The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

NEW EPISODES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

The Power of Youth Sports: Jay Brawner on Building Better Athletes & Better People

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, Craig LeBlanc sits down with Jumaane “Jay” Brawner, Athletic Coordinator for Thomaston-Upson, GA Parks & Recreation, live from GRPA 2025.

Jay shares his inspiring journey from tri-sport athlete and performance trainer to youth development leader helping shape the next generation through community sports. From launching new programs like wrestling and track, to building quality development-focused leagues, Jay brings a powerful message:

➡️ “Take the game serious but have fun.”

➡️ “Create student-athletes—not just athletes.”

Finding Your Voice in Parks & Rec: George Foley on Leadership, Faith & Community Impact

In this powerful GRPA 2025 episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, Craig LeBlanc sits down with George Foley, Recreation Director of Bloomingdale, GA, and a preacher with a gift for calling out the potential in people.

George shares how he went from a quiet young man with no experience to a leader whose message inspires his community to speak up, stand strong, and realize the essential role of parks and recreation.

Hidden Heroes of Therapeutic Recreation with Kierra & LaShunda

In this episode of GRPA 2025, we sit down with Kierra and LaShunda from Savannah, GA Parks & Recreation’s Therapeutic Recreation Division — a team dedicated to serving youth and adults with special needs through meaningful programs, advocacy, inclusion, and life-changing community events.

In this powerful conversation, they share:

✅ Their personal journeys into therapeutic recreation

✅ How Parks & Rec fosters true inclusion

✅ Heartwarming success stories from their programs

✅ Challenges families face — and how their team supports them

✅ Why students and young professionals should consider careers in Parks & Rec

✅ What the industry is doing well — and what needs improvement

The Proactive Power of Parks & Rec: GRPA Growth & Next-Gen Leadership

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, Craig LeBlanc sits down with Tim Estes, Executive Director of Sumter County, GA and outgoing President of GRPA, to discuss one of the most transformational years in Georgia Parks & Recreation.

Tim shares how he visited all seven GRPA districts, rolled out groundbreaking professional certification programs, doubled conference attendance, and shaped the future of the parks and recreation workforce.

He also delivers powerful insight on why Parks & Rec is an essential service, how young professionals can build a meaningful career, and the importance of strong community support.

The Calling: Why Parks & Rec Professionals Never Quit with Michael Brantley

In this inspiring episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, Craig LeBlanc sits down with Michael Brantley, Director of Cobb County Parks, to explore his 31-year journey, leadership philosophy, and why Parks & Recreation is more than a job, it's a calling.

Michael shares how he grew up across the street from a park, worked for a Snickers bar as a kid, and rose through the ranks to lead one of Georgia’s most active and diverse park systems. He discusses volunteer impact, youth development, budget challenges, COVID-era revelations, and the essential role Parks & Rec plays in public health, safety, and community connection.

YOUTH SPORTS MASTERY: ELEVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETES

Every Thursday, join us for a game-changing episode of Youth Sports Mastery, sponsored by the National Academy of Athletics and hosted by two powerhouses in the industry: Aaron Locks, CEO of the National Academy of Athletics, and Craig LeBlanc, founder of The Daily Parks and Rec Show. This dynamic duo brings you expert insights, tips, and strategies to help shape the future of youth sports.

This Show is for Anyone Who Cares About Kids, Community, and the Power of Play

What You Can Expect:

Each week, Aaron and Craig dive into the essential topics that every youth sports coach, athlete, and parent needs to know to succeed in the world of youth athletics. Whether you're looking to improve your coaching skills, enhance an athlete’s performance, or learn about the latest trends in youth sports, Youth Sports Mastery is your go-to resource.

Key Topics:

• Building Strong Athletic Foundations: Aaron and Craig discuss how to lay the groundwork for athletes at all levels, from youth beginners to aspiring professionals. They'll focus on physical conditioning, mental toughness, and the importance of fostering a love for the game.

• Coaching Strategies for Success: Coaches, this segment is for you! Get practical advice on developing effective practice plans, creating a positive team culture, and motivating young athletes to perform at their best while maintaining fun and enjoyment.

• Parent and Athlete Relationships: Youth sports are not just about the athletes—they're about the families supporting them. Aaron and Craig share ways parents can foster growth, confidence, and resilience in their young athletes while ensuring the experience remains positive and fulfilling.

• Tackling the Mental Game: One of the most critical aspects of youth sports is the mental side. Aaron and Craig delve into how athletes can develop focus, discipline, and a winning mindset, teaching young athletes how to push through challenges and stay mentally strong on and off the field.

• Injury Prevention and Recovery: Keeping athletes healthy is paramount. Learn from the experts on how to minimize the risk of injury through proper training techniques, recovery strategies, and maintaining peak physical condition.

Our Guest

Each week, we’re joined by an incredible lineup of guests, ranging from:

• Sports Coaches

• Professional Athletes

• Youth Sports Program Managers

• Parks & Rec Leaders

• Sports Officials

Why You Should Tune In:

• Expert Insights from Industry Leaders: With years of experience in both coaching and sports management, Aaron and Craig provide a wealth of knowledge on building athletic talent and achieving success in youth sports.

• Practical, Actionable Tips: Whether you're a coach or a parent, every episode is filled with strategies you can implement immediately to make a difference in your athlete’s performance and development.

A Community of Support: This show is not just for listeners; it’s a platform for like-minded individuals to connect and share ideas, challenges, and successes. Through this community, we aim to create a supportive environment where youth athletes and those guiding them can thrive.

Building Better Kids Through Better Youth Sports

What happens when two professionals step away from corporate careers to answer a bigger calling?

In this powerful episode of Youth Sports Mastery, host Aaron Locks sits down with Nick Raffensperger and Jonathan Gray, co-owners of National Academy of Athletics – Denver South, to talk about purpose, parenthood, and the future of youth sports.

From growing up as Parks & Rec kids to becoming community partners, Nick and Jonathan share why recreational sports matter now more than ever and how parks and recreation professionals play a critical role in building confident kids, stronger communities, and lifelong lessons beyond the scoreboard.

Join Us Each Thursday:

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best in the business. Tune in every Thursday at 1:30 PM EST to Youth Sports Mastery and get the insights you need to help the next generation of athletes reach their full potential.

For Franchise Opportunities:

Afterschool Antics

By Emma Allman, Henry County Parks and Recreation

No matter the circumstances, children will always have the same questions. Are we there yet? Can we go outside? And the most infamous one of all: why? Every command or instruction given is almost always greeted with an unwelcoming “why?” Generation Alpha (Gen Alpha) is growing up in a post-COVID world, surrounded by technology and the influence of social media trends shaping their malleable brains. Yet, no matter how much the environment children grow up in is altered, some things will never change. The constant comeback of asking why, the unprompted family secrets being spilled to anyone who will listen, and the expected request to use the bathroom five minutes after they lied and said they didn’t have to go—these behaviors persist regardless of the child’s generation.

Being a part of the Henry County Parks and Recreation Afterschool Program doesn’t mean watching elementary schoolers for five hours, Monday through Friday; it’s about building relationships and being a positive influence in the children’s lives. With tablets and phones given to children younger and younger, it’s not crazy to think that a newborn may have an iPhone before they open their eyes. As their responsible adult guides, it is important that we combat the negative effects of their constant need for technology. At the Locust Grove Afterschool Program, we prioritize communication, interconnections between the children, and exercising the ability to focus on activities that are not tech-based. 

Communication is a skill that Gen Alpha has not had the time to fully understand. When we accidentally elbow a cup of water, we don’t need to stare at the table and watch as the puddle gets bigger and bigger. We teach our children to communicate when something happens; tell your tablemate, tell a counselor, tell someone what is going on. Elementary schoolers have a hard time identifying their emotions, making it even harder for them to express to someone how they are feeling. Even adults struggle with communication. Using the right vocabulary and understanding the influence that your tone has on the person you’re talking to is difficult, and it’s a skill that takes time to learn and develop. The more our children practice communicating, the better they will be at it.

Even though proper communication is an issue, children have no issue with talking; this is an accepted fact to anyone that works in childcare. When giving instructions for an activity, talking is our main enemy. To get the kids’ attention, we have to get creative. We use verbal call-and-response attention grabbers like “Marco Polo” and “Waterfall.” As counselors we spend half our time attempting to quiet the kids down and get them to stop talking and whispering amongst each other.

It’s essential to counselors that our children are able to form bonds and connections among each other while also showing respect and paying attention to instructions. This is a hard issue to battle, but it’s an important matter to navigate. We encourage our kids to talk with each other during free play. To hopefully spark a new friendship, we pair up the children who hardly interact. While playing team-based games like soccer or dodgeball, we watch to make sure the kids are displaying team mentalities by working together. 

Children’s ability to focus has plummeted, and Gen Alpha has been hit the hardest. If a screen isn’t flashing bright colors and making obnoxious sounds, they couldn’t care less about it. We try our best to keep the children entertained without the introduction of a television or tablet. Whenever the weather permits, we go outside and play on the playground, play tag, teach the children how to play football, and much more. When the sun is tucked away behind gray clouds and the winds are too strong, we play games like “Sharks and Minnows,” basketball, and different types of relay games. We intentionally chose games that make the children focus on different parts of their body, helping them with self-control and learning about the ways in which their bodies move.

When it is time for us to assist the children with their homework, we create a quiet and low stimulating environment that allows them to pour all their attention and focus into their work. The group of kids that don’t receive homework are given a learning assignment that is to be done quietly. These assignments involve math problems, reading about interesting species and historical events, and identifying parts of speech.

We are not the only ones learning in Afterschool; the kids teach us something different every day. Often, we learn to expand our patience. The kids will teach us something new, and we must figure out ways to adapt. For example, counting to ten is now prohibited in the classroom because of the new trend of freaking out whenever someone says, “6 7.” We also see these colorful fluffy monsters with cute, animated eyes and sharp teeth called “labubus.” Labubus have taken over the minds of the girls in Afterschool; they find a way to somehow incorporate them into everything. The trend has taken over their bookbags, lunchboxes, journals, and shirts. To gain their attention, we find ways to intertwine their current fixations with our activities.

Henry County Parks and Recreation Afterschool is a place that kids are able to enjoy themselves and unwind after their day of school. We take pride in making sure our children are improving and flourishing in every area expected. Our residents and their children deserve nothing less than the best.

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EDITOR’S PAGE

FEATURE WRAP UP 

Thanks for reading this week’s edition of The Weekly Parks and Rec Post! Here’s what’s new across The Daily Parks and Rec Show:

🎙️ Special Guest

We've lined up some incredible guests in these episodes. Don’t miss out on their inspiring stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives!

🛝 Afterschool Antics

In Afterschool Antics, Emma Allman offers an honest, relatable look inside the world of Gen Alpha, and the dedicated counselors guiding them after the school bell rings. While technology and trends continue to shape childhood, the heart of afterschool care remains the same: connection, communication, and care.

Key Takeaways from This Week’s Feature:

• Gen Alpha, Same Kid Energy: Despite growing up in a tech-heavy, post-COVID world, kids still ask why, overshare family secrets, and suddenly need the bathroom five minutes too late.

• Beyond Babysitting: Afterschool programs are about mentorship—building trust, modeling positive behavior, and helping kids grow socially and emotionally.

• Communication Is a Learned Skill: From expressing emotions to using the right tone, counselors actively teach kids how to communicate effectively.

• Creativity Over Screens: With attention spans shrinking, Henry County’s afterschool staff use movement-based games, outdoor play, and low-stimulus learning environments to keep kids engaged—no tablets required.

• Adapting to Trends: Whether it’s viral phrases or “labubus,” counselors meet kids where they are, weaving current interests into activities to capture attention and build rapport.

Why It Matters:

Afterschool programs play a critical role in child development—supporting focus, teamwork, communication, and emotional growth in a world full of distractions. This feature is a reminder that parks and recreation professionals are shaping more than schedules—they’re shaping futures.

📣 Want to be part of the story?

Share how your favorite park has shaped your life or neighborhood. Your story might be featured in an upcoming edition of The Weekly Parks and Rec Post!

📺 Catch All New Episodes:

Don’t forget to check out the latest episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show on our YouTube Channel for exciting updates and insights!

🤝 Want to Co-Create a Show with Us?

If you're a vendor or agency with deep expertise in a particular Parks and Rec field, DPRS wants to hear from you. Co-producing a show can elevate your visibility and serve the greater mission of educating and inspiring parks professionals across the country.

🔗 Get in touch with us via LinkedIn to explore collaboration ⬇️ www.linkedin.com/company/the-daily-parks-and-rec-show