Al “Hondo” Handy and Paula Ennis

Al “Hondo” Handy, Recreation Supervisor for the town of Ocean City, Maryland and high school teammate of DePaul University Men’s Basketball coach Oliver Purnell. A certified Youth Sports Administrator, a certified Recreation and Parks Professional, who has served as the National Global Gear Drive Coordinator for the NAYS for CYSA Alumni. He serves on the board of directors for the NAYS, Vice Chair for Salisbury University Varsity Club and the National Advisory Board of the Sammy Wilkinson Memorial Foundation. He received the MRPA most prestigious award, the Citation Award. Paula Ennis graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Leisure Studies. She started her recreation career at McGuire Air Force Base as the Assistant Director of the Sports and Fitness Center. She worked for the Dept of Defense for 10 years before she made the switch to the civilian world and started working for the City of Newark Parks and Recreation Department. Now in her 13th yr with Newark she is in charge of the youth sports leagues, instructional sports classes, sports camps, adult and youth fitness programs and the Before and After Care school care programs.

Managing Youth Sports Coaches
Managing our youth sports coaches and leagues is challenging at times. Learn important tools that will help you avoid some of the pitfalls involved with youth leagues and give your youth coaches, players and parents the resources they need to have fun and enjoy the game.

Joseph R. “Beau” Biden, III

Joseph R. "Beau" Biden, III took office as Delaware's 44th Attorney General in January 2007. As Attorney General, he has actively pursued measures to better protect children, families and communities across the state. Attorney General Biden created the Delaware Department of Justice Child Predator Unit to track and prosecute child sex offenders, and he helped pass state legislation strengthening Delaware's sex offender registry statute. He implemented a Family Division, the first in the country, to streamline law enforcement resources on fighting domestic violence, protecting Delaware's families, and reducing juvenile crime. He established a Community Prosecution Program throughout New Castle County and expanded efforts to fight nuisance crimes in neighborhoods across the state. Beau Biden's public service began at the United States Department of Justice in 1995. From 1995 to 1997, he served as Counsel in the Office of Policy Development, working on a variety of issues, including those related to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and with regard to missing and exploited children. General Biden served as a Federal Prosecutor in the United States Attorney's Office in Philadelphia from 1997 until 2002. In 2001, General Biden served as Interim Legal Advisor for the United States Department of Justice in post-war Kosovo. Beau Biden was engaged in private law practice from 2002 until his election as Attorney General. General Biden serves as a major in the Delaware Army National Guard's Judge Advocate General's Corps and is assigned to the 261st Signal Brigade in Smyrna, Delaware. In October 2008, the Unit was activated for a 12-month deployment to Iraq. After completing that deployment with his Unit, Attorney General Biden returned to the Delaware Department of Justice in October 2009. Beau Biden is a graduate of Archmere Academy in Wilmington, Delaware, the University of Pennsylvania and Syracuse University College of Law. He was born and raised in Delaware and currently lives in Wilmington with his wife Hallie and their two children.

Stewards of Children-Preventing Child Abuse is Everyone’s Job
1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse by the age of 18. Attorney General Beau Biden will share how we all can work to change this sad statistic and create safer environments for children everywhere. He will cover important issues in sexual abuse prevention and the relevance of these issues in the community and organizations that serve children.

Leslie Kosek

Leslie Kosek is the State Director of Best Buddies Delaware.  Leslie has served in this position since 2008 when Best Buddies opened in Delaware.  In her position with Best Buddies she oversees all day to day operations including Best Buddies friendship programs that promote inclusion of individuals with intellectual and development disabilities into their schools, workplaces and communities.  Prior to working with Best Buddies she worked for the March of Dimes Delaware Chapter for six years serving as their Director of Program Services and Public Affairs and then moved into the State Director position.  Leslie was born and raised in Delaware and received her Bachelors Degree in Family and Community Services and Nutrition from the University of Delaware. 

Best Buddies Delaware
This ssession will give an overview of Best Buddies programs (school based and adult) and the ways in which our program and participants utilize state and local parks and facilities.  Best Buddies programs match an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) with a non disabled peer for the purpose of friendship and inclusion of people with IDD into everyday social and community activities. We operate our programs at the school level statewide and for the adult community in New Castle County serving a total of 800 participants annually in Delaware.

Janet Zeller

Janet Zeller is the National Accessibility Program Manager for the U.S. Forest Service. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the accessibility programs and policies across all the 193 million acres of the National Forest System. Janet was the lead author of the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation and Trail Accessibility Guidelines. She instructs at training sessions nationally. accessibility and universal design of programs and facilities at a wide range of training sessions nationally.

Department of Justice ADA Rule on Mobility Devices and How it Applies
The Department of Justice Rule on Other Power Driven Mobility Devices requires that State and private entities open to the public allow a person with a disability to operate any device powered by batteries, fuel or other engines anywhere unless…. This session will outline what is required, assessment factors, and public notification requirements. Discussion will be encouraged.

Liz has worked for PlayCore since 2002 as a regional manager supporting the utilization of PlayCore programs and presenting in various venues on the value of play, fighting obesity, universal playground design, designing naturalized play environments, and bringing curriculum outdoors.  Liz’s most recent session presentations include the Ohio American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (AAHPERD) Conference, Pennsylvania AAHPERD Conference, Kentucky Park and Recreation, Indiana Park and Recreation Association, New York Park and Recreation Society, and Maryland Parks and Recreation Association.  Liz works directly with parks and recreational professionals, educators, and landscape architects to implement best practices and research-based design principles for creating meaningful play experiences for children in outdoor play environments.

Pathways for Play:  Infusing Play into Linear Pathway Network
Discover how to create innovative linear play environments that are FUN and enjoyable for intergenerational users!  Come explore best practice guidelines for designing playful pathways that infuse play throughout the trail experience to extend play value, enable health promotion, and engage children and families with the natural world.

Building Inclusive Communities through Play
Providing inclusive play opportunities for people of all ages and abilities is critical for promoting play, healthy physical activity, and learning.  Explore two unique play programs to help create outdoor environments that implement best practice design principles- taking inclusive play to the next level to ensure meaningful play for everyone!

Tess Belcher is a Trainer/Educator II with the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Resource Education Center (AREC).  She is the coordinator for Delaware’s “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” program and coordinates Aquatic Education programs that target underserved populations.  Tess is also responsible for training volunteer program leaders and visitors of the Mallard Lodge, an overnight facility adjacent to the AREC.  Tess is certified as a Disabliity Inclusion Trainer through the Corporation for National & Community Service.  Prior to joining the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Tess was a Volunteer Administrator and AmeriCorps Program Director with Delaware State Parks.

Guidelines for Creating and Sustaining Accessible and Inclusive Programs
This session will give a brief overview of disability inclusion – from defining a “Disability” according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act to offering suggestions and examples of successful inclusion programs.  This session will also offer tips on developing programs and outreach to underserved populations.

Christina Kobland is a native-landscaping biodiversity and wildlife specialist.  Christina founded Native Return, LLC (www.NativeReturn.com) as a one-stop-shop to for clients wishing to establish native plant habitat rich with biodiversity. She is currently within a multi-year research project at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, studying her patent-pending, no-mow  turfgrass wildlife avoids, called FlightTurf™ www.FlightTurf.com.

Building Biodiversity as a Best Practice in Landscape Management
We are experiencing the sixth great extinction of species in Earth’s history, a problem rivaling global warming in its potential consequence for the planet.  Christina Kobland demonstrates the benefits of managing our landscapes with biodiversity and nature in mind. Highlights of her award winning projects show how Native Return’s commercial and municipal clients are transforming invasive, disturbed habitat into environmentally beneficial, biodiverse systems.  She will also discuss her new patent-pending turfgrass technology FlightTurf™, a turfgrass requiring no mowing that deters wildlife, such as geese and deer, for applications where they are not desirable.

Mike Leventry is the Integrated Pest Management Specialist at Longwood Gardens. He is responsible for managing pests of all indoor and outdoor ornamental plants to maximize plant health while minimizing environmental impact. One of Mike's primary responsibilities is to track and maintain the health of Longwood's 500+ hemlock specimens.

Integrated Pest Management
I will be covering the different control strategies that make up the “toolbox” of IPM, as well as some basic foundations of an IPM program.

Jenny Garey has spent the last 23 years working for 4 different state agencies performing a variety of duties from accounting to training.  Since 2003 she has worked in the DNREC Human Resources Office as the staff development coordinator where she conducts and coordinates training for DNREC employees and other state agencies when requested. 

Creating Effective Training for Seasonal Employees
Seasonal employees are a vital part of any organization’s pathway to success.  It is important to build an effective training program for seasonal employees so they can remain motivated and knowledgeable about the organization’s programs while providing outstanding customer service.  This session will share tools on how to build an effective training program for seasonal employees.

Building an Effective Team
Building an effective team requires more than hiring a few people, teaching them some new skills, and expecting them to give optimum performance with internal and external customers.  It requires some creative insightfulness on the organization’s behalf and lots motivation, encouragement, guidance, and coaching from management….and peers.

Julie Johnson, CPRP, AFO is the Certification Manager for the National Recreation and Park Association.  In this role she manages over 10,000 national certifications for park and recreation professionals nationwide including the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) and the Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO). 

Certification- It’s the Professional Thing to Do!
Our citizens depend on parks and recreation to improve quality of life, promote community and encourage wellness. Being a park and recreation employee the community can trust is a big responsibility. National certification is a mark of distinction and trust and signifies to the public that you are a serious parks and recreation professional, committed to the highest service, education and professional excellence.   This session will provide participants with an overview of the Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO), Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI), Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certification programs.  

Glen is the Chief of Volunteer Services for Delaware State Parks with 5000 + volunteers contributing 130,000 hours and 12 Friends organizations. An award winning volunteer administrator for 16 years, he is a DAVA past President, a DCVA program instructor, and National Association of State Park Volunteer Administrators founding member.

Volunteer 101: Engaging Volunteers to Achieve Your Mission
In this interactive, informative and engaging presentation, learn the structure and best practices to safely and effectively engage volunteers in achieving your mission. Answers questions from how to define volunteers to the larger and more complex issues such as where and how to recruit and find volunteers and liability, screening and background checks. Whether already you have a program or are looking to start a new one, this workshop will help provide the tools to increase your chances of success.

I graduated from Garrett Community College in Maryland with an Associates Degree in Wildlife Management Technology. Upon graduation, I accepted my first position in July 1987 with the State of Delaware, Department of Agriculture, Forestry Section as a Forest Technician II stationed at Blackbird State Forest.  In August 1990, I accepted a position with the State of Delaware, DNREC/Division of Parks and Recreation as a Park Ranger at Bellevue State Park.  I attended the Delaware State Police Academy where I obtained the Delaware Council on Police Training Certification.  In 1993, I was promoted to Assistant Park Superintendent at Killens Pond State Park where I have advanced to my current position of Park Superintendent.  I have obtained over 24 years of expertise in the safe and efficient operation of chainsaws through the State of Delaware, Department of Agriculture, Forestry Section, as a Forest Technician II, owner of a tree service for the past 12 years, and wild land firefighting where I  hold certifications as a Faller B Sawyer and a Certified Arborist.

Chainsaw Safety & Hazard Tree Identification (classroom)
Advanced Chainsaw Training (field exercise)
Classroom will be discussion on the safe and efficient operation of chain saws. The required safety equipment and procedures to include tree hazards while operating a chainsaw.
Field exercise will be for advanced training in the safe and proper techniques used in falling all types of trees.

Eileen is Project Coordinator for the Healthy Delawareans with Disabilities Project at the Center for Disabilities at the University of Delaware. This CDC-funded project is aimed at promoting the health of Delawareans with disabilities. Her expertise includes providing technical assistance in achieving accessibility in health care, fitness and recreation settings.

Terri is a research associate at the Center for Disabilities Studies. She chairs the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens and serves on the board of the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council. She lives in Newark with her husband and six children, including a 24-year old daughter with severe, multiple disabilities.

Achieving Accessibility in Outdoor Recreation Settings: Resources, Tools & Tips for ADA Compliance
Not sure what makes a trail, a boat ramp or a beach accessible?  The session will provide an overview of the elements of accessibility in facilities, equipment and communication and offer resources for planners and administrators to assist with making recreation settings attractive and accessible to all Delawareans.

Ilicia C. Shaver is the Sr. Aquatic Director at the Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA.  She has over 12 years of experience in the aquatic industry and holds several certifications and licenses including: Ellis and Associates Lifeguard instructor; First aid, Oxygen, AED and Healthcare Provider CPR instructor. 

Aquatics for the 21st Century and Beyond
Learn about staff training and in-services, trends in aquatics, new laws, safety concerns, maintenance issues, as well as the Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA aquatics department. 

A graduate of the State University of New York at Albany.  After a four year enlistment in the US Army, Brian joined Amereq, Inc. as Operations Manager in 2001, working directly with the Cornell University Urban Horticulture Institute.  As the technical specialist for CU-Structural Soil®, he conducts training sessions for Amereq-licensed producers as well as giving presentations to cites, municipalities, architects and engineers.  Brian is a member of the ASLA, ISA and SMA.

CU-Structural Soil® for Urban Tree Planting and Stormwater Mitigation
To show how the use of CU-Structural Soil® can aid in increasing the longevity of trees planted under pavement and ensuring pavement integrity while meeting vital engineering requirements.  Additional applications will detail its use in stormwater mitigation and under turf.

Mark Gutshall, LandStudies’ founder, has 27 years professional experience in designing, permitting, and constructing ecological restoration projects in the Mid-Atlantic region.  He also founded Octoraro Native Plant Nursery in 1990.  He has championed the floodplain restoration approach to Environmental Benefit Stacking for community benefits.

Environmental Benefit Stacking through Floodplain Restoration
Restoring functions to the foodplain provides water quality, quantity, wetlands habitat and other community benefits.

Bil Lepp is a nationally renowned storyteller and five time champion of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest. His outrageous, humorous tall-tales and witty stories have earned the appreciation of listeners of all ages and from all walks of life. Though a champion liar, his hilarious, insightful stories often contain morsels of truth which shed light on subjects such as politics, religion, relationships, and human nature. A storyteller, author, and recording artist, Lepp’s works have received awards and recognition; The Parents’ Choice Foundation, The National Parenting Publications Assoc., Storytelling World, and the Public Library Assoc.   Bil is the author of three books of tall tales, eight audio collections, and recently published his first novel, Halfdollar. Bil lives in Charleston, WV with his wife and two children.

Bil Lepp Storytelling
Bil will provide the audience with tall-tales and witty stories.

I have been with Special Olympics 14 years and with Special Olympics Delaware for the past 7 years.  In my current role I am in charge of the 20 sports and over 40 competitions that we offer throughout the year.  I also help set rules and policies for these sports.

Including Special Olympics in Sports
Discuss the potential for providing sports opportunities for persons with disabilities in current programming offered.  Create a partnership with Special Olympics Delaware to promote and develop sports programming for all members of the community