Youth Development through Recreation Services
April 30 – May 2
Overview
Dates: April 30 – May 2, 2025
Location: Camp Kindle, Water Valley, AB
Are you looking for amazing, budget-friendly professional development? Do you want to get connected with other staff working in children and youth programming across Alberta?
The Alberta Recreation & Parks Association (ARPA) is excited to be bringing back the Youth Development through Recreation Symposium (YDRS), April 30 – May 2, 2025, at Camp Kindle (near Cochrane, Alberta). Throughout this summer-camp style event, you will attend sessions facilitated by recreation professionals from across Alberta as well as participate in tons of fun and interactive activities you can bring back to your organization!
The educational opportunity is designed to provide delegates with the opportunity to:
- Learn first hand about child and youth development and its application in recreation
- Hear from colleagues and peers through focused and themed presentations
- Enjoy networking opportunities and return home with practical and applicable resources
Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to help grow the next generation of recreation professionals in Alberta!
Learn More about YDRS:
Mandate: Providing an educational forum to advance knowledge of youth development through recreation.
The Youth Development Through Recreation Services (YDRS) Symposium is based on the National Youth Development Symposium that was launched in Calgary in the spring of 2003 and is a bi-annual forum for advancing the knowledge about the contributions of recreation programs and services. It aims to provide information about children and youth development by promoting the delivery and expansion of positive development through sport, recreation, physical activity, education and general health promotion.
The YDRS Symposium attracts delegates from municipal recreation, community service departments, not for profit groups, community sports groups, public health, educational institutions and social service organizations. Presenters range from front line staff to youth policy makers.
Call for Presentations- Closed
We are no longer accepting presentations. Thank you those who submitted!
Accommodations
Accommodations are included with your registration and are bunk-style at Camp Kindle, however, for those who prefer to stay in a hotel, a small block of rooms is available at Days Inn & Suites Cochrane for $139 + tax per night. Use group code YDRS when booking.
Why Present at the Symposium?
✔ Help Your Team Reconnect With Their “WHY” – Swap the office for camp games and genuine connection. Attendees return energized, re-inspired, and reminded of why working in recreation is so rewarding!
✔ Fresh Ideas, Ready to Use – Less theory, more practical strategies. Your team will gain actionable techniques they can implement immediately.
✔ Networking Without the Awkwardness – No stuffy meetings or endless small talk. Just meaningful connections with passionate professionals across the province.
✔ Real-World Problem Solving – From leadership development to inclusion strategies, participants will gain hands-on approaches to tackle today’s biggest challenges.
✔ Training Disguised as FUN – Professional development that doesn’t feel like a lecture. Attendees grow their skills while enjoying an engaging, dynamic experience.
Registration is NOW OPEN
Pricing
- $500 (Members)
- $650 (Non-Members)
- $300 (Students)
Who Attends
- Front-line Youth Workers
- Social Workers
- Recreation Facility Staff
- Healthcare Workers
- Recreation Coordinators & Managers
- Teachers
Event Program
Our program features three engaging session streams designed to inspire and empower recreation professionals:
- Creating Inclusive Spaces – Explore strategies to foster equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within recreation organizations and communities.
- The Power of Play – Discover the transformative benefits of play in enhancing physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being for participants, staff, and communities.
- Taking the Lead – Build leadership skills for front-line and entry-level management staff to drive positive change in recreation settings.
Check back soon for our event program!
Contact
If you have any questions or are currently not affiliated with an organization and would like to attend YDRS 2025, please reach out to Caleb Boorse at cboorse@arpaonline.ca