Virginia's Recreation, Amusements & Attractions pathway develops expertise in managing recreational facilities, amusement operations, tourist attractions, and recreational programs—preparing students for careers managing Virginia's diverse recreational resources.
Students study facility operations, program management, guest services, safety procedures, marketing, and business operations. They practice recreation management through partnerships with parks, attractions, and entertainment venues.
Graduates work as recreation coordinators, attraction operators, facility managers, or program directors. Virginia's numerous attractions, from Colonial Williamsburg to theme parks, create employment. Advanced students pursue hospitality and business management programs.
Recreation, Amusements & Attractions at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's recreation and attractions standards address facility operations, program management, guest services, and safety. Standards reflect current recreation and amusement industry practices.
Students demonstrate competency through recreation operations projects and safety assessments. The state integrates customer service and program management.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Recreation and Attractions Fundamentals |
| Facility Operations and Management |
| Program Development and Coordination |
| Guest Services and Safety Management |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓ServSafe Food Handler
- ✓ServSafe Manager
- ✓ProStart Certificate of Achievement - Year 1
- ✓ProStart Certificate of Achievement - Year 2
- ✓Hospitality Tourism Specialist (HTS)
- ✓Guest Service Gold - Tourism
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Attraction Operator
Entry LevelSalary range: $35,170 - $46,400
Facility Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $38,500 - $61,990
Operations Director
ExperiencedSalary range: $77,790 - $174,120
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern at parks, recreation centers, amusement parks, tourist attractions, and entertainment venues throughout Virginia.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in DECA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
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