Mark A. Widmer, Ph.D.
Professor of Therapeutic Recreation


Contact Information:
Office: 273 H Richards Building
Phone: 422-3381
Fax: 422-0609
Email: widmer@byu.edu

Education:

    Ph.D., (1993), University of Utah, Leisure Studies/Therapeutic Recreation
    M.S., (1990), Brigham Young University, Recreation Administration
    B.A., (1988), Brigham Young University, Philosophy

Teaching:

       SFL 100 - Strengthening Marraige and Family: Proclamation Principles and Scholarship
       RMYL 223R - Mountain Biking
       RMYL 223R - Ski Instructor Course
       RMYL 223R - Canoeing
       RMYL 307 - Accessible Recreation
       RMYL 471 - Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation
       RMYL 487 Research and Evaluation
       RMYL 612 Issues and Applications in Family Recreation
       RMYL 699 - Masters Theses

       Mountain Biking Class Photo's
       Camp WILD Photo's


Study Abroad:

In the Winter of 2004, Dr. Widmer directed the first RMYL study abroad to New Zealand. Since that time, the program has been run Winter semesters of 2005 and 2006, and it will be held in Australia for Fall semester 2006. In Winter 2008, Dr. Widmer will direct the program in New Zealand again.

Research Interests:


    Therapeutic Adventure and Wilderness Programs for Youth with Risk Factors
    Leisure Behavior & Adolescent Development/Delinquency
    Strengthening Families through Recreation, Assessment

Recent Publications:

Dodd, D., Zabriskie, R, & Widmer, M. (In Press). Contributions of Family Leisure to Family Functioning Among Families
         that Include Children with Developmental Disabilities. Journal of Leisure Research.

Taniguchi, S. T., Widmer, M. A., & Taniguchi, A. M. (In Press). The Attributes of Effective Field Staff in Wilderness
         Programs: Changing Youths’ Perspectives of Being “Cool”. Therapeutic Recreation Journal.

Widmer, M., Lundberg, N. (2009). Methods for outcome research in therapeutic recreation. In Norma J. Stumbo, (Ed), Professional
         issues in therapeutic recreation: Ensuring our worth, Proving our value. (2nd ed.): Champaign, IL: Sagamore.

Widmer, M. (2008).Creating a good life: The case for seeking challenge in personal and family recreation. In, Fitness and
         lifestyles management, Vincent, W. & Davidson, L. (Eds.) p 245-264. Provo, UT: BYU Academic Publishing.

Taniguchi, Stacy T., Widmer, Mark A., & Taniguchi, Amy M. (2008). Tort liability considerations for therapeutic recreation
         professionals. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 42(3), 163-171.

Witt, P., Ellis, G., & Widmer, M. (2008). The Leisure Diagnostic Battery computer software and users manual. Venture Publishing.

Widmer, M., Freeman, P., & Slife, B. (2007). Original secularism: Spirituality’s place in the academy. SPRE Professor:
         Issues & Innovations
, Winter/07, pp 7-11.

Taniguchi, S., Widmer, M., & Duerden, M. (2007). Only The Best Need Apply: An exploration of the power of excellent camp
         counselors to effect lasting change in at-risk youth. Horizon: Newsletter of the Association of Experiential Education. <
Boulder, CO: Association of Experiential Education

Lundberg, N., Widmer, M., McCormick, B. & Ward, W. (2006). Rational emotive recreation therapy: Using adventure
          and recreation in reducing irrational beliefs among adolescent males with behavior disorders. Annual
          Theraputic Recreation
, 14, 59-68.

Wells, M., S., Widmer, M. A., & McCoy, J.K. (2004). Grubs and Grasshoppers: The Influence of Challenging
          Recreation on the Collective Efficacy of Families with At-Risk Youth. Family Relations 53, 326-333.

Widmer, M.A., (2004). Family Recreation. In Fitness and lifestyle management, (James George, Ed.). Provo, UT:
          Brigham Young University.

Widmer, M.A., Ellis, G.D., & Munson, W.W. (2003). Development of the Aristotelian ethical behavior in leisure scale
          short form. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 37(3), 256-274.

Huff, C., Widmer, M.A., McCoy, K. J., & Hill, B.J. (2003). The Influence of Challenging Outdoor Recreation on
          Parent-Adolescent Communication. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 37(1), 18-37.

Widmer, M.A., Zabriskie, R., & Wells, M.S. (2003). Program evaluation: Collecting data to measure outcomes. In
          Client Outcomes in Therapeutic Recreation Services (Norma J. Stumbo, Ed.). (pp. 201-218)
          State College, PA: Venture.

Widmer, M. A., & Munson, W. M. (2003). Therapeutic recreation and respite care for adopted children with special
          needs and their families: A new opportunity. American Journal of Recreation Therapy 2(3), 45-48.

Personal:

Mark Widmer came to BYU in 1995. During winter semester of 2004 and 2008, Mark directed a Study Abroad program in New Zealand. From 2004 through 2007, he and Dr. Taniguchi, along with a number of energetic graduates and undergraduates, worked with the WILD Foundation to do research on the effects of an outdoor guide training program for youth. They have studied academic efficacy and academic motivation, identity development, and building character strengths. Other recent research has involved the study of varied levels of challenge on family strength among families with struggling adolescents.

Mark and his wife Suzy have four children: Kaeli (20), Matthew (17), Nathaniel (15), and Kirsten (10). They love to read, ride bikes, hike, fish, and sail together. Matt and Mark have completed a number of triathlons and road races together over the past couple of years.