Our recreational section consists of activities or experiences carried on within leisure, usually chosen voluntarily by the participant – either because of satisfaction, pleasure or creative enrichment derived, or because he perceives certain personal or social values to be gained from them. It may, also be perceived as the process of participation, or as the emotional state derived from involvement. Check out some of the benefits:

BUILD FAMILY UNITY
Family bonds are improved by the sharing of leisure time. Families that recreate together tend to be closer, more cohesive and improve their chances of staying together. This is true with both parent-child relationships and married couples.  Families are the cornerstone in promoting well-being and healthy development in children.

TAKE CARE OF LATCH KEY CHILDREN – EDUCATE CHILDREN AND ADULTS – PROVIDE CHILD CARE
Recent studies show disturbing trends about children who regularly come home to an empty house: higher than average drop out rate, drug abuse, truancy and depression. Good news for working parents! Many communities’ parks and recreation agencies provide after school and summer child care.

CONTROL WEIGHT, LOOK BETTER, BUILD STRONG BODIES
Sports participants had significantly lower body mass index values, lower blood pressures, and lower resting pulse rates.
The physically fit person is less prone to injury, and is less likely to experience depression.

BUILD SELF-ESTEEM
When young people feel good about themselves they operate more effectively and productively in our communities, families and schools. Adventure programs teach the importance of trust, appropriate risk taking, supportive social interaction and personal challenge while creating valuable life long memories.

REDUCE STRESS – RELAX!
In Nationwide polls, 89% of all Americans report that they often experience high levels of stress and 59% claimed that they feel great stress at least once a week. Positive and enjoyable recreation experiences can decrease stress and psychological tensions. Leisure activities provide people with the opportunity to expel energy and emotion not being released in other aspects of their lives. Psychologists found that activities such as a walk in the woods gave a boost to the immune system that lasted two or three days. Each additional mile walked or run by a sedentary person would give him or her an extra 21 minutes of life. According to the Gallup Poll for American Health, Americans who exercised regularly were 2.5 times more likely to report that they were happier than Americans who didn’t exercise at all.

PROMOTE SENSITIVITY TO CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Social interaction through recreation breaks down unfamiliarity, fear and isolation, factors associated with racism; and promotes positive contact between different ethnic groups and the broader community. The strength of a community is increased through recreation activities that allow people to share cultural and ethnic differences.

ELIMINATE LONELINESS – CONQUER BOREDOM!
Land and water parks enhance the quality of life and contribute positively to the mental health of its citizens. Both mild and clinical depression can be reduced with activities such as water aerobics and swimming. “Active Living” is a concept that connects the mind, body and spirit in physical activity.

MEET FRIENDS – CREATE MEMORIES!
A child develops social skills, problem solving and creativity through early play experiences. The best opportunities are those that are planned and supervised. Physical activity is intellectually stimulating and enhances the learning process and the development of cognitive skills.

ENHANCE RELATIONSHIP SKILLS – TEACH VITAL LIFE SKILLS
After school sports, as well as Arts and Craft classes enlighten children about the concept of team play: Together Everyone Achieves More.
Positive conflict resolution is a skill which can be applied all life long. Appropriate risk taking, and a healthy sense of competition and sportsmanship can substitute for violent confrontation related to gang activity.

OFFER PLACE FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION
The social need for recreation has been identified as a men’s for community involvement and an expression of citizenship. A sense of community and social contact is fostered in order to combat urban social problems like loneliness and isolation.