Pre-Conference Workshops

2024 Pre-Conference Workshops

 

Rise to Gold Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) Certification Prep Course

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, October 7

Rise to Gold CPRE Certification Prep Course will provide a solid foundation to help you prepare for the CPRE exam and attain your professional certification goals. This exam is for the mid-level or above professionals who are Certified Park and Recreation Professionals (CPRPs) or held that certification within the past two years. You will not want to miss this face-to-face opportunity. Professionals will have a better understanding of how they can best prepare to become a CPRE, gain clarity on the benefits of taking the exam and reduce personal anxiety of test preparation through review of exam content areas, engaging in practice questions and sharing ways to succeed in exam preparation from professionals who have been involved in the creation and oversight of the exam as well as ones that have prepared for and taken the exam.

The CPRE certification has established the national standard for managerial, administrative, and executive parks and recreation professionals. CPRE certification places professionals in the company of an elite group of parks and recreation managers and executives demonstrating leadership in managing a recreation department, mastery of policy development, and management of fiscal, property and personnel resources. If you are ready to take the next step in your professional journey, this session is for you.

0.8 CEUs

Member: $150 / Nonmember: $170

Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Exam Prep Course

9 a.m. 1 p.m.

Monday, October 7

Interested in pursuing one of the most sought-after certifications in park and recreation field?  The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is the national standard for all park and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession.  Delivered in an interactive format by one of the co-authors of the Official Study Guide for the Certified Park and Recreation Professional Examination, this workshop will discuss the exam’s primary content areas, provide exam prep tips, share sample questions and discuss areas that have historically been challenging to other professionals.

0.4 CEUs  

Member: $130 / Nonmember: $150

Promoting Physical Activity Among Older Adults

1 to 4:30 p.m.

Monday, October 7

Through the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, and the associated Move Your Way® communication campaign, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working to create a culture of health where all Americans can live active, healthy lives. In 2023, HHS published the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults (Midcourse Report). The Midcourse Report highlights strategies that professionals working with older adults can use to increase physical activity in key settings and reinforces the amount and types of physical activity older adults need.

Park and recreation professionals can use strategies from the Midcourse Report and free tools and resources from the Move Your Way® campaign to guide and support their efforts to increase physical activity among older adults in their communities.

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) will host an interactive workshop to help attendees discuss how they can promote physical activity among older adults in their own communities using strategies from the Midcourse Report and resources from the Move Your Way® campaign. Presenters will share key findings from the Midcourse Report, introduce the Move Your Way® campaign and share success stories, and facilitate activities to brainstorm approaches to implement the campaign and promote physical activity. Through facilitator-driven activities and discussion, attendees will have an opportunity to share best practices and lessons learned with their fellow park and recreation professionals and develop their own implementation strategies to promote physical activity among older adults.

No CEUs

Member: $0 / Nonmember: $0

Supporting Youth in Park and Recreation Programs

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, October 7

Park and recreation agencies provide high-quality, engaging youth programming. In these settings, park and recreation staff, after school administrators, youth sports coaches, camp counselors, seasonal staff and community volunteers play an important role in supporting our young people. While park and recreation staff are committed to creating positive environments for youth, they may not have the foundational skills or confidence to promote positive youth development. Join NRPA for an interactive workshop to build social and emotional learning (SEL), DEI and youth development skills to ensure youth in your programs feel valued and supported. This training opportunity is appropriate for all youth-serving professionals in parks and recreation.

No CEUs  

Member: $0 / Nonmember: $0

Federal Grants Boot Camp

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday, October 7

There are millions of dollars (or more) available from the federal government each year. Is your agency prepared to spend these funds? NRPA will be hosting a pre-conference workshop for those interested in learning more about the federal grant making process. How do we find grants? How do we apply? How can we be competitive in the grant process? Join this pre-conference workshop for a deep dive into the world of federal grants. This workshop will be taught by an expert in the grant process. NRPA’s program, supported by The JPB Foundation, aims to advance community-driven, systems-level strategies for equitable park access that improve the environmental resilience and health of communities through public parks and recreation. NRPA believes parks play a key role in advancing equitable environmental and social resiliency that improves communities and ensures they can meet current and future challenges.

0.2 CEUs

Member: $0 / Nonmember: $0

Girls of Color Rising Through Mentorship, Wellness and Storytelling

1 to 4 p.m.

Monday, October 7

The Black and brown girl movement focuses on the ways we uplift and honor girls and femmes of color. In this session we will explore how youth development programs in parks and recreation can empower volunteers and community members to be champions of girls of color through first acknowledging the ways in which our own identities and privileges may help or inadvertently hinder us in building powerful and meaningful relationships and, second, interrogating the overall societal truths that get in the way of creating a sense of belonging for girls of color. We will discuss activities that foster well-being including making room for fun and play in relationship development with youth. We will also explore storytelling techniques that prioritize voice giving space for girls of color to be their authentic selves and share their truths. This session builds on a recently piloted multi-layered curriculum MENTOR National has developed and piloted titled, Mentoring Black and brown Girls. Sol to Root Wellness and The Untold Narratives, lead developers on the curriculum, will facilitate carefully curated activities and discussions along with practical applications to enhance engagement. We will discuss how you can build a movement focused on girls of color through strategic and international planning of youth activities and communities of practice.  As a leading provider of Out-of-School time programming, park and recreation programs and spaces provide a perfect platform to put this movement into action.

No CEUs option — Member: $0 / Nonmember: $0

0.2 CEUS option — Member: $70 / Nonmember: $100

Armed Forces Recreation Network (AFRN) Professional Training Institute

1 to 5 p.m.

Monday, October 7

This half-day training is organized by and specifically for Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) professionals.  Topical sessions/workshops will be coordinated by the AFRN (the Armed Forces Recreation Network) leadership and delivered by MWR professionals. The training will support, educate and connect professionals from all of the services.

Hosted at the Convention Center; this four-hour afternoon training does not include any meals.

No CEUs  

Member: $0 / Nonmember: $0

Sustainability in Practice Pre-Conference Workshop

1 to 5 p.m.

Monday, October 7

Join us for this 2.5-hour workshop designed for park leaders to identify opportunities to increase their capacity to implement sustainability practices and plans and ensure they are community driven. With guidance from field experts, NRPA and ICLEI, participating park professionals will use a multi-faceted approach to assess their current strengths and weaknesses when it comes to environmental sustainability. 

Through interactive group activities and facilitated peer learning, this workshop will serve as an incubator for park leaders to learn how to use the information gathered in this session to identify key areas to advance their sustainability practices and plans while also building strategic partnerships in a creative and equitable way that grows their ability to effectively implement environmental and sustainability focused efforts. 

Partners within your agency, city and community are key in advancing broad efforts like sustainability. Participants will map out their network of potential and existing community and cross-department partners to ensure their efforts are effective and efficient and that community ideas and decisions are centered.

0.2 CEUs

Member: $0 / Nonmember: $0

Accessibility in Parks and Recreation

9 to 11a.m.

Monday, October 7

Informed decisions and investments are critical to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Making park and facility infrastructure accessible is the first step. The next step is to make recreation programs and services truly inclusive. Join us for strategies to meet and exceed ADA requirements, for ideas to ensure your spaces are inclusive for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, to learn from success stories, and to discuss action steps for your agency.

Workshop will be led by members of NRPA’s Business Council who hold a broad range of expertise and perspectives.

0.2 CEUs

Member: $0 / Nonmember: $0

AFO & CPSI COURSES AND EXAMS

 

Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Blended Learning Course

8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday, October 7

The AFO Blended Learning Course is a combination of the AFO Online Learning Course, one day of training with an AFO Instructor and the exam administered at the end of the day.

1.5 CEUs

Member: $350 / Nonmember: $375

Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Course & Exam

8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 5 to Monday, October 7

WHAT IS CPSI?

The Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) course and exam is offered by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

Certified individuals are trained to properly inspect playgrounds for safety hazards and ensure compliance with national standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The CPSI course is for individuals in school districts, municipalities, playground manufacturers, childcare facilities, insurance companies and other organizations responsible for playgrounds and playground equipment.

Exam Registration begins on Monday, October 7 at 8:30 AM

1.5 CEUs  

Member: $575 / Nonmember: $600

Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Course Only

8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 5 to Sunday, October 6

Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) COURSE ONLY

1.5 CEUs

Member: $450 / Nonmember: $470

Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) EXAM ONLY

9 to 11 a.m.

Monday, October 7

Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) EXAM ONLY

Exam Registration begins at 8:30 AM

No CEUs

Member: $140 / Nonmember: $150