V E R M O N T

From its beginning in 1943, the Vermont Governor's Conference on Recreation has been designed to bring together Vermonters who share an interest in parks, trails, recreation, open space & leisure opportunities. Sixty plus years later, we invite our colleagues from throughout New England and beyond to join us as well. Each year, the Conference Committee strives to plan a schedule of educational programs of interest to the diverse group of professionals, board & commission members, volunteers, students & other interested citizens who come to gain new knowledge & skills. The Exhibit Hall has grown to host as many as forty vendors, providing a great chance to meet face-to-face with a variety of recreation product suppliers. The Governor's Conference is a great networking opportunity for students, volunteers, professionals and commercial vendors. The day's events include a "Best of Vermont" Silent Auction that boasts 200+ items, nearly 20 different educational sessions to choose from, and a nationally recognized keynote speaker.

The 70th Annual Vermont Governor's Conference on Recreation is scheduled for Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Lake Morey Resort and Conference Center in Fairlee, Vermont, with a full day of pre-conference programs and activities on Wednesday, September 25, 2013. In honor of our 70th year, the conference theme will be "Celebrating Memories - The Magic Continues".

Planning is underway. CLICK below for a copy of the RFP for the Call for Educational Sessions. Proposals received by March 8th will be given priority.

Commercial vendors, the Governor's Conference offers you an opportunity for more than five hours of direct contact time with delegates. CLICK below for a copy of the exhibitor registration packet and remember, space is assigned on a first come-first serve basis.

The Vermont Recreation and Parks Association offers discount tickets to the Great Escape (Glens Falls, NY), Six Flags New England (Agawam, MA), and the Bromley Sun Mountain Adventure Park (Manchester Center, VT). People will save a significant amount of money and time at the gate by purchasing their tickets through this program. Throughout Vermont, 40+ local park and recreation departments, organizations and associations partner with VRPA, to provide these deeply discounted tickets to their customers. The tickets are “good any day” the parks are open during the 2009 season.

Created in 1975, the Hershey's Track and Field Games is the largest youth sports program of its kind in the United States and Canada. Meets take place in every state and every province in North America, and the grand finale, the North American Final Meet, takes place in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The goal of Hershey's Track and Field Games is to introduce children to physical fitness through basic events like running, jumping and throwing. But the program also strives to encourage children to reach their potential and develop a sense of accomplishment. For more information, click here to go to the Hershey Track and Field website.

The Vermont State Hershey Track Meet is hosted by the Essex Parks and Recreation Department under the direction of the Vermont State Hershey Coordinator, Todd Goodwin. This year's Vermont Hershey Meet will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Essex High School. Boys and girls ages 7-15 (by December 31, 2013) are eligible to compete in the meet this year. Five Vermont athletes will be chosen to participate in the national finals in Hershey, PA, on the basis of the results from this state meet.

Any team or individual athlete interested in competing in the 2013 Vermont Hershey Meet must submit a Commitment Form by May 1, 2013. Instructions and information packets will be sent to all individuals and teams that submit a Commitment Form by the May 1^st date. SCROLL down for a copy of the Commitment Form.

For the past several years, St. Johnsbury Academy has been hosting the annual VRPA - St. Johnsbury Academy State Track Meet. This year's State Meet provides another opportunity for a state level competition in both track and field events for boys and girls ages 7-15 (aging as of December 31, 2013).  The 2013 VRPA - St. Johnsbury Academy State Track Meet will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Any team or individual athlete interested in competing in this event must submit a Commitment Form by May 1, 2013. SCROLL down for a copy of the Commitment Form.

Instructions and information packets will be sent to all individuals and teams that submit a Commitment Form by the May 1^st date.