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IPRA Calendar

IPRA Calendar

9/21/2026 - 9/21/2027
WED
Sep Nov
9 4
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Stepping into middle management is an exciting opportunity and a big adjustment. Designed for professionals who oversee departments and supervise staff, this program builds confidence in your leadership role.

TUE
September
22
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Hosted by IPRA’s Communications & Marketing (C&M) Section, this year’s C&M Summit focuses on the power of storytelling to build connection, strengthen trust, and create a positive public image for your agency.

TUE
September
22
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Inclusion Committee consists of a group of special recreation professionals that either specialize or work in and around inclusion services. The meeting will consist of networking opportunities

Register
WED
September
23
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In parks and recreation, surprises are inevitable—but being unprepared doesn’t have to be.

WED
September
23
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

IPRA's Administration & Finance (A&F) Section consists of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around administration, finance, human resources, information technology, registration services, and/or risk management. If you are i

Register
THU
September
24
Playground Maintenance Course
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

The National Recreation and Park Association's Playground Maintenance Course (PMC) is a one-day (6.25 hour) educational course that provides participants with an understanding of basic playground hazards, applying safe maintenance practices on equipment, i

THU
September
24
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

The third of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive review ...

THU
September
24
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Youth & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of professionals that either specialize or work in and around camps at special recreation agencies. If you are interested in joining the committe

Register
THU
September
24
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Special Events Committee consists of a group of professionals that either specialize or work in and around special events.  If you are interested in joining the committee or simply wish to ...

Register
THU
September
24
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

The third of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive ...

THU
September
24
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Located within IPRA's Facility Management (FM) Section, the Aquatic Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around Aquatic Facilities. If you are interested in joining the committee or simply wish

Register
THU
September
24
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Administration & Finance (A&F) Section, the Department Head Committee consists of a group of department head level professionals who meet to discuss and pursue opportunities for networking, professional development, and leadership tra

Register
WED
September
30
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Join us in Philadelphia! On September 30, 2026, IPRA and IAPD are co-hosting our annual Illinois Delegate Reception during the NRPA Annual Conference. Complimentary appetizers and soft drinks will be provided; a cash bar available.

WED
October
7
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Not every message belongs in the same channel—and not every audience needs the same level of detail.

THU
October
8
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Hosted by IPRA's Facility Management (FM) Section, Facility Management Workshop is a unique program designed to provide practitioners of all experience levels a curriculum that identifies tools to become a better facility manager and enhance ...

Register
THU
October
8
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The fourth of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive review ...

THU
October
8
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The fourth of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive ...

FRI
October
9
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Early Childhood Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around early childhood programs. If you are interested in joining the ...

Register
TUE
October
13 15
7:15 AM - 11:15 AM

The CPSI course is a national certification program delivered by National Recreation and Park Association and co-hosted by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. It is designed to train individuals on how to identify hazards on public ...

TUE
October
13
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the School Age & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around before-and-after school programs and camps. If you are ...

Register
TUE
October
13
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

One of the most common barriers agencies face is pursuing grants without a dedicated grant writer. It may seem intimidating to move beyond identifying an opportunity, to completing an application, to successfully implementing a funded project.

Register
TUE
October
13
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Senior Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that serve older adults. If you are interested in joining the committee or simply wish to attend for educational and networking purpose

Register
WED
October
14
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Amid uncertainty and rising public incivility, maintaining composure has never been more essential for today’s professionals.

THU
October
15
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

The fifth of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive review ...

THU
October
15
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Amid uncertainty and rising public incivility, maintaining composure has never been more essential for today’s professionals.

THU
October
15
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

The fifth of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive ...

THU
October
15
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM

IPRA's Parks & Natural Resource Management (PNRM) Section consists of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around parks and natural resources. If you are interested in joining the Section or simply wish to attend for education

Register
FRI
October
16
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

IPRA's Administration & Finance (A&F) Section will be hosting the 2026 Software Symposium at the Bolingbrook Park District.

FRI
October
16
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Hosted by IPRA's Administration & Finance (A&F) Section, Software Symposium participants will be able to visit with a variety of software vendors exhibiting various park district software needs.

Register
TUE
October
20
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Hosted by IPRA's Communications & Marketing (C&M) Section, the Social Media Committee covers content strategy, best practices, platform updates, analytics, engagement tactics, accessibility, emerging trends, and much more. If you are interested in joining

Register
WED
October
21 22
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) course is a national certification program offered by the National Recreation and Park Association and hosted by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. The program is designed to provide the most ...

Register
WED
October
21
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Moving from “one of the team” to “the one leading the team” can be one of the toughest transitions in management.

THU
October
22
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Hosted by IPRA's Forest Preserve & Conservation (FPC) Section, this full-day SIGnature education event is designed to offer enriching professional development and meaningful networking opportunities for those working in conservation and education.

Register
THU
October
22
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The last of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive review of ...

THU
October
22
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The last of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive review ...

TUE
October
27
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Playground accessibility is more than mobility - it also requires sensory adaptation for visual, auditory, and cognitive differences. Join Play Design Scapes to discover how to enhance your playgrounds through sensory balance and integration ...

Register
THU
October
29
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Youth & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of professionals that either specialize or work in and around camps at special recreation agencies. If you are interested in joining the committe

Register
TUE
November
3
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM

IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section consists of professionals that either specialize or work in and around athletics, special events, seniors, teens, early childhood, and camps.  The Board Meeting will mainly consist of reports from the Section ...

Register
WED
November
4
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Leadership is as much about mindset as it is about skillset.

THU
November
5
7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Start your IPRA membership journey with good food, great conversation, and a chance to connect with the people who make up our community. Join us at IPRA headquarters for a relaxed New Member Breakfast designed to help you feel at home, get connected, ...

Register
THU
November
5
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

IPRA's Facility Management (FM) Section is hosting the 2026 Aquatics Symposium at the Carol Stream Park District, bringing together aquatic and facility professionals from park districts, municipalities, special recreation agencies, forest preserve distric

Register
SUN
November
8 11
5:30 PM - 10:00 AM

IPRA's longest-standing educational and networking opportunity takes place in November at the majestic Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, Illinois. Professional Development School, otherwise known as PDS, provides park, recreation, forest preserve, ...

Register
TUE
November
10
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the School Age & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around before-and-after school programs and camps. If you are ...

FRI
November
13
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Adult Day Program Committee consists of a group of special recreation professionals that either specialize or work in and around Adult Day Programming. The meeting will consist of opportunities

Register
FRI
November
13
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Early Childhood Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around early childhood programs. If you are interested in joining the ...

Register
TUE
November
17 19
7:15 AM - 11:15 AM

The CPSI course is a national certification program delivered by National Recreation and Park Association and co-hosted by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. It is designed to train individuals on how to identify hazards on public ...

Register
TUE
November
17
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
WED
November
18
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

When storms approach, bison don’t run away—they face the wind and move through it together. The Bison Principle applies that instinct to the challenges of modern public service.

THU
November
19
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

When storms approach, bison don’t run away—they face the wind and move through it together. The Bison Principle applies that instinct to the challenges of modern public service.

WED
November
25
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Youth & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of professionals that either specialize or work in and around camps at special recreation agencies. If you are interested in joining the committe

Register
TUE
December
8
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the School Age & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around before-and-after school programs and camps. If you are ...

Register
WED
December
9
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

The pace and scale of change today are unlike anything we've experienced before. Economic volatility, demographic diversification, technological acceleration, and environmental disruption are reshaping the landscape of public service.

THU
December
10
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
FRI
December
11
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Early Childhood Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around early childhood programs. If you are interested in joining the ...

Register
THU
December
17
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The pace and scale of change today are unlike anything we've experienced before. Economic volatility, demographic diversification, technological acceleration, and environmental disruption are reshaping the landscape of public service.

WED
December
23
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Youth & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of professionals that either specialize or work in and around camps at special recreation agencies. If you are interested in joining the committe

Register
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