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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5A - 1994 MN Rec. & Park Award AGENDA NUMBER: PREPARED BY: SUBJECT: DATE: INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND: DISCUSSION: STAFF AGENDA REPORT 5A BRET WOODSON, RECREATION SUPERVISOR PRESENTATION OF MINNESOTA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION - "AWARD OF EXCELLENCE" AUGUST 1, 1994 This past April, a nomination was submitted to the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (M.R.P.A.) Awards Committee nominating the "1993 Prior Lake Fire and Rescue Safety Camp" for one of their annual Awards of Excellence. On June 8th, the city received notification that the safety camp did indeed win the Award of Excellence for outstanding programming. A member of the Awards Committee, Mark McQuillan, is present tonight to present the Award of Excellence in programming to the Parks and Recreation Department and the Fire Department. On July 15, 1993, the youth of the City of Prior Lake were offered a chance to participate in a one-day Safety Camp. The program included clinics on fire prevention, first aid, water safety, drug resistance, personal safety, and auto and bike safety. The event was put together by the Prior Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. There were many other participants that helped to make the event a success, they were: the Optimists, Lions, and Rotary Clubs of Prior Lake, St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Prior Lake Police Department, Scott County Sheriffs Water Patrol, Scott County Sheriffs K-9 Unit, Missing Children of Minnesota, and the Independent Order of Foresters. Over 100 kids registered and attended the one day, five and a half hour clinic. The event was open to youths between the ages of 6 and 12. Each participant received a safety camp t-shirt, a safety camp folder containing literature from each clinic, a tote bag, and a certificate of completion. In addition, a free picnic lunch was provided for all who participated. The event was free to all participants, but pre-registration was required to determine the appropriate amount of staff needed to put on the camp. Lions Sand Point Beach was the site used for the clinic. The 1993 Prior Lake Fire and Rescue Safety Camp provided the young people of the City of Prior Lake the opportunity to learn 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER . ... . < . RECOMMENDATION: ACTION REQUIRED: REVIEWED BY: BWCC8 valuable lessons on some of life's most important issues. Everybody associated with this program believes wholeheartedly that the youth of this community are a vital resource and a very important component to a happy, successful community. All of the recreation programs offered by the city are intended to have a positive impact on those who participate. However, this particular program is somewhat different. The Prior Lake Fire and Rescue Safety Camp was a unique venture that pulled people in from allover the community for a distinct purpose. That purpose is of course safety! For kids to be safe, and for kids to understand what to do in stressful situations, are by far two of the most important lessons to be learned in life. To accept the Award of Excellence as presented by the M.R.P.A. Awards Committee for Outstanding Recreation Programming. No action is required, just the acceptance of the Award of Excellence presented by the M.R.P.A. to the Parks and Recreation Department the F Department of the City of Prior Lake. Cio/ of INVER GROVE HEIGHTS 8150 BARBARA AVENUE . INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN 55077 . TELEPHONE (612) 450-2500 June 8, 1994 Mr. Bret Woodson City of Prior Lake 4629 Dakota St. S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 Dear Mr. Woodson: I am delighted to inform you that the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Awards Committee has selected your Fire and Rescue Safety Camp to receive an MRPA Award of Excellence for programming. This year, the Awards Committee granted the Award of Excellence to seven communities which include the following: COMMUNITY *City of West St. Paul PROJECT/PROGRAM Robert Street Bus i ness Assoc i at ion Park Adventure Gardens Mini Golf John Rose Minnesota Oval Mears Park Lake Ann Park Picnic and Recreation Shelter Fire and Rescue Safety Camp *City of Richfield *City of Rosville *City of St. Paul *City of Chanhassen *City of Prior Lake *Ortonville Community Educational/Recreation Department Fitness Center In Ju 1 y, a member of the Awards Commi ttee wi 1 1 come to your Commun i ty to p resent you r Award of Exce 1 1 ence before you r City Councilor Park and Recreation Commission. Please let me know (at 612-450-2588), when and where you would like the award presented. Please call soon so we can arrange for this presentation by one of our Committee members. If you feel it is appropriate, you may wish to invite a members of your local press to the presentation to take photos. The benefits, of course, are that it provides visibility and recognition to your project and agency, and it also creates an awareness of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. Again, Congratulations, on your wonderful accomplishment! Since~~~ ~ Padgett, Chair MRPA Awards Committee ,* Minnesota Recreation and Park Association 1994 Award of Excellence Nomination Form Agency/Organization Project Title J" 3 C it,.( Pr;or L4.( . pr;drLa.t {jff q".1 {ltSCU( S4(t-ly ((lAP MRPAMemberNominator Bf~+ WOocl.s." Phone ( '11. ) '1f7- Y). 30 PrOj(aMI'nj (Programming; Facility; Administration; Volunteer Effort/Sponsorship) Projects must have been completed in 1993 and must be submitted by a member of MRP A. Category Please respond to each of the following headings in sequence. In responding, try to be clear and concise, Responses to each heading should take no more than one 8 1/2 x 11 typed page in 10 or 12 point type. You may also include photos, plans, publicity, or other documentation you feel appropriate to explain or portray your project. 1. Briefly describe project. 2. Outline initial planning and preparation for the project, including c~mmunity involvement and/or inter-agency cooperation. 3. Outline fundinglbudget for the project including: donations, grants, and/or public private funding source. 4. Community response to and/or support for the project including: attendance, correspondence, newspaper articles, publicity, proclamations or other examples of public support. s. Desaibe why the project is unique or otherwise deserving of an MRP A Award of Excellence. 6. Outline the evaluation or review process utilized at the project's completion. Deadline for submission is Friday, April 15, 1994 Mall to: Minnesota Recreation and Park Assn 'Attn: Award of Excel1ence Nomination 5005 W 36th St Sf. Louis Park. MN 55416-2661 Or Fax to: M:RPA @ 612-920-6766 11" . M.R.P.A. 1994 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE " Programming" Prior LalreYire and..Rescue Safety Camp. QUESTION #1=- On July 15, 1993, the youth of the City of Prior Lake were offered a chance to participate in a one-day Safety Camp. The program included clinics on fire prevention, first aid, water safety, drug resistance, personal safety, and auto and bike safety. The event was put together by the Prior Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Prior Lake Parks and Recreation Department. Financial sponsorship was provided by the Prior Lake Optimists Club, the Prior Lake Lions Club, and the Prior Lake Rotary Oub. Other event participants included the following agencies: St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Prior Lake Police Department, Scott County Sheriffs Water Patrol, Scott County Sheriffs K-9 Unit, Missing Children of Minnesota, and the Independent Order of Foresters. Over 100 kids registered and attended the one-day, five and a half hour clinic. The event was open to youths between the ages of 6 and 12. Each participant received a Safety Camp T-Shirt, a Safety Camp folder containing literature from each clinic, a tote bag, and a certificate of completion. In addition, a free picnic lunch was provided for all who participated. The event was free to all participants,. but pre-registration was required to determine the appropriate amount of staff needed to put on the camp. Sand Point Beach was the site of this First Annual Prior Lake Fire and Rescue Safety Camp. 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M.R.P.A. 1994 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE " Programming" Prior L.ak.e.Fire and--R,escue Safety Camp The idea for a youth safety camp was initiated by the Prior Lake Volunteer Fire Department. The Fire Department then approached the Parks and Recreation Department with the idea. The two groups worked together to try and put together a program that would be stimulating, educational. and enjoyable to the youth of the community. The Parks and Recreation Department was in charge of finding a site for the camp, and the Fire Department was to decide upon the program format. In addition. the following items were divided up between the two departments: FIRE DEPARTMENT *** *** *** *** *** Establish program Number of Stations needed Amount of Staff needed Provide Staffing help on day of event Come up with sponsors to donate time and money PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Reserve space for Camp Promote the event through seasonal brochure Field questions from residents Provide clerical support as needed Provide staff on day of event It was important for the two depanments to work together and come up with a solid plan that could be "sold" to the residents of the community as well as different service groups. By having a solid plan or vision. the departments were able to get the funding necessary to carry out a successful safety camp. *** *** *** *** *** 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTIJNTTY EMPLOYER . .. M.R.P.A. 1994 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE "Programming" prior L.ake..Fire and..Rescue Safety Camp. The items that were needed to facilitate this successful camp were minimal in cost. However, the most valuable resource throughout the entire program were the donations in the form of human resources. Many people donated their time and energy for this tremendous cause. Three civic organizations contributed financially to the program, they were the Prior Lake Optimists Club, the Prior Lake Lions Club, and the Prior Lake Rotary Club. Other financial contributors included the City of Prior Lake Parks and Recreation Department & Fire Department. Those who contributed time and human resources included the following organizations, agencies, and businesses: Sl Francis regional Medical Center, Prior Lake Police Department, Scott County Sheriffs Department, Missing Children of Minnesota, Independent Order of Foresters, the City of Prior Lake Fire Department and the City of Prior Lake Parks and Recreation Department. Below is a list of the program expenditures along with the organization who picked up the cost. BUDGET Expenditures Camp T-shins Camp Folders Camp Tote Bags Certificates Picnic Lunch Dedicating Time Or~anization Optimists, Lions & Rotary Optimists, Lions & Rotary Optimists, Lions & Rotary Parks and Rec Dept. Fire Department Everybody Involved 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPOR11JNITY EMPLOYER M.R.P.A. 1994 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE " Programming" Prior L.ake..Fire and...Rescue Safety Camp QUESTION #4: The community support for the Safety Camp was phenomenal! There were over 125 participants who registered for the program and many more who showed up on the day of the event. Because this was the first year the program was offered, it was hard to predict how many people would attend. Therefore, a limit of 100 participants was used during registration. As the number of registered participants reached 100 rather quickly, an extra 25 spaces were able to be added to try and accommodate the extra demand. A limit was established so that the proper amount of t-shirts, tote bags, certificates, food, etc. could be ordered. The City of Prior Lake's official newspaper, The Prior Lake American, ran several news stories promoting the event and also providing a nice wrap-up of how the event turned out. They were also kind enough to include a few photos of the day and the events which took place. In addition to the fonnal publicity through the paper and the number of participants, a tremendous amount of support was heard after the event took place. Many parents complimented the efforts of everyone who contributed to the safety camp. The support was positive and very rewarding to all of those who put the time in to the event to make it successful. 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNnY EMPLOYER I .. M.R.P.A. 1994 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE " Programming" Prior Lake.Fire and..Rescue SaMy Camp. The 1993 Prior Lake Fire and Rescue Safety Camp provided the young people of the City of Prior Lake the opportunity to learn valuable lessons on some of life's most important issues. There were no costs involved for the participants, nor was there a need for it. Everybody associated with this program believes wholeheanedly that the youth of this community are a vital resource and a very important component to a happy, successful community. Because of this, civic organizations, businesses, and various agencies are willing to give the money and time that is necessary to make a positive impact on the youths of the City of Prior Lake. All of the recreation programs offered by the city are intended to have a positive impact on those who participate, However, this particular program is somewhat different. The Prior Lake Fire and Rescue Safety Camp was a unique venture that pulled people in from allover the community for a distinct purpose. That purpose is of course safety. For kids to be safe, and for kids to understand what to do in stressful circumstances, are by far two of the most important lessons to be learned in life. By realizing the importance and the possible impact of such a program, the City of Prior Lake Parks and Recreation Depanment & the Fire Department looked into the best ways to offer a program that people would learn from and also enjoy. The program that was ultimately offered proved to very educational and also extremely enjoyable to all who participated. The Prior Lake Fire and Rescue Safety Camp deserves the MRPA Award of Excellence because it helped to increase the public's awareness in three areas. (1.) the importance of children's safety, (2.) the positive impact and ability of the Fire Depanment and the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Prior Lake, and (3.) the overall intentions, impacts, and commitment of.the City of Prior Lake to offer unique, educational, and enjoyable programs for the residents of the City of Prior Lake. 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 4474230 / Fax (612) 4474245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER , ' M.R.P.A. 1994 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE " Programming" Prior Lake....Fire and--.Rescue Safety Camp. At the completion of the 1993 Prior Lake Fire and Rescue Safety Camp two types of evaluations were completed. The first of which was from the participants and the second was by the people who put the program together. The evaluation by the participants was initiated by a letter that was sent home with each participant explaining what the program was all about. It also included a list of the sponsors and the contributing organizations. Along with that, a request for input was also attached to try and get some feedback from the participants as to what they though was successful and what they thought could be improved for next years camp. The information that they provided was extremely beneficial and will be used for the upcoming 1994 Safety Carnp. The other evaluation came from the people that put the camp together. namely the Parks and Recreation Depanment and the Fire Depanment. This internal evaluation proved to be valuable as well. Even though the program was successful. minor improvements can always be made for future safety camps. The general consensus of both evaluations was that the program should prepare itself for future growth. The 100 plus participants last year are expected to more than double if the program is offered again. The program will of course be offered again because of its success in 1993. The Fire Department and the Parks and Recreation Department have already begun the planning process for this years camp. We are looking forward to another successful program. 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER .. ..