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Aquatics Summit

September 16, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (EDT)

Description


MRPA Aquatics Summit

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 (Registration closes Sept 6)

Location: Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatics Center (1319 Apple Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910)

Parking Info: Garage Parking is $1/hr. (Click here for more info on directions and parking)

Time: 9 AM-9:30 AM (Check-In), 9:30 AM-4:30 PM (Program)


Cost

General Program:

  • $75 (Member Rate)
  • $85 (Non-Member Rate)
  • $35 (Student Rate)

Group Rate Discount: An agency group discount will automatically be applied during registration for groups of five or more. (2% Discount)

Important Notice!! Group registration discounts are applied at the time of registration. Discounts are not retroactive—individual registrations cannot be added to a group once registration is completed, and additional participants cannot be added to an existing group registration once it has been processed.  

MRPA will verify all student registrations.

Additional Registration Information

  • Your registration includes access to all sessions, lunch, vendor area and giveaways.
  • You must log into your MRPA online account to receive any MRPA member discounts.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): CEUs Pending

*Session Titles subject to change

Summit Overview 

Join the second Aquatics Summit with two educational tracks: Adapted Programming (including an in-pool session on teaching swim lessons) and a General Aquatic with sessions on building and design, in-service, and career pathways.

Keynote: Inequities in the Aquatics/Swim World (Speaker: Dr. Quash)

There are two tracks to choose from. You can attend any session within any of the tracks.

Track 1: General Aquatics: Building facilities, Careers, and staffing

  1. From Lifeguard to Leader: Career Pathways in Aquatics – (CEU approved) Aquatics is often the entry point into parks and recreation, but it doesn’t have to be the destination. Tara Eggleston Stewart, Deputy Director for Recreation and Leisure Services with M-NCPPC’s Department of Parks and Recreation, will share her journey from “Lifeguard to Leader”, engage in discussion regarding various strategies that worked for her career, and offer advice for aspiring leaders as they explore their next growth opportunity
  2. Bland To Brand: Flyer Fundamentals For High-Impact Print & Digital Designs - (CEU approved) Participants will be able to create professional flyers using customizable templates, apply effective design principles to support marketing goals, select appropriate distribution methods to reach target audiences, and use accessible tools and resources to efficiently develop promotional materials for future programs and events.
  3. Aquatic Facility Inspections - What to Check and What to Do? - (CEU approved) Who is inspecting your aquatics facilities? Do you and your aquatics staff know what to look for and know what to do about it. Often facility inspections become a routine and mundane part of the job that can either be overlooked, incomplete, or a false check in the box. Failure to conduct proper facility inspections can leave your agency vulnerable to increased risk and liability
  4. Emerging Trends in Aquatic Play, Slide Design & Long-Term Serviceability - (CEU pending) Aquatic facilities are expected to deliver higher guest throughput, inclusive play experiences, and memorable attractions while managing limited budgets and staffing. Owners must understand how current trends in water slides and aquatic play structures influence lifecycle costs, maintenance requirements, and guest satisfaction. Understanding design trends and maintainability helps operators maximize equipment use and longevity while improving the overall guest experience.
  5. Beyond Swimming: Scuba, Snorkel, Mermaid, Freedive and Underwater Dance! (CEU pending) Mermaid programming is making a splash at aquatic facilities, but successful offerings require thoughtful planning around experience, equipment, and safety. This session will explore key considerations for mermaid gear, participant readiness, and safe program operations. Attendees will also discover creative programming opportunities, including mermaid classes, birthday parties, pod meetups, underwater photography sessions, snorkeling, free diving, scuba and underwater dance programming and certifications. 


Track 2: Adapted Aquatics Programming, Swim Lessons, Boating, and Training Your Staff to be Inclusive. 

  1. Outdoors for All: Adaptive Kayaking - (CEU approved) The session includes a demo on adaptive kayak instruction, showcasing equipment modifications, teaching strategies and safety protocols that make kayaking more accessible. Attendees will leave with practical tools, partnership ideas, and implementation strategies to start their own adaptive kayaking initiatives.
  2. Dive into Inclusion: Reimagining Aquatics Training and In-Services - (CEU approved) Are your aquatics staff prepared to assist anyone who walks through the door?  This session provides practical guidance for adapting aquatics staff in-services and training to better prepare teams to work confidently and competently with people with disabilities. Attendees will explore strategies for building disability awareness, improving physical and programmatic accessibility, and creating a culture of inclusion.
  3. Adaptive Aquatics: Program Planning Readiness for Youth Lessons - (CEU approved) Finding qualified providers for inclusive and adaptive aquatics lessons is limited due to training gaps, funding/cost, and availability.  Attendees will learn how to overcome common barriers to get all children in the water, including universal design approaches, helpful equipment, recommended class structure, and important safety tips.  The session will review case studies to highlight these approaches.
  4. Adaptive Aquatics: Teaching and Skills Readiness for Youth Lessons (In Water Training) - (CEU approved) This hands-on and interactive in-the-water session will help attendees practice new skills to assist any child with a disability to learn to swim!  Attendees will practice communication support strategies, demonstrate proper body positioning/support holds for swimmer skills, and apply behavior support strategies—including redirection, cues, and working breaks—to meet swimmers’ sensory needs.  Bring a swimsuit and towel, this session will take place at poolside and IN the water!

The summit will conclude with an interactive set of round table discussions on current trends and topics impacting the Aquatics community.

Exhibitors and Sponsors: Click here for more information or register above.

For questions, please contact the co-chair for the Aquatics Summit or contact the MRPA office

Mark Bonitatibus, CPRP

Phone: 240-777-6861

Email: Mark.Bonitatibus@montgomerycountymd.gov

MRPA

Phone: 301-352-7203

Email: info@mdrpa.org

Time

Registration closes Sept 6 at 11:59pm

Pricing

$75 (Member Rate)

$85 (Non-Member Rate)

$35 (Student Rate)

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Contact Information

Name: Mark Bonitatibus
Phone: (240) 405-2922
Email: Mark.Bonitatibus@montgomerycountymd.gov
Details: MRPA Office info@mdrpa.org 301-352-7203
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