What does a Recreation Aide do?

A recreation aide is responsible for assisting with the planning of recreational activities, following the supervision of a recreational manager. Recreation aides prepare all the resources, guide the participants, maintain the activity equipment, facilitate the program, and reiterate the guidelines for the safe execution of the activity. They also ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities to be used. A recreation aide must have excellent communication and organizational skills, responding to the participants' inquiries and concerns, as well as performing administrative duties as the recreational manager advises.
Recreation aide responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real recreation aide resumes:
- Manage funds and resources to include developing the annual NAF budget, which include submission and prioritization of program component requirements.
- Maintain certifications of CPR, food service, child care, cleanliness, etc.
- Promote and enforce safety procedures; render first aid and CPR, if certify, as required.
- Plan and run daily recreational activities for at risk youth.
- Operate riding lawn mowers, push lawn mowers, weed-whackers, edgers, chainsaws.
- Organize and participate in activities with patients on and off the rehabilitation unit such as cooking and playing games.
- Create and maintain databases for usage of facility, information obtain was used to grant funding for base MWR.
- Operate POS system, assist with coordinating special events for the base, take payment for the services provide.
- Greet and register guests for reservations, answer customer's questions, and provide information on procedures or policies.
- Assist in the planning and budgeting to support MWR requirements; obtain and expedite materials to support emergency orders and requests.
- Make reservations relate to all department facilities.
- Participate in modules as paramedic, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and hazardous material.
- Work hands on with rehabilitation patient/nursing home residents with recreational programs to better their sensory and cognitive skills.
- Complete documentation including: activities assessments, MDS assessments, spiritual assessments, daily activities charting, and one-to-one visits records
- Examine injured persons, and administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation if necessary, utilizing training and medical supplies and equipment.
Recreation aide skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Recreation Aides are proficient in Customer Service, CPR, and Rehabilitation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Flexibility, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Recreation Aides that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 20%
Provided exceptional customer service resulting in documented increased sales and repeat business compared to same time in previous years.
- CPR, 18%
Experience: Lifeguard certification, CPR, First Aide, public announcements, setting up for classes and sport activities.
- Rehabilitation, 11%
Worked hands on with rehabilitation patient/nursing home residents with recreational programs to better their sensory and cognitive skills.
- Cleanliness, 8%
Checked facility for cleanliness and ensured janitorial services were being performed as required.
- Recreational Facilities, 4%
Supervised program of participants at the Summer Galaxy Camp and other recreational facilities.
- Safety Rules, 4%
Organized logistical support, while ensuring safety rules and regulations were observed.
Most recreation aides use their skills in "customer service," "cpr," and "rehabilitation" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential recreation aide responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a recreation aide to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "recreation workers must be able to communicate well." Additionally, a recreation aide resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "provided leadership and guidance to children on-site regarding social concerns in order to establish effective communication within their social groups. "
Flexibility. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling recreation aide duties is flexibility. The role rewards competence in this skill because "recreation workers must be flexible when planning activities." According to a recreation aide resume, here's how recreation aides can utilize flexibility in their job responsibilities: "streamline fitness program offerings with creation of all-inclusive pass thatencourages flexibility for participants. "
Leadership skills. recreation aides are also known for leadership skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to recreation aide responsibilities, because "recreation workers should be able to lead both large and small groups." A recreation aide resume example shows how leadership skills is used in the workplace: "assisted mwr manager in conducting personal training of senior coast guard leadership. "
Physical strength. For certain recreation aide responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a recreation aide rely on this skill, as "most recreation workers should be physically fit." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what recreation aides do: "maintain physical cleanliness of facilities. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for recreation aide responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of recreation aides all the time, as "recreation workers need strong problem-solving skills." An excerpt from a real recreation aide resume shows how this skill is central to what a recreation aide does: "provided excellent customer service accountable for large monetary cash transactions multi-tasked and solved customer concerns systematically"
The three companies that hire the most recreation aides are:
- The Center for Health Care Services16 recreation aides jobs
- Hackensack Meridian Health14 recreation aides jobs
- CAMBA8 recreation aides jobs
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Recreation aide vs. Day camp counselor
The job of the camp counselors is to develop recreational plans and oversee camp activities in residential camps. Their duties and responsibilities include organizing camping trips, planning and scheduling group activities, and guiding children and teenagers in various outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. They are expected to lead campers in emergency procedures and fire drills, explain safety rules and procedures, and provide emotional support to campers. Camp counselors are also responsible for assessing and responding to emergencies when they arise.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a recreation aide are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "rehabilitation," "recreational facilities," and "safety rules." On the other hand, a job as a day camp counselor requires skills like "kids," "pet," "direct supervision," and "social work." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Day camp counselors earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $34,530. On the other hand, recreation aides are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $29,131.The education levels that day camp counselors earn slightly differ from recreation aides. In particular, day camp counselors are 5.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a recreation aide. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recreation aide vs. Camp counselor
Camp counselors' general responsibility is the supervision of a camping event. Camp counselors' duties include reiterating the rules and regulations, emergency drills and procedures, and related standard protocols to ensure that the campers maintain a safe camping environment. A camp counselor should possess strong leadership and decision-making skills to develop recreational programs and immediately resolve concerns that might affect everyone's overall camping experience. Camp counselors also help develop social interaction, promote teamwork, and monitor participation among campers.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that recreation aide responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "rehabilitation," "cleanliness," and "recreation programs." But a camp counselor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "kids," "summer camps," "role model," and "child care."
Camp counselors may earn a lower salary than recreation aides, but camp counselors earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $29,249. On the other hand, recreation aides receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $29,131.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Camp counselors tend to reach similar levels of education than recreation aides. In fact, they're 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recreation aide vs. Activities director
An activities director is responsible for planning engaging events for the participants, considering individual interests and the safety of procedures and resources. Activities directors guide the activity staff on assisting the participants, ensuring that they are comfortable with joining the activities. Since most activities directors work at a healthcare facility or elderly institution, they must also monitor the health of the participants by conducting therapeutic activities and evaluate the participants' progress for every program. The activities director must be a critical-thinker, as well as have excellent communication skills to coordinate with facilities personnel for successful activity completion.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from recreation aide resumes include skills like "cleanliness," "recreational facilities," "safety rules," and "recreation programs," whereas an activities director is more likely to list skills in "patients," "resident care," "home health," and "mds. "
Activities directors earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $41,547. Comparatively, recreation aides have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $29,131.activities directors typically earn similar educational levels compared to recreation aides. Specifically, they're 4.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recreation aide vs. Summer camp counselor
Summer camps are programs with different themes organized for children or teenagers during the summer months. Summer camp counselors are responsible for the overall supervision of campers and the planning and implementation of the different programs to give children a memorable experience. It is their responsibility to create a fun, safe, and rewarding environment for each camper. They provide counsel, support, and monitor each camper's individual development. A good summer camp counselor is reliable, honest, and has strong leadership skills.
Types of recreation aide
Updated January 8, 2025