Developing Recreation Professionals

The primary goal of this program is to engage talented and driven young people within our community to enable them to learn and develop the technical and “soft” skills which are vital to the success of a recreation and parks professional. Participants will learn the inner workings of the department including, but not limited to, program development and implementation, project planning, cultural and historic resource stewardship, marketing, and fiscal administration. Successful completion of the program will better prepare participants for seasonal employment with the City of Ocala.

Candidates will apply for admittance and submit their applications to Recreation Division Staff, Recreation Administration, or the City of Ocala Community Engagement Coordinator. These applications will be evaluated, and interviewees selected. Top candidates will be admitted into the program(s). Candidates may choose to participate in the Recreation Academy, Aquatics/Lifeguard Certification Camp or both programs.

Requirements

- Candidates must be between the ages of 14 and 19.
- Participants must maintain satisfactory attendance at school as well as in the program.
= A completed application must be submitted by the deadline.
- A letter of recommendation from an educator or community leader is required as part of the application process.