PRPS Weekly News

Reminder! Register now for the PRPS Conference to receive the Early-Bird Discount!

Take advantage of the early-bird full conference discount for PRPS members $325 ($50 off regular price!) Payment must be made in full by January 30, 2015 to qualify.

Upcoming Webinars

Get Outdoors PA Best Practices for Outdoor Recreation Programs

January 21, 2015

2:00 - 3:00 pm

DCNR's BRC Grant Funding for Recreation and Conservation Projects:
January 28, 2015

10:00 - 11:30 am

Grant Funding for Partnership Projects:

February 3, 2015

10:00 - 11:30 am

To register for these DCNR webinars click here. For additional information, contact Linda Manning at linmanning@pa.gov or call (717) 783-4736.

The 2015 DCNR Grant Funding application period will open January 14, 2015 and close April 16, 2015.

Submit your Award Nominations now...You don't have much time left!

Categories:

Outstanding Achievement Award in Honor of Fred Coombs
PRPS Distinguished Member Award in Honor of Robert D. Griffith
Outstanding New Professional Award
Community Champion Award
Excellence in Recreation and Parks

Click here for Awards Program Entry Information. Nominations are due before January 31, 2015.

Additional Awards Programs

Green Parks Award

Do you have a park in your community that you think deserves to be recognized for outstanding "green" practices?

You can nominate that park for the annual DCNR/PRPS Green Parks Award. To review award criteria and application, click here.

The deadline is January 24, 2015.

PRPS Conference Sessions

by Karen Hammond, Conference Publicity Committee

Change is good, right? We have a scheduling change that we want you to be aware of....the session titled "Autism - Adapting Programs and Techniques" has been canceled. Bummer, because Matt Ernst always has great information! That means that the dynamic team of Goldstein, Ligget, and Rebert will be presenting "Tried and True Greening Practices" on Monday, March 23 at 10:30am.

Speaking of Green Practices, we hear so many parks and facilities claim to be "green", but do we know how to operate and maintain these practices once they are initiated? Judy Stern Goldstein, Valerie Liggett and Ashley Rebert will be discussing maintenance techniques through the eyes of DCNR, Professional Planners and Landscapers in the session titled "Tried and True - Greening Practices" on Monday, March 23 at 10:30am!
Eagle Scouts are impressive in so many ways, and achieving that status is monumental for young men. Their projects can be phenomenal if implemented effectively, and the benefits that your park or community reap can also be very valuable. Karl Lukens will help us all understand a successful plan to achieve success for all in the session at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 22, titled "Making Eagle Projects Work For You!"
Did you know that our beautiful country has 83 national parks? Did you also know that these parks serve over 50 million visitors each year? Can you imagine all the living history events that come out of these parks? Join G. Dominic Cardea on Monday, March 23 at 10:30am for "Every Park Has A Story, Tell It!" and learn some techniques to craft stories from, and create programs, around your history!
Communication techniques have changed so much over the years, and your park or agency needs to be with the social media program! Carol Spencer will help you determine which social media channels would work best for you and your cause, why social media is important and all the legal considerations that you need to think about. Be at "Establishing Effective Online Communication" on Tuesday, March 24 at 10:00am to get with the program!

For more details on the Conference, click here. Register online!

PRPS Building Fund Contributors, January 1-14, 2015

These generous donors are helping to decrease the balance on the PRPS building mortgage!

Greg Roth

Karl Schlentner

Kathryn Brill

Jim Strange

Robert Deffner

Keith Taylor

Greg Gove

District News

For more information on our upcoming District Events, click here.

District 1 T-Shirt Campaign Fundraiser

THIS T-SHIRT GIVES BACK!

Recreation Departments Build Active Communities

Join District 1 in showing support and raising awareness for local recreation agencies by purchasing the"Building Active Communities" t-shirt during the month of January.

A portion of the proceeds from the t-shirt along with other products purchased on the website will be donated to PRPS. Be sure to spread the word to your family and friends via social media and/or good old-fashioned word-of-mouth.

Click here for more details or to purchase products.

District 3

Ski & Snowboarding Socials/Meeting

February 10, 2015 - Blue Mountain

February 25, 2015 - Jack Frost Mountain

District 2

Annual Business Meeting & Workshop

January 28, 2015

8:30 am - 2:30 pm

York College of PA

Weinstock Lecture Hall William Business Center

Click here to register online!

D2 Ski Social