Exploring Recreation and Sense of Community in the Canadian Military

Abstract

Communities across North America are seeing a decline in participation in community services such as recreation. In relation to this decline, a decrease in feelings of community may be occurring as a result. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the relationship between recreation and sense of community at a single Canadian Armed Forces base. A total of 148 participants from a single Canadian Army Base completed a questionnaire on recreation participation and sense of community as it relates to military recreation programs and services. T-test and regression analyses were conducted. The sense of community factors, voluntary action, common interest and administrative consideration were significant within the Canadian Armed Forces. Future research should explore sense of community across all Canadian Armed Forces bases to further understand the role of recreation and sense of community across the Canadian Armed Forces and also include other variables (e.g. civilian organizations, leadership) that may contribute to military sense of community.