Community recreation services provide enjoyable, interesting and challenging opportunities that will enhance the well-being and healthy development of participants, enrich community life, and provide life skills training for youth. Leisure skills and interests gained in adolescence contribute significantly to the development of human competence and the achievement of self-actualization. Successful recreation programs operate under the philosophy that youth are a resource to be developed, rather than a problem to be managed; therefore, constructive use of leisure must become an integral part of the school curriculum at all levels. This paper presents an overview of community recreation services for youth, examines current issues in community recreation services for young adolescents with a particular focus on at-risk youth, discusses the value of participation in organized sports, and provides an overview of programming for youth. Innovative and exemplary programs that serve the needs of youth are highlighted. The paper also includes an examination of funding strategies for leisure services, analyzes trends and issues in recreation and leisure services, and sets forth challenges for public policy makers. (Contains approximately 100 references.) (LL)