In this article the strategies of the recreation instructor profession in relation to school cooperation are examined. On reading a column in Fritidspedagogen 1980-95 it would seem that two strategies dominate the debate. During 1980-88 the prevalent strategy was one of exclusiveness. It was argued that Ieisure-time centers had a pedacogicaI vaIue in their own right and should be built as independent enties with staff comprising solely of recreation instructors. Through information about pedagogica! ideals to decision makers, an expansion of leisure-time centers should be secured. During 1989-95 an economic crisis and change in municipal and school law forced a change of strategy. Now it is thought that leisure-time centers should be integrated inschool. The reason for this is based on pragmatic arguments, such as school development and economic effectiveness. Three different groups of the recreation instructor profession can be discerned: The Utopians (dominating the former strategy and the Realists dominating the latter, with the Avant-gards foregoing the development. It is argued that the conditions of today have changed. from the enthusiastic cooperation between Avant-gards and teachers in the beginning of the 1990s to the Realists' acceptance of an unrevokable development. Finally the question whether the teacher education is dominated by Avant-gardes leading the future development, or Realists following after, is raised.