REC 163 - Fieldwork I (1 credit hour)

Sherry Jones, REC 163/263 Coordinator
Begley 410
859-622-1249
sherry.jones@eku.edu


REC 163 is the first fieldwork experience required of our students. This course focuses on observing and assisting with park, recreation, and leisure service activities, and will allow students to become more familiar with their chosen agency and option by examining the agency's policies and procedures. Students are required to complete a minimum of 45 clock hours within a 6-10 week period.

Purposes of REC 163

1. To provide students with an opportunity to be introduced to the field of parks, recreation, and leisure services by observing, and assisting with, the delivery of services and activities by the selected agency.

2. To provide students with the opportunity to participate in planning and implementing parks, recreation, and leisure services, activities, and programs.

3. To gain knowledge about the selected agency through the exploration of it's mission, vision, goals and or/philosophy, as well as it's specific policies and procedures.

4. To provide the agency with the opportunity to further the profession by preparing students to be new professionals in the field of parks, recreation and leisure services.

5. To gain awareness of participants, clientele, customers, or patients and their needs and reasons for participating in various programs and activities.

6. To observe leadership techniques of agency professionals.

7. To learn about the necessary rescues needed to effectively and efficiently conduct programs and activities.

8. To learn about the goals, objectives, and benefits of the activity by observing and assisting agency workers.

Guidelines for Fieldwork I

Selection of the Agency

The responsibility of finding and securing placement with an agency lies primarily with the student. The faculty REC 163 coordinator will provide a list of approved local agencies that have accepted and/or requested fieldwork students. There is also a general listing of facilities and agencies that provide recreation services within a given location available to students enrolling in REC 163,

The following criteria need to be considered in selecting a Fieldwork I agency:

1. The agency should be recognized and competent in the area of recreation, park and leisure services.

2. The agency supervisor should be competent, professional and experienced in effectively supervising students.

3. The agency supervisor should provide continuos constructive feedback to the student.

4. The agency and its staff should be supportive of the student and the student's appropriate level of learning.

5. The agency should demonstrate sound professionalism through its policies and procedures, as well as its relationships with participants, staff, community, patients,and or clientele.

6. If the selected fieldwork agency is not on the approved list, the Fieldwork Coordinator and the student will adhere to the above criteria in the placement approval process.

Grading and Evaluation

The final course grade for REC 163 will be an "S" (Satisfactory) or "U" (Unsatisfactory).
If a student receives a "U" grade, the course must be repeated. Conditions for receiving a satisfactory grade in the course are:

1. attend all required REC 163 class meetings

2. complete and pass the required assignments:

a. Agency Acceptance Form (Appendix E)
b. Mid-Term Oral and Written Report (Appendix F)
c. Written Report (Appendix G)
d. Log of Hours For (Appendix J)

3. demonstrate satisfactory quality of work

4. receive a satisfactory supervisor's evaluation (Appendix I)

5. complete the required hours within the prescribed term

Absences and Holidays

Students are expected to follow the schedule set by the agency supervisor. If for any reason the student must miss a scheduled date, the student must notify the agency supervisor as soon as possible. Any hours missed, approved or unapproved, must be rescheduled. The student should be aware that this is a professional experience and should be approached in the same manner as a professional paid position.


Dress, Appearance and Conduct

Students are to adhere to the professional atmosphere of the agency. This will include appropriate attire and interaction with participants and staff. The professional image should be expressed by the agency supervisor as stipulated by the agency's policies and procedure guidelines.


Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meeting set by the Fieldwork I Coordinator. These meetings will be conducted as a class with the expectation of participation. The meetings will prepare the student for the fieldwork experience by providing necessary information and assignment requirements. Failure to attend the scheduled class meetings may result in receiving an "unsatisfactory" grade.


Length and Time Line

REC 163 provides the student with a 45 hour fieldwork experience. The student will have a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 10 weeks to complete the 45 hours. The student is expected to evenly distribute the 45 hours within the REC 163 timeline.