POWER OF PLAY

2026 Virtual Conference

Nov 2-6, 2026

$75 Registration

Contact [email protected] for Group and Student rates!

Join our Power of Play Virtual Conference and get ready to LEARN, ADAPT, INCLUDE and EMPOWER! Sessions provide participants with the strategies, resources, and best practices needed to make inclusion possible across all settings, in all activities, for children with and without disabilities.

Power of Play participants will have access to all sessions on-demand through summer 2027. The conference includes traditional LEARN presentations full of information aligned to the Standards for Inclusive Recreation Programs, brief recorded ADAPT sessions with tips and tricks to add to your toolbox, INCLUDE Q&A sessions with presenters, and EMPOWER sessions featuring veteran professionals and field experts who dive deep into crucial topics impacting inclusive practice.

PRO TIP: You DON'T have to take off work to interact with the conference! We know you are busy, so Monday and Tuesday sessions are prerecorded and asychronous to watch at your leisure. If you are not able to catch the live sessions Wed-Fri, you can send in your questions to the presenters via email beforehand and watch the recordings afterwards. All sessions will be recorded and available thru summer 2027!

**See more about our suggested timeline and interacton with the conference below!**

"The content of each session was engaging, and it shows the serious, yet playful side of inclusion which is what is needed to make inclusion successful. The speakers were all incredibly knowledgeable, and being able to watch on my own time was invaluable." - POP Participant and Inclusion Manager

LEARN

Traditional LEARN presentations in which speakers share content, information, research, and strategies via slide presentations. These are recorded for asynchronous learning at your own pace, with handouts available for download to supplement the video and use for reference.

ADAPT

Quick ADAPT mini-sessions demonstrating an inclusion strategy, inclusive game, creative craft, or adaptation tip — recorded for learning on your own pace. These hands-on, practical sessions are designed to add resources to your "bag of tricks."

INCLUDE

INCLUDE live Q&A sessions with our LEARN and ADAPT presenters, answering participant questions about their presentations. These will be recorded so you can watch or rewatch on your own schedule after the virtual conference ends.

EMPOWER

The EMPOWER live sessions feature veteran professionals and field experts who dive deeply into topics impacting inclusive practice. These sessions offer high-level content and challenging active discussions to unpack important issues, answer thought-provoking questions, and broaden viewpoints. Sessions will be recorded and available on-demand afterward.

WHO SHOULD REGISTER?

Recreation Professionals
Teachers & Educators
Parents & Advocates
Therapists & Clinicians
Recreation & Community Organization Directors
Afterschool Program Staff
Camp Counselors
Teaching Assistants
Inclusion Specialists
Anyone passionate about inclusion & the power of play!

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

All sessions are virtual — watch from anywhere, no need to worry about flights, hotels, or mileage.

Unlimited access thru Summer 2027 to all conference presentations and sessions
Downloadable session materials, activity guides, games, & tip sheets, etc. to add to your repertoire
Direct connections to all speakers through email

**Suggested TIMELINE for your INTERACTION with the conference:

Monday and Tuesday (Nov 2-3) are asynchronous - watch all the recorded sessions at your leisure throughout the two days. We prefer at night on the couch with some popcorn 🙂
Wednesday and Thursday (Nov 4-5) are live 30 min Q&As with presenters - sign up for live sessions running between 9am-4pm EST with the presenters of the recorded sessions and ask all your questions from your Mon/Tues viewings. Not available? No problem, they'll be recorded!
Friday (Nov 6th) - Join any of the 3 live discussions and dive deep into the topics with others in the field. These will be 90 minutes each and happen from 10am-3:30pm EST. These will be recorded to watch throughout the next 9 months if you can't catch them live!

PRESENTATIONS & SPEAKERS

Speakers from across the world have prepared sessions just for YOU! Speaker backgrounds include Arts Programs, Camps, Non-profit Organizations, Parks & Recreation Departments, Community Programs, Consultants, Universities, Research Centers, Museums, Families & Advocates, Afterschool Programs, Policymakers, Past POP presenters, New POP presenters, NIP Inclusive Recreation Specialists and more! There's something for everyone and you're not going to want to miss out. See session descriptions and speakers below. Details subject to change. Keep checking as we get closer, more sessions may be added.

Belonging by Design: Moving from Access to Participation

Inclusion is more than opening the door—it is intentionally designing experiences where every participant can participate, connect, contribute, and belong. In this interactive virtual session, participants will explore how structured activities, unstructured time, transitions, accommodations, indaividual choice, social responsibility, and positive behavior support can create stronger conditions for belonging for participants with and without disabilities. Through virtual polls, reflection prompts, discussion, and practical camp-based scenarios, participants will identify potential barriers and explore multiple pathways to meaningful participation. Together, we’ll move beyond simply providing access toward designing everyday camp experiences where everyone has opportunities for connection, agency, positive social interaction, and belonging.

Christen Peterson is the Director of Inclusion and Belonging at the American Camp Association and a proud Youth Worker with 15 years of experience in Out-of-School-Time Programming, including community engagement, international service-learning, afterschool programs, and summer camp. A certified Child and Youth Care professional and Six Sigma Green Belt, Christen is also a curriculum writer, facilitator, and community organizer who believes in the power of voice, collective decision-making, and community wisdom. She champions youth professionals, camps, and youth-serving organizations in building cultures of care and belonging, deepening understanding across cultures, and creating spaces where everyone can show up as their full, authentic selves.

Building Bridges, Creating Belonging

True inclusion goes beyond just providing access. It means creating opportunities for connection and belonging. Building Bridges, Creating Belonging discusses the concept of social bridging to encourage pushing inclusion to not just being included but to creating a true sense of belonging. Through this presentation, attendees will be introduced to the tool of social bridging, be able to identify at least three common barriers that prevent people from developing connections, and be introduced to at least three techniques for social bridging application.

Ashley Bordenet Grice is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program and enjoys providing a safe, positive space. She has worked with individuals with a range of disabilities and ages in multiple settings including camps, early intervention, mental and behavioral health, and community-based.

Creating Inclusive Play Spaces

Playgrounds are more than places to play! They are spaces where children build and develop skills to make friends, be independent, practice social skills, and explore the world outside. Creating truly inclusive playgrounds mean moving beyond simply meeting accessibility requirements and intentionally designing spaces where children of all abilities can play, participate and belong together. This presentation will explore foundations to accessible play spaces, common barriers to participation, and how to choose the best equipment, surfacing, sensory experiences, and more!

Mackenzie Dolecheck is the Recreation Program Supervisor for the Town of Clayton. As a licensed and certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, she is passionate about creating inclusive, accessible, and engaging recreation opportunities for all. With extensive experience working with individuals across a wide range of disabilities, Mackenzie is dedicated to ensuring that every person feels valued and empowered to participate fully.

Decoding Difficult Parents

Parents are an extension of our client's and working with them can be rewarding and also challenging. From overinvolved “helicopter” parents to the nagging critics, this session explores practical ways to communicate, set boundaries, and keep the focus on positive experiences for kids. Learn tools to de-escalate conflict, build trust, and create a supportive recreation community.

Rachel Hyde, CTRS, is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Program Manager of Therapeutic Recreation Modifications & Support for the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. She is dedicated to advancing disability services, equitable access, and ADA-guided supports in recreation. Her work includes ADA implementation, staff development, policy and process improvement, and creating practical, inclusive supports for individuals with disabilities. She trains recreation professionals, mentors student interns, and collaborates with families and community partners to strengthen inclusive recreation practices.

Frankie Says Relax! (It's Supposed to be Fun)

Inclusion isn't easy but it doesn't have to be hard. Too often we overcomplicate things...which adds uneccesary stress...that increases staff anxiety...then spills over into participant expereinces. Learn 5 simple strategies to help staff be more situationally savvy and RELAX. Afterall, recreation is supposed to be fun!

Dr. Amanda Kloo, PhD is NIP’s Director of Inclusive Recreation. She is an educator, a mom, a wife, and a life-long student. She is a veteran teacher, interventionist, and developmental specialist with over 20 years of experience teaching children of all ages, stages, and abilities. She is a frequent presenter, widely published author, and sought-after consultant. She is also a person with Cerebral Palsy who embraces life’s unique adventures filled with living, giving, learning, and growing. Above all, she is passional about all things inclusion and the power of play.

Maintaining Safety & Building Accountability: An Approach to Care & Safety Plans

This presentation will cover how to develop a care & safety plan. Care and safety plans are typically designed for participants who display escalated or repetitive behaviors in programs. This process identifies unsafe, risky, or inappropriate behaviors, outlines staff responses following the behaviors, as well as details the consequences or follow up required for each incident. Care and safety plans creates a level of transparency between staff, participants, and parents/guardians. These plans also serve as a way for parents to hold us accountable and vice versa in relation to what programs are able to tolerate/ accept at site.

Destini Blakemore, CTRS is currently serving as the Inclusion Supervisor at the Rockford Park District where she has been since she was 16, but overseeing the department since 2022. Currently she also serves as a Mental Health First Aid trainer and Trauma informed lead for the district.

Making Inclusion Possible Through Trauma-Informed Practice

Trauma-informed practices are increasingly recognized as essential tools for creating truly inclusive environments. When children experience barriers related to trauma, adversity, disability, emotional regulation, communication, or social participation, traditional behaviour-focused approaches can inadvertently increase exclusion. This session explores how trauma-informed principles such as safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment contribute to meaningful inclusion across schools, camps, recreation programs, and community settings. Participants will learn how to recognize barriers to participation, reframe challenging behaviours, and implement practical trauma-informed strategies that foster belonging, resilience, engagement, and success for children with and without disabilities.

Aviva Segal, PhD is an Instructional Designer specializing in trauma-informed content development and inclusive practices. She has extensive experience designing and facilitating professional learning focused on creating environments where children and youth can learn, participate, and thrive. Aviva's work focuses on understanding behaviour through a trauma-informed lens and translating research into practical, evidence-informed strategies that foster participation, belonging, resilience, and inclusion. She is passionate about creating learning experiences that support inclusive practice and empower organizations to recognize and respond to diverse strengths, needs, and lived experiences. Her work is grounded in the belief that every child deserves opportunities to learn, play, connect, and thrive in environments where they feel safe, valued, and included.

My Favorite Ways to Motivate and Remind Staff to Include

Working with young or inexpereinced staff? Teaching job skills, life skills, and social skills? Join me to explore effective strategies for high staff engagement and motivation. Learn ways to help them be present and prepared. Reinforce inclusive practices instead of enforcing them.

Our Journey Toward More Inclusive Aquatics Programming and Practices

In this presentation, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) will share our journey toward more inclusive aquatics programming and practices. PPR has implemented initiatives that continue to evolve over time. The newly appointed Accessibility Manager, the Director of Program Design & Development, and the Aquatics Coordinator will share real scenarios that highlight best practices, new program development, and training. These efforts reinforce the department’s commitment to inclusive recreation.

Participants will learn strategies to assess their department's understanding of disability etiquette, ADA regulations, and best practices that go beyond mere compliance. Participants will hear about successes and challenges, including responding to individual needs, building staff confidence around inclusion, and translating inclusive practices into day-to-day programming.

Key inclusive recreation standards include:
- Individual choices are provided to participants.
- Program activities are designed to be inclusive of participants with disabilities.
- When necessary, accommodations are made to ensure all participants can engage in the same activities.
- Program staff foster social responsibility.

Ava Locks is a certified special education teacher whose expansive career includes experience in curriculum development, public programming, and accessible strategies. Her practice focuses on developing programs and strategies to meet the needs of neurodiverse populations. Locks is the Accessibility Manager and ADA & Language Access Coordinator for the City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department.

Elizabeth Cieri is the Director of Program Design and Development at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, where she provides strategic leadership to strengthen organizational capacity and advance program quality across the city’s recreation system. Her work focuses on building systems that support evidence-informed practices, continuous improvement, and meaningful impact measurement, with an emphasis on youth development, Playful Learning, workforce readiness, and family engagement. With more than 20 years of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and professional learning, Elizabeth specializes in building cross-sector partnerships and translating research and promising practices into sustainable, community-centered initiatives. She holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Drexel University and a master’s degree in education from Saint Joseph’s University. Elizabeth is passionate about advancing equitable, high-quality learning opportunities that help young people and communities thrive.

Alex Hughes-Taylor is the Aquatics Coordinator for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, overseeing 65+ outdoor swimming pool and 5 ice rinks. With 15+ years in recreation, he specializes in aquatics programming and training. Outside of work, he volunteers with Scouting, coaches' youth soccer and baseball, and plays recreation level softball.

Ava Locks, Elizabeth Cieri, Alex Hughes-Taylor from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

Rethinking Circle Time: Putting Play Back in the Circle

Circle time is a familiar part of many early childhood classrooms—but what are we actually hoping children gain from it? In this interactive mini-session, educators will take a closer look at the purpose and practices behind traditional circle time and consider whether our routines truly reflect how young children learn best.

Together, we’ll explore ways to move beyond “sit and listen” group times and create playful, engaging experiences rooted in movement, conversation, music, choice, and active participation. Participants will reflect on common circle time expectations, reconsider practices that may no longer serve children, and leave with practical ideas for putting play back at the center of group learning, while still exploring concepts of teaching time, weather, and social emotional skills! "

Jo Lopez-Lynch is an early childhood educator, education manager, and licensed education consultant with more than a decade of experience in the field. She holds a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education & Special Education and has presented professional development at both the state and national level, including for CTAEYC and NAEYC. A Top 10 finalist for the Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher of the Year Award, Jo is passionate about helping educators create joyful, developmentally appropriate learning environments grounded in play, meaningful relationships, and a deep respect for how young children learn. Her work encourages educators to reflect on traditional practices, rethink the “why” behind what we do, and make intentional choices that keep children at the center of learning.

Rooted in Classic Approaches: Building a Contemporary Conservation Education Program

Conservation-minded STEAM learning offers unique opportunities to foster the creative and critical thinkers of tomorrow.

This session will support reflective educators looking to meet the contemporary needs of our learners through meaningful framework design – identifying the classic approaches to preserve, the antiquated approaches that hide in tradition, the current approaches that are fads, and the modern approaches that foster innovation.

Graig Mason with the Brookfield Zoo Society.

Small Spaces, Big Inclusion: Building Family Childcare Provider Confidence to Include Every Child

Family child care and other small, mixed-age settings offer unique opportunities for meaningful inclusion, but providers may not always feel prepared to meet every child’s individual needs. This session explores how providers can move from asking, “Can I serve this child?” to “What does this child need to participate and belong?” Participants will learn practical strategies for observing children’s needs, identifying barriers, adapting environments, routines, and play experiences, and partnering with families. Using realistic examples, this session will help providers build confidence and recognize that meaningful inclusion can happen in any space.

Nicole Villanueva with YWCA New Britian.

Speaking with Purpose & Understanding

Speaking with Purpose & Understanding focuses on how intentional, respectful communication creates more inclusive and empowering experiences for people of all abilities. The presentation challenges common misconceptions about disability and emphasizes seeing each person as an individual with unique strengths, abilities, preferences, and communication styles. It provides practical strategies for using respectful language, communicating clearly, allowing processing time, avoiding assumptions, and speaking directly to individuals. Participants are encouraged to use accessible communication, advocate against exclusionary language, listen to lived experiences, and adapt their approach to the individual rather than the diagnosis. Ultimately, purposeful communication builds trust, reduces barriers, and supports meaningful inclusion.

Sharayah Gilpin works in Inclusion Services with the City of Mesa Parks & Recreation, supporting inclusive and adaptive recreation opportunities for individuals of all abilities. Her work focuses on building inclusive programs, supporting staff, and creating meaningful participation opportunities. She is passionate about helping communities remove barriers and ensuring everyone has a place to play.

Spread the Word to End the Word

Ableism often shows up in small, everyday moments: a casual slur, a joke, a comment no one challenges. This Adapt Session gives participants simple tools they can use right away. Using strategies tested through a school and community ableism campaign, attendees will learn to replace ableist language with inclusive alternatives, respond in the moment by pausing, naming the harm, and redirecting, and develop an action plan that adapts inclusion strategies to their own age group and setting. Participants leave ready to take a concrete first step toward more inclusive recreation programs, classrooms, and youth spaces.

Meghna Kolli is a high school student and passionate advocate for disability inclusion. She founded Spread the Word to End the Word to help students in her community understand ableism and create a more inclusive environment. She's so excited to be part of the Power of Play Conference and share her perspective!

Starting Small: Growing Together in an Inclusive Community

Small town governments joining together to navigate inclusion in our communities. Start where you are, build on what you learn, and grow together toward more inclusive recreation opportunities for everyone.

Andrew Wilkins is the Assistant Parks, Recreation & Cultural Programs Director for the Town of Knightdale. He has been with the Town of Knightdale for five years and leads a team who plans and implements special events, non-athletic programming, and facility rentals. He also serves as the CAPRA Accreditation Manager and Liaison to the Public Art Advisory Board.

Michelle Matson is one of the Recreation Program Supervisors with the Town of Clayton Parks and Recreation department. After receiving her master's at West Virginia University in Counseling, she moved down to Raleigh, NC where and fell in love with the Parks and Recreation realm while working for the City of Raleigh's Youth Programs division for nearly 8 years. She has been in Clayton for almost 3 years now and adores serving their ever-growing community with a variety of recreational programming opportunities!

Carrie Corbett is an East Carolina University alumna, certified and licensed Recreational Therapist, and Program Coordinator for the Town of Zebulon. She has worked in parks and recreation for 4½ years. Outside of work, she enjoys pickleball, spending time with friends, and walking her dog.

The House the ADA Built: Moving Beyond Compliance to Meaningful Inclusion

The ADA establishes a floor for accessibility—but inclusion professionals have the opportunity to build far beyond it. This session explores how recreation professionals can move from meeting minimum legal requirements to creating environments where people with disabilities can fully participate, belong, and thrive. Participants will examine practical strategies for elevating inclusion across programs, facilities, and outdoor spaces. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, attendees will learn how to turn ADA requirements into a foundation for innovative, proactive, and meaningful inclusion.

Laurel Heizelman, LRT/CTRS, CPRP is an Accessibility Specialist with the WT Group AEC’s Accessibility Practice, bringing extensive experience in inclusive recreation and accessibility planning from her work in Austin, TX, and Raleigh, NC. A certified recreation professional and frequent conference speaker, she is passionate about creating equitable, inclusive community spaces for all.

The Kids Who Made It to Friday Redesigning Camp Systems for Inclusion, Behavior Support, and Belonging

What if the problem isn’t the child, but the system we’ve built around them? This practical, story-driven session challenges recreation and camp professionals to move beyond three-strikes discipline and reactive behavior management. Through real-world municipal camp examples, participants will explore behavior as communication, distinguish skill gaps from intentional choices, and learn how tiered supports, staff language, and thoughtful participation reviews can improve inclusion without compromising safety. You’ll leave with realistic tools for supporting children, equipping staff, and partnering with families. Because success isn’t simply getting through the week. It’s helping every child feel they belong—and want to come back Monday.

Chad Norton is Deputy Director of Recreation in Wellesley, Massachusetts, a dad of four, and a recreation professional with 25+ years of experience. He’s passionate about inclusion, youth development, and helping staff navigate challenging behaviors—preferably before someone suggests another three-strikes policy. He brings practical tools, humor, and plenty of camp stories.

Transition Adaptations for Early Childhood

Supporting transitions through adaptations can help young children (3 to 5 year olds) with disabilities succeed in social settings like recreation. This presentation will focus on strategies that adults can use so that children know what to expect, have time to prepare for the transition and be as independent as possible.

Emily Ropars has worked in early childhood education for more than 20 years with a passion for equity in educational opportunities and inclusion for all children. She holds a master’s degree in special education with a specialization in early intervention and early childhood special education. Ms. Ropars’s experience includes providing early intervention services as a developmental therapist, as well as working in all early childhood settings as a teacher, coach and administrator: lab preschool, childcare, Head Start, and private schools.

Faith Knocke, M.Ed. (they/them) is an education professional committed to advancing inclusive education. Currently, Faith serves as an Inclusion Specialist at Early CHOICES, where they provide technical assistance and facilitate professional learning around inclusion for teams working in early care and education settings, as well as assist these providers with the implementation of inclusive practices to support children with disabilities. Faith’s professional journey includes roles such as Teacher, Communications Publication & Strategy Coordinator (Lurie Children’s Hospital), and Youth Development Associate (ACT Now! Coalition). Faith also served as the Communications Chairperson for the Illinois subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) from 2024-2026. Faith’s academic background includes a Master’s degree in Educational Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. These professional and educational experiences have equipped Faith with a diverse and unique skill set.

Trust Building When Families Don't Disclose

If we had a nickle for every time someone said, "But the family didn't tell us," we'd all be gazillionaires! However, it is crucial we understand (and honor) the emotional and social weight of disclosure. Let's explore effective ways to build trust with families to foster open, honest, two-way communication and collaboration.

CEUs/CEs

CEUs/CEs will not be awarded or processed by NIP directly. However, we will provide documentation of conference attendance upon participant request. This completion certificate will include a brief description of the conference, dates of attendance, confirmation of contact hours, and signature/contact details from NIP's Director of Inclusive Recreation. Participants should follow the guidelines established by their professional organization or licensing body for earning continuing education units/credits. Participants are individually responsible for understanding these guidelines, securing, and submitting relevant documentation.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Have questions about the conference? Have a group of 5 or more? Interested in a student discount or need an invoice to mail a check? Just want to talk through the logistics with someone to make sure it's the right fit for you? Give our Director of Inclusive Partnerships Olivia Atkinson a call @ 919-314-5540 or shoot her an email at [email protected].

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POWER OF PLAY

2026 Virtual Conference

Nov 2-6, 2026

"The content of each session was engaging, and it shows the serious, yet playful side of inclusion which is what is needed to make inclusion successful. The speakers were all incredibly knowledgeable, and being able to watch on my own time was invaluable." - POP Participant and Inclusion Manager

LEARN

ADAPT

INCLUDE

EMPOWER

WHO SHOULD REGISTER?

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

PRESENTATIONS & SPEAKERS

CEUs/CEs

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Join Our Cause

Everybody Participates Everybody Belongs

About Us

Advocates & Families

Programs & Professionals

News & Events

Sign up for our newsletter:

POWER OF PLAY

2026 Virtual Conference

Nov 2-6, 2026

"The content of each session was engaging, and it shows the serious, yet playful side of inclusion which is what is needed to make inclusion successful. The speakers were all incredibly knowledgeable, and being able to watch on my own time was invaluable." - POP Participant and Inclusion Manager

LEARN

ADAPT

INCLUDE

EMPOWER

WHO SHOULD REGISTER?

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

PRESENTATIONS & SPEAKERS

CEUs/CEs

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Join Our Cause

Everybody Participates Everybody Belongs

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