Cari E. Autry, Ph.D.
CTRS, East Carolina University, USA
Leisure for Children and Youth
Co-chairs
Dr. Makhaya Malema
University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Goals
Promote holistic development through Leisure for Children and Youth
Enhance accessibility and inclusivity through Leisure for Children and Youth
Encourage innovation in youth-focused activities
Foster collaboration among professionals and communities in the field of leisure for children and youth.
Introduction
The Leisure for Children & Youth Special Interest Group (SIG) is dedicated to fostering meaningful and impactful opportunities for children and young individuals to engage in leisure activities that enrich their development, well-being, and creativity.
We focus on exploring and promoting leisure practices that support physical health, mental wellness, social connection, and skill development. From sports and recreation to arts, culture, and digital engagement, our mission is to ensure that leisure becomes a cornerstone of holistic growth for the younger generation.
Through research, collaboration, and advocacy, the SIG aims to shape policies, programs, and environments that empower children and youth to thrive while recognizing the unique challenges they face in today’s dynamic world. Whether addressing accessibility barriers, promoting equity in leisure opportunities, or exploring emerging trends, the SIG provides a collaborative space for innovative ideas and shared solutions.
Join us in championing the transformative power of leisure for children and youth, building a brighter future for generations to come!
- World Leisure Day 2025: Take part actively and coordinate activities involving children and youth under the main theme of “Leisure for a Better Society”.
- World Leisure International Field School 2025: Join WL International Field School under the theme of “Redesigning Leisure: Creating Access and Inclusion for Everyone”
- WL Congress 2025: Dissemination of the call for abstracts for the 2025 WL Congress among SIG members
- Development of collaborative projects and funding applications: Workshops and discussions to facilitate the creation of interdisciplinary projects, funding proposals, or community-based initiatives that address leisure needs and challenges for children and youth.
- Recruitment of new members to WL and the LCY SIG will be a priority and strategies will be solicited from the current membership for such activity
Leisure for Children and Youth activities
The World Leisure Day (WL Day) is a global initiative from the World Leisure Organization (WLO) which aims to reinforce leisure as a social right and its importance in daily life, as well as to expand and promote leisure globally while recognizing that barriers still exist for many worldwide.
World Leisure International Field School is a learning opportunity that combines field experience with congress attendance. Initiated in the 2014 WL Congress in Mobile, Alabama (USA) it has now become one of the most successful and active programmes of WLO for the youngest leisure community. Previous field schools editions took place in Durban, South Africa (2016), Sao Paulo, Brazil (2018) and Dunedin (2023).
Learn more about WL International Field School editions:
WL International Field School, 2025 (Breda, The Netherlands)
WL International Field School, 2023 (Dunedin, New Zealand)
WL International Field School, 2018 (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
WL International Field School, 2016 (Durban, South Africa)
WL International Field School 2014 (Mobile, USA)
The Leisure Experience Research Opportunity (LERO) provides opportunities for the World Leisure Young Ambassadors and WLCE students and other interested institutions to participate in an international orientated field research project aimed at assessing the recreation programs to foster active communities.
Supporting Organization signatory party of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
