The PRO Academy aims to cultivate a new generation of parks and recreation professionals who are adept at managing operations, enhancing community engagement, and ensuring the sustainable stewardship of natural and recreational assets, while implementing best practices and current trends.  Mid-level professionals (e.g., facility supervisors, program coordinators, operations managers, etc.) looking to advance their careers and operational expertise are encouraged to participate. 

The PRO Academy is delivered over the course of two days providing participants 1.2 CEU (i.e., 12 contact hours pre-approved for both the Certified Park and Recreation Professional ("CPRP") and Certified Park and Recreation Executive ("CPRE") certifications) and all lessons align with CAPRA standards. 

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Calendar

The OUTCOMES

  • Enhanced Skills: Participants will gain practical knowledge in the critical areas of operations management.
  • Leadership Growth: Emphasis on leadership development ensures that graduates of the academy are not only effective managers but also visionary leaders within their departments.
  • Industry Recognition: Graduates will receive a certificate of completion, recognizing their specialized training in parks and recreation operations, which can bolster their career prospects, in addition to 1.2 CEU pre-approved for the CPRP and CRPE certifications.
  • Sustainable and Resilient Practices: Knowledge of sustainability initiatives will help participants incorporate sustainable and resilient practices (financial, environmental).

The HOW

This is a two-day, in-person professional development program.  

Prices: 

  • $519 CPRS members
  • $649 non-members

Registration includes: 

The TESTIMONIALS

Attendees of the April 2026 PRO Academy said...

  • "I feel like I gained years worth of recreation knowledge in such a short amount of time." 
  • "The presentations were outstanding and also I really enjoyed the networking opportunities."
  • "Being on the recreation side it was great learning about the parks maintenance side of things. Opened my perspective and views."
  • "I oversee recreation for my city, I felt that getting sessions devoted to parks and maintenance [was the most valuable part of the Academy]. Overall, I just felt like the subject matter was geared towards my challenges (manager level) like it was a more mature CPRS conference."
  • "Speakers were tremendous. Their knowledge was off the chart!"
  • "Learned more about the recreation side. I do not do anything with that side as I am in parks, but it was good to hear what they are going through."

The LESSONS

  • What is Your Why?
    • Review the purpose and role of parks and recreation in a community. Encourage participants to view parks and recreation from a transformational vs a transactional basis. 
  • Soft Skills
    • Community Engagement and Partnerships: Effective strategies for engaging the community, identifying community needs, developing partnerships, and ensuring parks serve as inclusive spaces for all demographics.
    • Staff Management and Development: Leadership strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining staff. This includes best practices in staff scheduling, succession planning, professional development, and fostering a positive workplace culture. 
  • Program and Budgeting
    • Event and Program Logistics: Operational strategies for hosting successful recreational programs, events, and activities. Training on scheduling, permitting, marketing, resource allocation, and public safety.
    • Budgeting and Financial Operations: Budgeting, procurement, and financial management skills to ensure the fiscal sustainability of parks operations. 
  • Park/Facility Skills
    • Facilities Management: Best practices in managing park facilities, playgrounds, trails, sports complexes, and community centers. Topics include safety protocols, maintenance planning, and budgeting for facility improvements.
    • Sustainability and Conservation: Approaches to integrating sustainable practices, eco-friendly operations, and conservation techniques into parks and facilities management. Emphasis on green energy, water conservation, and natural resource preservation.
  • Admin Skills
    • Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness: Protocols for managing risk, including liability reduction, crisis management and emergency response planning.
    • Data and Technology Integration in parks and Recreation- Explore innovative ways to incorporate and technology into parks and recreation management, programming, and services to meet the evolving needs of the community. 
  • Each lesson ladders up to one or more CAPRA accreditation standard including:
    • 1.7 – Agency Relationships
    • 2.0 – Planning
    • 3.5 – Utilization of Technology
    • 4.0 – Human Resources
    • 5.0 – Financial Management
    • 5.1.4 – Private, Corporate and Non-Profit Support Procedures
    • 6.0 – Programs and Services Management
    • 7.0 – Facilities and Land Management
    • 7.8 – Environmental Sustainability Policy and Programs
    • 8.0 – Public Safety, Law Enforcement and Security

The SCHEDULE


Day #1 *
Continental breakfast and full lunch provided.
8:00 am - 8:30 am ... Check-In
8:30 am - 8:45 am ... Welcome
8:45 am - 10:15 am ... Session #1 
10:30 am - 12:00 pm ... Session #2 
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm ... Lunch
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm ... Session #3
2:15 pm - 3:45 pm ... Session #4
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ... Off-Site Social

Day #2 *
Continental breakfast and full lunch provided.
8:00 am - 8:30 am ... Check-In
8:30 am - 10:00 am ... Session #5 
10:15 am - 11:45 am ... Session #6 
11:45 am - 12:30 pm ... Lunch
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm ... Session #7
2:15 pm - 3:45 pm ... Session #8

*Daily schedule is subject to change.

The LEADERS

Chris Nunes, CPRE; Broken Compass; Chief Operating Officer, The Woodlands Township (TX)

Janet Bartnik, CPRP, Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Prince William County (VA)

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