NRPA's Learning & Professional Development Statement
At NRPA, we work toward a future where all people have access to the benefits of quality parks and recreation. To do that, we strive to provide park and recreation professionals transformative learning experiences that advance their expertise, elevate their impact, learn from and with each other, and strengthen their communities.
Virtual Learning Opportunities
Check out NRPA's latest live and on-demand virtual online learning opportunities.
In-Person Learning Opportunities
Check out our in-person learning and networking opportunities!
Upcoming Live Learning Events
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Includes a Live Web Event on 09/22/2026 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
New to conference? Then you don't want to miss this! Students, new professionals or distinguished professionals can all learn from a crash course of NRPA Annual Conference including the different events, networking opportunities and where your best resources are located. Make the most of your time over your time at this year's NRPA Annual Conference with these tips, tricks and secrets.
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Paving the Path: The Role of Trail Funding in Parks & Rec
Join us on September 9th 2026 at 2p.m. EST for a webinar on who Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) is and why advocating for trails is relevant. RTC will provide an update on surface transportation reauthorization and touch on the work they are doing in states across the country. The webinar will share how recreation links to trails and access to the outdoors. NRPA will touch on federal funding, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and RTC will share examples of active transportation federal funding wins. The call to action will be to collaborate, get folks on our advocacy list, and reach out to us if they are interested in this space and want to learn more.
Coaching Parents to Be Assets: Building a Positive Youth Sports Culture
Youth sports programs thrive when parents and caregivers are engaged as positive partners—but challenging behaviors on the sidelines can disrupt games, undermine coaches, and negatively impact young athletes’ experiences. This interactive virtual workshop is designed for parks and recreation professionals who work with sports programming, coaches, parents, and anyone in the field of youth development.
Participants will explore practical, real-world strategies for proactively engaging parents, setting clear expectations, and confidently addressing challenging behaviors. Grounded in research and best practices—including insights from the Positive Coaching Alliance and ESPN's Take Back Sports movement which focuses on building a joyful youth sports culture—this session will equip attendees with tools to transform parent involvement from a potential barrier into a powerful asset.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify common parent behaviors that disrupt youth sports environments
2. Apply proactive communication strategies to set expectations with families
3. Implement practical techniques for addressing challenging parent behaviors in real time
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