THURSDAY
March 26
8:30-9:45 am
Growing Tomorrows Leaders in Parks and Recreation
This session will discuss strategies to be an effective leader when working with your staff to develop and foster their professional growth as future leaders in the profession. Not only your staff’s growth, but also your growth as a leader and how to change your ways and thought process to better lead different individuals.
Speaker: Doug Knauss , Parks and Recreation Director - Susquehanna Township
Pressing Pause on AI
With data centers being proposed in Pennsylvania and studies detailing the negative effects of Artificial Intelligence on the brain, we must take a critical look at our personal and professional ethics regarding AI usage. This session examines the costs of the undeniable productivity boost we are experiencing with Artificial Intelligence and how professionals can balance progress with sustainability and mindful use.
Speaker: Kealy Daye, Education Manager - PRPS
Flex Your Character Muscles by Using Prosocial Skills
Do you ever wonder if the little things you do for others really make a difference? Flexing character muscles like being kind is a common theme played out in all our agencies statewide and across the country. Recreation settings provide an amazing opportunity for staff to demonstrate random acts of kindness, but the demands of busy schedules and long days can have an adverse effect on staff who incrementally lose their ability to use character traits as a leadership tools. This interactive session provides a lot of helpful ideas for kindness implementation. We will cover changing narratives, appreciating leadership roles, perspective taking, self-regulation, altruism, prosocial skills, and snapshots.
Speaker: Greg Cronin, Park Manager - Loudoun County Parks and Recreation
Aquatic Roundtable
This roundtable will be the Spring meeting of the PRPS Aquatics Network. The format is open discussion, and the perfect time for attendees to discuss issues related to the upcoming 2026 season. Past roundtables featured discussions center around lifeguards in-service training, high maintenance patrons, programming ideas, and pool maintenance. Come with your list for 2026, and let’s have a great discussion!
Facilitator: Jeremy Mortorff, Recreation Program Specialist - Hampden Township Parks and Recreation
“Make a Splash with Project WET Water Festivals”
Add a water festival to your summer programming - a fun way to get children active and learning about water at the same time. This session is for park professionals interested in teaching youth about water as a natural resource and engaging the local community. Attendees will sample several hands-on activities, learn about free educational resources available through Pennsylvania State Parks and the Project WET Foundation, and receive a Project WET sampler guide and a Water Festival Planning Guide.
Speaker: Kimberly Lott, Natural Resource Program Specialist - PA DCNR- State Parks; Carly Broder, Natural Resource Program Specialist - PA DCNR- State Parks
Building the Budget - A Hands On Workshop for Parks and Rec Pros
This practical session equips parks and recreation professionals with the tools to build and manage a departmental budget. Two experienced leaders will cover revenue sources, expenditure planning, forecasting, and strategies for aligning priorities with elected officials. Through real examples, demonstrations, and an interactive exercise, participants will practice developing a budget that reflects organizational goals and community needs. You’ll leave with concrete skills and approaches to apply directly in your department.
Speakers: Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, Principal - WK2 Consulting; Brian Shapiro, Finance Director - Upper Gwynedd Township
THURSDAY March 26
10:00-11:15 am
Conflict & Violence in the Workplace
Understand causes of conflict and violence in the workplace. Discover how to effectively address and manage conflict by identifying problematic behavior and triggers. Learn effective intervention measures and prevention strategies.
Speaker: Ray Ochromowicz, Consultant - Executive Decisions Consulting
Navigating Family Challenges in a Parks & Recreation Career
Staff working in the parks & recreation field often face challenges that are unique to the profession. Irregular hours—especially evenings and weekends—can limit family time and make finding reliable childcare more difficult. This session will help you recognize these challenges, explore strategies to navigate them, and connect with other parks & recreation families who share similar experiences.
Speaker: Kathleen Muller, Recreation Consultant - Recreation Consultant
Branching Out: Navigating Your Parks & Rec Career Path
Whether you're planting the first seeds of your career or blazing a trail toward leadership, this session offers advice for every stage of your parks and rec journey. We’ll talk resumes, interviews, networking, self-advocacy, and how to recognize when it might be time to move on. You’ll leave with the confidence to take that next step – wherever it may lead!
Speaker: Courtney Fox, Director of Parks and Recreation - Lansdale Borough
Digital ADA Compliance: Practical Steps for Parks & Rec
Digital accessibility is no longer just a best practice—it’s the law. With the Department of Justice’s upcoming ruling on ADA requirements for digital content, municipalities must ensure that their online and printed communications are accessible to all community members. For Parks and Recreation professionals, that means making sure your websites, program flyers, registration forms, and PDFs meet federal standards. In this session, Derek Muller will share how his Township is preparing for compliance by working hand-in-hand with every department, including Parks and Recreation. You’ll walk away with clear, step-by-step strategies you can immediately apply to your own materials. Learn how to avoid costly legal risks while also creating a more inclusive experience for your residents.
Speaker: Derek Muller, Public Information Coordinator - Montgomery Township
Staff Retention for Seasonal Positions
Recruitment and retention are harder than ever as recreation departments compete with internships, study abroad programs, and higher-paying work. This session will share practical tips to keep your seasonal staff returning year to year through purpose, recognition, and opportunities that make your community more than just a paycheck.
Speaker: Kealy Daye, Education Manager - PRPS
Recreational Archery: How To Bring Archery to Your Parks
Archery is a fun and safe sport which is easy to learn. It is a recreational activity that can be offered to your community and which all ages can enjoy. Session will cover training the instructors, gear and equipment, funding methods, safety, success stories and teachable moments. Equipment will be on hand.
Speaker: John Conlow , Park Ranger - County of Chester
THURSDAY
March 26
1:00-2:15 pm
Reviving Icons: The Future of Community Pools
Aging facility constantly needing TLC? Tired of emergency closures? Not sure where to start? Join Michael Mancini of Aquatic Design Group to learn how to evaluate your facility, establish a budget, issue an RFP, and navigate design, approvals, and construction. Attendees will learn how to blend history with modern needs, engage stakeholders, and implement sustainable, ADA-compliant solutions. You’ll also explore maintenance strategies to extend your facility’s life. This interactive session includes plenty of time for Q&A.
Speaker: Michael Mancini, Project Manager - Aquatic Design Group
Smash Parkinson's with Ping Pong in Your Community!
Did you know that a litany of medical research shows the benefits of ping pong for those with Parkinson's disease? Learn how you can bring the PingPongParkinson program to your community!
Speaker: Jason Lang, Director of Parks and Recreation - East Goshen Township Parks and Recreation
Personal Accountability
Are you a person of impeccable integrity? Do you accept responsibility for your decisions and behavior? Do you examine yourself first before pointing the finger of blame at someone else? No matter what your title or position, holding yourself accountable is the first step to creating and maintaining healthy relationships and an accountable workforce.
Speaker: Ray Ochromowicz, Consultant - Executive Decisions Consulting
Optimizing Community Sports Fields
This presentation will outline a USDA research proposal, “Optimizing Investment, Environmental Impact, and User Health of Community-Level Sports Fields.” Attendees will learn about the project’s objectives and proposed methodologies for studying natural, synthetic, and hybrid turf systems nationwide. The session will highlight practical challenges and potential benefits of the research, while also providing valuable considerations for sports field management and construction to inform real-world decision-making at schools, parks, and other community facilities.
Speaker: Chase Straw, Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Soils - Penn State University
Bird Town Pennsylvania: Community-wide Engagement
A 2-pronged session. The first part, we will share about our program and some of the many impactful projects that have been done across our network. The second half includes tips of “how to lead a successful birding walk”, and about the many iterations that can be considered. Bird Town Pennsylvania Program, with currently 89 communities, is a state-wide, grassroots, municipal level conservation program working directly with municipal leaders to develop bird friendly communities and raise awareness of the important role people play in supporting bird populations.
Speaker: Heidi Shiver, President - Bird Town Pennsylvania
Beginner Line Dance
Enjoy this active session and learn the basics of dancing. Instructor Jeremy Duncan will break down the dances into fun and easy steps, so everyone is moving and having a good time!
Instructor: Jeremy Duncan, Dance instructor - Northampton Township
Personal Branding & Reputation Management
Why build a personal brand? Why care about what others think of you? Because your credibility, influence and success are by-products of who you are perceived to be. Uncover strategies to build your personal brand and enhance your reputation to present your best self.
Speaker: Ray Ochromowicz, Consultant - Executive Decisions Consulting
Oh SNAP! My DCNR Grant Application is Due in a Month
Do you have last minute questions about your DCNR grant application? Do you want to make your project stand out? Grab a colleague and come learn about DCNR’s grant opportunities and how you can make the most out of your grant application. Join DCNR’s grant Project Managers for an informal Q and A session. They’ll cover some common issues and FAQs with parks and rec projects, and you’ll learn some grant writing tips along the way.
Speakers: Kristin Zeigler, Recreation and Conservation Advisor - Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Jason Boris, Recreation and Conservation Advisor - Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Dan Pierce, Recreation and Conservation Advisor - Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Training the Ultimate Camp Team
Behind every unforgettable summer camp is a well-trained, motivated, and confident team. This session will explore strategies for preparing your counselors to deliver safe, engaging, and memorable camp experiences. From interactive training activities to communication tips, you’ll leave with fresh ideas to energize your training sessions and set your team up for success. Attendees will receive access to camp training handouts, training slide shows, craft ideas, and team-building games to take back and use with their teams!
Speaker: Heavenly Smith, Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator - Susquehanna Township
Challenging Conversations Made Easier: Inspiring Communication Success
In every workplace, challenging conversations are inevitable. In this session, you’ll learn five powerful communication strategies to confidently resolve conflicts. Mastering these techniques will help you foster a collaborative environment, improve staff motivation and retention, and transform difficult conversations into opportunities for growth and success. Join us and thrive!
Speaker: Lori Hoffner, Organizational Development Speaker and Trainer - Supporting CommUnity
America 250--Are You Ready to Celebrate?
The United States celebrates its 250th Birthday in 2026. Is your department ready to participate? In this roundtable session, come prepared to share ideas for a memorable, educational celebration and to discuss ways to avoid potential pitfalls.
Speaker: Ken Lehr, Park and Recreation Director - West Goshen Township; Jason Lang, Park and Recreation Director - East Goshen Township
Truly Inclusive Aquatics: Not Just Code Compliance!
Aquatic facilities must be safe, accessible, and inclusive for all, yet many designs overlook needs beyond ADA compliance. This session will explore critical considerations such as locker room access, emergency egress, public safety planning, and culturally responsive design. Using case studies and real-world examples, attendees will learn strategies to create or adapt facilities that welcome people of all abilities, gender identities, and backgrounds while addressing operational, safety, and long-term community needs.
Speaker: Michael Mancini, Project Manager - Aquatic Design Group