
Digital Business Management students worked with Baking and Pastry Arts Management students on a collaborative project to develop a Café Reviews blog.
From the Coliseum to the Slopes: International Students Take on the Canadian Winter
Mon, March 13, 2023
This winter marked the first time many international partnership program students experienced a Canadian winter.
FGF Brands Shares Recipe for a Great Career with Students
Mon, March 06, 2023
Talent Acquisition Coordinators Mahtash and Sam from FGF Brands were welcomed by the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Centre on February 6th to share Summer 2023 student opportunities.
Humber Teams Win First and Second Place in Event Industry Student Competition
Tue, February 28, 2023
First-year Event Management diploma and postgraduate level students participated in an Event Industry Student Competition sponsored by Meeting Professionals International (MPI).
Event Management Field Trip Fosters Hands-on Learning Experience
Mon, February 27, 2023
Hospitality - Event Management students spent the day at three event-based companies for an industry field trip.
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On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
