Home Awards & Scholarships ARPA Awards Rick Curtis Children & Youth Award
The Rick Curtis Children & Youth Award recognizes outstanding initiatives that empower and support children and/or youth in Alberta through recreation and sport. Named in honor of former Alberta Recreation & Parks Association (ARPA) CEO, Rick Curtis, this award celebrates organizations and programs that prioritize the holistic development of children and/or youth. Rick Curtis was a strong advocate for the role of recreation in children and youth well-being, and this award continues his legacy by acknowledging initiatives that foster holistic development.
Communities or Organizations include:
ARPA membership is encouraged and may be prioritized in the selection process.
The Initiative must:
Nominations are NOW OPEN!
Nomination Deadline: May 30th, 2025
The ARPA Awards and Scholarships Committee with representation from all aspects of the recreation and parks sector and across the province will select the award recipient. The committee will evaluate the nominations by rating:
The initiative must provide high-quality recreational opportunities specifically designed for children and/or youth under the age of 18. Programs should emphasize engagement, well-being, personal growth, and holistic development.
The initiative should demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering high-quality programming for children and/or youth. This may include staff training, program evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts to enhance holistic development.
The initiative should actively involve children and/or youth in planning, decision-making, and implementation. Participants should have meaningful opportunities to contribute their ideas, perspectives, and feedback, fostering autonomy and leadership.
Successful nominees will showcase collaboration between multiple organizations, agencies, or community groups involved in the holistic development and recreation of children and/or youth.
The initiative should positively impact the community by fostering the holistic development of children and/or youth and advocating for the value of recreation in their lives.
Each year, the Alberta Recreation & Parks Association presents the award during the ARPA Conference & Energize Workshop.
Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm (open Monday-Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-415-1745
Email: awards@arpaonline.ca
The Alberta Recreation & Parks Association would like to acknowledge the First Nations, the Métis, the Inuit and all of the people across Alberta who share a history and a deep connection with this land. We dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.