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Parks and recreation departments are ideally situated to afford both <br />opportunities and adult guidance through activities that are intrinsically <br />motivating. Adolescents do not need adults to do things "to" or "for" <br />them; rather they need to have opportunities to "develop themselves" <br />through active experience or experiential learning. Services provided <br />by recreation have significant impact in youth development. Parks <br />and recreation departments provide more than just fun and games, or <br />gym and swim programs. When youth participate in these programs, <br />they gain excellent opportunities to develop and gain necessary skills <br />to become fully functioning adults. Participation in these activities is <br />associated with autonomy and identity development, positive social <br />relationships, and learning conflict resolution, academic success, <br />mental health, and civic engagement. (Witt and Caldwell, 2010, p.4, <br />MRPA 3) <br />CITY OF RAMSEY PARK SYSTEM PLAN <br />