July 28, 2021
The TRVI is coming 
The 2021 Therapeutic Recreation Institute will be held virtually (TRVI) from Wednesday, September 29, through Friday, October 8, with various informative and timely sessions and speakers. Our keynote presentation on Wednesday will feature Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist with Landscape Structures. Jill uses her personal experience and infectious personality to inform and endorse the needs and benefits of play for everyone. Other sessions topics include non-medical interventions, ethics in TR, storytelling, and more.  On Friday, October 1, an extended lunchtime social will enable participants to take some time to meet, network, and have a little fun with TR-related games and trivia.  

PRPS expects to receive NCTRC credit for every session and attendees can earn up to 14 hours toward their certifications. The price for the TRVI is $150 for members and $250.00 for non-members and includes attendance, access to all recorded sessions through December 30, and NCTRC/CEU hours. In addition, non-members will receive a 1-year, PRPS membership.   

Registration is open. Please visit www.prps.TRVI2021 to learn more and register. 
Park and Recreation Month is coming to an end...
July is Park and Recreation Month and sadly we are only a few days away from the end of the month. There is still plenty of time to celebrate our Park and Recreation departments, events, organizations, and agencies. 
 
Watch this video about the resilient and dedicated Park and Recreation staff that have worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. When everyone was locked in their homes, “we turned to our parks for a place to go and get outdoors!”
 
NRPA has a toolkit to help you promote #ParkandRecreationMonth with ease! Visit the toolkit for social media posts, posters for your parks, and so much more. 
New Jobs in our Job Center!
We've added a new job for you this week! Here's the updated list of jobs that are looking to be filled ASAP:

Recreation Assistant (newest listing)
PRPS Events & Roundtables
Directors & Supervisors Roundtable (Aug 4) only 3 spots left!
Park Maintenance Institute Shop Talks including:
TRVI (Sept 29 - Oct 8)
District 3 Golf Outing (Oct 1)
TRI Lunchtime Session: to be announced (Nov 11)

Visit our Calendar! Feel free to share!
Other Events
Building your volunteer program - Tips for maximizing volunteer impact
by Colleen Kenny
"A few weeks ago, I wrote this blog post about managing invasive plants. One key element of many successful management programs is capitalizing on volunteer involvement. So, whether managing invasive plants, running events, or helping with other department programs, how do we make the most of our volunteers?

Host volunteer events often
While it may take some extra work up front, holding regular volunteer events can help your volunteers to become more self-sufficient. Think of them as training events. After just two events, my regular volunteers remember their plant identification and begin independently assessing where work is needed. Regular events also allow your “super volunteers” to rise to the top. They can build excitement and momentum around your volunteer program, generating more interest within the community." Continue reading on the Dig It! Blog.
Member Spotlight
Audrey Logar, Recreation Director, Camp Hill Borough
Audrey’s background began when she attended playground programs as a child and then worked them as she grew. She graduated with an education degree form the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, PA. After graduating she became a 4th Grade Teacher and remained involved in recreation part-time. Eventually Audrey decided that pursuing a recreation career, rather than education, would correlate better with her family and lifestyle. She has been Camp Hill Borough’s Recreation Director for over 20 remarkable years now.
  
“I have always been an outside person even as a young child. As I have gotten older, I still love to recreate, especially with family and friends,” Audrey said. Some of the recreation activities she enjoys are: riding bikes, kayaking, sports and swimming.

Audrey finds Parks and Recreation important because “it has something for everyone.” Although parks have been crowded more than ever, many people missed out on recreation events last year and “that was tough for the community and everyone really wanted to have them.” 

Audrey’s Closing Words: “Recreation is something that lifts your spirit and makes anyone feel good. We all need it, including me!”
Member News
Congratulations to Angela Nagle, recently appointed as Bucks County Parks and Recreation Department’s new Executive Director! Click here to read more.
New Baby!
Melissa Kauffman from Millbrook Marsh Nature Center and her husband, Clint Kauffman who works at Centre Region Parks & Recreation, had a baby! The baby’s name is Autumn. Congratulations to such a beautiful family!
Sad News
Long-time member Lloyd "Bud" Vye passed away on May 15. View the obituary here. We share our deepest condolences to Bud's family and the dozens of park and recreation friends he made over the years.

Members can plant trees in memory through the Legacy Memorial Tree program at their sympathy store.
Welcome New Members!
William Boswell, Osborne Trail & Park Association, Inc.; Daniel LindemierDeAnna L. Martin, Washington Park; Dominique RileyScott Alvin Sjolander, Penn State Extension; Lindsey Waugaman
2131 Sandy Drive, State College,
PA 16803-2283
814-234-4272