Jason Bocarro
Associate Professor
Contact Details
North Carolina State University
Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management
Box 8004, 4012F Biltmore Hall
(919) 513 8025 (Phone)
(919) 515 3687 (Fax)
jnbocarro@ncsu.edu
Education
- B.Soc.Sc., Birmingham University, 1992
- M.A., Dalhousie University, 1995
- Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 2001
Specialty/Current Research Interests
- Youth development, sport, and physical activity
- Outdoor environments and their influence on children’s levels of physical activity
- The role of youth programs in promoting positive youth and adolescent development
- Relationship development between youth and adults in community-based youth programs
- The influence of parents in youth programs and settings
Recent Courses Taught
- PRT 152: Introduction to Parks, Recreation and Tourism
- PRT 359: Leadership and Supervision in Recreation
Selected Publications
- Bocarro, J. N., Floyd, M. F., Moore, R., Baran, P., & Danninger, T. (in press). Developing a reliable measure of physical activity among children in different age groups using the System for Observing Physical Activity and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC). Journal of Physical Activity and Health.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Wells, M.S. (2009). Making a difference through parks and recreation:
Reflections on physical activity, health and wellness research. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 27(3), 1-7.
- Bocarro, J. N., Casper, J., Henderson, K., Floyd, M. F., Moore, R., Kanters, M. A., Laven, K., & Edwards, M. B. (2009). Physical activity promotion in North Carolina: Perceptions of public park and recreation directors. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 27(1), 1-16.
- Kudlácek, M., Bocarro, J. N., Jirásek, I., & Hanuš, R. (2009). The Czech way of inclusion in using an experiential education framework. Journal of Experiential Education, 32(1), 14-27.
- Kanters, M., Bocarro, J. N., Casper, J., & Forrester, S. (2008). Determinants of sport participation in middle school children and the impact of intramural sports, Recreation Sports Journal, 32, 134-151.
- Bocarro, J. N., Greenwood, P. B., & Henderson, K. H. (2008). An integrative review of youth development research in US recreation journals. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 26(2), 4-27.
- Bocarro, J. N., Kanters, M., Casper, J., & Forrester, S. (2008). School Physical Education, extracurricular sports, and lifelong active living. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 27(2), 155-166.
- Kanters, M., Bocarro, J. N., & Casper, J. (2008). Supported or pressured? An examination of agreement among parents and children on parent’s role in youth sports. Journal of Sport Behavior, 31(1), 64-80.
- Kanters, M., Bocarro, J. N., Casper, J., & Forrester, S. (2008). Guidelines for positively engaging parents in children’s sports. Journal of Youth Sports, 3(1), 8-11.
- Floyd, M. F., Bocarro, J. N., & Thompson, T. (2008). Trends in leisure research on racial and ethnic minorities. Journal of Leisure Research, 40(1), 1-23.
- Moore, R., Bocarro, J. N., & Hickerson, B. D. (2007, April). Designing playgrounds for enhanced play opportunities. Parks & Recreation, 36-41.
- Bocarro, J. N., Kanters, M., & Casper, J. (2006, June). Leisure for life: The role of schools in promoting lifelong recreational sport and physical activity participation. Parks & Recreation. 22-27.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Witt, P. A. (2005). The Power of people: The importance of relationship-based programming. In P. A. Witt & L. Caldwell (Eds.), Recreation and Youth Development. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.
- Sable, J. R., & Bocarro, J. N. (2004). Transitioning back to Health: Participants’ perspectives of Project PATH. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 38(2), 206-224.
- Barcelona, R. J., & Bocarro, J. N. (2004). The nature and extent of collaboration between park and recreation agencies and higher education institutions. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 22(4), 3-24.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Witt, P. A. (2003). Relationship based programming: The key to successful youth development programming in recreation settings. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 21(3), 75-96.
- Bocarro, J. N. (2003). Maintaining the balance between service and learning: The use of journals in promoting critical thinking, SCHOLE, 18, 7-21.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Sable, J. R. (2003). Finding the right P.A.T.H.: Exploring familial relationships and the role of a community TR program in the initial years after a Spinal Cord injury. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 37(1), 58-72.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Witt, P.A. (2002). Reaching out/reaching in: The long term challenges and issues of outreach programs. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 20(3), 65-80.
Selected Presentations
- Mahar, M.T., Guerieri, A.M., Kanters, M.A., & Bocarro, J.N. (2009). Effect on epoch length on objectively-measured physical activity in middle school students. Poster presented at the 2009 American College for Sports Medicine Conference, Seattle, WA.
- Floyd, M. F., Bocarro, J. N., Smith, W., Baran, P., Moore, R., & Cosco, N. (2009) What contributes to children’s physical activity in urban neighborhood parks? An examination of individual, social, and environmental factors. Paper presented at the Active Living Research 2009 Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.
- Bocarro, J. N., Henderson, K., Floyd, M. F., Edwards, M. B., Casper, J., Moore, R., & Kanters, M. A. (2008). Park and recreation director's perceptions of community based physical activity. 2008 NRPA Leisure Research Abstracts, Baltimore, MD.
- Kanters, M. A., Bocarro, J. N., Casper, J., & Forrester, S. (2008). Middle school sport participation: An examination of intramural versus extramural sports using the theory of planned behavior. Canadian Conference on Leisure Research. Waterloo, Ontario.
- Edwards, M. B., Kanters, M. A., & Bocarro, J. N. (2008). Exploring race and gender in a preliminary comparison of participation in middle school interscholastic and intramural sport programs. Canadian Conference on Leisure Research. Waterloo, Ontario.
- Kanters, M. A., Bocarro, J. N., Mahar, M., Casper, J., & McKenzie, T. (2008). School intramural sports and physical activity: A middle school policy intervention. Active Living Research Conference. Washington, D.C.
- Moore, R., Floyd, M. F., Baran, P., Keuber, G., Bocarro, J. N., Cosco, N., & Kepez, O. (2008). I-PARK (Investigating Parks for Active Recreation for Kids): Where have all the Children Gone? Active Living Research Conference. Washington, D.C.
- Floyd, M. F., Henderson, K., Bocarro, J. N., Casper, J., Moore, R., Kanters, M. A., Laven, K., &
Edwards, M. B. (2008). Assessing the potential of park and recreation agencies to promote active living policies: Insights from a survey of North Carolina municipal park and recreation directors. Active Living Research Conference. Washington, D.C. - Bocarro, J. N., Henderson, K., & Floyd, M. (2008). IPARC: Investigating Places for Active Recreation in Communities. North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association. Charlotte, NC.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Floyd, M. (2008). IPARC: Investigating Places for Active Recreation in Communities. NC Citizen Board Member State Forum. Greensboro, NC.
- Bocarro, J. N., Floyd, M. F., Moore, R., Baran, P., Danninger, T., Cosco, N., & Keuber, G. (2007). Developing a reliable measure of physical activity among children in different age groups. Cooper Institute Scientific Research Conference. Dallas, TX.
- Floyd, M. F., Bocarro, J. N., Thompson, T. (2007). An analysis of research themes and methods on race and ethnicity in leisure studies. 2007 NRPA Leisure Research Abstracts, Indianapolis, IN.
- Kanters, M., & Bocarro, J. N. (2007). Highly committed parents and the role of fathers in promoting positive youth sport experiences. Korean Alliance for Health Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Proceedings from 2007 International Sports Science Congress. Pursuing happiness through sport and leisure. Yonsei University, Korea.
- Casper, J., Kanters, M., & Bocarro, J. N. (2007). Youth sport market segmentation with the theory of planned behavior. 2007 North American Society for Sport Management Abstracts, Miami, FL.
- Kanters, M., Bocarro, J. N., Casper, J. Forrester, S., & Ballard, K (2007). Middle School intramurals in promoting lifelong active living. National AAHE/AAHPERD Convention. Baltimore, MD.
- Kanters, M., Bocarro, J. N., & Casper, J. (2006). The impact of parental involvement and parent-child agreement on parental pressure and support in youth sports. 2006 NRPA Leisure Research Abstracts, Seattle, WA.
- Barcelona, R. J., Bocarro, J. N., & Shea, C. (2005). Use and Preservation: Understanding the intersecting concerns of municipal recreation directors and conservation leaders. 2005 NRPA Leisure Research Abstracts, San Antonio, TX.
- Bocarro, J. N., & De Castro, K. (2005). Retaining qualified staff: Understanding place attachment and organizational culture in residential summer camps. American Camping Association, Orlando, FL.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Barcelona, R. J. (2004). Understanding collaborative engagement between community recreation agencies and higher education institutions. 2004 NRPA Leisure Research Abstracts, Reno, NV.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Witt, P. A. (2003). Relationship-based programming: The key to successful youth development programs. 2003 NRPA Leisure Research Abstracts, St. Louis, MO.
- Outley, C. W., & Bocarro, J. N. (2003). You’re still not hearin’ me! Confronting representation issues and challenges in minority child development research. 2003 NRPA Leisure Research Abstracts, St. Louis, MO.
Selected Projects/Grant Funding
- Bocarro, J. N., Kanters, M., Mahar, M., & Casper, J. (Co-PI with Kanters). (2008-2010). School Intramural Sports and Physical Activity: A Middle School Policy Intervention. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, $199,495.
- Robin Moore (PI), Floyd, M. (Co-PI), Bocarro, J. N., Baran, P., Cosco, N., Smith, W. (2007-09). I-PARK (Investigating Parks for Active Recreation for Kids). Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, $205,112.
- Kanters, M., & Bocarro, J. N. (2007). Wake to Wellness Fitness Program. John Rex Foundation, $30,000.
- Bocarro, J. N. (PI) (2006). Promoting Lifelong Physical Activity through Intramural Sport. Research and Graduate Studies – FRPD Individual Program, $3018.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Barcelona, R.J. (Co-PI with Barcelona). (2004). Examining the Capacity of Community Parks and Recreation in New Hampshire: Community Recreation and Conservation Leaders’ Project. State of New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, $10,995.
- Bocarro, J. N. (PI) (2003). The Impact of Teacher Involvement in After-School Programs. Vice President for Research and Public Service, $3026.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Barcelona, R.J. (Co-PI with Barcelona). (2002). Partnerships between universities and communities in park and recreation administration: Toward a systematic model of collaboration. Vice President for Research and Public Service, $4850.
- Bocarro, J. N., & Barcelona, R.J. (Co-PI with Barcelona). (2002). Dover Middle School 21st CCLC Evaluation Project. Dover Middle School & the Greater Manchester Family YMCA, $3600.
Awards
- UNH Outreach Scholar, 2004/05 – Awarded to faculty members whose research agenda involves a broader audience
- SHHS Outstanding New Investigator Award, 2004 – Awarded to an untenured faculty member who has demonstrated extraordinary progress in establishing a productive line of research
- Campus Compact for New Hampshire Presidents’ Good Steward Award, 2004 – Awarded to a faculty member in the state who helps strengthen and improve local communities through their work
- Roger Ritvo Award, 2003 - Awarded to a faculty member and undergraduate student who collaborate successfully in research
- Faculty Instructional Technology Summer Institute Teaching Award, 2003 - Awarded to a faculty member interested in utilizing technology to enhance their teaching
- Society of Park and Recreation Educators New Faculty Leadership Award, 2001 – Awarded in recognition of demonstrated leadership activity and leadership potential to the field
- Elda K. Bradberry Scholarship, 2001 ($2000)
- Texas A&M Department Graduate Scholarship, 2000 ($1000)
- Gamma Sigma Delta Member, 1998 – awarded on basis of scholarship/involvement in service.
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Scholarship, 1998
- Canadian AUAA All Star Athlete, 1993
Other (e.g., outside interests)
- Running, soccer (both watching and playing), hiking and extended backpacking trips, reading, travelling.