2025 Fall Workshop Sessions

Park Track

Wednesday, October 1 | 8:30am - 12:00pm

Rock Solid Classroom Session
The first half of the training is an introductory session to review and discuss the key concepts that support sustainable trail development. Topics will include planning and design principles, construction methods, and common maintenance challenges. The session will also include a review of the tools used in the field that support durable trail maintenance and consistent user experiences.

Wednesday, October 1  | 1:00pm - 4:30pm

Rock Solid Field Work Session
The second half of the day will be a field session hosted on shared-use and mountain bike-specific trails within La Crosse's park system, the afternoon session will build on the morning's classroom topics. Participants will walk sections of trail to observe design elements, drainage management techniques, and maintenance considerations. Discussions will focus on best practices, common mistakes, and practical approaches to improving trail sustainability and functionality.

Recreation Track

Wednesday, October 1 | 8:30am - 9:30am

Special Events on a Low Tide Budget
Brett Ketterman
Fort Atkinson Aquatic Center runs 18 special event days throughout their 3 month season. All these special events are done on a low budget, or low start up cost. The special events run the gamut from young children, to families, to senior citizens. Each special event presented will have a budget, along with pictures from the event and how we evaluated the special event. Most of the special events can be run through a rec center, or day camp/program. There are only 4-5 pool specific.

Wednesday, October 1 | 9:45am - 10:45am

Youth Sport Parents as Allies, Not Enemies
Josh Litchty
When bringing up youth sports and coaching these days, the topic of parents/families pops up almost every single time, and it isn't in a positive light.  This session will focus on the mentality and psychology of parents in youth sports and how to effectively communicate and share expectations to let them help you, not frustrate you.

Wednesday, October 1 | 11:00am - 12:00pm

Coming Soon!

Wednesday, October 1 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Create More with Canva 2.0
Sami Meyer & Alex Inglett
Sami Meyer (La Crosse Parks and Recreation) and Alex Inglett (Holmen Parks & Recreation) will take participants through the basics of graphic design & getting the most out of their Canva memberships. No matter what size your team is, Canva can help create eye catching event flyers, social media graphics, annual reports, and more. This session focuses on the web-based version of Canva, and participants are encouraged to bring along their laptops or other devices to interact and practice along with the presentation.

Wednesday, October 1 | 2:15pm - 3:15pm

Life Balance and the Sweedish Philosophy of Lagom
Jan Hincapie
Wisconsin is full of Scandinavians. This life philosophy is taught to many Swedes at an early age. Lagom is rooted in harmony, sustainability, and moderation. The mantra is "Not too little, not too much, just right!" Finding Lagom is about finding your optimum state of living where you function the best, and, once you've found it, it is about protecting it through self-advocacy and creating an environment that combats stress and perfectionism. Sweden is always one of the top ten happiest cities in the world. Learn about Lagom and how you can apply it to many areas of your life, and find more joy in everything you do while producing at a higher level.

Wednesday, October 1 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Crafts for School Age Kids
Jill Heczko
Have fun, take a break from listening, and take the chance to create ideas for your programs! Those of us who run out of school-time programs have the same problem; we need engaging activities that that can be enjoyed by children of various ages, all while saying within our budget. Even better are activities that need little to no preparation that our children can do independently. In this hands-on seminar, attendees will get ideas for simple and inexpensive craft materials to have on hand while getting a chance to use them in some of the Cross Plains Rec childcare programs' favorite crafts.