You are currently browsing the Annual Events category.
- Link June Recreation & Parks Month activities to the winding down of the school year by taking special field trips.
- Sponsor a citywide hobby fair—urge all ages to bring in their hobbies be it a painting, ceramics, etc. Award prizes or certificates in each category.
- Sponsor a leisure education program at local schools, colleges, or universities. Show films and videos, set up workshops and discussion groups. Make people aware of leisure opportunities. Help them discover their personal leisure pursuits.
- Use June to kick off special fund drives, referendums, etc.
- Use June as an opportunity to discuss various issues facing the recreation and parks departments in your area.
- Give lectures, arrange for TV and radio talk shows, as well as speaking engagements, etc. Look at accessibility,
infrastructure, community health challenges and the role of recreation and parks. (For other suggestions on topics please contact the ARPA office (780) 415-1745.
- Try to get a feature story in the newspapers about one of your volunteers, Chair, Councillor, or other members. This type of publicity will show the need for volunteer input into recreation and parks programs.
- Sponsor a “Slim and Trim” course during the month. Co-sponsor with your regional health authority.
- Have one for young men and women and one for the older people. Combine yoga, ballet and exercise
to music.
- Co-sponsor with a museum or art gallery – a special “Art-O-Wheel” for wheelchair users of all ages.
- Plan an interpretive lecture, followed by discussion groups.
- Plan a special festival of cartoons for children (and adults).
- Charades: Plan a game of charades where the participant must guess the title within three minutes – actors who fail, have a penalty of $1 to be given to a local charity.
- Father’s Day (June 13th) -Celebrate with special events for fathers and children.
- Create a municipal recreation and parks float for the annual parade!
- Host a media recreation and parks challenge! Try a parks relay race with activities and skill challenges.
- Make it tougher – limit their accessibility and equipment to demonstrate the challenges of some individuals in the community to benefit from recreation and parks experiences!
- Develop a municipal beautification challenge, in conjunction with Communities in Bloom! Present prizes to businesses that improve landscaping, tidiness and/or floral displays!
Elected Officials
As an elected official or municipal committee member, your involvement and support to the celebration of June as Recreation & Parks Month is vital! As an elected official, your role in ensuring that recreation and parks programs, services and opportunities that contribute to the health, wellness and overall quality of life in our communities remains a priority.
For the month of June renew your commitment to be a strong voice advocating the benefits that recreation and parks provide to our communities. ARPA and your recreation and parks staff can provide you with relevant facts, research and examples of how recreation and parks contributes to personal, social, environmental and economic well-being in our families, communities and province.
The following are some activities/strategies, which elected officials could become involved in, to help celebrate June as Recreation & Parks Month.
- Officially proclaim June as Recreation & Parks Month (We have included a useable charter example in this Tool Kit!)
- Formally recognize, in some way, the efforts of your municipal department staff and volunteers.
- Become a member of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, and/or attend a provincial recreation conference or workshop.
- Encourage/support a municipal-wide ‘Recreation Fair’ that would provide local recreational, environmental, sports, arts and culture, agencies, groups and businesses an opportunity to share and promote their programs and services to the community.
- Nominate one of your staff or volunteers, local groups or initiatives for an award and recognition from the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association.
Practitioners
As practitioners, either paid or volunteer, the benefits that recreation and parks programs, facilities and services you provide in your community is often known, but not celebrated or promoted. June celebrations are perfect opportunity for your department or agency to ‘take the stage’ and communicate the messages regarding the value or recreation and parks in our communities. Whether it is through a media campaign, a new event or promotion or by using an existing annual event. June is the month to celebrate!
The following are some activities/strategies, which recreation and parks practitioners could be involved in, help celebrate June as Recreation & Parks Month.
- Have your Mayor/Reeve proclaim that June is Recreation & Parks Month! (Look for a useable Charter, in this Tool Kit)
- Plan a community-wide event to celebrate and showcase the value of recreation and parks in your community!
- Contact the local media and have a weekly article focusing on a particular event, facility, group, program, volunteer related to recreation and parks!
- Develop a community contest that promotes recreation and parks and the benefits they provide to your community!
- Ensure that all promotions of existing events, programs and services occurring in June promote ‘June is Recreation & Parks Month’!
- Plan a department-wide celebration for all department staff and volunteers to celebrate the contributions you make to the quality of life in our communities!
- Become a member of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, and/or attend a provincial recreation conference or workshop.
- Plan/facilitate a municipal-wide ‘Recreation Fair’ that would provide local recreational, environmental, sports, arts and culture, agencies, groups and businesses an opportunity to share and promote their programs and services to the community.
- Contact your local school board(s) to support your Drawing/Colouring Contest or Photo Contest!
- Nominate one of your staff or volunteers, local groups or initiatives for an award and recognition from the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association.
Not-For-Profits (Community Service Clubs)
The not-for-profit sector plays a significant role in the delivery of recreation and parks programs and services and in some communities these groups are the ‘only game in town’. Therefore the role that they play in contributing to our communities and their quality of life should not be overlooked.
The following are some activities/strategies, that not-for-profit groups involved in recreation and parks related programs and services could become involved in, to help celebrate June as Recreation & Parks Month.
- Plan/Participate in a community-wide event to celebrate and showcase the value of recreation and parks in your community!
- Ensure that all promotions of existing events, program and services occurring in June promote ‘June is Recreation and Parks Month’!
- Plan an agency-wide celebration for all staff and volunteers to celebrate the contributions you make to the quality of life in our communities!
- Have local media cover your event, agency, programs or services!
- Become a member of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, and/or attend a provincial recreation conference or workshop!
- Plan or participate in a municipal-wide ‘Recreation Fair’ that would provide local recreational, environmental, sports, arts and culture, agencies, groups and businesses an opportunity to share and promote their programs and services to the community!
Business/Corporate
The business community cannot be overlooked as advocates for recreation and parks. Many businesses are direct providers of recreation and parks related services and programs. Others provide the necessary equipment and supplies to participate in various activities or programs and still others are valued members of our community who believe and support individual and community health and well-being. Whatever the case, the business and corporate community is an important advocate of the delivery of recreation and parks.
The following are some activities and strategies that can be used to celebrate June as Recreation & Parks Month by businesses and corporations that believe in the value of recreation.
- Get involved in your community’s celebration activities or events, become a sponsor or partner in the event!
- Help promote community activities and events through your customers and media campaigns!
- Get other businesses/corporations on board! Enlist the support of other community businesses that may not be involved in the celebrations!
- Become a member of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, and/or attend a provincial recreation conference or workshop!
- Participate in a municipal-wide ‘Recreation Fair’ that would provide local recreational, environmental, sports, arts and culture, agencies, groups and businesses an opportunity to share and promote their programs and services to the community!
Check out Alberta Recreation and Parks Association web site for June is Recreation and Parks Month! www.june.arpaonline.ca!
Celebrating June, provincially, as Recreation & Parks Month is in its third year. We have identified the following, outcomes or anticipated results, to assist us in looking to the future long-term benefits of this initiative.
- The value/ benefits of recreation and parks is understood by elected officials, other professionals and the community at large.
- Albertans recognize the use of recreation and parks as the means to achieve active living and improve/invest in their personal and community health and wellness.
- The general public are advocating for recreation and parks.
- The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association is recognized and seen by media and elected officials, professionals and general public as an information source for recreation and parks, and how it relates to active living, personal health and wellness and quality of life.
- Creation of success indicators through interactive opportunities with the public, promotions, marketing and advocacy efforts.
- Further development of a photo-bank for future marketing, promotion and advocacy efforts.
- Increase the profile of current advocates of recreation and parks. (i.e. promotion of community events, success stories, partnerships, picture profiles, etc.)
- Develop/enhance partnerships that support ARPA’s vision, including commercial, corporate and public
The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association’s theme for Recreation and Parks Month – RECREATION & PARKS: LIVE IT EVERYDAY! – is an effort to promote the important and varied benefits of recreation and parks.
ARPA and the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) have produced information which promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through participation in recreation and parks. A detailed list of benefits is included in the appendices. This theme will be used in all publicity efforts and can, of course, be printed on banners, posters, bumper stickers and buttons.
The purpose of observing June as Recreation & Parks Month is to draw public attention to the important and varied benefits of recreation and parks to individuals, families, neighborhoods, communities and the province as a whole!
Recreation and parks is truly a people business. June can and should be a celebration of people, nature and life. Whatever programs are planned – make them joyous occasions. You are, after all, enhancing the quality of life.
A key element to the celebration of June is the opportunity to enhance your relationships with other public or private agencies and organizations. Such coordination and co-sponsorship creates immeasurable goodwill to your undertakings.
June can be observed in any number of ways. Many local agencies plan activities during the entire month. Others promote a single event. Recreation associations or societies can plan provincial or regional wide events. In large cities recreation and park agencies can join forces and plan major activities such as a recreation and parks fair or “Expo” in a large shopping mall.
Whatever your plans, extensive or small, the creation of public awareness on any scale is vital to the well-being of the recreation and parks movement. Efforts, whether they are at the provincial or local level, will reinforce the image and vitality of all recreation and parks systems.
The community kit of suggestions and tips is designed to assist your department in planning for this important observance. The kit includes tips on how to set up and plan a good program of activities for observance of June; suggested program ideas for the observance; ways in which to publicize your events to improve or continue your local effort for public awareness; and articles, posters, logos and information you may also use to help publicize your events.
Alberta Recreation and Parks Association invites all of its member to join in with them as they gear up to celebrate “June is Recreation and Parks Month” and the many ways recreation and parks enhance quality of life in Alberta.
June is an ideal time to get kids outdoors, and engage them in the natural world as it blooms and grows around them. It is particularly timely this year as awareness about the importance of connecting children with nature continues to grow.
Once again this year, they will invite you to sign the June is Recreation and Parks Month Charter to declare yourself a “Champion for Recreation and Parks Month” for your family, workplace, and community. Back by popular demand… all the Champions that sign the Charter will be entered into the 2nd Annual “Bobblehead” Awards!
Stay tuned to coming issues of REConnect for more information about June is Recreation and Parks Month activities, or visit www.june.arpaonline.ca.
Recognize provincial excellence in recreation and parks with an ARPA Award
Applications for this year’s ARPA Awards are now live at www.awards.arpaonline.ca. Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:
Wildrose Award
ARPA Merit Award
Parks Excellence Award
A.V. Pettigrew Award
AABRD Legacy Award
Excellence in Youth Development Award
Nominating/applying has never been easier! The new online submission forms have been developed to provide a quick, easy, and consistent process for nominating groups and individuals. There is a customized online form for each award with new features that allow you to upload reference letters and save your progress as you go.
ARPA’s awards are a celebration of the innovative and successful endeavours in the recreation and parks industry. These awards and scholarships advocate to the provincial government the need and priority of the recreation and parks services’ role in Alberta communities. Let’s not allow these contributors go unnoticed!
The deadline for completing the nomination/application form is May 31st, 2010. Please visit www.awards.arpaonline.ca for more information.
The nominations are in and preparations are in full-swing for the inaugural Recreation Industry Awards of Excellence (RIAE) gala, scheduled to take place April 15th, 2010.
The Recreation for Life Foundation is pleased to announce that John Furlong will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural RIAE gala. As the world celebrated the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, John Furlong became a familiar figure to all watching. The CEO of VANOC, Furlong led the teams that organized and staged both the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Read more of John Furlong’s bio here.
RIAE will honour achievement, excellence, creativity, and innovation by Alberta’s corporate sector in enhancing personal health, community well-being, and quality of life that is directly linked to recreation and parks development. Be sure that you are a apart of the Recreation Industry’s new, premier awards event. There are multiple ways to register:
Register/Pay on-line: www.recreationforlife.org/awards/register.htm
Email: kmacdonald@recreationforlife.org
Phone: 780-643-1253
Cost: $75.00 per person (or purchase group booking of 8 for $500.00)
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Location: Citadel Theatre (9828 101A Avenue Northwest, Edmonton, AB)
Room: Tucker Amphitheatre
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm
For more information on this initiative, please visit www.awards.recreationforlife.org.
Provincial Recreation & Parks Month – Benefits Charter
WHEREAS we are fortunate to have a variety of recreation and parks systems providing countless recreational opportunities for residents and visitors from around the world; and
WHEREAS, recreation enhances quality of life, balanced living and lifelong learning; helps people live happier and longer; develops skills and positive self image in children and youth; develops creativity; and builds healthy bodies and positive lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, recreation participation builds family unity and social capital; strengthens volunteer and community development; enhances social interaction; creates community pride and vitality; and promotes sensitivity and understanding to cultural diversity; and
WHEREAS, recreation, therapeutic recreation and leisure education are essential to the rehabilitation of individuals who have become ill or disabled, or disadvantaged, or who have demonstrated antisocial behavior; and
WHEREAS, the benefits provided by recreation and parks programs and service reduce healthcare and social service costs; serve to boost the economy, economic renewal and sustainability; enhance property values; attract new business; increase tourism; and curb employee absenteeism; and
WHEREAS, connecting children with nature is critical to their health, development and wellbeing, builds future environmental stewards, and promotes the sustainability of our natural spaces and environment; and
WHEREAS, our parks, open space and trails ensure ecological beauty; provide space to enjoy nature; help maintain clean air and water; and preserve plant and animal wildlife; and
WHEREAS, all levels of government, the voluntary sector and private enterprise throughout the Province participate in the planning, development and operation of recreation and parks programs, services and facilities;
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association does hereby proclaim that June, which witnesses the greening of Alberta and serves as a significant gateway to family activities, has been designated as Recreation and Parks Month which will annually recognize and celebrate the benefits derived year round from quality public and private recreation and parks resources at the local, regional and provincial levels and generally contributes to the “Alberta Advantage”.
Since Inseption: