Welcome to The Programming Summit (TPS) Conference. The 2025 TPS Committee is thrilled to present another year of fresh opportunities to professionals in the area of parks and recreation programming. Get ready to spend the next few days learning, networking, and having FUN!
Conference Committee & SCRPA Staff .............................
Information ......................................................
at a Glance ...........................................................
Your Keynote Speaker - Bio ...................................
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Follow South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association on Facebook and LinkedIn! We encourage you to share pictures of your staff attending the Programming Summit on your agency social media accounts. This is a great way to show your community how dedicated your staff is to furthering their education in the field.
The programming summit committee meets throughout the year to plan and implement all aspects of the conference. They diligently work to bring you everything you will experience in the next two days.
LaQuan Priest
TPS Chair
City of Greenville Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
Danielle Moss
Education Co-Chair
City of Spartanburg Parks, Recreation & Special Events
Allyson All
Hospitality Co-Chair
City of North Charleston Recreation
Katelyn Pippin
TPS Vice Chair
City of Hanahan Recreation & Parks
Donna Smarr
Education Co-Chair
Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Megan Boisvert
Marketing Co-Chair
City of North Charleston Recreation
Rebekah Parker
Programming Branch Chair
Spartanburg County Parks Department
La’Dea Wright
Hospitality Co-Chair Richland County Recreation Commission
Anne Selner
Marketing Co-Chair
Town of Mount Pleasant Recreation
CEUs will be awarded for all sessions attended. Conference goers are responsible for their own CEU documentation. Moderators in each session will sign your sheet to verify your attendance at the session. If you are currently not a CPRP or CPRE, we encourage you to learn more about getting certified by checking out the National Recreation & Park Association certification information.
Please turn off or silence all cell phones and electronic devices during workshop sessions and functions. Use appropriate recycling and trash containers.
Dinner on Thursday will be provided during the Retro Rec Social at the Old Newberry Hotel. Please see the section below for more details about the social and the dinner. Provided Friday breakfast will take place at the hotel and Friday lunch will take place in the downstairs room on the first floor of the conference center. The meals that will be provided are listed on the “Schedule at a Glance”. You are welcome to bring non-alcoholic beverages and snacks to your educational sessions.
The Retro Rec’ Social on Thursday will take place at the Old Newberry Hotel (1110 Caldwell Street). This building is a one (1) minute walk from the conference center and the hotel. This fun networking event will include dinner, drinks, karaoke, and lots of groovy 70s fun! If you don’t want to sing during karaoke, don’t sweat it, you can still attend and cheer the others on. Please come dressed in your favorite tie dye or your most groovy 70s outfit. Prizes will be given out throughout the night and its a great way to network and enjoy a fun evening together!
Y O N E
D A
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 1
11:30AM - 12:30PM CONFERENCE CHECK IN 12:45PM - 1:45PM
What’s Your Awesome Sauce?
Atuya Cornwall, Director of Parks & Recreation in Chapel Hill OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION
2:00PM - 3:00PM EDUCATION SESSIONS
Splash Into Safety: Mobile Drowning Prevention Program
Pam Zanowski, Dorchester County
Program Planning 101
Rebekah Parker, Spartanburg County & Allyson All, City of North Charleston
3:05PM - 4:05PM EDUCATION SESSIONS
Specialty Summer Camps
John Alexander, Lexington County
The Importance of Therapeutic Recreation
La’Dea Wright, Richland County
4:10PM - 5:10PM EDUCATION SESSIONS
Silent Disco and Other Therapeutic Recreation Programming
Melissa Bernhardt, Charleston County
Building Foundations: Start Smart for Youth Development
Bret Howell & Bo McCullough, City of Aiken
5:15PM - 6:15PM HOTEL CHECK IN BEGINS
5:30PM - 6:00PM HEAD SHOTS
6:00PM - 8:00PM RETRO REC’ SOCIAL & DINNER
Join us for an evening of 70's style groovy fun, including karaoke, prizes, dinner, games and drinks!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 2
7:30AM - 8:00AM
8:15AM - 9:15AM
9:30AM - 10:30AM
BREAKFAST PROVIDED AT HOTEL & HOTEL CHECK OUT
PROGRAMMING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS
EDUCATION SESSIONS
A Fresh Spin on Something Classic: Timeless Teen Camps
Tamika Pollard & Amos Valentine City of Greenville
Keeping the 50+ Community Active, Engaged, and in Charge
Bates McKinney & Sue Stroud, Spartanburg County
Marquerite Palmer, City of Newberry Limited to 10 People D A Y T W O
10:35AM - 11:30AM
11:45AM -12:45PM
Off-site - City of Newberry Art Center
1:00PM
EDUCATION SESSIONS
Nature Rocks!
Amber Coffey & Jessica Opfer, City of Aiken
Who Knew Reading Could Be So Fun?
Ashad Rector, City of Spartanburg
EDUCATION SESSIONS
Leveraging Partnerships to Enhance Your Program Delivery System
Gretchen Haskett, City of Newberry
Bringing History to Life: Engaging Kids Through Historic Skills
Liz Boles Johnson, Oconee County
LUNCH & CONFERENCE
CONCLUSION
ATUYA CORNWELL
Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation
Recreation Director
Atuya O. Cornwell is a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) with twenty years of experience. Atuya is an active member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and is passionate about connecting professionals with development tools and growth opportunities. He is the 2015 recipient of NRPA’s Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award. Atuya has served on NRPA’s Program Committee, Young Professional Network Leadership Team, and the Public Policy Committee. He was recently appointed to the Board of Regents for Supervisors Management School. Atuya currently serves as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Chapel Hill, NC. His park and recreation career path started in Mecklenburg County, NC and has included several years in Montgomery County, MD and Prince George’s County, MD through his service with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. In 2011, Atuya co-founded the fashion brand, Power In One. He currently serves as managing partner for the inspiring brand that promotes the idea that you within yourself have the power to affect change. Atuya has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Sports Science from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. As a facilitator of numerous educational sessions at local, state, and national conferences, Atuya champions the benefits of being empowered through exposure and experiences. Atuya is the proud son of a former Paralympic athlete and credits his father as the reason for his passion for sports and recreation. Since returning to North Carolina in 2022, Atuya cherishes time spent with his niece and nephew along with his service as a Blue-Ribbon Mentor and Advisory Board Member with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools System.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
12:45PM - 1:45PM
Downstairs (Main Floor)
Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation
This session is designed to inspire and edify park and recreation professionals through the concept of “what makes you awesome” (Awesome Sauce). Attendees will connect with their personal strengths, define a method for creating support systems, and be reminded how their awesomeness will affect the future of recreation programming
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Splash Into Safety: Mobile Drowning Prevention Program
Upstairs Room (Second Floor)
Dorchester County Parks and Recreation
In this session, you will learn about a very unique water safety program. In the summer of 2023, seven organizations across Colleton and Dorchester Counties partnered together to take action The seven groups included, the Summerville Family YMCA, Colleton County Parks and Recreation, Dorchester County Parks and Recreation, Summerville Medical Center, Colleton Medical Center, Dorchester County School District 4, and Colleton County School District. In a short four weeks, the Splash Into Safety program, launched and changed the lives of 335 children and their families. The program transported a 24 feet long, 16 feet wide, 3 feet deep portable pool holding 7,200 gallons of water to rural communities in Colleton and Dorchester Counties, placing the pool in a central location and charging $1 per lesson to remove the barriers of transportation and cost for families to participate. Over the course of four weeks (two weeks in Colleton County followed by two weeks in Dorchester County), the program taught 335 children ages 5 to 11 years old in 30-minute sessions about sun safety, life jacket usage, what to know about traveling in a boat, the importance of adult supervision, and most importantly, tips on how to be comfortable and prepared in the water.
Downstairs Room (Main Floor)
Spartanburg County Parks
ALLYSON ALL
City of North Charleston Recreation
You have a great idea for a program you think your community will love. Now what? In this session, learn about the best tips, tricks, and tools for making your program a big success. We will cover real life examples of what’s worked and what hasn’t in parks departments across the state. As a bonus, you’ll also walk away with several new and unique program ideas you can bring back to your communities!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
3:05PM - 4:05PM
Downstairs Room (Main Floor)
EDUCATION SESSIONS
JOHN ALEXANDER
Lexington County
In 2024, the Lexington Leisure Center made a strategic shift from offering a traditional Summer Day Camp program to hosting a variety of specialized interest camps. This session will explore the reasons behind this transition, the unique needs these programs are fulfilling within the community, and the logistics involved in planning and executing specialized camps Whether you’re considering a similar change or looking to enhance your current camp offerings, this session will provide valuable takeaways that you could implement in your departments.
Upstairs Room (Second Floor)
LA’DEA WRIGHT
Richland County
This session will explore how Therapeutic Recreation enhances mental, emotional, and physical well-being for individuals of all ages Participants will learn how structured recreational activities, such as exercise, creative arts, social engagement, and mindfulness practices, promote stress relief, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. The discussion will highlight its impact on mental health, rehabilitation, and community inclusion, emphasizing how recreation is not just leisure but a powerful tool for healing, empowerment, and personal growth. Attendees will leave with strategies to incorporate therapeutic activities into daily life and professional settings to support holistic well-being.
4:10PM - 5:10PM EDUCATION SESSIONS
Downstairs Room (Main Floor)
MELISSA BERNHARDT
Charleston County
Curious how to host an inclusive event? Join this session to learn about the numerous inclusive events offered by Charleston County Parks, including the Inclusive Silent Disco. You’ll also learn tips to make your own programs and events more inclusive.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
4:10PM - 5:10PM
Upstairs Room (Second Floor)
Join us for an insightful overview of the National Alliance for Youth Sports; Start Smart program. The presentation will highlight how the Start Smarts Sports Development Programs helps kids get ready for sports and succeed in life through a step-by-step approach that builds confidence, self-esteem, and makes sports fun. Discover how the City of Aiken launched this initiative and tailored it to meet our community’s needs.
5:30PM - 6:00PM HEAD SHOTS
Lobby (Main Floor)
Having a good headshot picture is crucial for your professional success. Whether you are planning to present at a future conference or just need to refresh your LinkedIn picture, we’ve got you! We know it’s awkward having your picture taken so let our committee members help! Drop by before the social for a quick headshot. Pictures will be taken with an iPhone and emailed to the attendee after the conference.
6:00PM - 8:00PM DINNER & SOCIAL
Check out the social details on the next page!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 1
Enjoy dinner and join us for a groovy evening featuring karaoke, drinks, games, and a chance to win prizes. Come dressed in your best tie dye or your most groovy 70s attire and be ready to sing your heart outs, connect with other professionals, and make unforgettable memories! Not a singer? Don’t sweat it, you can be part of the cheering squad while you enjoy dinner, drinks, games and prizes!
PRIZES NETWORKING DINNER & DRINKS GAMES KARAOKE OUTFIT COMPETITION
6PM - 8PM Old Newberry Hotel 1110 Caldwell Street
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
7:30AM - 8:00AM BREAKFAST
Breakfast - Provided Hotel (Main Floor)
8:15AM - 9:15AM ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
Roundtable Discussion Break Out Groups
Downstairs Room (Main Floor)
Join in for a small group discussion based session where you will get the opportunity to chat with others, trade ideas and get to know people doing similar work. During this session you will have the opportunity to rotate every 15 minutes engaging with different topics and people. These discussions will focus on a variety of different topics that pertain to the parks and recreation program sector.
9:30AM - 10:30AM
A Fresh Spin on Something Classic: Timeless Teen Camps
Downstairs Room (Main Floor)
TAMIKA POLLARD & AMOS VALENTINE City of Greenville
We’ve all heard the saying, “don’t reinvent the wheel”, but what if you could reimagine or transform that wheel into something new and exciting? In this session, we’ll explore how to transform old ideas into innovative, relevant programs that engage and inspire today’s teens. By combining personal experience and teen feedback, we’ll explore how to design impactful teen camps and youth commissions that resonate. This session will share strategies and activities of what made past programs successful – like exciting field trips, guests speakers, career exploration, and character-building sessions. You’ll leave with a toolbox of ideas, activities, and tips for creating your own transformative teen experiences Whether working in urban or rural settings, you’ll be inspired to develop programs that empower teens, foster leadership, and create lasting memories. This session will also highlight how the City of Greenville revitalized a youth commission and revamped old camp blueprints into a fresh, successful teen camp. Join in to get a different perspective on how to make a meaningful impact on the teens you serve!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
9:30AM - 10:30AM EDUCATION SESSIONS
Keeping the 50+ Community Active, Engaged, and in Charge
Upstairs Room (Second Floor)
Spartanburg County
According to the 2020 US Census, 19% of South Carolinians are 65 years of age and older Due to the increasing costs of retirement communities, it is necessary for people to age in place, meaning they are aging at home. Parks and recreation programming is an essential part to successful aging in place. When designing programs for the 50+ population, it is important to move away from the senior center model and go beyond bingo, ball toss, and potlucks and start thinking outside the box. At the same time, programmers must continually seek input from their participants while fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in a population whose members' ages, and thus experiences, span decades rather than a few years. In this session you will learn about unique ways to keep your 50+ community members active, engaged and in charge!
Off-site - City of Newberry Art Center Visit & Showcase
Off-site (Limit 10 People)
Meet in Main Entrance
City of Newberry
Meet Town of Newberry staff member, Marquerite, in the conference center lobby for an off-site tour of the Newberry Arts Center. The Newberry Arts Center was established in 2014 and is a division of the City’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. The building hosts a variety of different art programs for participants of a variety of ages. Come see the space and learn about the different types of art programming that they offer.
10:35AM - 11:30AM EDUCATION SESSIONS
Upstairs Room (Second Floor)
AMBER COFFEY & JESSICA OPFER
City of Aiken
Explore how to bring the spirit of "Nature Rocks!" to your own community by organizing a fun and educational event for kids of all ages. You’ll gain insights into creating partnerships for resources, securing volunteers, and promoting the event to ensure maximum community involvement. Leave with practical tips and inspiration to create your own vibrant, nature-focused event that fosters environmental awareness and engagement in your area!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
10:35AM - 11:30AM EDUCATION SESSIONS
Downstairs Room (Main Floor)
ASHAD RECTOR
City of Spartanburg
This session will explore the development and impact of a unique book club designed for young readers ages 4 to 11. More than just a reading program, this program combines engaging books with recreational activities, interactive discussions about life lessons, and meaningful relationship-building opportunities.
11:45AM - 12:45Pm EDUCATION
Leveraging Partnerships to Enhance Your Program Delivery System
Downstairs Room (Main Floor)
City of Newberry
This presentation highlights how practitioners can enhance program delivery through strategic partnerships. It covers key components of effective program systems, principles of impactful collaboration, and real world examples from the City of Newberry Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department, demonstrating the success of partnerships in advancing events and programs.
Bringing History to Life: Engaging Kids Through Historic Skills
Upstairs Room (Second Floor)
LIZ BOLES JOHNSON
Oconee County
Discover how to create a dynamic, hands-on, history program that connects kids to the past through traditional skills. This session explores how activities like blacksmithing, archaeology, and homesteading spark curiosity and appreciation for the past. Learn how partnerships with local museums and experts can enhance programming and foster community engagement During this session you will learn how to incorporate historic skills in your programming in any setting or budget.
1:00PM LUNCH
Join us before you hit the road and enjoy one last meal together! This will take place in the downstairs room at the conference center.
Pam Zanowski
Dorchester County Parks and Recreation
Allyson All
City of North Charleston Parks and Recreation
Rebekah Parker
Spartanburg County Parks Department
John Alexander
Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission
La’Dea Wright
Richland County Recreation Commission
ardt
Charleston County Parks and Recreation
Bret Howell
City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism
McCullough
City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism
SCRPA offers several different branches that are designed to be a resource for individuals to connect with others in the Parks and Recreation field. Current branches include, Executive Level Management (ELM) Branch, Parks Maintenance (PM), SC Athletics Programs Branch (SCAP), Programming Branch, and Future Professionals Branch. Openings on these branches require an application for consideration.
If you would directly like to be involved with SCRPA there are opportunities to serve on various committees, each of which has different responsibilities that help support the SCRPA mission. Openings on these committees require an application for consideration. Committees include, Awards & Citations, Conference Management, DEI, Marketing, and Scholarship.
SCRPA presents several awards each year to recognize agencies and individuals for outstanding contributions to the park and recreation profession in South Carolina. These awards are presented at the state association conference, district meetings and branch workshops. Please check out the website to learn more about the different award categories.
SCRPA publishes four (4) seasonal magazines throughout the year. These magazines are a great opportunity to highlight what’s happening in your departments. Keep an eye out for the “Call for Submissions” email sent out from SCRPA quarterly.
In addition to The Programming Summit, SCRPA offers several other education and training opportunities throughout the year.
Certified Playground Safety Inspectors Institute
Park Maintenance Institute
SC Leadership Enhancement and Development Institute
Southern Leisure Management & Trends Institute
Sports Management Institute
District Meetings & Branch Workshops
If you're interested in getting involved with SCRPA, your district VP is a great place to start. They can provide more details, answer any questions, and guide you through the first steps of the process. Reach out to begin the conversation and learn more about the opportunities available!
Seth Holley Ryan Farnan
Central District VP (Aiken) dholley@cityofaikensc.gov
Eastern District VP (Myrtle Beach) rfarnan@cityofmyrtlebeach.com
Robert Lloyd Tamika Pollard
Southern District VP (North Charleston) rlloyd@northcharleston org
Western District VP (Greenville) tpollard@greenvillesc gov
Thank YouON BEHALF OF SCRPA & THE 2025 TPS
We would like to thank all the conference speakers for sharing their expertise and knowledge with us and the conference attendees for showing up to Rock in Recreation with us! We cannot wait to see you all back for another great Programming Summit in 2026!