#PRPS Conference #BreakingTraditions 

by Karen Hammond, Conference Publicity Committee

Only 17 days until another great opportunity to network, learn, and grow! Here are some tidbits about your stay at the Lancaster Marriott...

Check-in and Check-out

• Check-in: 4:00 PM
• Check-out: 12:00 PM
• Video Review Billing, Video Checkout

High-Speed Internet Access

• Guest rooms: Wireless, Wired for 12.95USD/day
• Lobby and public areas: Complimentary Wireless
• Meeting rooms: Wireless, Wired

Parking

• On-site parking $2 hourly, $7 daily conference discount rate
• Valet parking $30 daily
• Off-site parking $2 hourly, $14 daily

Property Details

• 19 floors, 297 rooms, 4 suites
• 31 meeting rooms, 72,207 sq ft of total meeting space

Smoke-free Policy

• This hotel is smoke-free

Pet Policy

• Pets not allowed

Another vital part of your conference experience will be the Awards Banquet. Before dinner begins, you can enjoy music brought to you by Mike and Mike.! Check them out! They are "Making Music for Good" by playing events that support community recreation, conservation, and revitalization.  This duo calls on their love of contemporary, classic, and traditional music while adding their own unique blend of vocal harmonies and acoustic string instruments to create an comfortable, inviting atmosphere conducive to networking, fun, and fellowship. 

After your delicious dinner, stay tuned for an action-packed awards ceremony that honors Excellence in Programming award winners from across the state, and recognizes, top professionals in our field.

Some sessions that you will want to consider include:

• "Neighborhood Recreation Facilities; Staff Positively Impacting Community" on Sunday, March 22 at 3:30 pm. Lori Hoffner will discuss how it's all about connecting youth with positive role models, and the best practices to make that happen.

• "Pumptracks: Youth Development, Workforce Development and Fun!" If your organization wants to build a bicycle pumptrack, come to this session to hear about rallying your staff, youth, and community around the projects! On Monday, March 23 at 9:00 am you can be a part of that discussion.

• Unfortunately even the best facilities and organizations have to deal with litigation. Shawn DeRosa will help you to understand "Preparing for Litigation" at this session held on Monday, March 23 at 9:00 am. All are welcome to come and learn the process and to be prepared.

• Having the right instructor is the first step to a successful program. You can design and market program around your instructor's strengths! Kristin Dowell is ready to review that with her session "Turn-key Programming: #outdoor #fitness #marketing" on Monday, March 23 at 2:00 pm. 

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

(If you are a DVIT Member you can receive $100 off your registration if you are one of the first 30 DVIT registrants. See page 22 in the registration guide for more details). 

Member News

Congratulations to Jon Walker, of Whitemarsh Township, who is now its Recreation Superintendent.    

In the News

Lancaster County was selected as a finalist (out of 340 applicants) for the 2015 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize. 

Register Today: America Walks "Lessons from the Experts" Webinar on March 9

Join celebrated speaker and walkability expert Mark Fenton for a rapid-fire review of best practices for those beginning to build more walkable communities. Many communities are overwhelmed by the apparent technical challenges and cost of making themselves more walkable. But there are compelling, cost efficient, often simple approaches that are ideal first steps. Based on a series of interviews with some of the most experienced and successful walkable community advocates and implementers in the United States, this free Webinar reveals starter-strategies that have been shown to work, and why!

This webinar is a companion to the Every Body Walk! Collaborative practice guides series.  This Getting Started practice guide can be downloaded at HERE. Click here to register now.    

In need of Prizes for D1 Poker Tournament

Upcoming PRPS Trainings

March 16, 2015

Liberty Bell Trail Workshop (.5 CEUs)

Bucks County Community College, Northern Bucks Campus

Perkasie, PA

For more information click here. Online registration is OPEN, click here to register.

March 22, 2015

Citizens & Friends Day Workshop

Lancaster Marriott & Convention Center

Lancaster, PA

To register online, click here.

March 24, 2015

Park Resource Maintenance Workshop

Lancaster Marriott & Convention Center

Lancaster, PA

To register online, click here.

PA Therapeutic Recreation Society (PTRS)  

March 27, 2015

Creating a Therapeutic Activity: Adapt and Analyze

Fort Roberdeau, Altoona, PA 

April 8, 2015

PTRS Day - multiple sessions

York College of PA, York, PA

April 10, 2015 

Creating a Positive Vision for Leadership

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Raker Center

Allentown, PA

April 30, 2015 

Creating a Vision for Positive Leadership

Masonic Village, Sewickley, PA

May 11, 2015

No Health Without Mental Health

MossRehab, Elkins Park, PA

Click here for the brochure. Online registration is OPEN!

Greenways & Trails Summit - Session Proposals