Awards Categories

  • George T. Sargisson Fellow Award: Current Members Only

    1. This award may be granted to an individual employed in the field of recreation, parks, natural and historical resources, and conservation and a member of DRPS.
    2. This award may be given to one individual who has contributed significantly in the field over a period of ten or more years.

  • Outstanding Organization Award: (Members and Nonmembers)

    1. This award may be granted to any organization conducting programs in the field and is considered to be exemplary in its programs.
    2. This award will be given to only one organization annually for its outstanding work.

  • Friends of Recreation: (Nonmembers)

    1. This award is conferred upon any person or organization who has made important contributions toward the advancement and development of parks and open space or the advancement and development of recreation, educational, or cultural programs or facilities in the state of Delaware.
    2. More than one nominee may be chosen in this category.

  • Legislative Award:

    1. Presented to an elected or appointed official who has made contributions which directly benefit parks, recreation, natural and historical resources, conservation, or the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society through the legislative process.
    2. Award may be given to one or more individuals.

  • Achievement Award: (Members and Nonmembers)

    1. This award may be granted to any individual(s) employed in the field of recreation, parks, natural and historical resources, or conservation for their significant contribution of a service or project which directly benefits the profession of the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society, its programs, and/or objectives.
    2. This award is intended to include but not be limited to recreation programmer/leader, park management/maintenance, recreation and/or park administration, resource conservation/management, etc. In making nominations to the Committee, you should indicate in what area of responsibility the nominee is employed.

  • Honorary Life Membership Award: (Members or Former Members)

    1. Honorary Life membership will be conferred upon any person who has either been an active member of the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society for no less than ten years or retires from the professional field while still a member of DRPS.
    2. This award carries with it full lifetime membership with no annual dues.

Awards Application

Fellowship Program

The William J. Hopkins Fellowship was established upon Bill Hopkins’ retirement as Director of the State Division of Parks and Recreation in honor of his contributions and dedication to professional training and development in the field of parks and recreation. The fellowship is administered by the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society Recognition and Awards Committee.

The Hopkins Fellowship will provide an award, based on available funding, commensurate with the actual need as approved by the Committee.  The award will be made for professional training programs or education.  Traditional conferences or conventions alone will not receive serious consideration for this fellowship program.  The award may be used for any expenses associated with the approved program such as tuition, registration, travel, lodging, meals, etc.  The committee will review and approve how the recipient will use the award.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must have become an active Professional member of the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society prior to December 1, 2022.  The Hopkins Fellowship is intended to focus on opportunities for young, up-and-coming professionals to receive further management training or education to enhance their professional development.  Any and all DRPS professional members are encouraged to apply; however, the Committee will give preference to those members who traditionally have not had many such opportunities during their careers.  The applicant and/or applicant’s employer must commit to payment of the balance of any cost not covered by the award.

Fellowship Award Criteria

  1. Statement of financial need

  2. Progression of professional development as demonstrated by work history/resume

  3. Submission of a brief, statement/essay on “Why I should be awarded this fellowship.”

Application Process

The form must be completed by the applicant and signed by the applicant’s supervisor or agency official to validate the application and, if necessary, to certify support for the remaining costs of the training not covered by the fellowship award.

The Peter D. Adams Scholarship Trust Fund

This scholarship was established in 1986 as a permanent education trust.  Yearly scholarships will be made from the trust’s interest and awarded to undergraduates majoring in Parks and Recreation or related fields including natural, historical, or cultural resource management, environmental education, and conservation.  The student’s educational pursuits and career goals should align with the Society’s objectives.

Application Process

  1. Completed application

  2. Summary of collegiate academic history

  3. Description of professional work experience

  4. Summary of professional and student activities

  5. Other personal information pertinent to this scholarship

  6. University academic transcript