What if fun was what you produce for work?
In this episode, we meet Heather Schmidt, Recreation Supervisor for the City of Arcata. From classic summer camps in the redwoods to community-wide events and senior programs, Heather shares how recreation is more than just fun and games—it's about connection, healing, and building inclusive spaces for all ages.
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ANNCR: Today on Talk Humboldt. What happens when fun is the point of work?
SCHMIDT: Recreation is much more than fun and games.
ANNCR: Heather Schmidt is a fun specialist. She works for Arcata's recreation division, which she says goes way beyond just summer camps and drop-in basketball at the community center.
SCHMIDT: You know, we are often, as recreation workers, serving as that counselor, that therapist, that... multiple hats, yes.
ANNCR: She tells Keith and Mike that while her team of just four full-time staffers has their hands full with everything from field rentals to food trucks, the bigger the challenge, the bigger the payoff. From the Arcata Community Center, this is Talk Humboldt.
SPAGNA: Hi, I'm Mike Spagna, interim president of Cal Poly Humboldt, and I'm here with my colleague, President Keith Flamer. We're here interviewing Heather Schmidt, and she's going to talk to us a little bit about leisure and the role of leisure in the community, and some of the things that she does to try and promote that.
FLAMER: And the power of fun in life.
SCHMIDT: It’s definitely an important part of not only kids’ lives, but everyone’s. I like to think that Arcata Rec is offering some of that throughout the year. It seems like about half the year is taken up by summer camp—even though it’s called summer camp—there is a lot that goes into coordinating all of that.
FLAMER: Can you talk to us about what that is?
SCHMIDT: Yeah, so it’s kind of a classic summer camp. It’s up at Redwood Park, which is a beautiful setting. It’s everything from singing silly, ridiculous songs to hikes in the redwood forest—having them unplugged and away from screens and video games and social media. Summer camp takes a lot to coordinate.
In a completely different hat I put on, I also oversee the Marsh Interpretive Center down at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.
FLAMER: Oh, you oversee that as well?
SCHMIDT: Yeah. That is also another big role that I play.
FLAMER: What do you see as the biggest challenges in your job?
SCHMIDT: Recreation is much more than fun and games. During the school year, these kids are connected with all sorts of different resources. They’re meeting with the school social worker. They’re meeting with the school counselor. They’re getting free lunch. And then in the summer, all of those resources are gone.
SPAGNA: And there’s no continuity.
SCHMIDT: We’re filling that gap—without the resources and training. We are often, as recreation workers, serving as that counselor, that therapist, that everything.
FLAMER: So you’ve seen a lot of kids come here with generational trauma?
SCHMIDT: Yes. Some of the highest ACE scores in the state.
FLAMER: Very much so.
SCHMIDT: But those are often the most rewarding moments as well, and what keeps me coming back.
SPAGNA: You mentioned the continuum also of senior activities. I think it’s important for listeners to know that it is about the kiddos, but we’re also talking about intergenerational work. It brings generations together over a center activity.
FLAMER: And also talk about why that’s important.
SCHMIDT: Seniors can sometimes be isolated. So again, creating that community space where they can come gather—you could have little spry high schoolers here playing with some older adults in drop-in basketball. And you better believe that ups the playfulness and competition. It’s a really fun way to make connections that might not otherwise be made in the community, outside of your own family.
FLAMER: What’s the day in the life of Heather?
SCHMIDT: It’s actually surprisingly a lot of office sitting.
FLAMER: That doesn’t sound fun whatsoever.
SPAGNA: But tell us what you’re doing at the desk.
SCHMIDT: Any one of these programs that I run—we’re a small staff at Arcata Recreation. There are four full-time staff. One of our rec supervisors manages all facility rentals. That includes this big community center, the D Street Neighborhood Center, all the sports field rentals, picnic area rentals, special event permitting—like the Kinetic Sculpture Race, Oyster Fest—all that is coordinated through our office. Food truck and film permitting too.
We wear many hats. Sometimes it’s like, “How did we end up with this under recreation?” But we do it.
FLAMER: Your job is so wonderfully unique and variable. How does one prepare for your job?
SCHMIDT: I went to school more for environmental ed, which sometimes overlaps with camps. Having gone through the credential program obviously helped me understand childhood development. By the time I had a full-time position in recreation, I had done a lot of part-time work with kids.
I always say, for people interested in recreation, that is huge. You need to get experience with children—not only with kids but in the depths. Be a coach. Be a camp counselor. You have to be the front person. That’s important.
FLAMER: People treat you like the point person.
SCHMIDT: Yes. You have to negotiate with people. “Hey, I can’t do that for you, but I can do this.”
FLAMER: In our business, we have groups that discuss how to educate better. So when you talk to your peers, what do you talk about?
SCHMIDT: In a way, there’s a shift happening. Instead of asking, “How can we use technology in our programing?” there’s a reverse shift: back to nature, back to simplicity, back to the roots.
FLAMER: So you talk about how to take technology out of your business?
SPAGNA: You were sharing that with the camp.
FLAMER: That’s where you tell families, “Your kid is going to unplug.”
SCHMIDT: Yes. And they’re like, “Yes!”
SPAGNA: The community loves it.
SCHMIDT: “So what do you mean my kid gets to be outside playing for eight hours today instead of video games?” That sounds like the ultimate summer.
FLAMER: Actually, it does. Yes, it does.
SCHMIDT: And then there’s so much more awareness and understanding of ACEs, and how multigenerational trauma impacts all of us. There’s a lot about inclusion—whether that’s someone in a wheelchair and how we design parks and facilities to be more accessible.
Those are definitely some of the larger topics.
FLAMER: Heather, as you’re speaking, I’m thinking you’re a healer.
SPAGNA: You are. There’s an element of that.
FLAMER: Absolutely. Teacher and healer. Very much.
SCHMIDT: That’s a really nice way to think of it—which I don’t often do. But thank you.
SPAGNA: Thank you for visiting with us today.
FLAMER: I learned so much.
SCHMIDT: Thank you, guys.
ANNCR: From the Arcata Community Center, you’ve been listening to Heather Schmidt with Arcata’s Recreation Division on Talk Humboldt. To hear this episode as well as older shows, search for Talk Humboldt wherever you get your podcasts, or visit khsu.org.