leasure

Presenters and Chairperson

Christopher R. Edginton, Ph.D.

Secretary General, World Leisure Organization &

Professor and Director,

School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services

University of Northern Iowa

USA

Abstract. This 2-hour symposium focused on the topic of “Leisure and Wellness” will explore the reciprocal relationship between these two concepts. The intent of this symposium will be to provide information regarding basic concepts, the connections between leisure and wellness, lifestyles implications, international perspectives and a framework for programs and services. Further, the symposium will help to understand how leisure and wellness impact on the lives of individuals. As there is a rising interest in health, fitness and well being as an individual concern, it is also the parallel concern of organizations, communities and nations. The implications for individual, community and national well being will be explored. Case studies of successful program and service provision will be included in this symposium. The overview presentation will include a general paradigm for discussing leisure and wellness.

Christopher R. Edginton is Secretary General of the World Leisure Organization a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the United Nations. He has held direct leadership, supervisory and administrative positions in the recreation, parks and leisure services field. Identified as a leading proponent of the application of contemporary management concepts in the recreation, parks and leisure services field, Dr. Edginton has published over 200 articles and 26 books focused on the topics of leisure programming, management, and organizational goals. Dr. Edginton is the founder of the nationally award winning Camp AdventureÔ Youth Services program. Since its establishment in 1985 the Camp AdventureÔ program has provided contracted children and youth services worldwide. In 2007, the program served nearly 750,000 children based on daily participation rates with a staff of 900 in 20 countries. In addition, Dr. Edginton serves as Professor and Director of the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services at the University of Northern Iowa. In this capacity, he directs a faculty and staff of over 130 individuals and fiscal resources exceeding $10 million.

Leisure and Well Being: What is the Connection?

Holly M. Donohoe

University of Ottawa

CANADA

Abstract. The Human Development Index (HDI), published annually by the United Nations, ranks nations according to their citizen’s quality of life. The Index includes, but moves beyond traditional economic figures, to include measures of life expectancy, literacy, educational attainment. Although each of these dimensions could be seen to be related to the availability of meaningful leisure, no indicator of a country’s leisure opportunities and values is included in the index. However, the links between leisure, health, and wellbeing are important aspects of quality of life and they are of growing interest to scholars, professionals, policy-makers, and the citizens of the world. In Canada, the HDI has provided a pathway for the development of a more detailed and nationally relevant measure of wellbeing. The Canadian Index of Wellbeing provides a shared vision of Canadian wellbeing and a tool for measuring progress towards achieving that vision. The index is based on a set of eight wellbeing domains and a set of salient domain indicators. The inclusion of an arts, culture, and recreation domain represents the first time that leisure has been an explicit component of a Canadian wellbeing definition. Moreover, the links between leisure and wellbeing are implicit in the other Index domains: time use, healthy populations, community vitality, educated populace, ecosystem health, civic engagement, and living standards. The purpose of this presentation it is to provide an overview of the links between leisure and wellbeing as defined in the Canadian Index of Wellbeing.

Holly M. Donohoe is a lecturer and consultant in leisure and tourism management. She has collaborated on research projects within Canada and abroad and provided consultant support to a variety of organizations including the World Leisure Organization where she is the Director of International Marketing and Communications. She has published scientific articles in English, French, Mandarin, and Portuguese on a variety of topics including sustainable development, leisure marketing and management, human development and well-being. She has presented at scholarly and professional events such as the Canadian Conference on Leisure Studies, the Leisure Studies Association Conference, the World Leisure Congress; The Canadian Congress on the Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Travel and Tourism Research Association Conference. She serves as editor for several scholarly leisure and tourism research journals and she is the Chair of the Canadian Association of Geographers Tourism and Recreation Study Group. She teaches courses in tourism geography, leisure resource management and research methods at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa.

Leisure, Wellness and Lifestyle

Ricardo Ricci Uvinha, Ph.D.

Lecturer and Coordinator

Leisure and Tourism

University of Sao Paulo

BRAZIL

Abstract. This presentation develops an investigation on the adventure sports modalities, citing worldwide places that have fit the model adventure, exploring the human interfacing in the practice of some modalities, showing the use of technology to minimize the risk element and understanding a connection from the adherents with the field of leisure, wellness and lifestyle. In the Brazilian reality, we understand that so-called adventure tourism as a segment in a large field of tourism, bearing strong foreign influence in its structure, especially in the creation/execution of modalities to it linked, and commonly associated to the sphere of the ecotourism or ecological tourism. The spectacle that has been made of the radical sports, mostly by the media, creates new habits, valorizing practices in the field of leisure marked by a peculiar lifestyle and which the intimate relationship technology-risk becomes a trademark. Also relevant in Brazil is an expressive demand of recent proposals of the implantation of leisure and tourism projects with themes of adventure, suggesting an alteration of the traditional forms of socializing in the localities. Constantly, in Brazilian thematic literature, it is pointed the fact of adventure tourism being characterized in large part by a hedonistic demand that has as a main goal the fun of the activity and such a fact can cause a detachment to the tradition and values of the population where these practices are being realized.

Dr. Ricardo Uvinha is lecturer, researcher and coordinator of the Bachelor in Leisure and Tourism, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of Sao Paulo – BRAZIL. He holds a Masters Degree in Leisure Studies from the State University of Campinas – UNICAMP (1997) and a PhD in Tourism and Leisure from the University of Sao Paulo – USP (2003). He is the author of two books Youth, Leisure and Radical Sports (2001) and Adventure Tourism: Reflections and Trends (2005). Dr. Uvinha is the author of several articles and chapters of books in his country, mostly focused on leisure and tourism. He presented strong commitment in projects that aimed the development of leisure and recreation based on public policies in the local communities, mostly in Sao Paulo region of Brazil. He has presented papers and posters in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Greece, New Zealand, Spain, The Peoples Republic of China and the United Kingdom. He is a current member of the Board of Directors of the World Leisure Organization.

Leisure and Wellness: A Framework for Programming

Roger Coles, Ed.D.

Professor and Interim Dean

College of Graduate Studies

Central Michigan University

USA

Abstract. The leisure and wellness program area offers rich opportunities for assisting individuals in enhancing their well being. Several terms are often used when referring to program opportunities in this area. However, most leisure and wellness programs focus on three (3) primary elements: 1) information; 2) values clarification; and 3) activities, programs and services. Most leisure and wellness program frameworks include the following: 1) fitness and nutrition management; 2) medical self care; 3) relationship and social skill building; 4) mental and spiritual health enhancement; 5) substance abuse education; 6) sexual and reproductive health care; 7) Safety and emergency response training; and 8) social/leisure activities. Organizing leisure and wellness services often involves developing a comprehensive community strategy. Many community groups can collaborate with one another in the provision of leisure and wellness services. Some of the community groups include: 1) voluntary agencies; 2) special interest groups; 3) hospitals; 4) public health departments; 5) colleges and universities; 6) professional organizations; 7) community organizations; 8) civic/service groups; 9) for-profit groups; and 10) extension services. Several case studies will be included in this presentation of how organizations can provide invaluable information, assistance and support for the development of a leisure and wellness service program.

Dr. Roger Coles serves as professor and interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Central Michigan University, USA. He previously served as Chair, Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services at the same institution. Dr. Coles has served as President of the Michigan Recreation Association, National President of the Society of Park and Recreation Professionals, American Association for Leisure and Recreation, Founding President of the American Leisure Academy, and currently serves as Chair of the NRPA Council on Accreditation. He founded Winter Special Olympics in the United States. Dr. Coles serves as Program Manager for Educational Services for World Leisure and is a Canadian citizen.

Leisure and Wellness: International Perspectives

Miklos Banhidi, Ph.D.

Professor and Head

Department of Physical Education

University of Western Hungary

HUNGARY

Abstract. Leisure time is an important part of the human life throughout the world. It can be filled with rich content, if the surrounding environment offers optimal opportunities. The development of environmental factors (natural, social, cultural, political, and economic that support the necessary infrastructure) determine the quality of the leisure experiences. People seek a good place to live, where the society and individuals exert enough energy and effort to change their living space so they can fulfill their expectations. We believe in the modern democratic societies have enough power to form their areas into real "Leisure Communities”, where are enough green areas, ample access to sport and cultural facilities, friendly leisure leaders, guides and host and numerous programs and activities from which to choose. In our study we are representing a model of a "World Leisure Communities”, which provide ideas for decision makers to initiate processes and offer perspectives for their citizens to have quality lifestyle.

Dr. Miklos Banhidi is professor at Western Hungary University. He formerly taught at the University of PECS in physical education. He is active in international circles, especially in the creation of unique programs and services for youth including the United Games International Association. He has been involved in steady visits to Poland, Germany, Finland, United Kingdom, Ukraine and the United States. He is active in the Hungarian Scientific Academy, the Hungarian Association of Physical Education Teachers and the Coimbra Network of Physical Education and Sports Science.