Guide to the Training Program

1. Welcome

Welcome to the Recreation North Training Program designed for anyone who works or volunteers in community recreation. If you are (or want to become) a recreation coordinator or programmer, a youth leader, board member, coach, or fitness leaders, or a day camp or after school leader, you will find our training to be flexible, meaningful and relevant. 

Register for one or more of our 19 learning events (mini-courses) or choose to earn a Certificate in Northern Recreation Leadership or Management. When you participate, you become part of a network of leaders who contribute to individual, community and environmental health and wellbeing across the North. 

The Training Program provides accessible, relevant learning for recreation leaders across the North. With generous funding from the Arctic Inspiration Prize,  Recreation North developed and piloted the Program launched in the Fall of 2018.

As this video shows, Recreation North is committed to strengthening recreation capacity across the North through meaningful and accessible training. Recreation North is a partnership of the three territorial recreation and parks associations.

• Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon 
  
• NWT Recreation and Parks Association
  
• Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut

2. Recreation Leadership

Recreation contributes to personal and social health, and to economic and environmental wellbeing. Recreation improves the quality of life in our Northern communities. It engages the community, increases interaction between diverse cultures, strengthens families, fosters pride and belonging, enhances tourism, encourages people to stay in the community, and more.

Achieving these outcomes requires leadership and capacity. Capacity means having skills, knowledge, and resources to lead, manage and work (or volunteer) in recreation. Leaders who have training and competencies in the field are better able to use recreation in ways that benefit their communities and the people who live there.

The Recreation North Training Program is based on a model of 13 foundational competencies. Developing these competencies builds capacity for recreation. Competent recreation leaders are able to:

1. Promote individual, community, and environmental wellbeing through recreation.
2. Recognize their ability to have a positive impact on their communities.
3. Embrace recreation as a vehicle for strengthening community capacity.
4. Support their local community by accessing the recreation and sport system.
5. Contribute to the planning and evaluation of relevant community programs, services, events, and projects.
6. Support the effective functioning of Boards and Committees.
7. Contribute to meaningful relationships with community groups and partners.
8. Apply appropriate risk management strategies.
9. Administer basic budgets, fundraising, and grant activities.
10. Contribute to the delivery of quality programs and events.
11. Assist in maximizing the safety, use, and programming of community facilities and outdoor spaces.
12. Support appropriate promotion, marketing and communications.
13. Contribute to effective staff and volunteer engagement.

2.1. Leaders Tool

The Recreation Leaders Self-Assessment Tool can be used to better understand the 13 foundational competencies. The Leadership Self Assessment is also available in English, French or Inuktituk.

Individual leaders

Use the Self-Assessment Tool to identify your own recreation strengths, knowledge and skills, and to figure out where your areas for growth are.

Organizations 

Use the Self-Assessment Tool to review each competency. Reflect on how it applies to your organization, and then use the results to identify training priorities.

3. The Program

The Recreation North Training Program offers a series of learning events (similar to a short or mini course) designed to strengthen competencies for working and volunteering in the field of recreation. Individuals, including youth, can register for one or a few learning events, can choose to earn a Certificate in Northern Recreation Leadership or a Certificate in Northern Recreation Management, or can participate for professional development.

3.1. Format

The Training Program is delivered remotely (online). Remote learning offers the opportunity to connect with other recreation leaders from Yukon, NWT and/or Nunavut and occasionally a recreation leader from northern and rural communities in the provinces. The Training Program is facilitated by trainers from one of the three territories who understand the realities of working or volunteering in community recreation in the North.

On occasion, training may be customized for a group or region or offered in-person by one of the territorial recreation and parks association. 

Online Learning

Learning remotely or online may be new to you. It may take time to feel comfortable with this type of training. The best part about learning remotely is that you take training without leaving your home community and you can balance it with work and family responsibilities. 

Learning remotely helps you develop digital literacy skills. These skills will make it easier for you to learn beyond the Training Program and to access certificate and degree programs offered by many colleges and universities.

In the North, communities may experience problems accessing and using the Internet. We know that online learning can be slower and some videos or large files may seem impossible to open. Therefore, the remote learning has been developed keeping these challenges in mind.

The Training Program uses Moodle, a Learning Management System (LMS) for remote learning. You have already been registered and have user name that lets you log in to participate. You'll need a computer and a phone for weekly conference calls.

Remote learning can involve logging in, navigating to a learning event, and reading, watching and listening to information from your trainer or other learners. You will also be asked to participate in conference calls and share your thoughts in online discussion forums.

For more information about what is involved in remote learning and using our Learning Space, check out How to Use our Learning Space (aka Help with Moodle) and Online Learning; an Introduction.

3.2. Learning Events

The Program offers training in small pieces called learning events (LEs). Each learning event (mini-course) aligns with one of the 13 competencies for community recreation leaders. 

As part of each learning event, you will join in conversations, explore new ideas, and share your experiences. This type of learning is sometimes called ‘learner-centred.’ Our goal is to help you create new knowledge and understanding that can be applied to your work and is relevant to your community’s interests, culture and environment.

Learning events don't take a lot of time to complete. 

Learning events are scheduled using a 2 + 2 + 2 format. Most learning events take place over 2 weeks and include 2 conference calls and 2 required learning activities (RLAs). We know that life happens so all learning events have an extra 2 weeks to complete. Some of the advanced learning events take place over 4 weeks and include more than 2 conference calls and more than 2 RLAs.

You receive 'credit' for a learning event when you complete all RLAs within 4 weeks (within 6 weeks for some advanced learning events). If an individual does not finish a learning event within this time, the individual must wait for the next scheduled offering and then register, pay and participate.

For example...

Learning events that are currently offered include:

Core Learning Events

The following core LEs lead to a Certificate in Northern Recreation Leadership.

• RF101 – Recreation Foundations
  
• RL101 - Identify Your Leadership Strengths
• RS101 – Recreation and Sport System
• RS102 - Get to Know Your Community
• CB101 - Community Building
• PE101 - Deliver Programs and Events
• BF101 - Basic Recreation Finances 
• RM101 - Manage Risk in Rural and Remote Communities
• RP101 - Plan for Success
• PE102 - Create Positive Program Experiences
• FS101 - Use Spaces and Places Creatively
• RS103 - Value Northern Recreation, Arts, Culture and Sport

Advanced Learning Events

• PM101 - Promote Recreation
• RM102 - Document to Manage Risk
• RM103 - Understand Legal Risk
• BF102 - Proposal Writing
• RP102 - Evaluation in Recreation
• BF103 - Reporting in Recreation
  
• SV101 - Find and Keep Volunteers

3.3. Pathways

Start anytime - Learn anywhere

The Training Program offers flexible learning opportunities. Although there is a recommended order, none of the learning events have prerequisites.

Individuals may choose to register for one or more learning events for professional development. Individuals may choose to register in a series of learning events that lead to a Recreation North certificate.

1. Certificate in Northern Recreation Leadership
2. Certificate in Northern Recreation Management

4. Responsibilities

• being self-motivated
  
• learning independently
  
• having some familiarity with technology and an interest to learn more
  
• time management skills
  
• basic communication skills and an interest in strengthening reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities
  
• a personal commitment to learning and to making time to learn
  
• balancing learning with life and work demands
  
• ability to ask for help when needed
  

• Log into the Learning Space regularly to review content and any changes in activities or assignments.
  
• Read messages posted in the discussion forum(s) and respond to these when requested.
  
• Ask questions, share information, and explain your perspective(s).
• Participate in scheduled conference calls.
• Engage in and complete all Required Learning Activities by set deadlines.
• Provide feedback on your learning experiences when requested.