Revenue school celebrates 41st anniversary.

The first revenue school of its kind celebrated 41 years of continuous service to the park and recreation profession when it convened at Oglebay Resort Park this past March.

The school was founded by Professor Thomas I. Hines of North Carolina State University and other top park and recreation administrators from across the nation in 1965. It not only set new standards for the professional development of park and recreation professionals, but also proved to be a new training model that has been duplicated by NRPA and other professional organizations on numerous other topics around the country.

Since its inception in 1965, more than 6,400 park and recreation professionals from 48 states and four foreign countries have attended the Oglebay Revenue School.

Some significant changes have taken place at the school since its inception, including the addition of three new features. The school added two Regent Externs that assist in the operation of the school and instruction. This year, Michael Kalvort, recreation superintendent from Cape Coral, Fla., and Mary Henderson, director of Parks and Recreation from Cary, N.C., served in that capacity.

A second addition included tuition scholarships for special "best of the best" young practitioners to participate in the school from across the U.S. These were provided by Beta Data from Virginia, Wood & Partners from North Carolina, Athco (Landscape Structures) from Missouri and Front Row Marketing from Arizona.

The final feature added to the school was Premier Partnerships. Two industry leaders stepped forward to provide support for the school-MUSCO Lighting and Active Network. This step alone insured our ability to maintain reasonable registration fees and bring in additional instructors.

Through these efforts the revenue school saw attendance increase, with the largest group of first and second year students participating (93). We have not only covered all of the school's expenses but generated revenue in excess of those expenses which will be used to enhance the values of the schools to its participants through improved instructional materials, additional class offerings and overall value added amenities. These funds will also be used to protect the school from any future shortfalls in the form of a special reserve fund.

To get more information on the school visit www.oglebay-resort.com.