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Recreation leader skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Robert Frost,

Robert Barcelona Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical recreation leader skills. We ranked the top skills for recreation leaders based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 25.4% of recreation leader resumes contained cpr as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a recreation leader needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 recreation leader skills for your resume and career

1. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how recreation leaders use cpr:

Certified in CPR AND AED on adults and children.
Provide basic First Aid and CPR as appropriate.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how recreation leaders use customer service:

Enforced department polices governing public safety and quality service, display and professional customer service skills.
Provide excellent customer service including registering participants for programs and classes; assisting with membership enrollment

3. Recreation Programs

Recreational programs aim at providing recreation and related activities for individuals with disabilities to aid in their mobility, independence, employment, socialization, and community integration. These programs are designed to promote the development of social skills that are necessary to integrate the disabled people into the community. Vocational skills Music, Dancing, Handicrafts, Art, and Homemaking, development, Leisure education, Physical education and sports are few activities that these programs may include.

Here's how recreation leaders use recreation programs:

Handled tasks of overseeing daily operations of the center including assistance in developing, promoting and implementing recreation programs.
Prepared reports concerning recreation programs analyzing budget costs, participation data, equipment, and facility usage.

4. Recreational Facilities

Recreational facilities aim to provide comfort and relief by providing different recreational activities and services. Some of these recreational facilities may include swimming pools, spas, playgrounds, gyms, and entertainment centers

Here's how recreation leaders use recreational facilities:

Managed the daily operations of the recreational facilities and conferred with management to discuss and resolve participant complaints.
Led diversified recreation activities at various recreational facilities, and recreation center.

5. Role Model

A role model is a person with desirable qualities who inspires other people to emulate their example.

Here's how recreation leaders use role model:

Inspire confidence and be an exemplary role model to both Recreational Aides and children during summer and winter school breaks.
Serve as a positive adult role model for children in the program through appropriate dress, speech and attitude.

6. Youth Sports

Youth sports are any sports activity played by individuals under adult age. These sports may be connected to a school or an independent club or organization. Depending on the formality of the organization, coaches may be volunteers or paid. Competitiveness of the sport will also depend on the players' ages, as adolescents may be encouraged to be more competitive than children.

Here's how recreation leaders use youth sports:

Developed, coordinated and administered youth sports teams, educational programs and activities.
Supervised youth sports practices such as basketball and volleyball at the community service district gym, and local school gyms.

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7. Homework Assistance

Here's how recreation leaders use homework assistance:

Coordinated homework assistance program with fellow recreational leaders, resulting in improved homework and test scores.
Participate and lead recreational activities, homework assistance, and general child supervision.

8. Front Desk

Here's how recreation leaders use front desk:

Take ownership and responsibility over Front Desk Operation.
Maintained front desk/ receptionist responsibilities.

9. Sports Programs

Here's how recreation leaders use sports programs:

Conducted and lead recreation activities; assisted and supervised with sports programs, arts and crafts and field trips.
Organize youth and adult sports programs Oversee organization of after school and summer camp programs Assist in special events organization

10. Safety Rules

Principles or regulations that ensure the protection of people, objects, or the environment are called safety rules. These rules can be governing actions, devices, or procedures that help in minimizing the risks of loss, injury, or damage.

Here's how recreation leaders use safety rules:

Monitored and enforced safety rules and regulations for approximately 150 children per day.
Lead recreational/vocational activities, enforced safety rules and guidelines, and wrote lesson plans for all activities and tutoring.

11. Teen

Here's how recreation leaders use teen:

Prepared team building activities to motivate teen friendship and collaboration.
Provided recreational opportunities for teens and adults with developmental disabilities.

12. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how recreation leaders use safety procedures:

Enforced safety procedures for participants and administered first aid when needed.
Developed behavior management and safety procedures for student groups.

13. Incident Reports

An Incident Report, in a medical facility such as hospitals and nursing homes, is a type of paperwork filled out immediately after and in the case of an incident of some sort, with the goal of describing the incident and its consequences, as well as the measurements taken after or during the incident, as well as any other information relevant to said incident. Such an incident might be a patient acting out or a patient being injured.

Here's how recreation leaders use incident reports:

Maintain and submitted necessary attendance records and incident reports.
Reported and recorded incident reports when required.

14. Community Events

Community events are the events scheduled within the community.

Here's how recreation leaders use community events:

Assisted in various community events facilitating crafts, games, educational opportunities for community children.
Increased community relations by interacting with families and city council members during community events.

15. After-School Program

Afterschool programs are co-curricular activities for students that are carried outside of school hours. These activities are aimed at the overall cognitive and personal skills development of the students. Common afterschool programs include sports and recreational activities, mentoring, practical life skills, interpersonal skills development, and apprenticeships. These activities are also called Out-of-School Time programs or OST.

Here's how recreation leaders use after-school program:

Assisted with the development of public relations and communications strategies to support after-school program goals and increase community awareness.
Coordinated and supervised community health fairs, after-school programs and off-campus activities.

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What skills help Recreation Leaders find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on recreation leader resumes?

Robert Frost

Chairperson, Central Michigan University

Corresponding to the new delivery formats are the accompanying skills; virtual programming, video production, social media abilities, and overall creativity and flexibility.

What soft skills should all recreation leaders possess?

Robert Barcelona Ph.D.

Department Chair and Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire

Collaboration is a really important soft skill - having the ability to work with others to achieve common goals is such a critical skill for recreation professionals to have. Flexibility and adaptability are also important - how do you manage when things don't go according to plan or when you have to improvise? Creativity and outside-the-box thinking are really important, especially in the age of COVID-19. Look at the creative programs and events that have emerged during the pandemic - virtual 5K races and fitness classes, online instructional programs, self-guided nature programs, do-it-yourself summer camp - and many, many others. Finally, understanding the value of diversity and inclusion is critical today - recreation is for everyone, so professionals need to understand how to increase access and reduce barriers to recreation participation for the entire community.

What hard/technical skills are most important for recreation leaders?

Robert Barcelona Ph.D.

Department Chair and Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire

Being comfortable with specific technology applications like facility scheduling and maintenance and point-of-sale software, spreadsheets and databases, desktop publishing, and Photoshop are all really important. In the end, recreation specialists need to have a solid foundation in program and event design, personnel management, organizational leadership, finance and budgeting, risk management, marketing and promotion, program evaluation, facility and equipment management, strategic and master planning, and working in government and policy environments.

What recreation leader skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Matt Chase Ph.D.

Professor, Recreation and Tourism Management, Eastern Washington University

The recreation industry values hands-on, applied experience. That and we are a certification driven industry. Students would be well served to pursue applicable certifications (and there are many) as well as applicable seasonal work. I anticipate opportunities for seasonal work will open up again in late spring and summer. All of the sectors - public, private, and non-profit - have opportunities for seasonal work - spring through fall. And of course, opportunities for winter seasonal work are available in the ski resort industry, as well as resorts and recreation operations that are located in the SE and SW.

What type of skills will young recreation leaders need?

Dr. Jon McChesney

Department Chair & Graduate Coordinator, Eastern Kentucky University

Recreation is at the core of a social profession, thus demanding the need for social intelligence and a relationship orientation for graduates. The need for connection is perhaps greater than at any time in our history, given the loneliness epidemic, the increase in depression, and suicide. Professionals need to be mindful of the issues facing our country and demonstrate sensitivity and appreciation for diversity and cultural agility. Creativity, innovation, and adaptability to change will continue to be important as recreation is forced to evolve in a Covid-19 world and beyond.

What technical skills for a recreation leader stand out to employers?

Dr. Stacey Kendig

Director and Associate Professor, Shepherd University

Most definitely one of the technical skills that employers are looking for in a college graduate is their computer/technological skill level. With the current pandemic and so many people working from home, it is critical that employees have the most current technology skills. Another technical skill that I know I would look for is communication skills; both written and oral! Again, with so much of our time being spent using technology, computers, and cell phones, it is important that graduates understand the dynamics of "professionalism" with technology. Another technical skill would be interpersonal and the ability to develop professional and positive working relationships. This has also become a challenge with the increasing use of technology and not having the face to face interaction in a professional work environment.

Do you want to know more?

List of recreation leader skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a recreation leader resume and required skills for a recreation leader to have include:

CPR
Customer Service
Recreation Programs
Recreational Facilities
Role Model
Youth Sports
Homework Assistance
Front Desk
Sports Programs
Safety Rules
Teen
Safety Procedures
Incident Reports
Community Events

After-School Program
Resuscitation
Facility Rentals
Leadership
Facility Rules
Youth Program
Program Development
Recreation Equipment
Attendance Reports
First Aid Training
Fine Arts
City Events
Emergency First Aid
Summer Program

Recreational Events
Golf Courses
Summer Camps
PowerPoint
Art Projects
Outdoor Games
School Programming
Flag Football
Homework Assignments
Provides Supervision
Cultural Programs
Notify Emergency

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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