Physical & Health Education Canada is undertaking a scan of current after-school programs at the community level that contain a healthy living (physical activity/nutrition) component along with after-school initiatives that may not presently, but could potentially, incorporate a healthy living component in their programming.

If your organization is running an after-school program that fits this description, it would be greatly appreciated if you could take a moment to fill out the scan by clicking on the link below. This information will be very useful for the planning of resources. Federal/Provincial and Territorial governments will also be looking at the results of this scan to inform potential planning around physical activity promotion in the after-school time period.

Please also forward this on to any other organizations you know of who are running after-school programs that fit the above description.

Many thanks for taking the time to share your story!

ENGLISH SURVEY
FRENCH SURVEY

Abstract: The Calgary Folk Music Festival began its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its main event over a decade ago. The festival is proud of its achievements, but they haven’t been reached without trials and tribulations. This presentation provides a decade’s worth of lessons learned and programs rolled out in greening this annual outdoor party. Presented at the 2009 Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Energize Workshop.

Attachments: Greening Festivals and Events

Laurie Schnirer, a researcher at the University of Alberta, is seeking input on your experiences with the challenges of recruiting low income families to participate in projects and programs. Input is also being sought on the issues that arise in dealing with system or organizational policies that limit the time that can be spent engaging a family.

This research is important because invariably, we are missing “hard-to-reach” families living in poverty, and also because it is very difficult to plan both programs and research projects without knowing the time and resources that are needed to engage families. Laurie is building an evidence-based model of recruitment and engagement that will assist researchers and community partners in designing and implementing their work.

The linked survey should take approximately 20-25 minutes to fill out. The deadline is December 7, 2009.

• If you are a researcher, please click here
• If you are a community partner, please click here

Please share this email with colleagues or relevant networks. Thank-you very much for your participation in this initiative.

For more information, please contact:

Laurie Schnirer, Ph.D.
Community-University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families
Phone: 780.492.6173
Email: schnirer@ualberta.ca
Web: www.cup.ualberta.ca

Abstract: This presentation, from the 2009 Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Energize Workshop, provides a compelling body of knowledge, principles and strategies drawn from resiliency, positive psychology, recreation and education theory, research, and application that will help adults to unleash the potential in all children.

Attachments: Kids at Hope

Abstract: This session, from the 2009 Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Energize Workshop, reflects on “big picture” societal change, trends in leisure, participation and demand shifts, dynamics related to professional competencies, and what’s next.

Attachments: Trends that Matter

Abstract
This presentation focuses on ways to think about and understand the experience of parks and recreation users. Experiences live inside people, so they can’t be influenced directly. Each person brings a unique history with them to a property. And they bring the ‘wiring’ all human beings have, which influences their experiences. Then they interact with people, policies and procedures, marketing and communications, and every other element from the parking line-up to natural environment. All these elements combine to create emotions, memories, and an overall sense of value. You can learn to use the elements of experience the way a designer uses colours and textures to create amazing experiences, positive memories and long-term loyalty.

Presentation from the 2009 Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Conference & Energize Workshop.

Attachments: Designing the Customer Experience

Abstract: Using case studies this presentation outlines the process that publicly funded projects and events must go through in order to be successful in working with the corporate sector. Specifically, it reviews the steps required to evaluate a property or project, and how best to package that opportunity for presentation to the corporate sector. A process is described for developing a list of corporate prospects for each project.

Presentation from the 2009 Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference & Energize Workshop.

Attachments: Corporate Sponsorship

Abstract
The ARPA Education & Professional Development Committee has identified a set of core competencies directly related to the recreation and parks field, and has developed a resource tool for practitioner use. One of the biggest challenges a supervisor faces is to understand which competencies and behaviours make staff effective. This presentation, from the 2009 Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Energize Workshop, provides an overview of the tool kit to identify personal competencies and those of colleagues, and plan effectively for:

• Coaching sessions
• Performance management strategies
• Succession planning
• Recruiting the best match for your requirements, and
• Creating a learning and development plan customized specifically for your staff.

Attachments

• Core Competency

Abstract: A panel of individuals from both urban and rural municipalities that are currently engaged with various models of community gardens outlines how each of their local communities operates discussing items such as cost vs benefits, gaps and issues and potential solutions for moving forward.

Presented at the 2009 Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Energize Workshop.

Attachments

• Community Gardening – City of Red Deer
• Community Gardens

Abstract: Describes what ARPA has been doing in response to the groundswell of interest stimulated by the book Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv. Highlights include an outline of programs undertaken in a variety of Alberta municipalities, opportunities to get kids outdoors in Alberta Provincial Parks, and work in this area by the Alberta Council for Environmental Education.

Presented at the 2009 Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Energize Workshop.

Attachments:

• Children in Nature