Recreation Group Dynamics and Outdoor Skills Leadership Workbook compiled by Sid Stevenson, Ph.D., CPRP 12th edition, 2006 -1- ii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY -1- What is Leadership? -1- How does a leader assume this role -2- RECREATION REVIEW -5- Needs likely satisfied by recreation experiences -10- WHY DO WE ENGAGE IN RECREATION EXPERIENCES? -11- THEORIES .............................................................................. -11- LEADERSHIP STYLES -14- COMPARISON OF FOUR CONTEMPORARY LEADERSHIP/COMMUNICATION STYLES -15- APPROPRIATENESS OF LEADERSHIP STYLE -18- Determining Your Predominant Leadership Style A checklist approach DETERMINING YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE (DPST. MODEL) -25- Principles of Recreation Leadership -26- Recreation leaders should possess the following qualities: -27- Career Settings for Recreation Leaders -28- Levels of Leadership in Recreation -30- PROFESSIONALISM -33- Accreditation ............................................................................. -33- CHAPTER II GROUP DYNAMICS -35- Elements of Groups -36- Comparison of effective and ineffective groups -37- Correcting problems in group effectiveness -37- Stages of Group Growth -38- IDENTIFYING THE ROLES PLAYED IN GROUPS -39- CHAPTER III TEACHING METHODS AND TYPES OF LEARNING -40- TYPES OF LEARNING -40- TEACHING STRATEGIES -41- Writing Performance Objectives* -42- DRILL and PRACTICE -47- A SAMPLE PLAN FOR A YOUTH BASEBALL PRACTICE ...................................... -47- Evaluating a Practice Plan -48- COACHING YOUNG ATHLETES -52- Decision Making -54- CHAPTER IV HANDS ON ACTIVITY LEADERSHIP -56- Social and Game activities -56- Classifying Social Activities -57- CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES -58- LEADING YOUTH ACTIVITIES HINTS FOR: -59- PROMOTING SELF-CONTROL AND RESPONSIBILITY -62- HELPING CHILDREN SOLVE THEIR OWN BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -63- ONE AGENCY’S POLICY ON DISCIPLINE AND DISMISSALS -64- iii PROJECT LEARNING TREE: QUESTIONING STRATEGIES -65- Bloom’s Taxonomy -65- Cooperative Learning ....................................................................... -66- INITIATIVE GAMES/ADVENTURE CHALLENGE -67- Adventure Challenge Ingredients .............................................................. -67- Camp Target Sports -69- General Outline Archery -71- Outdoor Skills on the Web -72- HOFNOD Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs -74- Teaching a child to fish skills components -74- Using KNOT TYING a problem solving activity -75- Instructor Certifications -76- T.P. SHUFFLE ( an initiative activity) -78- NITRO SWING -79- WALLS -80- 6 Bits Activity -81- Making a Flabby (Gunya-Gunya) Kite -82- About New Games -86- KNOTS ................................................................................. -87- NYSCA EXAMPLE FIRST-AID EXAM -90- Sample Outdoor Recreation Leadership-Group Dynamics Test (TAKE HOME SECTION over workbook -92- O.R. LEADERSHIP EXAM IN-CLASS (Sample) -96- QUIET - TABLE GAMES -98- SCORKEEPING -99- USING A SCORESHEET.................................................................. -102- Make your own DISC GOLF SCORECARD -103- A BASKETBALL CHALLENGE -104- OLD GAMES -105- RECREATIONAL DANCE -109- DANCE Leadership Techniques -110- Leading MUSIC Activities -112- Leading DRAMATIC Activities -113- BUBBLE RECIPES -115- SAMPLE FINAL -116- ACTIVITY PRESENTATION EVALUATION FORM -122- SAMPLE Activity Outline -123- HINTS FOR QUALITY PRESENTATIONS AND HIGH SCORES -124- References Cited -125- iv CHAPTER I LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY What is Leadership? Leadership is the process employed by the leader to assist individuals and groups in identifying and achieving their goals." (C. Edginton and P. Ford) "Leadership is the art of influencing others to do what we want them to do because they want to do it." (C. Edington and P. Ford) "Interpersonal influence exercised by a person or persons, through the process of communication, toward the attainment of a specified goal or goals." (R. Russell) "Leaders are people others want to follow" "One who goes before to show the way" "A guide, director, conductor, coach" "The ability to persuade others to seek defined objectives enthusiastically" (K. Davis) "The art of coordinating and motivating individuals and groups to achieve desired ends" (J. Phiffner and R. Presthus) "The Art of Facilitating" -1- How does a leader assume this role? By Election: Many leaders occupy their position of leadership because they have been elected from a list of eligible candidates. Examples include: citizen board members, team captains, class presidents, etc. People are elected because of popularity, knowledge, past performances and overall perceived leadership abilities. Successful leaders are usually perceived by their followers as: fair open minded wanting the best for you knowledgeable rational capable of making one feel special consistent adaptable possessing a good sense of humor trustworthy supportive non-manipulative strong caring personable Recreation leaders are no different Quality leadership is considered the single most important activity in the success of By Appointment: Some political appointments are made regardless of knowledge and abilities. In these situations, loyalty to the persons or group doing the appointing may be the most crucial characteristic. Fortunately, most appointments are also based on past performance and perceived ability to be successful. Emergence:2 The emergent leader assumes a position of leadership through a series of events, often spontaneous, which create an opportunity. Charisma: The power of personality leads many people into leadership roles. Certain demeanors and behaviors (otherwise called intangibles) foster respect and attract followers. -2- Specifically, what do leaders do? The following list is just an example of some of the responsibilities many leaders assume. One must recognize that the following list could be achievable by one strong individual or by several individuals....depending on each leader’s characteristics, the situation and the group’s characteristics. 1. Builds comradery and cohesiveness Leaders help people feel like they belong . they help the group feel like a unit (drill sergeants specialize in this skill) 2. Identifies goals Leaders help individuals and groups define and clarify their goals(this is particularly important for groups as more individual members each have their own goals...adding to the confusion) 3. Develops methods to achieve goals Able to show individuals and groups specific procedures to use to reach their objectives (skill and past experiences are crucial to a leader’s effectiveness) 4. Organizing the work of others (a good leader is always personally organized as well, even if they have to delegate the related tasks) 5. Motivates others Leaders should be an energizing force (enthusiasm is contagious) 6. Evaluates the work of others. Determines if goals have been reached . and suggests corrective action when necessary 7. Represents the group speaks on behalf of the group 8. Develops group members Helps improve skills, knowledge and capabilities, encourages self help 9. Promotes the ideals of the profession Often assumes a leadership role here as well (holds office) Edginton, Christopher and P. Ford. 1985. Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Service Organizations. NY. Wiley Sessoms, Douglas and Jack L. Stevenson. 1981. Leadership and Group Dynamics in Recreation Services. Boston. Allyn & Bacon. Shivers, Jay. 1980. Recreational Leadership: Group Dynamics and Interpersonal Behavior. Princeton, N.J. Princeton Book Co. -3- Describe here a recreation experience of yours that was enhanced by the leader. Describe here a recreation experience of yours where the leader’s actions detracted from the experience -4- RECREATION REVIEW Self evaluation of leisure behaviors Since a primary purpose of recreation leadership is assisting clients in maximizing their personal enrichment from leisure experiences, it is important to review some of the needs and expected benefits people hope to attain from their participation in activity. Because each of us first of all has different leisure needs, and secondly, seeks to satisfy these needs in varying ways, it seems useful to analyze our own leisure behavior in order to better understand the leisure behavior of others. In the following assignment, you are asked to indicate how frequently you indulge in specific leisure experiences that result in the benefits listed. Several benefit categories (adapted from several sources) are grouped together for this exercise. The intent of the exercise is first to reveal your own tendencies and start you thinking about your own leisure behaviors and choices......and secondly to help you understand how your peers score on the same analysis. Scoring: Place a T in the appropriate cell that best indicates your level of participation in each activity described. Total each column, (multiply by 0, 1 or 2) and then add the subtotals. Lastly, compare your overall score (sum of all tables). SOCIAL INTERACTION, BONDING and TEAMWORK self analysis of activity, check the appropriate box and tally FREQUENTLY OCCASIONALLY NEVER I invite friends to my home I attend parties and functions I participate in a team sport I play cards, table games or just hang out with friends I visit neighbors I am active in a club or group I camp in developed campgrounds I telephone or write friends Subtotal _____x 2pts each _____x 1 pt each _____x 0pts TOTAL (All columns) ____pts -5- CREATIVE EXPRESSION, INDEPENDENCE and STIMULATION self analysis of activity,