2026 MRPA Fall Workshop
Friday, October 16th at the Lewiston Armory
Registration for the 2026 Fall Workshop will open on August 3rd, 2026!
2026 Fall Workshop Schedule and Session Descriptions
Please note that session times may be subject to change
8:00am – 8:30am – Coffee, Registration & Check-in
8:30am – 9:30am – Education Block 1
Design Like a Pro: Canva for Recreation Professionals
Riley Silvia, Director Raymond Parks and Recreation and MRPA Marketing Committee Chair
Take your marketing to the next level with this hands-on Canva workshop designed specifically for recreation professionals. Learn how to confidently navigate Canva’s essential features while creating eye-catching flyers, social media graphics, and promotional materials using ready-made templates. Discover how to incorporate your organization’s logos, colors, and fonts to build a consistent, professional brand, and explore time-saving tools and best practices that make creating high-quality marketing materials faster and easier. Whether you’re promoting programs, events, or community initiatives, you’ll leave with practical skills you can use right away.
Know Your Invaders: Practical Tools and Techniques for Invasive Plants in Parks and Communities
Robin Kerr, Parks Natural Resource Manager, York Parks and Recreation Department
Chad Hammer, Invasive Plant Biologist ,Maine Natural Areas Program
David Tibbetts, Former Invasive Plant Specialist, USFWS and volunteer at Mount Agamenticus
Steve Brooks, Owner, New England Spray & Arboricultural Services and Licensed Master Applicator
Invasive plants can have a significant impact on the health and beauty of our parks, trails, and natural areas. Join this informative panel discussion to learn how to identify some of the most common invasive plant species, understand how they spread, and explore practical strategies for managing them in parks and community landscapes. Panelists will share their expertise, discuss real-world challenges, and highlight effective management techniques that recreation and park professionals can apply to help protect and preserve natural resources.
For the Joy of Winter: 25 Years of WinterKids and What We’ve Learned About Sustaining Outdoor Recreation Programs in Maine
Courtney Holub, Executive Director, Winter Kids
Josh Harrington, Family and Program Manager, Winter Kids
For 25 years, WinterKids has helped Maine children and families build healthy, joy-filled habits through outdoor winter play. What began as a singular program has grown into a statewide network of community partnerships, school programs, family activities, and recreation collaborations. Through this evolution, one thing has remained constant: when children experience joyful outdoor play early, they build confidence, connection, and lifelong wellbeing.
This session takes a reflective and practical look at what it means to sustain outdoor recreation programs over time. Using key milestones from WinterKids’ 25-year journey, we’ll explore how programs adapt to shifting community needs, how to maintain shared purpose across partners, and how to grow participation while keeping programs accessible and welcoming. We’ll also discuss the role of storytelling and community pride in keeping families engaged, volunteers energized, and seasonal programs vibrant year after year.
Participants will walk away with real-world lessons, simple frameworks, and examples they can apply immediately regardless of department size, budget, or staff capacity. This is a conversation for anyone building outdoor recreation experiences that are meant to last.
Small Footprint, Big Impact: Bringing Disc Golf to Maine’s Parks
Josh Lichti , UDisc CEO and co-founder
Monica Thomas , UDisc COO
Think disc golf needs 18 holes and dedicated acres of land? Think again. This session shows how Maine communities can start small and add accessible, low-cost disc golf courses sharing existing park space. Maine is already a leader in world-class, private facilities but lacks the free public courses most other states have. UDisc co-founder and Portland resident, Josh Lichti, shares the data behind the sport’s explosive growth, the opportunity for Maine, and how you can get started with a short course for your community. This will be an interactive session, with plenty of time for questions and dialog.
UDisc is a mission-driven company working to empower the world to play more disc golf. More than a million players use UDisc to find and play over 17,000 courses across 100+ countries. While most people know the company for its course directory and scoring app, the primary goal is helping people get outside: discovering courses, connecting with communities, and improving physical and mental health. UDisc also publishes an annual report and course ranking lists to measure that impact, and works closely with community leaders to share data and resources at no cost.
9:30am – 10:30am – MRPA Fall Business Meeting
10:30am – 11:30am – Education Block 2
Mentoring Coaches-How to keep the Drama to a Minimum!
Jodie Lawlor, Athletic Director, Wells High School
Volunteer coaches are the backbone of many parks and recreation youth sports programs, yet many step into the role with little or no coaching experience. This interactive session will provide recreation professionals with practical strategies for mentoring and supporting coaches so they can create a positive, organized, and rewarding experience for young athletes. Learn how to establish a structured coaching environment that sets clear expectations, reduces conflict, and empowers coaches to focus on player development instead of managing distractions.
Topics will include documenting attendance, holding players accountable, communicating expectations effectively, navigating difficult conversations with parents and athletes, setting appropriate “pay-to-play” expectations, and providing families with the information they need to support a successful season. The session will include facilitated discussion and an open Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and exchange ideas with peers. Participants will leave with practical tools, best practices, and actionable strategies to strengthen their volunteer coaching programs, improve communication, and foster a positive youth sports culture.
Driving Safely Through the Years: Supporting Mobility and Independence in Our Communities
Tom Meuser, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Applied Gerontologist, & Social Scientist
As parks and recreation professionals work to promote healthy, active, and independent lifestyles for older adults, understanding the connection between aging, health, and safe driving is increasingly important. This engaging session, presented by Dr. Tom Meuser of the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, explores how normal aging and age-related physical, cognitive, and emotional changes can affect an individual’s ability to drive safely and responsibly.
Participants will learn about common health conditions that may impact driver fitness, Maine’s Functional Ability Profile system used to assess driving ability, and practical strategies individuals can use to self-monitor and adjust their driving behaviors to maintain both mobility and public safety. The presentation will also review Maine-specific driver licensing requirements and include a compelling video case study to illustrate real-world scenarios.
Designed to be both informative and interactive, this session includes opportunities for audience discussion and questions. Recreation professionals will gain valuable knowledge and resources to better support older adults, connect participants with appropriate community services, and foster conversations that encourage safe mobility while preserving independence and quality of life.
Natural Turf Management: Choices and Challenges
Chip Osborn, President, Osborn Organics
Natural turf management is more than simply replacing one product with another—it’s a comprehensive systems approach to creating healthy, resilient landscapes. In this session, a turf management specialist will explore why organizations are choosing to manage public spaces naturally and the environmental, operational, and long-term benefits this approach can provide.
Participants will gain a high-level understanding of what it takes to successfully transition to and maintain a natural management program. The session will highlight the critical role of cultural practices—including soil health, mowing, aeration, irrigation, and other proactive maintenance techniques—as the foundation for healthy turf. Attendees will also learn why successful natural turf management requires a shift in mindset, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to long-term stewardship rather than quick fixes. Whether you’re responsible for athletic fields, parks, or other public green spaces, this session will provide practical insights to help you build healthier, more sustainable landscapes.
Supporting Development and Learning Using The Basics Principles
Meg Swanson, Program Manager, Early Care and Education Division ,Office of Child and Family Services, Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Sue Gallant, Early Childhood School-Community Specialist, Office of Teaching and Learning, Maine Department of Education
Maine is building a shared, practical approach to supporting young children and their families through The Basics—an easy-to-use framework grounded in research on early brain development. The Basics focuses on five simple, powerful practices that help children build strong cognitive, language, and social-emotional skills.
For recreation department staff, these practices fit naturally into what you already do every day—whether you’re leading games, supervising free play, or engaging with children during before- and after-school programs. The best part: they don’t require special materials, extra time, or added costs—just small, intentional interactions that make a big impact. While originally designed for children from birth to age 3 (now expanded to age 5), these strategies continue to support learning and development well into the elementary years.
This session will highlight Maine’s cross-sector approach to implementing The Basics and show how recreation programs play a key role in supporting children and families. You’ll leave with practical, ready-to-use strategies to incorporate The Basics into your daily routines and to share with families—helping every child build a strong foundation for learning, development, and lifelong success.
11:45am – 12:45pm – Education Block #3
Priorities for Planning: Key Findings from the Latest Maine SCORP
Jeff McCabe, Director, Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation
Nicole Lazure, Deputy Director, Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation
The 2025–2035 Maine State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) identifies outdoor recreation as a critical contributor to Maine’s quality of life, community well-being, and economy. Based on input from more than 2,300 residents and stakeholders, the plan highlights six priority areas for future planning and investment: Health & Wellness, Maine’s Outdoor Economy, Stewardship, Accessibility, Public Access, and Sustainability. These priorities emphasize expanding recreation opportunities, improving equitable access for people of all ages and abilities, supporting responsible land stewardship, maintaining access to public and private lands, and building resilience to climate and environmental challenges.
Participants will be invited to discuss the key findings, gaps in information, trends they are experiencing in their own parks and how we can grow Maine’s outdoor recreation economy while protecting the natural and cultural resources that define our state.
Game Plan: Committee Updates & Youth Sports Problem Solving
MRPA Youth Sports Committee
The Youth Sports Committee has been hard at work advancing initiatives that support communities across Maine, and this session is your opportunity to hear what’s new, what’s next, and how you can be part of the conversation. We’ll share highlights from the past year, provide updates on current committee projects, and introduce the vision for the proposed Youth Sports Alumni Summit.
More importantly, this session is designed to be interactive. While conversations about philosophy and best practices are valuable, we’ll focus on the practical side of youth sports by asking a simple question: “How do you actually do it?” From volunteer recruitment and coach development to scheduling, communication, and programming, participants will share real-world strategies, creative solutions, and lessons learned from their own communities.
Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, hoping to solve a persistent challenge, or simply interested in hearing how others approach similar issues, you’ll leave with practical takeaways you can implement right away. We’ll also invite attendees to complete the Youth Sports Committee survey to help shape future initiatives and ensure the committee’s work reflects the needs of youth sports professionals across the state.
Confessions: Day Camp & Childcare Wins, Challenges & Wonderful Ideas
Autumn Levier, Gray Recreation
Devin Pike, Lewiston Recreation
Sarah Musgrave, Saco Parks and Recreation
Every childcare and day camp professional has that one activity everyone loves…and that one idea that didn’t quite go as planned! Join us for a lively, interactive panel where we’ll celebrate the wins, laugh about the wobbles, and share practical ideas you can take home and use right away.
From favorite games and creative crafts to behavior management tips, rainy-day rescues, staff successes, and participant engagement, no topic is off limits. Panelists and attendees alike will swap ideas, ask questions, troubleshoot common challenges, and learn from one another’s experiences.
Whether you’re looking for fresh inspiration, practical solutions, or simply reassurance that you’re not the only one navigating the ups and downs of day camp and childcare, this session is your chance to connect with peers who truly understand. Come ready to share, learn, and leave with a notebook full of ideas and a network of colleagues to lean on long after the day is over.
Coming Soon!
The Fall Workshop Committee is putting the finishing touches on a session for Older Adult Programmers. A session Description will be added soon.
12:45pm – 1:15pm – Lunch
1:15pm – 2:15pm – Bonus Education Block
Game Changers: Innovative Activities for Parks & Recreation
Brandon Davis, Physical Education Teacher, Lewiston Public Schools
Ready to add fresh energy to your programs? Step into this fast-paced, hands-on session and experience a collection of exciting gym games that will have participants laughing, moving, and working together. You’ll play your way through a variety of activities that are easy to learn, simple to lead, and adaptable for different ages, abilities, and group sizes.
Designed for parks and recreation professionals, camp staff, after-school providers, and older adult programmers, this interactive session is packed with creative ideas that promote teamwork, communication, inclusion, and active play. Best of all, every game is practical, easy to implement, and adaptable to the resources you already have.
Learning is always more fun when you’re playing alongside your peers! This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow MRPA members, exchange ideas, share experiences, and enjoy some friendly competition while discovering new activities you can bring back to your own community.
Come prepared to move, collaborate, and have fun! You’ll leave with a playbook full of engaging games, fresh programming ideas, new connections, and the confidence to bring even more excitement to your classes, camps, and recreation programs.