J. Robert Rossman, Barbara Elwood Schlatter

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Note From the Authors:
The first edition of this book was published over two decades ago. When it was first released, it included many innovative concepts, and a few risk takers adopted it. Since then, the book has been adopted for use at over 100 universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan, and other Countries.

The profession and its knowledge base have continued advancing. We have incorporated into this fifth edition the implications of the latest research in leisure behavior, as well as the latest professional practices. It is gratifying that much of the research completed during the past two decades has continued confirming the theoretical base of this book. Leisure is a phased, sequential experience resulting from interaction. How this experience is produced determines the quality of leisure experience an individual will have. Staging this experience through managed programs is a complex undertaking, and there is a continuing need for well-educated programmers who can organize and deliver excellent services.

Leisure remains a desired human experience. There is no doubt in our minds that people will continue to demand leisure experience and services. Who supplies them will shift to those supplier who are able to deliver the types and formats of experiences and services desired. Thus, programming will continue to be an important, primary function in all leisure service agencies.

Table of Contents
Part 1: Foundations for Programming
Chapter 1: Basic Programming Concepts
Chapter 2: How Individuals Experience Leisure
Chapter 3: Six Key Elements of a Situated Activity System
Chapter 4: Outcome-Based Programming
Chapter 5: Developing Leisure Products in the Experience Economy
Chapter 6: Using Goals and Objectives in Program Development
The Program Development Cycle
Part 2: Determining Agency Culture
Chapter 7: Developing the Agency’s Mission
Chapter 8: Developing Strategic Directions: Writing Program Management Goals
Part 3: Targeted Program Development
Chapter 9: Obtaining Participant Input
Chapter 10: Writing Program Design Goals
Chapter 11: Program Design
Chapter 12: Creative Programming
Chapter 13: Preparing the Program Promotion
Chapter 14: Techniques for Program Operations
Chapter 15: Registration Procedures
Chapter 16: Staffing and Supervising Program Operations
Chapter 17: Developing a Program Pricing Philosophy
Chapter 18: Determining Program Costs
Chapter 19: Pricing Program Services
Part 4: Follow-Up Analysis
Chapter 20: Program Evaluation Techniques
Chapter 21: Developing a Comprehensive Evaluation System
Chapter 22: Making Decisions about Program Services

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