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From the Executive Director
Dear PRPS Members & Friends,
Welcome to summer! A surprisingly calm weather week for the start of a new season but we'll take it! We're still seeing the signs of spring in Happy Valley with a doe and fawn walking through the back of the property last week. What a sight! Both were calm and taking in the surroundings (thankfully not snacking on any of our lovely greens). I'm sure calm is not necessarily a word most of our recreation friends know right now with camps starting and pools in full swing!
PRPS had a successful day on the hill on June 14, 2011 with a few PRPS members participating. We co-sponsored a reception for the legislators and gave them an oak tree to plant with a friendly reminder about supporting Growing Greener. These were well received and conversation starters with many. Our legislators are supportive but we are keeping an eye on final tweaks to the PA budget this week.
Earlier this month we had our annual Therapeutic Recreation Institute. The institute saw lots of familiar faces but new ones as well. Congratulations to the TRI Committee for a successful event! Also, special kudos to the award winners - Carrie Chiusano won two awards and Masonic Villages at Elizabethtown had several as well. Jeremy and I assisted at the institute and we were really impressed with the camaraderie of the group. The 2012 event will be in Grantville and we'll be sharing some more news about that event soon!
In other Training activity, the Fall Mini-Conference and Greenways & Trails Summit are up next and the office is busy getting those details complete. You'll see some teasers on both enclosed. The summit guide should be available by the 2nd week in July. Also in July we'll be sending out a member survey via survey monkey. We want to know what you think to be sure our ideas are in line with your needs.
We are pleased to say we recently hired a new bookkeeper, Maria Meyer, who started mid-month. She is doing a phenomenal job. If you have any questions regarding invoices or payments to PRPS she is the one to talk to. Her email address is mmeyer@prps.org. I'm sure she would love to speak with you!
For my monthly nature anecdote I have to share what my five year old son said recently. I took him on a special nature walk in the woods behind our house. We were finding animal scat, paw prints, turkey feathers and flowers. I told him we had to head back and he said, "But I want to stay on our naturehood walk!" Gotta love kid speak!
Finally, special thanks to PSECU. For the entire month of June they had a public service announcement promoting the benefits of local community parks and recreation. This was through the Harrisburg NBC affiliate with a market of over ½ a million households in 18 counties. It's truly amazing!
Have a safe and healthy holiday weekend!
Sincerely,
Kim
Kimberly Woodward, CPRP
Executive Director |
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PRPS Hours
Please note...the office phone hours for the summer will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
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Tips & Tricks - Why Training is Important!
by Jeremy Bean, PRPS Training Coordinator 
I recently did a workshop session at the 2011 Therapeutic Recreation Conference on Behavior Styles and how they affect us in the workplace. What struck me as I was working with these great folks was really a reminder of what we value in our society and why we promote people in the workplace. The reminder was how important training is and should continue to be for everyone in our field.
So think about it this way, how many of you work with or supervise other people in your jobs? This could be anywhere from a director down to summer camp staff or interns. Now, think about what made you get into this field and why you chose to stay in this field. My guess for most of you is you enjoy working with people, working in the outdoors, and your good at leading activities and having fun! Another assumption here, but I'm also betting most of you started at the bottom, meaning front line camp staff or interns doing the programming every day. You were good at what you did, passionate, energetic, ready to take on the world and make sure everyone was recreating! You got noticed by your superiors and low and behold were promoted! Go you!
Well now all of the sudden you are in more of an administrative role, or you are at least in charge of other people. Now how many of you really got some training on what it means to lead others? Again an assumption but I'm guessing not a lot, or if you did you did it on your own time. You see this is a common thread in our society these days. We are promoted/rewarded for being good at our jobs and what we do, suddenly we are in charge of others but have never really been trained on what that means. Prime example is the engineer who is really good at numbers and design and excels at his/her job, suddenly he/she's told they've been promoted and he/she's now in charge of 10 other engineers. As we all know crunching numbers and doing design is far different than being in charge of a group of people or a leader of a team.
Have you ever struggled with how to motivate people, how to handle a difficult person, having to let someone go, having to hire someone new? These are all aspects of leadership and working with people on a daily basis in a team. While most of it seems like it should be easy, in fact it's probably the most difficult thing any of us do. But in the end people are what make us successful, we can be fantastic programmers, maintenance folks, administrators, etc. but in the end those we work with will make us either mediocre or really shine.
Luckily for all of us there are some really intelligent folks on this planet and there are a host of wonderful tools and trainings that can bridge this gap for us. I encourage you all to take some time to think about your jobs and the people you work with and how it could be better. Also, keep an eye out for some PRPS trainings coming up that we hope will focus on this topic. The Fall Mini-Conference should be a really great start! As always my proverbial door is always open so feel free to contact me if you've ever got any needs. |
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The Great Ideas Mini-Conference
October 12-13 Hotel Carlisle and Embers Convention Center
Come join PRPS for 2 full days of in depth training and fun at the Hotel Carlisle and Embers Convention Center. Workshops will be a full day in length allowing for greater depth and information sharing. We'd like to hear from you our Members as to what types of trainings you'd like to see at the Mini-Conference. Please contact Jeremy Bean Training Coordinator at jbean@prps.org or call the office with any suggestions or ideas for this year. We look forward to a great 2 days in Carlisle!
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Annual Conference
March 18th -22nd, 2012
"Recreation Powers Unite"
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs, PA
Session Proposals are being accepted until July 8th. For the proposal form, please go to our website at www.prps.org. If you have any questions please contact Daphne Klahr (dsebelist@westreadingborough.org) and Karen Regenfuse (karen@muhlenbergtwp.com) 2012 Education Co-Chairs.
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Amusement Park Discounts/Tickets
Each year, the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society offers amusement park, zoo, aquarium and other attraction tickets at a discounted rate as a community service to the residents of Pennsylvania. Tickets are sold by local recreation and park departments and agencies throughout the state, and are also available for purchase through the PRPS office.
In 2011, we are offering discounted tickets to 29 different amusement parks and attractions: Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, Busch Gardens, Camelbeach, Cedar Point, Clementon Park, DelGrosso's Amusement Park, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland, Hersheypark, Idlewild, Kennywood, Knoebels Amusement Park, Longwood Gardens, Morey's Piers, Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, Philadelphia Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo, Ride the Ducks Philadelphia, Roundtop Mountain Adventures, Sandcastle, Sea World, Sesame Place, Six Flags America, Six Flags Great Adventure, Sno Cove, Splash Zone Water Park (Wildwood, NJ), Waldameer Park, and Water Country USA.
Please visit call the PRPS office 814-234-4272 for more information, or click here to download an order form or to
view a list of participating recreation and park departments click here.
Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark discount coupon
Click here. |
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Member News
Congratulations Bill Wert! Click here for more info!
Carolyn Hanel will now be the Borough Manager at Jenkintown. Congratulations Carolyn!
 Katie Kollar, from Upper Moreland Township, had a baby girl, Piper Jude on Tuesday June 28th. Congratulations Katie!
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43rd Annual PA Therapeutic Recreation Institute
Thank you to our 2011 TRI Vendors:
Aging Institute, Creative Forecasting, Books are Fun Garden Rounds, Gary Grimm and Associates, Guildcraft Arts & Crafts, Idyll Arbor, Petro Molds, PSECU, Sagamore Publishing, Sea Bay Game Co., V-tree |
 Trail News
by Emily Gates, PRPS Special Projects Coordinator
The Greenways and Trails Summit Planning Committee seeks exhibitors!
Network with trail enthusiasts from across the state as you promote your business or organization. Take a peek at our EXHIBIT BROCHURE and complete an EDUCATIONAL DISPLAY or VENDOR contract to exhibit! Booths don't need to manned, register for the summit and let your display do the work! The summit is September 11-13th in York, PA. Contact Jeremy Bean with any questions: jbean@prps.org or 814-234-4272.
SEPTEMBER 11th NATIONAL MEMORIAL TRAIL™
Join us in building a new national trail!
This year as America approaches the tenth anniversary of September 11th, 2001, when the United States and the world were shocked by an act of terrorism beyond imagination, our citizens throughout the country have an opportunity to be part of a national trail to be called the September 11th National Memorial Trail; built as a tribute to all those who perished in America's single worst terrorist attack. The establishment of a hiking, biking and driving trail will provide a physical linkage connecting the three memorials commemorating the tragic events that occurred at the Flight 93 National Memorial, the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon.
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| Branch & District News
PA STATE PARKS SOCIETY
Clothing For Sale
The Society has PA State Park jackets, fleece vests, hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts and caps available for sale and immediate delivery.
Click here to view or to order! |
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Other News
Did You Know??
Do you know what Parkour is? Rather interesting sport that could impact you at the local, county or state level in your parks and at your facilities. Here's some more information:
Parkour (Wikipedia Definition) (sometimes abbreviated PK) is the non-competitive sport originating in France of traversing mainly urban landscapes by running, climbing and jumping. Participants run along a route, attempting to navigate obstacles in the most efficient way possible, using only their bodies. Skills such as vaulting, rolling, swinging and wall scaling are employed. Parkour can be practiced anywhere, but areas dense with obstacles are preferable and it is most commonly practiced in urban areas.
To read more, follow this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour
New...State Park cuts on the CBS Early Show
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7371601n |
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Building Fund Contributions
Therapeutic Recreation Silent Auction
David Reifsnyder
Thank you! |
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Playgrounds for Joplin
In wake of the recent destruction caused by the devastating EF5 tornado in Joplin, Missouri, Miracle Recreation has implemented a "Playgrounds 4 Joplin" program to help rebuild the playgrounds damaged within the community. With our manufacturing facilities located only 40 miles from the Joplin, MO area, many of our friends, families and co-workers were affected by this disaster. We are committed to help bring play back to the children of Joplin.
At Miracle Recreation, we have committed to donate $100 for every playground sold during the month of June. Proceeds will go towards parts for rebuilding playgrounds affected by the Joplin, MO tornado.
In addition to donating $100 for every playground sold in June, Miracle will provide crews to install or repair each playground, manned by our staff and professional installation teams in the area.
Miracle is doing our part to rebuild Joplin, MO, if you would like to personally contribute you can donate on our Funraising website at
www.miraclefunraising.com/playgrounds4joplin
100% of all donations will go directly to the American Red Cross Joplin Relief Fund on behalf of Miracle's friends and families.
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Upcoming Workshops
Look for fall dates to be set in the July newsletter for:
- Playground Maintenance Workshop
- Swimming Pool Management 101 and Pesticide Applicator Exam
- Swimming Pool Management Re-Certification Course
- LERN UGotClass Online Courses and Certifications
Internship Program:
PRPS is happy to announce our formal internship program beginning this fall. We will be taking one intern in the fall, winter/spring, and summer to assist with various office initiatives and most importantly learn about Parks and Recreation from the society side of things. If you'd like to see the formal write-up please click here. We would appreciate you all spreading the words and sending us any great candidates!
Hershey Track & Field State Meet
July 10th, 2011
Penn State University, State College
Greenways & Trails Summit
September 11th - 13th, 2011
Yorktowne Hotel, York
Brochure will be available soon!
Fall Mini-Conference - "The Great Ideas Mini-Conference"
October 12th - 13th, 2011
Hotel Carlisle & Embers Convention Center
Fall Membership Meeting
November 16th, 2011
Stuart Community Center
Carlisle, PA
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NRPA News
 The PA Room block for the NRPA Annual Congress & Exposition, held this year in Atlanta from November 1st - 4th, 2011, is now available. If you will be attending the congress and prefer to be with others from Pennsylvania, we will be at the Omni CNN. This is a very nice hotel with a lot of amenities and the convention center is across the street.
To book rooms online into your State Block, please follow the below steps:
-Go online to http://www.wynjade.com/nrpa11/states
-Click on "click here" to reserve your hotel room for NRPA 2011
-You will be instructed to provide a USER NAME and PASSWORD. Please ensure ALL attendees booking rooms into your block have the following USER NAME and PASSWORD:
USER NAME: penn PASSWORD: poconos
ALL individual names must be reserved into your block prior to July 29th, 2011 EOB. Any rooms remaining in your block after July 29th, 2011 will be released for general sale. |
| PA Recreation and Park Society
2131 Sandy Drive
State College, Pennsylvania 16803-2283
PA Recreation and Park Society
814-234-4272
Fax: 814-234-5276
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