Mississippitopia

As an Inaugural Mississippitopia Founding Participant, I can attest to the importance and relevance of having a yearly, state-wide outdoor recreation conference. The goals are to educate, advocate, and connect students, professionals, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts with others in the State of Mississippi who value and support outdoor recreation opportunities and education.

Goals:

• Support and develop outreach and educational programs to promote outdoor recreation opportunities within all educational landscapes (K-12 education, parks & recreation, health & wellness agencies, campus recreation and student life divisions, and educational divisions at colleges/universities).
• Positively impact the youth obesity and the physical inactivity epidemic plaguing our state through numerous hands-on skill building activities and workshops that enhance outdoor recreation/education knowledge to connect education with recreational pursuits available in Mississippi.
• Connect educators and recreation leaders from across the State of Mississippi to learn about the opportunities and needs in Mississippi and build relationships with key professionals in the fields of recreation, education, parks, environmental science, and other stakeholders in outdoor recreation education.

Importance:

The American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (2013) estimates over 30 percent of college students are overweight or obese. Of those students reported, only 24.9 percent admit to participating in organized club or intramural/recreational sports. Although some research has been compiled to assess adult and youth (K-12) obesity and physical activity levels in Mississippi, little attention has focused on the traditional college-age adults (18-24-year-olds) concerning physical activity levels, participation in physical fitness regimen, and/or presence of outdoor recreation programming participation as leisure-time physical activity.

There is much research indicating that college-age students are among some of the unhealthiest and unfit because of a lack of positive lifestyle physical activity choices. Consequently, outdoor recreation and leisure-time physical activity choices have been examined and found to be an important aspect of college/university programming for formulating healthy and active behaviors. From recruiting strategies, to health and wellness initiatives, to retention-related issues, participation in recreation and leisure activities on university campuses, specifically campus recreation activities, improves college students’ overall health and wellness, increases participation in physical activity and leisure-time physical activity choices, and assists in preventing depression and anxiety-related problems caused by college-related pressures.

Further research indicates that those who participate in outdoor or nature/wilderness-related experiences/activities value physical activity more and participate in healthy and active lifestyles more often. With the health of Mississippi youth and adolescents dwindling, it is important to provide opportunities for students to participate in, and have adequate availability to, outdoor recreation and leisure-time physical activity programming which focuses on education, empowerment, and skill acquisition through broad and expansive opportunities. MISSISSIPPITOPIA will enhance and strengthen partnerships among Mississippi college and university outdoor recreation education programs and provide hands-on opportunities for numerous K-12 educators, future health and wellness professionals, and college-age students and adults interested in lifelong recreational activities in Mississippi.

Who Is Invited:

With invitations to all state professionals in K-12 physical education, college/university health, physical education, recreation, sport management, and wellness divisions, and those operating summer outdoor camps and outdoor education programs, we hope to foster outdoor recreation change-agents who will become leaders in promoting and creating opportunities in outdoor recreation pursuits in their areas. Those involved in:

• The National Intramural/Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Mississippi chapter
• The Mississippi Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA)
• The Mississippi Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (MAHPERD)
• The Association for Outdoor Recreation Education (AORE)
• Those who promote outdoor recreation education to all Mississippi organizations and affiliates who promote wellness and recreational programming through education.