NISRA manager receives national recognition

As part of the National Parks and Recreation Month celebration, 52 professionals nationwide were chosen to be recognized in July. Rebecca Moore of the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association is one of those selected.

As manager of summer day camp and outreach, Moore serves local children, teens and adults with disabilities in programs and facilitates new connections with NISRA.

The coordination of NISRA's traditional summer day camps is a tremendous challenge; six community camp sites, 14 different camps and over 100 camp staff all taking place in seven short weeks of the summer. The children and teens need the support of close staff-to-camper ratios.

Moore handles all the aspects of the program as a true professional, from hiring the staff, orientation, training, parent concerns, staff concerns, all camp field trips, equipment and more.

"Her dedication to the day camp program is commendable and the new energy she brings every day is refreshing," says Executive Director James Wiseman. "Rebecca continually exceeds expectations with researching and then creating elaborate program equipment and projects, and is always thinking outside of the box. The extra time needed for these ideas is not a concern; ensuring the program participants have a successful experience is the goal. She pushes herself to excellence in all that she does."

Moore's nomination impressed the team at the National Recreation and Park Association that chose the recipients before the onset of COVID-19. This year, Moore had to adapt to the cancelation of in-person camp and offered families a creative Camp-in-a-Box alternative.

Moore also coordinates NISRA's outreach efforts. She connects with new families, school district personnel, social service agencies, and adults with disabilities to introduce them to the life-enriching experience of community recreation.

Always caring, Moore has also taken on the leadership role of the "Spirit Squad" leader, planning activities to foster positive morale and energy among her fellow staff. Celebrate Rebecca Moore this July!

NISRA is an extension of 13 park districts and municipal recreation departments, providing year-round community recreation for local children and adults with disabilities. Its programs take place in public and commercial recreation facilities, and are open to participants of all ages and ability levels. Visit www.nisra.org and www.facebook.com/NISRA.org/ to learn more.

Participating park districts and towns include: Barrington Park District, Cary Park District, Crystal Lake Park District, Dundee Township Park District, City of Elgin, Hampshire Township Park District, Huntley Park District, City of Harvard, Village of Lake in the Hills, Marengo Park District, City of McHenry, Wauconda Park District, and City of Woodstock.