WKU's Poff Publishes Outdoor Recreation Program Guide

May 04, 2007

Bowling Green, Ky. - Nearly seven years after the release of the previous edition, Dr. Raymond Poff of Western Kentucky University has published the fourth edition of the Outdoor Recreation Program Directory & Data/Resource Guide.
           
The updated resource, originally created and published by the late David J. Webb in 1991, 1996 and 2000, was long overdue for an update. This resource includes survey data from more than 280 outdoor recreation programs at four-year colleges and universities; two-year colleges; government agencies – cities, counties, park commissions; U.S. Military installations, schools, operations and nonprofit organizations. This represents a 30 percent increase in the number of outdoor programs being previously detailed (up from 220 programs in the third edition).
           
This survey data will help communicate the size and scope of this sector of the outdoor recreation industry. Included in the resource is: an overall summary of survey data; detailed information about each outdoor program in the survey and their survey responses; financial information with 18 reports detailing various financial aspects; program activity information with 15 reports detailing trips/clinics/events; participation and climbing wall/ropes course facility information; and the top 35 trips/clinics/events ranked by participation.
           
The “Research/Commercial” edition includes the printed book plus a data file containing mailing addresses for the institutions in the book to help companies and organizations share product and service marketing materials.
           
This publication addresses the needs of several audiences. Researchers interested in studying outdoor recreation programs will find the fourth edition invaluable in contacting potential research subjects. Graduate students looking for potential graduate assistantships can use this to locate colleges and universities which offer graduate assistantships through their outdoor recreation programs.
           
Administrators of outdoor recreation programs can use this resource to network with their peers, benchmark their programs and monitor trends. Employers, such as camps and outfitters, may find this resource helpful when searching for trained outdoor leaders to hire. Training companies offering first aid, rescue and activity specific training will discover organizations dedicated to high quality staff training. Equipment vendors and sales reps interested in establishing business accounts with outdoor recreation programs will find the resource guide an essential tool as outdoor recreation programs constantly research their equipment purchasing options and welcome information about additional possibilities for their programs. Equipment manufacturers trying to market pro-purchasing programs will benefit by connecting with the programs included in this edition.
           
The Outdoor Recreation Directory & Data/Resource Guide is endorsed by the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, www.aore.org , whose mission is to provide opportunities for professionals and students in the field of outdoor recreation and education to exchange information, promote the preservation and conservation of the natural environment, and address issues common to college, university, community, military, and other not-for-profit outdoor recreation and education programs.
           
For more information, e-mail raymond.poff@wku.edu or call (270) 745-2498.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For more information, contact Raymond Poff, (270) 745-2498.