NRPA Request for Proposals: Boating & Fishing Program Toolkit

Print this article | Send to Colleague

Through continued funding from RBFF, NRPA is able to provide local park and recreation agencies with access to grant funding, resources, best practices, research and knowledge emphasizing the long-term health and wellness benefits received through boating and fishing.

As part of this year’s funding, NRPA wishes to develop a toolkit including case studies from grant-funded communities and outlining best practices in managing boating and fishing programs - including sustainability, retention and incentive initiatives employed by successful agencies. NRPA is seeking a qualified contractor to complete this work.

Project Purpose
NRPA seeks a contractor who will work closely with grant-funded communities and NRPA to create a toolkit outlining the best practices associated with administering a youth boating and fishing program. Additionally, the contractor will interact with and interview grant-funded communities to develop a set of case studies that highlight points included in the toolkit. The purpose of the toolkit is to educate the larger parks and recreation community about implementing and improving boating and fishing programs to allow the successes of the grant-funded communities to be replicated.

Project Abstract
The contractor will develop a toolkit outline that will be approved by NRPA.

Topics included in the toolkit will include but are not limited to:
1) An executive summary focusing on program values and outcomes with
examples
2) The need for and value of youth boating and fishing programs
3) The best practices in administering a boating and fishing program
a. Administration
b. Marketing
c. Staffing/Staff training
d. Sustainability education
e. Pre and post evaluation of program for viability, effectiveness, etc.
4) Boating and fishing sustainability practices
5) Incentive programs designed to encourage participation from youth in boating
and fishing programs
6) Retention programs designed to encourage youth to pursue boating and fishing
as a lifelong leisure pursuit
7) Additional Resources

The contractor will also create a plan for collecting information, case studies and success stories from the grant-funded communities. The case studies are supplementary to the best practices and serve as examples of implemented best practices. Contractor will have access to grant-funded communities to facilitate information gathering.

The final toolkit in its entirety should be submitted no later than March 1, 2011. The final product should be publication-ready with copy-editing and layout finalized. Drafts will be shared with NRPA staff at project milestones throughout the development period.

Administrative Details
All proposals are due by noon EDT on Monday, Oct. 11. Please e-mail your proposal to tfitzpatrick@nrpa.org; Hard-copy proposals will be considered if they arrive by the due date and time but they must include a CD with an electronic copy of the proposal. The project is expected to start by Oct. 18 and be completed by March 1, 2011.

If you're interested, please contact: Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, NRPA Chief of Knowledge & Learning, 703-858-2147