Recreation Management - Student Sponsored Events

The Alice DeBower Scholarship Banquet The Alice DeBower Scholarship Banquet is planned by the REC 300 (Program Planning in Recreation) class during each spring semester. It is an annual event, dedicated to honor Alice DeBower’s 28 years at UW-L.

DeBower established the Recreation Majors' Club, Sigma Lambda Sigma honorary fraternity, intern sites both within and outside of Wisconsin, and the annual songfest and community card party for UW-L students and the La Crosse Community. She was a member of the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Association for 25 years. Alice DeBower was the recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award in 1973.

In 1978, seniors at UW-L established the annual Alice DeBower Distinguished Service Award. The Alumni also established the annual Alice DeBower Scholarship a few years later in 1981. Four years later in 1985, the annual scholarship ceremony was named in her honor by the Recreation Majors’ Club.

Rho Phi Lambda Rho Phi Lambda is a national honorary organization that recognizes Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation major students. This organization encourages the development of professional standards for the recreation field and stimulates the personal development of the individual member’s professional growth.

Requirements

  1. A major in Recreation Management or Therapeutic Recreation
  2. Have earned at least 45 credits
  3. Have a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher
  4. Pay a lifetime membership of $30.00

Recreation Majors Club/RCRC The Recreation Majors Club is dedicated to promoting professional development of students majoring or minoring in both Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation. It sponsors training programs, site visitations, social gatherings and other special events. The Recreation Majors Club also coordinates student attendance at professional state and national conferences. It’s an excellent way to meet people within the profession.

Goulees in the Coulees Ghoulees in the Coulees is an annual event sponsored by the REC 300 (Program Planning in Recreation) class. It’s held at Norskedalen, a Norwegian heritage site, located on County Highway PI, near Coon Valley.

The event is usually held the Thursday and Friday before Halloween. Ghoulees in the Coulees is a haunted hike through one of the many Norskedalen trails. Stations are developed by various groups and organizations throughout the Coulee Region, and are sporadically placed throughout the trail. Almost no electricity is used on the hike. The trails are lit by carved pumpkins, adding to the Halloween atmosphere. After the hike, you can visit a homestead, which includes fortunetellers, a witch and her brew, and a blacksmith. This unique Halloween activity is enjoyable for people of all ages. Since Ghoulees in the Coulees is a family-orientated event and geared for individuals of all ages, groups developing the stations are asked to make their area not very scary.

The REC 300 class doesn't want you to miss the fun on Thursday and Friday each year. Tours begin at 5:30 p.m. The last tour ends at 9:00 p.m. The hike lasts approximately 30 minutes. Reservations are necessary due to the limited amount of parking. To make a reservation, call Norskedalen at (608) 452-3424 after October 1. Since the cost may vary from year to year, please call Norskedalen for the most current information.

Blood Drive REC 300 sponsors the Blood Drive in April of each year. The Blood Drive takes place in Cartwright Center in Port O'Call. The students in Rec.300 take great pleasure in participating in this annual event. It is their way of giving back to the community that gives so much to the University. Recreation careers have expanded beyond park and recreation facilities. Planning events such as a blood drive are career options for Recreation Management majors.