CPRS HQ is excited to offer a new professional development experience this spring, the Parks and Recreation Operations “PRO” Academy!
Join CPRS and Broken Compass at San Jose City Hall on April 30 and May 1, 2026, for two full days of learning offering 1.3 CEU (i.e., 13 hours) pre-approved for the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certifications.
Can’t travel to Long Beach to attend CONNECTIONS March 10-13, 2026? Perhaps you can make the trip to San Jose instead!?! Did you know, you can earn more CEU at the PRO Academy than CONNECTIONS?
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Because titles vary from one agency to the next, it is difficult to say exactly what roles should attend. This training is specifically for mid-level professionals, like Supervisors, Managers, and Coordinators to gain practical knowledge in operations management and further develop as leaders in this industry.
Professionals from both the recreation/programmatic and operations/parks/facilities side of the house are encouraged to attend to bridge the gap and gain insights not available in the course of your daily work.
WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT?
All lessons align with one or more standards outlined for CAPRA accreditation, so you can trust the information is intended to help your agency be and do the best it can for your community and team. Over the course of two days, instructors will cover topics including:
- What is your why?
- Soft Skills
- Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Staff Management & Development
- Programming & Budgeting
- Event & Program Logistics
- Budgeting & Financial Operations
- Park/Facility Skills
- Facilities Management
- Sustainability & Conservation
- Administrative Skills
- Risk Management & Emergency Preparedness
- Data & Technology Integration in Parks & Recreation
You can learn more about the curriculum, program outcomes, instructors, and more on the PRO Academy webpage. Registration is open now through April 6, 2026.
If you have any questions about the PRO Academy, other professional development opportunities, or registration, please do not hesitate to reach out to CPRS HQ at cprs@cprs.org or (916) 665-2777!
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Lauren Oakley (she/her)
Director of Professional Development, California Park & Recreation Society
lauren@cprs.org(916) 665-2777
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