Vermont Statewide Education and Funding Initiative

Partners in Play

VRPA, PlayCore, GameTime, and MRC Recreation are partnering to improve the quality of life in communities through our Statewide Healthy Play Initiative. PlayCore and GameTime support VRPA’s mission to provide and promote exceptional education, networking, and resources for all professionals in the Vermont park, recreation, and conservation communities. This partnership provides quality education, evidence-based resources, and funding opportunities to create healthy play and recreation spaces across Vermont.

Statewide Education

Join us on May 15th for an interactive professional development event that will provide training experiences about how play and recreation are essential to creating healthier, happier communities. Ideal for parks and recreation professionals, landscape architects, educators, and other play advocates, these education events, and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are being offered at no cost through PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education.

Funding

GameTime is providing up to $2 Million in funding assistance to VRPA members to support the deployment of National Demonstration Sites (NDS) across Vermont. NDS outdoor play and recreation spaces align with evidence-based best practices and focus on inclusion, nature integration, physical activity, and adult fitness.

Apply for Funding Assistance anytime from June 2025 – March 2026.

Apply Now for Funding

Outcomes and Data Collection

Data collection, outcomes sharing, and impact reports will further champion parks and recreation as an essential contributor to improving the quality of life for children, families, and communities in Vermont. Awardees will assist in data collection and reporting that will be shared with VRPA and their members to create awareness, support advocacy efforts, and further the goals and mission of VRPA.

Goals of the VRPA Statewide Initiative

Provide Quality Professional Development and Networking

Presented by a PlayCore master trainer, the CEU workshop will cover important topics such as designing inclusive play and recreation spaces, creating nature-infused and trail-based play environments, encouraging greater physical activity for children, and promoting health and wellness for older teens and adults.

Deploy Research and Outcomes Tracking

Set the standard and improve quality of life

By gaining a better understanding of how parks are used across the state of Vermont, VRPA agencies can adjust programming and usage to better serve children and families and have a greater impact on quality of life.

Develop Joint Use Ventures

Align parks, schools, and health partners

Bringing together the right partners means sharing services and increasing social capital in the process. Working as a team, we can make Vermont a happier, healthier place to live, work, and play!

Provide Matching Funds Assistance

Put research into action

GameTime is awarding funding assistance to qualifying agencies who submit applications after attending the annual meeting on May 15! The application includes information about your site, goals, and details about your community!

VRPA Statewide Initiative Timeline

Join our professional development and VRPA Annual Meeting on May 15th, 2025
Apply for Funding Assistance anytime from June 2025 – March 2026
Awardees will be notified when their applications are approved (within 2 weeks after submittal)
Accepted Application Project installed by December 2026
Awardees will be recognized at the VRPA Conference & Expo in 2027

Master Trainer

Jennie Sumrell, M.Ed

Director of Education: Programs, Partnerships & Professional Development

Jennie has worked with children and families of all abilities for more than a decade. Her formal training and experience in early childhood education, exceptional learning, special education, and assistive technology allow her to have a meaningful influence on program and product development. Jennie is responsible for programs and partnerships that help build communities through play and she leads PlayCore's community outreach providing continuing education to professionals across the country.

Lunch, Educational Resources, and Team Building Activity Provided!

Join as at the Annual Meeting for VRPA Updates and a CEU Session on May 15th. Your complimentary registration includes lunch and all educational materials covered in the session, including research and evidence-based guidebooks and curriculum from leading play researchers and universities. Your ticket to the team building activity is also included!

Session Agenda

Arrival and Refreshments
VRPA Annual Meeting Updates and Membership News
Welcome and Partnership Overview
Education Session: Supporting Community Health and Wellness
Lunch and Overview of Funding Opportunity
Next Steps and Closing
Depart to Team Building Ropes Course

Times on the agenda will vary depending on your district's event. See specific site information at http://education.playcore.com/vrpa

Accreditation and CEUs

CEUs will be provided for a total of 1.5 Professional Development Hours (0.15 IACET CEU / 1.5 AIA HSW LU / 1.5 LA CES HSW PDH) for learners meeting outlined requirements. The instructor of this learning event is employed by PlayCore and discloses interest in participants partnering with PlayCore on their play and recreation initiatives.

Professional Development Learning Objectives

Summarize three evidence-based design best practices to create high-quality outdoor play and recreation destinations
Discuss model projects, positive community outcomes, and the health and wellness benefits of inclusion, physical activity, and nature
Outline the collective impact findings of visitor sentiments and the usage outcomes from play and recreation projects across North America
List five tools/resources to assist with the planning of outdoor play and recreation destinations

Terms and Conditions

Funding assistance provided by GameTime must be used towards the purchase of a qualified playground structure.
Other freestanding play products are available at our best pricing through Omnia Partners.
Representatives from VRPA , GameTime, and PlayCore will select qualifying projects to be considered for funding assistance.
Orders must be installed by December 2026 through GameTime’s exclusive representatives in Vermont.
Funding can only be applied to additional GameTime playground equipment purchases and only in conjunction with the original purchase.
GameTime standard policies and warranties as listed in the 2025 Playground Design Guide apply.
Freight, installation, surfacing, material surcharges, and applicable sales tax are extra and not included as part of the funding program.
To qualify for 100% matching funding assistance, the list price of the qualifying playground system must exceed $40,000 and be purchased with cash with the order.
GameTime funding is subject to rounding rules and may vary based on qualified purchases.

For award recipients who wish to bring fitness to their communities, separate funding assistance will be available for GT Challenge Course with the funding amounts dependent on the course selected.
Preconfigured adult outdoor fitness packages are also available to receive funding assistance based on the packages selected.
Contact your Vermont GameTime representative for a list of qualifying adult outdoor fitness packages.
Freestanding playground products are available through the GameTime Omnia Partners contract.
No other offer, discount, or special programs can be used with this funding program.
All applications must be validated by the project administrator. GameTime reserves the right to decline any application for the VRPA funding initiative.
Matching funds offer applies to PowerScape® (including Spire®, Altus® and Aventus® Towers), PrimeTime® (including the Odyssey®), Xscape®, and Modern City®, and The Stadium® play systems only. Up to 50% matching funds for select outdoor fitness equipment, including THRIVE®, Challenge Course, and The Stadium®.