Natural play meets urban design in the NU-Edge GSX for activity that builds balance and overall confidence. This compact piece offers a gauntlet of challenges for a child. How will they choose to get to the rope bridge? The options are as limitless as a child’s imagination. Climb the crisscrossing ropes to escape a collapsing tomb or slide into an unexplored jungle. Stay steady on the large rope over a course of raging rapids.
Hang out between the top wooden planks to plan the next adventure. The NU-Edge GSX invites kids, and kids-at-heart, to channel their creativity in a space that teeters between the rustic and the modern.
To see NU-Edge® GSX in action, visit LittleTikesCommercial.com/GSX
UPCOMING
Spring 2024 Issue
Content/Ad Deadline: March 25, 2024 | Mails: May 2024
Summer 2024 Issue
Content/Ad Deadline: June 15, 2024 | Mails: Aug. 2024
Fall 2024 Issue
Content/Ad Deadline: September 30, 2024 | Mails: Nov. 2024
Winter 2025 Issue
Content/Ad Deadline: January 22, 2025 | Mails: March 2025
Learn more about advertising at www.bit.ly/CPRA2024.
COLORADO PARKS & RECREATION ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 1037
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034 [P] 303-231-0943 [F] 303-237-9750 cpra@cpra-web.org www.cpra-web.org
Ashley Perillo Executive Director ashleyp@cpra-web.org
Rachel Hungerbuhler Professional Development Program Manager rachelh@cpra-web.org
Jillian Galoci (Strogis) Membership & Communications Coordinator jilliang@cpra-web.org
Colorado Byline is the official member magazine of CPRA, Colorado Parks & Recreation Association. CPRA is a dynamic, proactive organization that creates healthy residents and livable communities by promoting excellence in parks and recreation.
2023-24 CPRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Clay Shuck City and County of Broomfield cshuck@broomfield.org
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Ali Rhodes
City of Boulder rhodesa@bouldercolorado.gov
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Adam Hamm
South Suburban Parkas and Recreation District ahamm@ssprd.org
AT-LARGE
Gina Barton
Jefferson County Parks and Conservation gbarton@jeffco.us
Megann Lohman
City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov
Luke Bolinger
Town of Erie lbolinger@erieco.gov
Jaclynn Alvarez
Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District jalvarez@hylandhills.org
2023-24 CPRA ADVISORY COUNCIL
AAPS
Linda Kudrna
City of Fort Lupton Parks & Recreation lkudrna@fortluptonco.gov
AQUATICS
Steve Hanson Town of Parker shanson@parkeronline.org
CARA
Nicole Reeves Widefield Parks and Recreation reevesn@wsd3.org
DIRECTORS
Mari Steinbach Montrose Recreation District mari@montroserec.com
FACILITY MANAGEMENT
Marc Rademacher City of Fort Collins mrademacher@fcgov.com
FITNESS
Veronica Mueller City and County of Broomfield vmueller@broomfield.org
PARKS
Brent Delehoy City of Aurora Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces bdelehoy@auroragov.org
PLAaY
Becca Mack City of Lafayette becca.mack@lafayetteco.gov
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION (TR)
Ashley Bordenet
City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services ashley.bordenet@coloradosprings.gov
BYLINE, ONLINE & EMAIL
ADVERTISING:
Todd Pernsteiner Pernsteiner Creative Group 952-841-1111 todd@pernsteiner.com www.pernsteiner.com
On the Cover:
Thompson Rivers Parks & Recreation District Staff Playbook GO
Traci Wieland joined the Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District as District Manager in September 2019 and has made a tremendous impact on the community and the District in that short time.
Traci came to Ken-Caryl Ranch after 23 years on the Western Slope, including
four years with the City of Glenwood Springs and 19 years with the City of Grand Junction. Her background includes extensive experience within recreation, aquatics, and parks programs.
Traci jumped into her role by leading multiple accomplishments, including a 5-year Strategic Plan, 10-year Capital Plan, new Employee Handbook, increased fund balance, completion of critical deferred maintenance, cost recovery philosophy development, and countless others. Honestly, her positive impact on Ken-Caryl Ranch would be difficult to capture in a brief article!
Traci’s staff appreciates her leadership and dedication to the team. She always makes herself available to her staff, and
she dedicates herself to serving the community. Traci truly abides by the philosophy of “what will be best for the community” in everything she does.
“Traci is always available to her team, encouraging us all to continuously improve in all aspects of our work,” said Amy Lear, Recreation Director for Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District. “Traci is extremely dedicated and doesn’t shy away from helping out whether it be coaching us through tough conversations or simply helping at a community event.” She never likes to take credit for accomplishments, instead making sure her team is recognized. She deserves recognition and has the utmost respect from her staff. It is truly a privilege working for her.
In Wheat Ridge, the Active Adult Center trips program is a hub for social and recreational opportunities for seniors. The program, offering 11-19 trips per month, includes visits to senior lunch sites, bingo games, exhibitions, events, iconic Colorado venues, and more. The program also offers RAMBLERS, a weekly, easy, one-hour walk at a location up to an hour drive away.
Amy Trujillo, a dedicated volunteer trip driver and leader, was awarded the Everyday Hero award from Denver7 and West Shore Homes in January 2024! Since joining the team as a volunteer in August 2021, she has consistently provided enriching experiences, connecting with seniors in ways that transcend the bounds of an ordinary volunteer. She not only drives and leads trips, but also instills a sense of joy, safety, and camaraderie among the seniors. Senior RAMBLERS who could barely walk one mile who now, thanks
to Amy's consistent volunteerism and excellent driving/leading, are on the roster nearly every week and walking non-stop for the whole hour with energy to spare! These are the kinds of actions that have led to most of the 1-3 trips she drives/leads a month to sell out or have a waitlist.
The seniors benefiting from the Trips program, with an average age of 76, face unique challenges such as living alone or being primary caregivers, limiting their ability to explore far or unfamiliar places. Amy's role becomes crucial in expanding their social world, providing a lifeline of connection, and promoting an active and engaged lifestyle.
As the Trips program continues to flourish, Amy remains a driving force, connecting seniors and fostering a sense of belonging, vitality, and purpose. These qualities have earned her the welldeserved recognition as an Everyday Hero.
In the heart of Adams County stands a testament to honor, sacrifice, and resilience—the Adams County Veterans Memorial. Conceptualized in 2019 by the Adams County Veterans Advisory Commission, this award-winning project has become a beacon of pride for the community, embodying the spirit of remembrance and gratitude.
The focal point of the memorial is a stunning replica of the USS Colorado, meticulously crafted from steel, sandscape, and stamped concrete. ECI Site Construction Management, Inc. brought this vision to life, while DHM Design lent their architectural expertise to the project. The USS Colorado replica, a towering structure, occupies 6,218 square feet—approximately one-third the size of the actual vessel, which spanned an impressive 19,032 square feet.
The attention to detail is evident throughout the memorial site, where boulder walls, lit steel smokestacks, and a concrete "Story Wall" featuring a photomural showcase the dedication to capturing the essence of military history.
The "Story Wall," crafted with a unique form liner method, displays the narrative of service and sacrifice with poignant visuals.
One of the distinctive features is the concrete map at the entryway, serving as
a guide to all Veterans Memorials across Adams County. This inclusive element connects the community with the broader context of the nation's military history, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for those who have served. The memorial pays homage to all branches of the military through marble and glass monuments, each designed to represent the values and ethos of the respective service. Lit steel smokestacks, with cut lettering displaying military creeds, illuminate the night sky to symbolize the enduring legacy of these brave men and women.
The Adams County Veterans Memorial stands as a testament to the collaborative effort of the community, with groundbreaking taking place on Sept. 8, 2021, and the grand opening on May 29, 2023. The entire memorial sits on a 179,248 square-foot site and serves as hallowed ground, inviting visitors to reflect on the sacrifices made
Riverdale Regional Park, it is open sunrise to sunset seven
This extraordinary project has not gone unnoticed, earning the prestigious title of American Public Works Association Colorado’s Project of the Year. It stands as a proud symbol of the community's commitment to honoring its veterans
This extraordinary project has not gone unnoticed, earning the prestigious title of American Public Works Association Colorado’s Project of the Year.
If you manage or oversee a sports league, it's more than likely that one of the biggest struggles you have is having officials. Not the quality of officiating, but just having officials to begin with. This is not a new struggle; the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) came out with an article in October 2016 addressing the officiating crisis, which is ongoing and has only gotten worse.
As an official, there are few wins. During a game, the best-case scenario is nobody remembers you exist and you might get a thank you from a parent or two. The worst-case scenario is literal violence. Even that aside, the constant and often unfounded barrage of attacks from parents and coaching is itself a deterrent from officaiting.
How do we combat this? It starts with the coordinator, the commissioner, or whoever the face of the league is. Being a leader for your league means being a leader for your officials; they are as much a part of your program as any other staff. Being a leader means putting your team in a position to
succeed. A coordinator can make a big difference early on by nipping toxicity in the bud. This can be though a preseason coach meeting or a league-wide email, but if the coordinator takes a firm stance against toxicity in the program, they set the tone for the rest of the season.
There will invariably be a game where a coach, parent, or team is upset. It is important the coordinator steps in in these situations as well. Stepping in this context can include directing the person’s anger away from the official and defusing the situation. You can refer to your discussion during the coach meeting or perhaps an ethics pledge the coach signed, but you remind the person that officials are as human as the person in question.
Mind you, participants and spectators are always allowed to disagree with an
official’s call, but there is a way to go about that and it certainly is not getting in an official’s face while play is ongoing. Instead, a coach can wait until the next dead ball period to ask an official why a call was or was not made. There may still be disagreement, but at least there is a respectful dialogue between the two parties.
The dehumanization of officials is the reason an official will quit. A survey of 19,000 officials conducted by Officially Human found that 60% of former officials
left due to the abuse they took. The fact is nobody needs to officiate. People may choose to officiate for the love of the game, to give back to their community, or as a side-hustle, but nobody officiates youth sports for a living. Officials do not have to be there and won’t be if the community is hostile to them, as we are seeing in today’s officiating shortage, and that is why it is imperative a coordinator lays the groundwork to make officials human again.
Do you take full advantage of your CPRA membership? Have you ever wondered what benefits your membership includes? A great way to get the most out of your membership is to join a CPRA Section. CPRA has numerous sections and interest groups, which allow members to meet others performing similar jobs or have similar interests. The CPRA sections include: Active Adult Programming and Services (AAPS), Aquatics, Colorado Association of Recreational Athletics (CARA), Directors, Emerging Leaders Network (ELN), Facility Management, Fitness, Parks, Preschool Licensing Activities and Youth (PLAaY), and Therapeutic Recreation Society of Colorado (TRSC). Curious about why you should join a section? This article talks about the benefits of becoming more involved.
One advantage of joining a section is the ability to build a network of colleagues.
You will meet and interact with numerous people who work in the parks and recreation industry, which can be extremely valuable. There is a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience amongst individuals across the state, and building connections with those individuals will give you the opportunity to seek advice, brainstorm, and acquire resources. You may also find an experienced professional to mentor you, which is advantageous both personally and professionally.
Joining a section will also help you keep up on trends and hot topics in the industry. This helps you stay ahead of issues before they arise, learn new skills, and develop programs to ensure your agency maintains a competitive advantage. Keeping up with industry news and standards could also allow you to create positive change not only for your own organization, but potentially for parks and recreation as a whole.
Immersing yourself in CPRA sections also supports your career development. Many of the sections have focused professional development opportunities, such as showcases, symposiums, and guest speakers. Career advancement prospects are frequently discussed amongst section members, as well as what hiring managers are looking for in future employees. There are opportunities to enhance your leadership skills as well. Sections also have elected board positions. Members who hold those positions have a voice and are decision makers within the section, and they advise the CPRA Board. Taking advantage of board positions in a section can develop new leadership skills that will translate into your everyday position seamlessly. A perfect example of this are the last four CARA Section Chairs, which have all been promoted within their own organization, or accepted higher level positions at other agencies during their time as section leader.
If you are interested in joining one of the CPRA Sections, visit the “Sections” page of the CPRA
For a first job, there’s nothing quite like recreation, especially for high school and college students. Very necessarily, the bulk of our programming takes place outside of normal school hours, which means students typically have the flexibility to lead these programs, give back to their community, and earn money while doing so.
In my career, with a focus on youth programs, most of the staff I have recruited, hired, and trained have been high school students. They are young adults who are ecstatic to have found a fun gig for their first job and excited to coach young kids, but they are also teenagers as young as 15 and in a position of power for the first time.
The number one job training the new generation needs is the building of their confidence. At a young and stillimpressionable age, they need the support to establish themselves as a
leader. For my youth sports classes, the best way to do this boiled down to three things.
First, placing the new rookie coach with an experienced and leading coach. While you could talk all day about what a good coach should do, it is another thing entirely to visualize and replicate it. Having the new coach shadow a veteran coach goes a long way to leading the new coach in the right direction.
Second is the sandwich approach of critique. With this approach, you first give the new coach praise for a positive, then give them feedback on what should be improved, while ending with a reaffirmation that they are on the right path. The effectiveness of the sandwich approach on experienced staff is subject to discussion, but I have found the method to be highly effective with new, young staff because the primary intent is to raise their confidence. They are unsure
of themselves and while there will surely be mistakes that must be corrected, they must also be praised when they are doing things the right way.
Third is a focus on fun. Recreation should be fun. While that may be a bold claim, it is sometimes something to remind a recreation leader of. Kids are sponges and soak in just about everything about their environment. If their coach is having fun, the kids will pick up on that and will have just as much fun. Naturally, safety and customer service are also major considerations, but putting an emphasis on fun alongside those, and facilitating fun for the staff yourself, while help them come out of their shell.
Truly, that’s half the battle. If you can find ways to help young staff come out of their shell and raise their confidence, you will begin developing a foundation for young staff to grow on and you will begin developing great new recreation leaders.
The number one job training the new generation needs is the building of their confidence.
We have all heard it: “Fake it ‘til you make it.” In fact, many of us have even employed this strategy in the past (and possibly even today!). We must feign confidence and show that we know what we are doing. We need to gain the trust of others by putting on a bold face and evincing bravado, even if our insides are rattling with fear and anxiety.
When I started as the Community Recreation Manager in 2022, I felt lost. I felt under-skilled and over-challenged. I struggled with managing staff, not knowing answers, and leaning into my new role. I often doubted my ability to be in my position, a feeling we all know well. I felt a gentle pull to ‘show’ others I was capable and to ‘fake’ my way to success. But why?
I believe that it comes down to appearances. Society has always pressured us to not fail, show weakness, or show injury. Somehow, the only way to be strong was to show strength. This
old model relied on building an external façade, regardless of your internal structure (who you really are).
Over my first months, something wonderful happened: with time, support, gentle encouragement, and a little bit of confidence, I was succeeding. More frequently, I was solving problems and finding answers. This confirmed what my supporters knew that I did not: that I was capable. This included my supervisor, the person who selected me over many other candidates. She saw my skills and my potential then and never doubted my ability to succeed.
Confidence is closely linked to ability. Sometimes, we need confidence (real or perceived) to move us forward. It is why movie heroes can climb the scary vertical wall with no rope (because they must) or sacrifice themselves for a loved one (to do the right thing). But your confidence is not fake, it is real. It is built on your skills and abilities, something we often
underestimate about ourselves, a real reflection of our true selves. We are capable, and confidence brings that out in us. Otherwise, how would you be able to do that thing you do not think you can do?
For me, the revelation was not a light bulb. It was a small fire that did, and to this day, continues to grow a little stronger. Looking back, I did not lack the skill, the skill just looked different. Perhaps I was unsure how to ride a bike, but I did know how to pedal, steer, and balance. I found success by leaning on what I did know, not faking what I did not!
I challenge you to look at who you really are. Where are your strengths? Where are your weaknesses? What can you get better at? What comes easily for you?
Change your thinking about ‘faking it until you make it.’ Consider how you are capable and qualified. Ask yourself, ‘am I really faking it?’ In that answer you will find the truth: you are wildly capable.
In fluencers are becoming increasingly powerful in the world of marketing and communications. With their polished Instagram posts, these new-age marketers can signi ficantly impact the trajectory of companies, products, or services they endorse. They also can sway sales and foster buyer loyalty.
These in fluencers ofen jet off to exotic location, showcasing amazing vacations, demonstrating the performance of cars, revealing behind-the-scenes views of big brands, and even highlighting the rejuvenating effects of a massage at a high-end hotel. Each of their posts, stories, or pictures can translate into signi ficant earnings, potenially worth thousands of dollars.
While in fluencers are commonly associated with lifestyle brands, many other entities, including companies, non-profits, political campaigns, and social causes, can benefit from their support. Now, how does this apply to the Recreation industry?
Despite potential challenges due to government restrictions, working with in fluencers in the recreation sector is a resounding yes. The advantage lies not just in boosting annual revenue (though important) but in the accessibility of local in fluencers. Unlike global in fluencers constrained by international laws, local in fluencers are conveniently located minutes away from your recreation center.
These local in fluencers, falling into categories like nano (less than 1,000 followers) and macro (100K and up), may have fewer followers than celebritylevel in fluencers. However, they boast a dedicated community that values their expertise. Local in fluencers, being nearby, facilitate in-person meetings,
campaign discussions, and post-campaign followups, providing a unique and valuable connection to the community.
To become a local recreation department in fluencer, you should target individuals who have a strong presence in the local community, a passion for recreation and wellness, and the ability to engage and inspire others.
Here are some potential targets:
Community Leaders: Individuals who hold leadership roles in local community organizations, civic groups, or neighborhood associations can be in fluential in spreading the word about recreational activities.
Local Athletes or Fitness
Enthusiasts: Target individuals who are well-known for their involvement in sports or fitness within the community. Their endorsement can encourage others to participate in recreational programs.
Teachers and School Staff: Engage with educators who have a direct connection with families in the community. They can help spread information about recreational programs to students and parents.
Local Business Owners: Partner with local business owners, especially those in the health and wellness industry or those with ties to the community. They can support and promote recreational initiatives.
Community Bloggers or Journalists:
Reach out to individuals who run local blogs or contribute to community
newspapers. They can write articles or create content to generate awareness about the recreation department's offerings.
Parent and Family Influencers: Connect with parents who are active in the community and have a strong online presence. They can share their positive experiences with recreational programs for families.
Local Celebrities: If there are local celebrities or well-known figures in your community, consider reaching out to them for collaboration. Their endorsement can bring atention to recreational offerings.
Remember, the key is to identify individuals who resonate with the values and goals of the local recreation department and have the ability to authentically connect with the community. Building strong relationships with these in fluencers can signi ficantly boost the visibility and success of recreational programs.
Creating a successful marketing strategy involves understanding your audience, connecting with them, and using data to make intelligent decisions. To achieve this, embracing a customer-focused mindset, relying on data-driven insights, and staying adaptable are crucial components in the everchanging marketing world.
These principles apply to all industries, including Parks and Recreation. In this context, effective marketing means attracting more class participants, growing the membership base, and meeting revenue targets.
Organizing and streamlining all methods is crucial to manage the marketing process effectively. Consistency is key when dealing with various channels
like activity guides, newsletters, social media, and email marketing. Maintaining a cohesive look, feel, tone, and message ensures effective branding.
In less than one year, with two new staff members inexperienced in Parks and Recreation, we have created a highly efficient and effective marketing team. We created over 6,000 graphics, established a consistent brand for the Recreation Center and Great Outdoors Waterpark, and increased revenue by over $300,000 in the first year.
How did we achieve this? By allowing our new staff to learn and grow, leveraging their talents effectively. This approach enhanced our social media presence through thoughtful posts and gave our graphics a professional look, allowing us
to compete with industry fitness centers nationwide.
Our marketing efforts start with our activity guide, published three times a year. We carefully evaluate descriptions for activities and events to create a professional and easy-to-understand message. These descriptions are used consistently across all marketing materials, ensuring a seamless experience for patrons between social media posts, email marketing, and our registration system.
Successful marketing for Parks and Recreation involves a cohesive strategy across different channels. Organizations can meet revenue goals and establish a strong brand presence in a competitive environment by fostering a learning culture and empowering staff.
If there was one thing we learned from COVID, it was how to adapt. As Parks & Recreation professionals, we are pretty good at that and sometimes we took it to another level beyond what we anticipated. As Leslie Knope once said, “I will make a mountain out of this molehill.”
Back in late 2019, I had this grand plan of hosting group tours of a neighborhood park build. It sounds hokey, but I wanted people to see and feel the park getting built, see the earth moving equipment up close, understand the intricacies of water and stormwater infrastructure, that sort of thing. I had a sign-up sheet, bought safety vests and hard hats, snacks, the whole nine yards. Then COVID hit, so we had to adapt. I got out my phone and walked around the site, awkwardly spinning, zooming, and panning around to give the best virtual tour of the park build. It turned into a whole series, eventually (once we started seeing some restrictions lift) interviewing program staff on how they would use the park. I recruited some help from our Communications & Community Engagement (shout out to Adam Nettesheim) Department to spruce up the videos, add music, and make them
more visually appealing to the viewer. We posted them online; a video about once a month. It was more fun than an email update and residents got more information out of the videos.
Fast forward to 2023, when our department received grant funding to rehabilitate a historic farmhouse, built in 1897. We wanted to continue our theme and enable residents to consume content at their own pace and keep them informed. We have found that this proactive type of communication, done in a fun and engaging way, helps bring support to your projects. I tapped into the days of watching episodes of “This Old House” with Bob Vila and Norm Abram and we coined this project “Erie’s Old House.” I would sit down in the old dining room and run through history notes, showing pictures (again, shout out to Adam), then take viewers room by
room to see progress. I interviewed the contractors, who demonstrated the detailed work of rehabilitating a historic farmhouse. I even had the pleasure of interviewing Patsy in the front yard, who would visit the farm as a child, regaling us with stories of growing up in the early 1900s. All the videos from various now live on our YouTube channel (https://www. youtube.com/user/eriecolorado).
Work with your communications team and get creative. We never did anything fancy – no boom mics, lighting, or cool director’s chair. It was just a phone (landscape for best quality) and a willingness to share what you are passionate about. Keep it short and informative. Bring staff along on your journey and let them tell residents how that project, no matter how big or small, will benefit your community. Don’t forget about your project partners, they can bring a unique perspective. And finally, save the outtakes.
Luke Bolinger is currently the Development & Neighborhood Services Division Manager for Erie Parks & Recreation. He has managed several capital improvement projects, ranging from playground replacements to park development/redevelopment and historic structure rehabilitation.
The City of Lakewood offered a new opportunity to support community members of all abilities during a free event exploring a wide variety of vendors, resources and services at the Charles Whitlock Recreation Center on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In support of Therapeutic Recreation Month, the PossAbilities Expo highlighted more than 40 vendors with services supporting people of all abilities, caregivers and family members. Topics covered therapeutic recreation, adaptive sports, health care, funding sources, transportation and more!
The event included:
• Presentations from Always Choose Adventures, Family Voices Colorado and Denver Regional Access and Mobility Council.
• A free dance workshop with Feel the Beat dance studio.
• Demonstrations from the Colorado Rolling Rapids, Simplified Pickleball, Wheelchair Rugby with the Denver Barbarians and more.
• Select organizations will give presentations on financial planning, navigating Medicaid and transportation management.
• Resources on supportive topics.
Even while hosted in a snowstorm resulting in close to 10” of snow, we had 110+ attendees and 47 vendors. The vendors all left with really positive comments. Adaptive Adventures told me that they think they gained 20 new participants and at least 4 new volunteers out of the event. There are so many really amazing Therapeutic Recreation and Adaptive Sports organizations around Metro Denver, it was awesome to have many of them in one room. There was great networking happening between the vendors, as well.
Interested in being a vendor or participant in the 2025 event? Contact Missy Sprague at melgra@lakewood.org.
Registration was offered for community members that would like to receive email updates about the event, but preregistration was not required.
A sensory friendly time block was offered at 10:30 a.m. For this time, attendees were required to register prior to the event.
Throughout the PossAbilities Expo, there was a sensory break space available providing noisereducing headphones. Anyone interested in the next event can learn more at Lakewood.org/PossabilitiesExpo.
In the fall of 2018, 22-year-old Nathan Tunquist sustained a brain injury while attending college at Utah State. After a month in a coma, Nathan flew home to Colorado via Life Flight and spent three months at Craig.
About two years later, Nathan returned to Craig for outpatient therapy after sustaining a stroke. Once he was back at home in Westminster, Colorado, Nathan’s mother, Lisa, urged her son to find a hobby. “I started thinking that Nathan needed to find an activity that worked on his brain-body connection. It became clear that he needed to be using his mind and his hands, but because we were in the middle of COVID, there were not many opportunities for this. Luckily, I was able to find a pottery class, and we enrolled together.”
Nathan loved the class and turned his interest in pottery into a volunteering opportunity as part of Craig’s Community Reintegration Program.
“For the last year and a half, I have been volunteering each week in the pottery studio at the Westminster Recreation Center,” Nathan says. “I clean the studio and make sure all of the tools and materials are organized for each class. I absolutely love it because I feel like I am
doing something to help other people, while I also get to learn about pottery.”
Lisa adds, “Volunteering at the studio has been great for Nathan’s confidence and language skills. He’s very good at his job, which makes him feel good about himself.”
The Give Initiative—made up of an interdisciplinary team that works to open the door to volunteering—provides education for participants and organizations about the benefits of volunteering.
Grad Nathan helps prepare the pottery studio he volunteers at by cleaning between sessions.Due to the effects from his stroke, Nathan struggles with reading, but he received a great deal of support from his Craig team. In fact, Casey Pfister, a community reintegration specialist at Craig, created a laminated poster outlining all of Nathan’s job duties, so it’s easy for him to follow and complete his daily tasks.
“I’ve been able to memorize all of my tasks, but I still like to use the poster as a refresher,” he explains.
Nathan has been so happy spending time at the pottery studio that he approached Craig about developing an outpatient pottery class.
“We ended up putting together a fourweek private pottery class for Craig outpatients,” he says. “Everyone learned how to make pottery, and I was able to work as the teacher’s assistant. It was such a good experience.”
Nathan, supervisor and Craig's Carol Huserick receive Spirit Award from City of Westminster for organizing pottery class for Craig patients.
And this is exactly the goal of the Give Initiative, a Craig program that seeks
to enhance the physical, social and emotional well being of individuals after spinal cord and brain injury through volunteering.
“Volunteer work has a very positive effect on a person’s sense of well being, as well as their physical and mental health,” explains Erin Lovely, a Craig horticultural therapist and Give Initiative team member. “There are so many benefits, including connecting to others, feeling productive and satisfied, contributing to the community, decreasing depression, discovering a sense of purpose, and finding enjoyment.”
The Give Initiative—made up of an interdisciplinary team that works to open the door to volunteering— provides education for participants and organizations about the benefits of volunteering. In addition, the team develops strategies to support active participation, introduces volunteering to patients and grads, and recruits these individuals for opportunities.
The team also works to establish community partnerships for volunteer experiences. This entails seeking out appropriate organizations and working together with each organization’s
volunteer coordinator and making referrals.
Currently, Craig’s Give Initiative works with numerous organizations, including the Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Botanic Gardens, Grow & Gather, Reading Partners, and Bikes Together.
“Craig grads are the largest group of volunteers because they have the ability to independently access the community,” says Barry Doyle, community reintegration supervisor at Craig. “But we also work with outpatients and inpatients to build awareness, provide exposure and offer support. Our goal is to meet volunteers where they are.”
For Nathan, volunteering has been an extremely positive experience. In fact, he recently added the Butterfly Pavilion to his volunteering schedule. “Each week, I clean the butterfly area and work with the butterfly incubator,” he says. “I like the work because I am learning so much about butterflies. It also gives me somewhere to be and keeps me very busy.”
Interested in learning more about the Give Initiative? Connect with the team at giveinitiative@craighospital.org or fill out this interest form.
The Give Initiative—made up of an interdisciplinary team that works to open the door to volunteering—provides education for participants and organizations about the benefits of volunteering.
The TRSC Spring Workshop can be streamed live or attended in-person (in Denver) Thursday, April 4th from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. We’ll be bringing you two trainings featuring Roberta Gold from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor to learn about how humor effects positive change, as well as Out Boulder with a Beyond Binary training covering LGBTQ+ core concepts and etiquette essentials.
To register for the TRSC Spring Workshop, scan the the QR code at right or visit bit.ly/TRSCSpring2024.
Mountain Women's Hockey League has grown from a small, rag-tag group into a giant family of puck-loving localsBy Ryan Sederquist, Vail Daily (Used with permission)
The puck. The parties. The pranks. The people.
That’s the Mountain Women’s Hockey League in a nutshell.
“The big thing is that it’s so much more than hockey,” said Sheryl Staten, Mountain Recreation’s facility supervisor, who attended that original interest meeting Ginny Crowley organized at the Eagle Library in April of 2003.
“It actually began with a group of women in Vail who discovered their children’s discarded hockey equipment and, on a lark, decided to try to play hockey,” said Crowley, who arranged for Mike Hardy, an experienced youth coach, to come and meet the group on the Vail Golf Course ice rink.
“Needless to say it was a hilarious experience as we needed a lighted puck so we could find it in the snow banks that lined the ‘ice sheet,'” she recalled of the team’s first practice.
Eventually, the intimate group began traveling around the state to play — “usually against more competent teams,” she said. Crowley still remembers her team, the ‘WARPs’ (Women’s Association of Recreational Hockey) first goal in Steamboat Springs.
“Our players cleared the bench,” she said. Eliminating travel for working women and mothers led Crowley to contact Staten to arrange accommodating ice times at the Eagle Ice Rink. Four teams formed the Mountain Women’s Hockey League for its inaugural season. This year, there’s a waiting list for six teams,
and all 96 roster slots filled up two days after registration opened.
“We could easily have more, it’s just that ice time is limited,” Staten said. “So many women keep recruiting new women, which is awesome.”
Every Sunday night for 2 1/2 months, athletes of all ability levels — some in their 20s and a few in their 70s — get together to put the puck in the net.
“The connections become more like family, with empowered, strong, supportive women,” said longtime player Denise Kipp, who described those get-togethers as “some of our most meaningful conversations and support received all week in the day-to-day grind of full-time work, parenting and household chores.”
“The goal for all teams is to develop individual skills and teamwork,” she said. “And most importantly, friendship, connection and support from everyone in the league.”
“We discovered our mutual love of hockey and that we had similar lives with the same problems and joys,” added Crowley.
For team captain Anne-Marie Desmond, the league was a “godsend” during a time in her life when her husband and three kids were totally engrossed with playing the sport.
“I said to myself, ‘Well, I better figure out what all the fun is about!'” she wrote in an email.
While some things have changed over two decades — Staten said teams no longer prank each other by, say, setting
an entire bathtub in an opponent’s front yard (which definitely happened) — much has remained the same.
There’s still a draft night where captains divvy up the talent, with players organized by experience to ensure equality. League winners get their names etched into the now multi-storied Stanley Cup (obviously) trophy. There’s a sportsmanship trophy to hand out at the postseason party as well.
Speaking of which: after the four-day postseason tournament wraps up in March, Moe’s in Eagle closes down so the entire restaurant can host one epic celebration.
The Mountain Women’s Hockey League is celebrating its 20th anniversary this season. There is a waiting list to sign up, as all 96 roster slots were filled two days after registration. Liz Dilley Photography
“The parties at the end of each season are legendary,” Crowley said.
Heartbeat of a hockey league
“It does have a heartbeat. It’s so much more than hockey,” Staten said, reiterating her opening statement.
“We’ve had teams go skydiving together, women have gone in and helped women get out of bad scenarios. We’ve had injuries and people bring you meals for two weeks.”
“Not to be over the top, but it has been life-changing,” Dilley said. “I had played team sports all my life and nothing seemed to fill that void of being a part of a team.”
Eagle County is flush with competitive individuals who desire to summit peaks, rip down singletrack and master endurance feats. “Often in isolation,” Kipp points out.
“Yet, the team-sport atmosphere that they grew up often created this athlete,” she
continued, adding that adulthood is “the time in their lives where the team is most needed.”
In other words, between pucks, parties and people, one essential element stands out.
“Physically, we’re getting our aggressions out on the ice, we’re competitive,” Staten said.
“But yet, we go in the locker room, we can laugh, we can let loose, we can be stupid, and then know that these women will support us above and beyond the ice.”
"Below
is a fun poem/story that one of our Mountain Women's Hockey League players wrote at 2 a.m. one morning when she woke up. In these crazy times we are living in- it is so awesome to get these letters from players that really show how much hockey and recreational sports means to them!" -Sheryl Staten, CPRP, CIRM, AFO, Mountain Recreation
The sun rises over the mountains above a small town filled with freshly fallen snow. It is quiet, the kind of quiet that only occurs in the winter after a snowstorm. The quiet where you can almost hear the snowflakes hitting the ground. The only other sound is the squeak of the snow beneath your feet as you walk out the door. You breathe in the cold air and a sense of peace and calm wash over you. Now, there isn’t anything remarkably different about this town from the other towns nestled in the Rocky Mountains. A man wakes with the sun to shovel the freshly fallen snow, the children rub their sleepy eyes, and the mother is preparing for the day ahead. An ordinary small town in the mountains, but something that makes this town different from all those other towns is the community that is created by families who share a common interest…hockey! Not just any hockey, but women’s hockey.
It’s not so obvious on a winter morning. You have to wait until Sunday night in Eagle, and then all you can hear are the cheers of joy and encouragement from a bunch of misfit women who all love and support each other through hockey. Games are won and lost, but the camaraderie between these ladies is never lost. The women of this league go to bed Sunday night exhausted, but with joy in their hearts. Monday arrives. Energy is still riding high from the game before. The excitement of sharing their game with their co-workers keeps “a case of the Mondays” from setting in. Tuesday, we still keep replaying that perfect pass, or the time we stopped
with the ladies and that refreshes your passion and you can still feel the fire of what hockey brings to your life. Thursday flies by because you were able to skate on rough ice under the lights and share a drink with your hockey friends. Friday is easy, only three more days.
Saturday is busy with family or spending the day on the mountain or running errands and it means only one more day! The day has finally come, again, Sunday! You wake up excited, you make the best of your day making sure you save your energy for the game in a few hours. Evenif you ski hard all day, you have made sure to save a little extra juice to get you through the game. If you had to work that day, you make the day go by daydreaming and envisioning the plays you will try to make. Game time, despite the day, the week, your mood is sure to be improved as soon as you step into the locker room with your team. All the frustration from the day, your children not listening to you, the argument you had at work or with your friends, it all fades away as you lace up your skates. Your mind is clear, focused, ready to take the ice and have the most fun of the whole week.
Hockey is more than a sport, it is a family, a community, a way of life. When you join the MWHL (Mountain Women’s Hockey League) you join a unique family that you can’t live without. Within this strange collection of women there are teachers, nurses, realtors, lawyers, doctors, retirees,
