WRPA 2019 Annual Conference and Tradeshow
Say Yes to the Outdoors!
Thursday, April 11 | 10:35am - 11:50am
Session Description:
Communities across Washington are increasingly recognizing the measurable benefits that an outdoor recreation program can offer. Participants will learn more about this growing industry and how their communities can tap into it by offering a community outdoor program. Session leaders will highlight examples of successful outdoor programs such as mountain biking, backpacking, kayaking, sailing, snowshoeing, etc. and outline a series of steps participants can take towards building and growing their own outdoor recreation program.
- Increase awareness of how investing outdoor recreation programs results in healthier communities, healthier economies, and healthier people.
- Learning through the use of real life examples of existing outdoor programs, adventure and experiential education, and the positive impacts they have in their communities.
- Providing a toolbox that outlines a series of steps to build and grow an outdoor recreation program for communities. Steps include determining community needs, gauging community interest, identifying assets, identifying and overcoming barriers.
Speakers:
Jeff Ozimek, Adventure Program Manager, Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District
About the Speakers:
Jeff is a lifelong advocate for getting more people outdoors. He has more than 14 years of experience directing numerous outdoor adventure and recreation programs throughout North America. Originally starting out as a wilderness field instructor, progressing to teaching inner city at-risk-youth, and then overseeing outdoor recreation programs across the continent, Jeff has helped get tens of thousands of people outdoors and active. He is a champion for organizations to further engage their communities, to break down barriers, and to utilize diverse and inclusive programming to get more people outdoors. Outside of his job, he volunteers for a number of organizations such as Rotary International, Every Kid in a Park Collaborative, Cascade Bicycle Club, Washington Trail Association; sits on numerous boards and advisory committees; and co-chairs WRPA’s Risk Management School. Jeff was recently honored by the NRPA, receiving the Robert W. Crawford Young Professionals Award. He holds a master’s degree in Recreation Administration.
|
