Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies, SUNY Cortland

Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies, SUNY Cortland Building inclusive communities through recreation, nurturing environmental stewardship and enhancing wellbeing for all. and abroad.

Join us in creating healthier, happier, connected lives! When you major in one of our recreation programs, you follow in the footsteps of a long line of leaders in the field. Our faculty are highly respected teachers and scholars who will give you the personal attention you need to succeed. You’ll have the opportunity to do internships and fieldwork in parks, hospitals, recreation departments and other settings in the U.S. Our definition of “classroom” is extremely broad — you can get academic credit for kayaking, backpacking, rock climbing and other outdoor adventures. Cortland has the longest-running and most comprehensive recreation program in New York and is one of only three U.S. colleges with national accreditation in all four of its recreation majors. Our alumni network of accomplished professionals, combined with your Cortland degree, will put you on the path to a rewarding career.

09/24/2026

We're currently redesigning our marketing materials and are looking for a few program testimonials from undergraduate and graduate students who have graduated in the past 15 years. If you are willing to help we'd like the following information:

[Name], '[Year] — BS Therapeutic Recreation
[Job title], [Organization]
[2–3 sentences: what they do day to day and who they serve.]
"[Short quote on how Cortland prepared them, ideally tied to internship or a specific experience.]"

And if possible a picture of you at work.

you can send your profile to: [email protected]

Please feel free to share this information with other grads you may know!

Thank you

Join us for this great new project!
08/26/2026

Join us for this great new project!

💜 NEW FREE PROGRAM FOR GIRLS AGES 8-12! 💜

We’re excited to partner with Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies, SUNY Cortland to offer BRIDGE (Building Relationships & Independence through Dynamic Group Experiences) this fall!

BRIDGE is a FREE 8-week program that uses LEGO® building activities to help girls develop friendship, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills - all while creating, connecting, and having fun!

✨ Who: Girls ages 8-12
📅 When: Mondays, 4:30-6:00 PM, starting in September
📍 Where: SUNY Cortland
🧱 Cost: FREE - all LEGO® materials provided
🚗 Transportation: Available as needed
👭 Space: Limited to just 8 participants!

Each week, girls will work together on LEGO® builds while practicing skills like listening, sharing ideas, cooperating, problem-solving, and building friendships.

BRIDGE will be supervised by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with assistance from SUNY Cortland students.

The program is also part of a SUNY Cortland research study exploring how group LEGO® activities may support children’s social and friendship skills. The study has been approved by the SUNY Cortland Institutional Review Board.

📧 To learn more or sign up, contact Jen Sylstra at [email protected] - space is limited!

Please share with families who may have an 8-12-year-old girl who would love to build, create, make new friends, and have fun! 🧱✨

Is this some thing you, or someone you know can help with?
06/15/2026

Is this some thing you, or someone you know can help with?

Help us make nature more accessible.
The Wild Center is seeking indoor/outdoor motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters through rentals, donations, or community partnerships. If your business rents mobility equipment, you have equipment available to donate, or you know someone who might be interested in contributing, we’d love to hear from you at [email protected].

Let’s help more people experience the trails, Wild Walk, and exhibits with ease.

Recreation is more than fun and games, it's about protecting and preserving the spaces we use to recreate. A key part of...
06/10/2026

Recreation is more than fun and games, it's about protecting and preserving the spaces we use to recreate. A key part of our OEP experience is getting out and seeing those spaces first hand, standing in awe of our surroundings, and sharing the sights that make places worth protecting for future generations.

Parting is such sweet sorrow. A great view to wake up to before paddling back to Antlers 😞
06/04/2026

Parting is such sweet sorrow. A great view to wake up to before paddling back to Antlers 😞

She's a big girl, but she's our girl. Raquette River portage complete and headed across Forked Lake.
06/04/2026

She's a big girl, but she's our girl. Raquette River portage complete and headed across Forked Lake.

Adirondack chair in the actual Adirondacks. We found our seat!
06/02/2026

Adirondack chair in the actual Adirondacks. We found our seat!

Our cafeterias have had slightly better views than usual this week.
06/02/2026

Our cafeterias have had slightly better views than usual this week.

In Recreation, time to burn is time to earn! So, while waiting for a transport to the start of their trip, one of our O...
05/30/2026

In Recreation, time to burn is time to earn! So, while waiting for a transport to the start of their trip, one of our OEP groups took some time to do a family photo shoot!
Safe travels to all our groups over the next five days.

We're eating in the back Country. What's your Jam?
05/30/2026

We're eating in the back Country. What's your Jam?

Address

PO Box 2000
Cortland, NY
13045

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