Experiential Learning in Recreation and Directed Field Experience

Students majoring in Recreation and Leisure Administration participate in a 120-hour Experiential Learning in Recreation (ELR) and a 480-hour Directed Field Experience (DFE), giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

The ELR is completed after sophomore year and the DFE is completed in the last semester or two of the program. (Prerequisites apply for both experiences.) Due to the large variety of agencies and jobs in the recreation field, students are not assigned to field experiences but find them the way they would find a summer or full-time job. Advisors are available for guidance and assistance when choosing an appropriate ELR or DFE site.

York College Alumnus Stacy Cathrall received the Outstanding New Professional Award and York College Senior Olivia Miller was awarded the William P. Dayton Scholarship at the 2014 Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Institute.

York College Alumnus Stacy Cathrall (left) received the Outstanding New Professional Award and York College Senior Olivia Miller (right) was awarded the William P. Dayton Scholarship at the 2014 Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Institute.

Examples of Field Experience

Where have Experiential Learning in Recreation/Directed Field Experience students worked?
ELRs and DFEs have occurred at various agencies throughout the world including the following:
- Bureau of State Parks, Harrisburg, PA
- Disney World, Orlando, FL
- Lancaster Barnstormers, Lancaster, PA
- Matheny School and Hospital, Peapack, NJ
- U.S. Parks Service, Gettysburg, PA
- U.S. Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland
- Veteran’s Administration Hospitals, Perry Point, MD
- Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, SC
- Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
- York Jewish Community Center, York, PA
- Trenton Thunder, Trenton, PA
- Camp Thompson, Carlisle YMCA, Carlisle, PA
- Outdoor World, various locations in PA and NJ
- Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, Hamilton, NJ
- Resort Quest, Destin, FL
- Navy MWR, Hawaii
- Vail Mountain Resort, Vail, CO
- Nixon County Park, York, PA
- Cedar Point Resorts, Sandusky, OH
- ArtsQuest, Bethlehem, PA

Recreation and Leisure

Julie Saville, Ph.D., Coordinator
Diehl Hall, Room 204
Phone: 717.815.6448
jsaville@ycp.edu
Hours:
Contact for appt.

Jennifer Godfrey
Administrative Assistant
Diehl Hall, Room 101
717.815.6860
717.849.1624 FAX
jgodfre5@ycp.edu

Experiential Learning in Recreation and Directed Field Experience

Examples of Field Experience

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