Professor Dan Caston was appointed into the Foundation of the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society Board of Directors on Jan. 8.
Currently an Associate Professor of Recreation Leadership here, Caston has been in the Parks and Recreation field for almost 30 years. According to Caston, Parks and Recreation is a field not known for its longevity. He finds both pride and a sense of accomplishment in his recent achievement.
“It is nice to be recognized for just the longevity in the field because it is a challenging field to be successful in,” Caston began. “It is satisfying to be recognized.”
However, Caston’s new title was no coincidence.
“I have known about VRPS for years, and I have been affiliated with them loosely,” he stated. “I have been to a couple conferences and things like that.”
It was as if Caston’s position were meant to be.
“I was asked by an out-going board member if I was interested in applying on the board,” Caston offered. “There was a vacancy, and they knew of me. I was asked to do this, so it is truly an honor.”
VRPS, is a state-based organization that is known for its efforts in expanding opportunities for continued education by funding scholarships and focusing on other needs of the profession.
“The part of the organization that I am working with specifically is tasked with giving scholarships to students, helping with grants for professional developments, for staffing development and so forth within agencies,” Caston explained. “We also do a lot of fundraising.”
The VRPS often hosts conferences across the state of Virginia for those within the field.
“They put on these big events,” Caston described. “They are trainings for leadership development and related things, specific to the Parks and Rec field.”
One event that has particularly caught his eye is a disc golf tournament fundraiser that the organization is hosting in the fall. Caston currently leads the disc golf team on campus.
“Instead of doing a golf tournament, they are doing a disc golf tournament,” he described. “I’m really excited about that. I am going to be involved with planning that committee and getting that rolling.”
Caston also hopes that students at the Foundation of the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society College will also get involved with VRPS-sanctioned events.
“With the conference coming up in October in Roanoke, I will be encouraging all of our students to participate,” Caston noted.
He hopes that not just Recreation Leadership majors will pursue these opportunities, but all students with a potential interest with the subject. Caston also plans to promote more than conference-like events.
“I was looking at the website,” he said, “and there is a Virginia Play Day coming up.”
He described himself to be a big backer of play.
“I am a big advocate for play and this organization,” Caston said. “Because of their focus on parks and recreation, they really promote play. I am going to try to promote that.”
Aligning with both his passions and goals, it as if Caston’s new position were made for him.
“I think it is a really good and natural fit for me to be involved with this organization.”
