Mark Your Calendar!ARPA 2010 Annual Conference & Energize Workshop
October 21-23, 2010
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Visit the Conference website for more information
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 ARPA recommends a blended framework for after school recreation strategy in a new report
A newly released research document by ARPA entitled Stone Soup: The Recipe for an After School Recreation Strategy in Alberta suggests that a blended framework will be the best approach to address the need for after school recreation programming during the "critical hours" (3:00 - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday).
The proposed framework suggests an optimal mix of three program areas, including recreation (30%), health (20%), and learning (20%), with a local programming component as well (30%). The framework also places strong emphasis on a community development approach where local partners and parents can shape program components based on their unique local community circumstances.
Drawing inspiration from the stone soup fable, the report also calls for an investment in an after school recreation strategy that would leverage the contributions of multiple public and private sector partners and community organizations, which would each contribute in the way that is most suitable and aligned with their mission and goals.
This report was developed as a follow-up to a previous ARPA publication, entitled AfterSchool Recreation Initiatives, which identified the urgency for the development of such an after school programming framework, as well as the funding of pilot programs.
The full report is available for download on the ARPA website.
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 ARPA Conference brochure and registration now available online
The ARPA Conference brochure and registration system are now both available online, and a hard copy of the brochure will be arriving in member mailboxes any day now. This year's Conference, themed Renaissance 2010 - Endless Possibilities, will take place October 21-23 at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
With two keynotes, four preconference sessions, and over 40 breakouts including an activity session, this year's Conference will once again provide the platform for excellent professional development and networking opportunities.
Online Registration - We are using the same online registration system as last year, so if you are a returning delegate your contact information should already be in the system once you log back in. This system will allow you to easily register yourself, a group of people, and even your guests. Once logged in you can print receipts and invoices, adjust any registration information, and make payments using the secure payment site. The registration system may be accessed directly at www.regonline.ca/2010_arpa_conference_and_energize_workshop.
Accommodations at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - The room block at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is filling fast so book early to guarantee your room reservation! Call the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge directly at 780-852-3301 or toll free at 1-866-540-4454. Be sure to mention that you are with the ARPA Conference. You can also access the Fairmont's online reservation system by visiting www.2010.arpaonline.ca/registration.html and clicking through the link under "Online Room Booking."
Considerations for Elected Officials and Municipal Elections - With this year's municipal elections falling so close to the ARPA Conference, we will once again allow you to register, cancel, or change registrations for elected officials up until the actual Conference dates at the early bird registration fee.
We look forward to seeing you in Jasper this fall!
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 Sogo Active Phase II has now launched
The much-anticipated second phase of SOGO Active was officially launched last month. In revealing a completely revamped website, which boasts many exciting changes and additions, there is hope that SOGO's new image will appeal to a wider age range of youth.
Embracing the notion that SOGO
was created to help youth challenge themselves and their friends to get
moving, the new phase poses a challenge to young Canadians to do just that - get their peers involved in being active. The "Can You Fill These Shoes" challenge, which launches this August, will select twelve youth ambassadors from across the country based on the activity challenges that they create and post on the website. The ambassadors will be used as a source of inspiration to their peers to encourage them to embrace an active lifestyle. The twelve finalists will receive $5000 towards their education, as well as other great prizes that promote active lifestyles.
Youth are given a fair amount of creative liberty in crafting their challenges, which need to be at least four weeks in duration, or full one-day events. The overhauled website boasts a new theme and design, as well as many new convenient features that allow youth to easily create or search challenges and events that are occurring in their community, or around the country.
Be sure to visit www.sogoactive.com to view the new website, and please pass along any feedback you may have about the site to ARPA.
If you have questions or require more information about SOGO Active, please contact Denise Gariépy, ARPA Program and Member Services Manager, at 780-644-1779 or dgariepy@arpaonline.ca.
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 Get your votes in for ACE Communities' Pepsi Refresh Project!
The August 31st deadline is just around the corner, but there's still time to vote for ACE Communities' proposed Pepsi Refresh Project, which would support a series of music and dance tours in Aboriginal communities throughout Alberta.
The proposed Aboriginal Alberta Music/Dance Tour would be an opportunity for Aboriginal communities to come together to celebrate and grow local talent. The goal of this initiative is to seed an interest in the arts, and then feed this interest through training opportunities, access to resources, and sustainability strategies. Should this project to be voted as the recipient of the $100,000 grant, it would be huge win for Alberta's arts scene, and an even bigger win for Aboriginal communities.
Vote online for ACE Communities at:
www.refresheverything.ca/albertanaboriginalartstour
For more information on the Pepsi Refresh Project, please visit www.refresheverything.ca, or contact Janet Naclia, ACE Communities Creative Cultural Liaison, at jnaclia@aceleaders.ca.
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| Thanks to all who lent a hand to the ARPA casino fundraiser
ARPA would like to extend a big thank-you to all the volunteers who provided assistance with the casino fundraiser that ran August 5-6th in Calgary. The small army of volunteers included Tim
Carson, Karina Damgaard, Laurie Darvill, Ashleigh Emmott, Judi
Frank, Lisa Hardy, Jarret Hoebers, Cheryl Hodgson, Elena Kay, Linda
Kay, Richard Kay, Robin Kearn, Heather MacKay, Jim McDonald, Janet
Naclia, Brian Noble, Janice Redlin, Ron Riffel, Irene Stadnyck, Amelia
Steiger, Ashley Van Biezen, Rob Van Biezen, Terry Welsh, and Trevor
Wigemyr.
Special thanks goes out to Jim McDonald and Rob Van Biezen who acted as General Managers and once again helped coordinate the volunteers this year.
Thank-you once again to everyone! We couldn't have done this without your support and dedication.
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 A big thank-you to Camper's Village, "June is Recreation and Parks" month prize sponsor
The June is Recreation and Parks Month committee would like to extend its sincere thanks to this year's prize sponsor, Camper's Village. Camper's Village provided prizes to the two winners of the children and youth nature activity passport draws. The winners each received a $50 gift card to the store, allowing them to pick out some great gear to enjoy in the outdoors.
Thanks again to Camper's Village for your generosity!
Do you have any suggestions on how we might improve June is Recreation and Parks month in the future? ARPA is running short (5 minute) survey until August 27th to gather feedback from our members on this initiative - even if you or your community didn't participate this year. Your responses will remain anonymous, and will help shape the direction of June is Recreation and Parks Month in the future.
Access
the online survey at www.surveygizmo.com/s/348247/cbcmq.
For more information on June is Recreation and Parks Month, please contact Joline Veitch, ARPA Special Projects Assistant, at 780-638-2915 or jveitch@arpaonline.ca.
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| Get involved in "Sports Day in Canada" on September 18th
Sports Day in Canada on Saturday, September 18th is a national celebration of sport, from grassroots to high-performance levels, in communities across the country. It's an opportunity for all Canadians to celebrate the power of sport to build community, fortify our national spirit, and facilitate healthy, active living.
You can get involved by hosting your own local celebration event anytime during the week leading up to, and including, September 18th. Join thousands of organizations across Canada and plan a party, open house, game, competition, meet-and-greet, try-it day, tournament, fun run, spectator event, or pep rally. Create something new, or throw open your doors to a competition, activity, or event your organization is already doing, and invite others to join you.
If you're interested in celebrating sport, getting active, and attending a local Sports Day in Canada celebration event in your own community, please visit www.cbcsports.ca/sportsday.
Sports
Day in Canada is presented by CBC Sports, ParticipACTION and True Sport
and is guided by a committee of national sporting organizations and
their networks of coaches, athletes, and enthusiasts across the country.
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 How do you plan to take part in Alberta Arts Days?
Alberta Arts Days, which run September 17-19th, are just around the corner. Whether you plan your own Arts Days event, or take part in one already scheduled, there are numerous opportunities for Albertans in communities throughout the province to celebrate local arts and culture during this three-day festival.
During the lead-up to the Alberta Arts Days weekend, the Ministry of Culture and Community Spirit will be running contests on the Arts Days Facebook page with prizes such as double-guest passes to museums and historic sites, as well as CFL jerseys. All you have to do to be entered is "Like" the Arts Days page on Facebook, which is also a great way to stay up-to-date on community-based Arts Days initiatives around the province.
Governed by The Spirit of Alberta, Alberta's cultural policy, the Government of Alberta plays a leadership role in stimulating this grass-roots initiative.
For more information on Alberta Arts Days, please visit its website at www.albertaartsdays.ca.
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