LibGuides: Recreation: Background Information

Background Information

Recreation is the pursuit of a pleasurable activity. Generally an outdoor activity, recreation broadly includes tourism or other leisurely pursuits where the goal is relaxation and enjoyment. Use the following sources to learn more about recreation and the cultural, social, and economic issues surrounding it.

The SAGE Dictionary of Leisure Studies
A full-length dictionary of Leisure Studies. Examines key concepts, central figures, and essential issues in Recreation and Leisure Studies.
Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society
This resource explores the concept of play in history and modern society in the United States and internationally, for both children and adults. With coverage spanning from Roman dice games to wiffleball, 450 entries focus on games played not to earn a living but as informal activity.
Outdoor Recreation: Environmental Impacts and Management
An overview of environmental impacts of various types of outdoor recreation, and how these can be best managed.
Kraus' Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society
Introduction to the history, developments, and current trends in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Covering contemporary issues facing the recreation and leisure profession, including emerging trends and challenges.

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Updated weekly. Explores a single "hot" issue in the news in depth each week. Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education and science and technology. Every report is written by an experienced journalist and features comments from experts, lawmakers and citizens on all sides of every issue with numerous charts, graphs and sidebar articles.