February 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 12

WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
Finding My Path to Parks and Recreation
By Brendan Trachsel
W
hen people hear that I study parks and recreation management,
a common response is, " Have you seen the television
show? " While I always reply, " Yes, of course, " it is also a
great opening to discuss what my degree program is all about.
I can't blame people for not knowing
that recreation exists as a degree
and career path; I did not know
myself until I changed my area of
study. The parks and recreation
management program is known
as a " discovery major. " This refers
to programs that are not generally
known by students until they specifically
look for them.
The Program Experience
Parks and recreation management is
an incredibly experiential program.
My seven semesters so far have been
marked with program planning and
execution, backpacking trips, internships,
and even the Wilderness
First Responder certification.
As someone who is deeply invested
in campus life and organizations,
what I have learned in the
classroom has been directly applied
to benefit my fellow students.
I started with organizing small
events in my dorm, such as Super
Smash
Bros.
tournaments,
and
eventually led the planning and execution
of a campus-wide concert.
College campuses are ripe with
opportunities to apply recreationbased
knowledge to enhance the
educational experience.
The OEL Experience
As I've gotten closer to the end of
my program, the focus has shifted
to my degree emphasis: outdoor
education and leadership (OEL).
The peak of the OEL program is
the block semester: five classes designed
to interconnect with each
other, leading up to a 17-day field
excursion. For an entire semester,
we create field-teaching lesson plans,
menus and food rations, and route
and emergency procedures.
My experience with my block
semester during the spring of 2022
was absolutely spectacular. During
our 17-day excursion to the Aldo
Leopold and Gila Wilderness areas
in New Mexico, I practiced my
skills teaching outdoors about Leave
No Trace principles, communication
and land management issues.
Throughout the trip, I learned to get
comfortable with being in the field
for an extended period. I even left
the experience certified as a Leave
No Trace Master Educator.
Creating Community
Above all else, the parks and recreation
management program is
about creating opportunities and
community. The hard skills gained
are continuously interlaced with
the importance and potential of the
field of recreation. Field trips were
common to local organizations
currently making an impact in the
city of Flagstaff, Arizona, and beyond
on the Colorado Plateau.
Parks and recreation management
The parks and recreation
management degree
program involves
program planning and
execution, backpacking
trips, internships
and more.
12 Parks & Recreation | FEBR U AR Y 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
programs should be popularized. As
we continue on the voyage of our
digitized age, we need more community
and experience builders to connect
people together. It is the only
degree I know of that is dedicated
to building community, connecting
people to nature and creating memories
for many. I encourage all current
and future college students to
consider studying recreation if they
want to join the growing field and
experience all the benefits.
Brendan Trachsel is a Student of Parks
and Recreation Management and the
Student Body President of the Associated
Students at Northern Arizona University
(bct72@nau.edu).
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
PARKS AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT
February 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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