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Monday, March 28, 2016
2016 Virginia Senior Games - One Month Left to Register!
Monday, March 21, 2016
Cunningham Recreation Celebrates 50 Years
50 Years of Playing…It’s Been A Family Business for Three
Generations
Parks and
recreation are big business these days. Cunningham Recreation, a regional provider
of park and playground products and services, based in Charlotte, NC is
celebrating 50 years in business this year. Play, physical activity and
recreation are an important part of living, not just for individuals, but for
communities too.
Cunningham
Associates was established in Virginia in 1966 by George Cunningham. Cunningham
Associates, now known as Cunningham Recreation, a leader in the park and
playground industry with a vision that has spanned three generations, has grown
into the largest rep agency in the nation. They are proud to be GameTime Play
Equipment's exclusive representative in North Carolina, South Carolina,
Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, DC, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri,
Illinois, Oklahoma, western Tennessee, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South
Dakota.
Customers
come first at Cunningham Recreation. They take pride in their reputation,
and are committed to providing exceptional customer service. Due to the size of
the organization, they can offer their customers the latest in cutting-edge
technology, a fully staffed office with highly qualified and trained
professionals and the best products and services the industry has to offer. Cunningham
Recreation specializes in complete park and playground solutions from design to
construction.
Scott
Cunningham, President of Cunningham Recreation, says the number one reason for
their success over 50 years is their customers. “We are truly celebrating such
a significant milestone because of our customers, and the relationships we have
built over the years.” The Cunninghams also believe their success and longevity
can be attributed to the partnerships they have forged along the way, as well
as the dedication of hard-working professional sales associates and staff
members.
Most recently,
Cunningham Recreation has started the Play 4 ALL Campaign. The Play 4 ALL
initiative is a collective effort to coordinate, support, and mobilize partners
from multiple sectors in order to provide advocacy, leadership and guidance in
the creation of play and recreation spaces that positively impact health and
wellness, foster joy and understanding, and promote community capital.
Cunningham
Recreation believes that every community should have the resources and
opportunities to ensure play for its citizens. They hope to achieve this goal
by continuing to build relationships and foster partnerships with like minded
organizations through the Play 4 ALL Campaign. Play and physical activity are a
critical part of development regardless of age, ability, culture and
socio-economic circumstances.
Cunningham
Recreation’s goal continues to remain the same…to meet the needs and
desires of the community as economically and prudently as possible,
while providing safe, fun playground and fitness opportunities
everyone will love for years to come.
 |
| Founder George Cunningham |
For more information, contact Michele Breakfield, Director of Marketing, 800.438.2780 ext. 200.
VRPS is proud to have a 50 year relationship with Cunningham Recreation, since their founding.
Cunningham Recreation was the Platinum Contributor to VRPS' first Capital Campaign 2013.
For 2016, they are both Leadership Training Institute and Annual Conference Premium Sponsors.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
New App Used at the 2015 VRPS Annual Conference.
by Tyler Stefkovich, CPRP
* Recreation Manager,
Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
* 2015 VRPS Annual Conference Exhibits Co-Chair
* Recreation Manager,
Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
* 2015 VRPS Annual Conference Exhibits Co-Chair
The 2015 Virginia Recreation and Park Society Annual
State Conference was the first to offer to its delegates a conference app where
session schedules, announcements, advertising and social components were
communicated in place of printed materials.
As we were planning for the 2015 Annual State
Conference, the committee brainstormed ways we could add to the future of the
VRPS organization, add a cool component to the Annual Conference and support
our current VRPS president’s platform of technology development and
integration. A number of us had some experience in using this type of App at
other conferences we had attended and certainly deliberated about how many
would welcome this type of organization technology.
In addition, we discussed the ability to “Go Green” by
using less paper copies of the programs and schedule. Katey Legg, CPRP, Recreation Superintendent in
Gloucester County, led the effort in many of the development and communication
projects with the Crowd Compass App company.
She stated,
“The decision to move from a printed conference book to a mobile app wasn’t made lightly. However, the mobile app afforded VRPS all of the same options of the printed book, but also new ways to connect, the ability to make last minute changes as necessary, and even offer more exposure for sponsors."
“The decision to move from a printed conference book to a mobile app wasn’t made lightly. However, the mobile app afforded VRPS all of the same options of the printed book, but also new ways to connect, the ability to make last minute changes as necessary, and even offer more exposure for sponsors."
Throughout the conference I took every opportunity to
use the App while looking for ways to explore the many different features it
provided. I used the schedule feature,
the notes feature, the instant messaging future and received the many
announcements sent out by the conference committee. Katey also stated, “The introduction of the
mobile app to the VRPS Annual Conference was a step of progress in how VRPS
communicates to it members.” I
especially liked receiving my unique registration code prior to the conference
so I could play around with the app and upload educational sessions to my
personal colander through the app.
I found the App user friendly and fun to use. It was fun to see others explore the
possibilities. Fellow delegate event
took pictures during education session and later uploaded them through the App
for others to see. After the conclusion
of the conference I was able to later email myself all of my notes to compile
into word documents
The 2016 VRPS State Conference, being held in Roanoke, will again plan to utilize the Crowd Compass App. Scott Ramsburg, 2016 Conference Committee Member
stated,
“Most conference attendees have smart phones and have come to rely on apps like this one to browse program sessions, interact with maps and communicate with fellow conference attendees."
In addition, he stated, “Surveys of the event rated the app very highly.”
“Most conference attendees have smart phones and have come to rely on apps like this one to browse program sessions, interact with maps and communicate with fellow conference attendees."
In addition, he stated, “Surveys of the event rated the app very highly.”
Certainly the app will continue to face some challenges including possible technical difficulties, connectivity issues and individuals who do not have access to the technology in order to utilize the App. Overall though, this is a great tool to use in order to increase communication in conjunction with other forms. App technology is fun and ever changing to be user friendly. We were excited to offer it last year and look forward to using it again.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
VRPS Members in the Community: Kat Fish
by Kat Fish
* Aquatics Specialist II,
Prince William County Parks & Recreation
* 2016 LTI Committee: Secretary
* 2016 Northern Service Area Board: Chair-Elect
* Aquatics Specialist II,
Prince William County Parks & Recreation
* 2016 LTI Committee: Secretary
* 2016 Northern Service Area Board: Chair-Elect
Kat Fish is an Aquatics Specialist II with Prince William County
Department of Parks and Recreation. She oversees an indoor aquatic facility and
Waterworks Waterpark. She has been with the agency as a lifeguard since she was
15 and just reached her 6th year in a full time capacity. Prior to working full
time with PWC she taught high school history classes with Stafford County
Public Schools. It was here where she was able to utilize her passion of dance
to coach and mentor high school dancers on their Varsity and Junior Varsity
teams. She is currently in her 9th year as the Head Coach of the Dance Team
Program at Mountain View High School in Stafford.
How/when
did you become involved with dance? What was your dance journey – where
are you from & how did you get to where you are now - geographically,
professionally, recreationally.
How did I become so passionate about dance? Dance has been in
life since the age of 4. My mother enrolled me in my first creative movement class
at the center where I currently work. I then added more classes by taking tap,
ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and pointe. In high school, I was on my dance
team and spent my afternoons practicing and then would head straight to my
dance studio for many more hours of dance. On average I was dancing about 30
hours a week in high school. Upon graduation I knew that dance needed to remain
in my life. I attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where I
participated in their Dance Company and Dance Marathon. I graduated with two
minors in Dance Education and Dance Performance. I was hired to coach and teach
for Stafford County Public Schools in 2007. The school and team were only two
years old, so I was motivated to create and build my own program.
What
was your greatest concern or doubt, and how did it turn out? What steps
have you taken as a result?
When I was hired I was told some of the history of the last two
years of the team. I heard there were issues with the past coaches but at the
same time I heard that the team was upset at the departure of their former
coaches. My biggest concern was being that “new coach” that they would have to
adjust to. Adjust to my rules, my way of running practices, and my expectations
of them and of myself as a coach. The first year was definitely a year of ups
and downs and lots of learning. I took all of the challenges and successes and
captured those onto paper. At the end of the year I reflected back to my notes
and created the official Constitution for the team. This set clear expectations
for dancers, parents, and myself as the coach. The team had not had any formal
guidelines in terms of attendance, grades, behavior, etc. Forming this was a
huge step in making the team “my own.” Each year the coaches and I continue to
revise and update the Constitution to fit any new obstacles that we have faced
in the past year.
How
do you feel your efforts with this initiative have strengthened you as an
individual, a professional, and a VRPS member?
Some of my team’s major accomplishments in my 9 years as coach
were winning the EDA All-Around Grand Champion in 2014 and 2010. They were also
Grand Champions in two divisions in 2014 and three divisions in 2010 at U.S.
Finals in Virginia Beach. The team continuously has been awarded “Best
Technique” at local and national competitions.
When the team is not competing, I encourage community
involvement by supporting Special Olympics and performing at local elementary
schools fundraisers. They also host a six week dance camp for local middle and
elementary schools, teaching proper stretching techniques and dance routines.
Beyond their local community, they perform at the Pro Bowl, with the Elite
Redskinettes, and during the Macy’s Day Parade.
While stressing teamwork, I also promote growth of the
individual dancer. I understand the importance of helping my dancers grow by
allowing them to help choreograph their own routines. I then guide them in the
refining and cleaning process. The rapport I build with them during this
process is evident by the number of dancers that return to perform in the
annual alumni routine during basketball season.
Many of those alumni have been extremely successful in their dance
careers after graduating from high school. Four have been EDA/UDA instructors,
nine have been in college dance companies, and five have been selected for
collegiate dance teams. Our current JV Coach is a past dancer and a member of a
semi-professional football dance team.
If
you could choose one thing to happen for the program in the future, what would
it be?
Dance has become a very expensive sport and we have seen a
gradual decline in our numbers when it comes time to tryouts. As a team that is
solely supported by team fundraisers, I would like to see that one day the
school would provide more financial support. Our winning record in Stafford
County is one to be proud of but I would like to enjoy this record with more
dancers being able to participate without having to worry financially.
What
is your best moment throughout the year?
My greatest moment each year with the team is our Alumni Dance.
We invite all alumni dancers back to practice for a week. They learn a routine
with the current members and then they all perform together at halftime of a
home basketball game. Each year we have
at least 10 alumni dancers come back and join us for this experience. It is an
opportunity for them to check up on their alma mater and for me to reconnect
with members that I was once so closely connected to. We are not just a 4 year
team… we are a family.
Anything
else you want to express ?
The Leadership Training Institute was my introduction into VRPS. This
was the first training I attended and I became instantly hooked on VRPS. From
the educational sessions, to the chance to reflect on myself as a supervisor
and truly learning new things about myself – I am grateful for my chance to
attend LTI. Since LTI, I have become involved in Annual Conference, Northern
Service Area, and I am completing my second term with the Leadership Training
Institute Board. VRPS has given me the opportunity to step outside of my agency
and work with other highly talented professionals in the recreation field.
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