Education and Training

Institute & EXPO dodge
The Texas Recreation and Park Society holds an Annual Institute and EXPO each spring, which rotates around the state.

Educational sessions featuring leaders from around the nation include tracks on a variety of issues relating to park, recreation and leisure services. Employees of all levels are guaranteed a rewarding variety of continuing education opportunities at the Institute. Combined with a trade show, the Institute

provides a keen opportunity for vendors to interact with members of all levels, providing them information and research on the latest trends and technology available to enhance the field.

The Institute is packed with educational sessions featuring leaders from across the country and covering a variety of issues relating to parks, recreation, and leisure services. Employees of all levels are offered a variety of opportunities to earn continuing education units (CEUs) at the Institute. The Institute provides a unique opportunity for vendors to interact with members, providing information and research on the latest trends and technology available to enhance the field. The State Maintenance Rodeo provides competitive events for regional winners to demonstrate skills utilized in day to day operations.

keynote

Download 2013 Institute & EXPO Speaker Presentations.

Click here to view a list of the 2013 TRAPS Award winners.

2013 Institute & EXPO Award Photo Album

Save the date for the 2014 Institute & EXPO Feb. 18-22, 2014 in Corpus Christi!

Regional Workshops
Additionally, Regional Workshops and Conferences are conducted throughout the year, which offer one or two day training opportunities on single topic or theme presentations. Details about the regional conferences are published in Society publications, posted on our website and Region web pages.

West Region
North Region
East Region
Central Region
South Region

Certification Opportunities
The National Playground Safety Inspector Certification Course, developed by the National Playground Safety Institute, provides that most comprehensive and widely recognized training available on playground hazard identification and risk management. The course is offered at least twice a year in Texas. As an affiliate of NRPA, we are able to provide continuing education credits towards obtaining or maintaining the national Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credential, as well as other professional credentials. Details regarding CPRP certification are available from the Society office.

Texas Recreation and Park Society is an Authorized Provider of IACET CEUs.

Certified Playground and Safety Institute
National Playground Safety Inspector Certification Course and Exam Sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA), the National Playground Safety Institute's (NPSI) Playground Safety Inspector Certification Course provides the most comprehensive and widely recognized training available on playground hazard identification and risk management. Registration form

pma Playground Maintenance Academy

Playground Maintenance Academy is a course taught by Sam (Butch) DeFillippo, a playground auditor and safety consultant from PlaySafe LLC. He has more than 25 years of experience in the parks & recreation field. The academy addresses specific operations, necessary tools, work schedules, safety standards, paperwork and litigation. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion and the class is CEU qualified. Academy participants also receive the book An Introduction To Playground Maintenance. Visit our events page to view upcoming academies and register.

Public Input Process
The Texas Recreation And Park Society is pleased to announce its new educational program, the Public Input Process. Participants will learn four effective models used to collect and interpret input from community members who use the parks and recreation system.

TR Summit

Held each year and sponsored by the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) branch. The Summit is a great opportunity to share new ideas about programming for individuals with special needs, new twists on old ideas, hands-on learning, networking, and just plain fun.

Stayed tuned for next scheduled Water and Recreation Summit

Gulf Coast Leadership Development Institute

The Gulf Coast Leadership Development Institute provides Park and Recreational professionals with an intensive training program addressing leadership, planning and professional development.

The Institute provides targeted learning opportunities for front-line & mid-level managers in the parks and recreation profession.

Official Sponsor of TRAPS Online Training

Education and Training

Water & Recreation Summit

Gulf Coast Leadership Development Institute

Official Sponsor of TRAPS Online Training