Wednesday, April 7
1:00 - 2:30 - Conference Keynote
CEU = .1 credit
Martin LeBlanc "A Sense of Place"
Sponsored by Landscape Structures
Martin LeBlanc is national youth education director for the Sierra Club, where he oversees the organization’s youth programs and advocacy efforts relating to children and nature. Martin also has been instrumental in forming partnerships with military and health organizations around the issue of children and nature. He was a founding board member of the Children and Nature Network. Previously, Martin worked as an outdoor educator in Seattle, and served as an outdoor-education advocate for Texas Parks and Wildlife in Austin, Texas. He is currently chairman of the No Child Left Inside committee in Washington State, as well as a member of the North American Association for Environmental Education's Advocacy Committee. Martin believes that "the next generation of American children deserves a special place in nature so they can be empowered to solve the environmental challenges of the future."
Wednesday, April 7, 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Leave No Child Inside Seal Room
Track: Programs
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Martin LeBlanc
This session will focus on giving participants an overview of the Leave No Child Inside movement and how they can start an initiative in their own community. By working through the Children and Nature Network's Community Action Guide, participants will learn about how to engage decision makers and build strategic partnerships around the issue of children and nature. A history of the movement and resources to engage others will be introduced as well.
Universal Recreation Grindle Room
Track: Therapeutic Recreation
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Betsy DeBrakeleer
Due to the noted lack of opportunities for inclusion for local children with disabilities, representatives of the local school district and the Biddeford Parks and Recreation Departmen contacted the clinical fieldwork coordinator of the Occupational Therapy program at the University of New England, who then designed and implemented a therapeutic recreation program run largely by occupational therapy students, for children from kindergarten to high school. This session will provide an overview of the evolution, design and benefit of this innovative, inclusive program that helps children of all abilities increase their awareness and acceptance of their own strengths and challenges and provides a venue for gross motor, fine motor, sensory development, and socialization activities.
Consolidation of Departments and Services Marshall Room
Track: Administrative
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Frank Clukey
This session will provide an overview of experiences and best practices regarding consolidation of recreation departments, services, programs, and employees.
Thursday, April 8, 9:00 – 10:15
“Easy Adventures: A Collaborative Model for Adventure Programming for Adults” Marshall Room
Track: Program
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: James C. Tasse, PhD
Learn about Easy Adventures, a health promotion initiative that coordinates low intensity, fun outdoor activities for experienced adults (the 50+/- set, we like to say!). The pilot run of adventures offered raft trips, “get back on a bike” events, geo-caching, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and horseback riding. The idea is to get adults together in a sociable, fun, active outdoor setting. The program is easily reproducible. The Easy Adventure initiative was started as a collaboration among health and recreation professionals from the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, the four Cumberland County Healthy Maine Partnerships, and recreation departments from across Cumberland County.
Building Bridges: Strengthening Communities with Trails Seal Room
Track: Administrative
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Jaime Parker, Portland Trails
National trends towards healthier lifestyles and a desire for more and better recreation and transportation options put trails squarely in the “core infrastructure” category. Municipalities across the country are realizing the social, health, and economic benefits of trail systems and improved pedestrian facilities. Attendees will hear how Portland, Maine has become a leader of this national trend, and learn how their town or city can capitalize on existing resources and create new opportunities. We will explore how municipalities, land trusts, public-private partnerships, volunteer programs, marketing, and community outreach can help build the trail system your community needs.
Understanding Autism/Aspergers Grindle Room
Track: Therapeutic Recreation
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Maureen Dow
Isolated in a world of their own is the best way to describe a child with Austim. Gone are the days when people with autism were isolated. Learn the different aspects of austim/aspergers, how to identify them and make life easier for them and for yourself. A brief overview of the autism spectrum disorders with tips for communication and interaction.
Building a Synthetic Turf Field – Our Mistakes and what not to do!
South Veranda
Track: Parks & Fields
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Ethan Owens
Ethan will share Portland’s experiences building two synthetic turf fields – what mistakes were made and lessons learned, and what they would have done differently in retrospect. Topics will include fencing; lighting; security cameras; sewn in lines for different sports; use/fee structure; school vs community use; and replacing the turf.
Thursday, April 8, 11:00 – 12:15
Stand By for Adventure with Captain Eli Marshall Room
Track: Programs
CEU = .1 credit
Presenters: Brandon Pollard and Jay Piscopo
Stand by for adventure with Capt’n Eli! Brandon Pollard will share the good old fashioned fun you can bring to your parks and recreation program with Capt’n Eli’s Soda. The crew has a variety of unique games of skill for kids of all ages. Next, Capt’n Eli comic book artist Jay Piscopo will demonstrate how, using simple geometric shapes, anyone can learn to draw. You will see first-hand why your 7 to 12-year-old program-goers will love his interactive “Draw on Your Creativity” drawing workshop.
Youth Sports: Using the C.A.P. Model to create child centered sports and recreation programs Seal Room Track: Admin. CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Leigh Breidenbach, Director Outdoor Recreation & Tourism
Collaborative, University of Maine Farmington
This session will focus on the nuts and bolts of creating child friendly sports and recreation programs. We will look at organizations that have successfully used a Cognitive - Affective - Physical planning model to create and implement programs for children ages 4 - 15. The session will also include effective methods for parent communication and staff training. Ask yourself: "Does our organization plan programs based on the activity or the individual child?" If your answer is the activity or "I don't know," then this session is made for you. It is designed for anyone involved in the planning, execution and evaluation of youth sports, and after school programs.
Why is Riding Therapeutic? Grindle Room
Track: Therapeutic Recreation
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Stephanie Keene
Stephanie Keene Owner of Hearts & Horses Farm in Buxton, Maine and Executive Director of Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center will educate participants on therapeutic riding. Why horses? What are the benefits? Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center was founded on the belief that experiencing and riding horses significantly improves the lives of individuals with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities. For physically challenged riders, therapeutic riding improves balance, muscle tone, range of motion and strength. Riders who are working through emotional difficulties quickly learn to understand their horses, a first step in understanding themselves. Riders with learning disabilities and cognitive challenges benefit from the sensory integration provided through the horse. All riders develop an increase in concentration, self-perception and a sense of empowerment.
Maintaining Safe Athletic Fields South Veranda
Track: Parks & Fields
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Rick Peruzzi
Rick is a Certified Sports Field Manager for the City of South Portland. He will discuss the importance of maintaining a safe athletic field. He will demonstrate special techniques for keeping the field safe throughout your season and he'll explain what to look for when inspecting your field.
Thursday, April 8, 2:30 – 3:45
Geocaching and the Web Marshall Room
Track: Programs
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: John Philbrick
This experiential session will cover the basic premises behind geocaching, and how utilizing the web and technology, we can encourage outdoor exploration. We will also briefly describe on-site treasure hunts and small orienteering programs for area parks and smaller community spaces using GPS technology. Come prepared for hiking the Point Lookout trails and dress accordingly.
Creating Smart Parks, Part I Seal Room
Track: Administrative
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Doug Wyseman
Sponsored by Landscape Structures
As parks and recreation departments try to wrestle with the challenges of shrinking budgets, it is vital that an understanding exists regarding to the impact that these changes may have on the risks facing park users. To meet these challenges, the Smart Parks program has been developed to assist parks and recreation departments in implementing strategies to improve user safety and added protection to the environment, while decreasing costs to the department. Municipalities may also become designated as Smart Parks communities which will help reduce costs of risk and heighten awareness of environmental concerns and park safety initiatives in the community. All participants at the sessions will be provided a unique training experience, certificate of completion, a Smart Parks manual for a low conference price of $15 and receive a step by step guide outlining how to receive the Smart Parks designation for your community.
Mindfulness Grindle Room
Track: Therapeutic Recreation
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Ann Gillard, PhD, Asst. Prof. of Youth Development, Springfield College
Adults who work with youth can feel busy, frantic, and even disengaged from and unaware of what is going on around them. In this session, we discuss the idea of “mindfulness” or being fully aware in the present moment. Mindful staff are more likely to create positive interactions with youth and feel satisfied in their jobs. We will discuss and practice mindfulness techniques such as breathing, active meditation, focusing, and deep listening.
Grass - The Real Athlete South Veranda
Track: Parks & Fields
Presenter: Jim Reinerston, Purely Organic
Jim will educate you on the anatomy of the blade of grass. The role it plays on your playing field. What makes it thrive and what makes it hurt. Your grass is not only green but has feelings as well. Grass is a living organism and needs to be treated as such. Jim will use examples to help you understand your grass needs to be treated like an athlete from food to water to rest.
Thursday, April 8, 4:00 – 5:15
Trail Mapping in your Community Marshall Room
Track: Administrative
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Jared Woolston
The first part of the session will cover GIS/GPS applications and the various methods that are available to publish trail maps for public use. The next piece of the session will describe the various stakeholders involved in the trail mapping process and the importance of reaching out to them. The session will wrap up with a rundown of the ways that municipalities can use trail mapping as a way to increase public participation and create quality relationships with Trail Stewards, Land Trust organizations, private property owners and other volunteers in the community.
Creating Smart Parks, Part II Seal Room
Track: Administrative
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Doug Wyseman
See description above under Part I
Sugar, Spice, Snips, and Snails: Girls and Boys in the Outdoors
Grindle Room
Track: Therapeutic Recreation
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Ann Gillard, PhD, Asst. Prof. of Youth Development, Springfield College
Get concrete suggestions on developing nature-based programs for girls and boys based on their social, biological, and cognitive needs. This interactive session focuses on examining gender issues in the outdoors, promising practices in providing outdoor programs for boys and girls, and why it’s important to do so.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify benefits of girls’ and boys’ engagement with nature
2. Recognize gender constraints to participation in outdoor programs
3. Discuss how to encourage girls and boys to get outdoors
Designing Fitness Focused Playgrounds South Veranda
Track: Parks & Fields
CEU = .1 credit
Presenter: Bryan Sykora
When it comes to healthy kids and healthy communities, it’s not a question of wanting to do the right thing; it’s a question of how to do it. Statistics on obesity rates and negative lifestyle changes over generations illustrate the need for community changes and the importance of motivating kids to be active. This session will enable participants to design playgrounds to get and keep kids active and help participants make a positive, healthy impact on their communities. Attendees will learn about the physical fitness benefits gained by children using a playground. In addition, they will learn why these fitness benefits are important in child development and how to achieve maximum physical fitness.
Friday, April 9th 9:00 – 10:00
Roundtables
1. Let’s Work Together - Recreation departments work together to find leagues, trips, staff training and programming. Moderated by Alan Grady, Gorham Parks and Recreation and Angela O'Connor, Kennebunkport Parks and Recreation Northport Room
2. Outdoors! - Learn about hiking trails and parks in your area and activities to plan in them. Moderated by Kathy Mazzachelli, Caribou Parks and Recreation
Lincolnville Room
3. Hot Topics – Empty Pockets - Creative programs on the cheap. Moderated by Tashia Geaumont, Buxton Recreation Department
Belfast Room
10:30 - Noon - Conference Endnote – Bob Crowley
Bob Crowley of South Portland, who won the $1,000,000 top prize on Survivor: Gabon, will deliver our endnote address on Friday morning April 9th.
A man of diverse interests and talents, Bob's experiences range from serving as first mate on a research boat for the Smithsonian Institution in Canada, to working as an entomologist for the 
USDA, to his roles as president, vice president and chief negotiator for his teacher's union. Pastimes include journal writing, story telling, photography, bone collecting, archeology and camping, and he built his own summer cabin entirely with recycled materials. He holds both Associate and Bachelor degrees in forestry from the University of Maine - Orono and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Southern Maine.
Since being named the Survivor winner on December 14, 2008, Bob has retired from teaching and has published his autobiography, Making Waves: The Stories of Maine's Bob Crowley.
Conference adjourns at Noon on Friday – Lunch on your own