Enrollment is Open PRPS FREE Culture of Health Program
Enrollment is now open for this free supplemental camp program. PRPS member municipalities positively affect the health and wellness of over 1.3 Million Pennsylvania residents. The Culture of Health initiative aims to provide local park and recreation professionals with a resource and framework to supplement camp programs with activities in the four essential areas of well-being: mental, social, intellectual, and physical health.
To enroll, participants will view a short (9 min.) informational video and complete a survey about their current program. Afterward, you will be sent a Culture of Health Guidebook written by park professionals, packed with ideas, resources, news, and activities that help incorporate all the core areas of well-being. Join the PRPS Health and Wellness committee and sign up today to receive your guidebook. With your help, we can continue our progress and develop a Culture of Health in our communities.
General Resources
Leisure Education Toolkit for Parents with Mental Illness - Download
NPRA: Parks and Recreation Advancing Community Health and Well-Being - Download
NRPA: Healthy Aging in Parks Survey Results
NRPA: Elevating Health Equity Through Parks and Recreation - A Framework for Action
NRPA: Safe Routes to Parks—Improving Access to Parks through Walkability - Download
NRPA: Parks Build Healthy Communities Success Stories - Download
NRPA: Serving Communities—Healthy Meals for Children - Download
NRPA: Promoting Healthy Kids—The Serving Kansas Communities Case Studies - Download
Sun Safety Tips for Parks and Recreation Staff - Download
Dementia
Dementia Friends of Pennsylvania: participate in a free, one-hour Dementia Friends Information Session to learn more about dementia and help increase awareness among your family, friends, and the wider community.
Opioids
Opioid Epidemic Practical Toolkit - Download
Generation Found Documentary: City of Houston - Follows Houston’s fight to curb rising opioid use and shows schools, elected officials and police coming together to cohesively tackle the problem. The documentary is used by the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services and East Goshen Township Department of Parks and Recreation in community outreach efforts. PRPS members can use the documentary free of charge, contact Niki Tourscher.
Get Outdoors PA
Get Outdoors PA strives to connect citizens with outdoor recreation activities to increase their appreciation and active use of parks, forests and public spaces while imparting a message of environmental stewardship and healthy living. Take advantage of a variety of technical resources relating to Get Outdoors PA activities including webinars, lessons plans, and more!
Park Prescriptions
Measuring the Success of a Park Prescription Program
NRPA: Prescribing Parks for Better Health Success Stories
Park Prescriptions: Resources for Good Health from the Great Outdoors
ClearWater Conservancy—Centred Outdoors PARx
Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation—NaturePHL
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy—Parks Rx
Young Lungs at Play
A Department of Health—The Young Lungs at Play signs have been updated to include No Vaping. They also have No Vaping stickers for signage that is currently posted. Contact the PA Department of Health for more information.