Recreation and leisure is a nonstop industry with phenomenal growth, tremendous potential, and diverse career paths and options. Introduction to Recreation and Leisurepresents a new-millennium view of this evolving field that -presents historical, philosophical, and social aspects of the industry, which students can use to build their knowledge of the field; -offers fresh insights to the standard treatment of community parks and recreation departments, youth and nonprofit agencies, commercial recreation, and tourism enterprises; -describes how recreation provides fun, enriching, and educational programs and services for people of all ages; -encompasses a variety of services, including recreational sports, outdoor activities, fitness and wellness, and arts and culture; and -exposes students to the variety of career options available and supports them as they explore their interests and prepare for challenging careers in one of the leading industries of the 21st century. Introduction to Recreation and Leisureis an ideal introductory text to the field, not only because of its complete coverage but also because of its unique voice. Written by 34 professors and professionals from the United States and Canada, this book offers the collective view of these eminent scholars, rising stars, and leading professionals. The result is a rich portrait of the field that also compares and contrasts the perspectives found in the two countries. Introduction to Recreation and Leisureincludes the following textbook features: -Profiles of outstanding graduates and indicators for future directions in the field -Web sites with links that provide access to real-world recreation -Photos that illustrate the great variety of recreation and leisure -Online instructor guide that presents an all-in-one, easy-to-implement support package complete with chapter overviews, discussion questions, objectives, and learning activities that interface with technology -Presentation package of key points and illustrations -Test package with multiple-choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions The book is divided into three parts. Part Iprovides students the foundational history, philosophy, and understanding of the field in relation to the individual and society. Part IIintroduces students to different sectors of the field, presenting the multifaceted delivery system through parks, public recreation, nonprofit organizations, commercial recreation and tourism, therapeutic recreation, and unique groups. Part IIIpresents the different types of programming found in recreation and leisure services, including recreational sports; fitness, health, and wellness; outdoor and adventure recreation; and arts and culture. It includes career directions and ends with a chapter on the nature of recreation and leisure as a profession. Introduction to Recreation and Leisurecelebrates a multifaceted profession that has been one of the top three growth employment areas in the past 15 years. It provides foundational information and real-world connections to the profession, and it prepares students for their future in recreation and leisure.