2026 RNS Conference - Truro, NS
Thank you to everyone who had joined us October 14-15 at the Best Western Truro – Glengarry as we brought the recreation community together once again.
This year’s theme was Waves of Impact: Elevating the Value of Recreation in Nova Scotia, which reflected the evolving landscape of the recreation sector and the growing need to champion the essential role recreation plays in our communities.
As recreation professionals continue to navigate change and respond to emerging challenges and opportunities, it is more important than ever to recognize, demonstrate, and communicate the profound impact recreation has on the health, well-being, and connectedness of individuals and communities across Nova Scotia.
2026 Conference Presentations
- pdf The Power of Connection: How Recreation Supports Mental Health – Starr Cunningham, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia(2.83 MB)
- pdf Disabilty Inclusion is a Team Sport: Collaborative Approaches to Municipal Recreation - Bekah Craik, Active Abilities Canada & Corrie Melanson, Sea Change CoLab(7.34 MB)
- pdf Dementia Friendly Communities: Elevate Your Impact on Nova Scotians Affected by Dementia - Beth House, Nova Scotia Alzheimer Society(4.54 MB)
- pdf Shared Digital Infrastructure for Connected Communities - Laura Duggan, Playfinder.ca(3.00 MB)
- pdf Beyond Participation: Creating The Conditions For Impact – Jessica Spooner, Blue Bark & Co.(823 KB)
- pdf Why Recreation Facilities Have a Key Role to Play in Inclusion – Gilles Roure, Zero Limit(1.54 MB)
- pdf Plogging: Community and Environmental Impacts – Jesse Sharrat, WorldLitterRun.com & Kelsey Harvey, Cape Breton University(7.28 MB)
- pdf Retention of Permanent Recreation Employees in Nova Scotia: Is It All About the Money? – Jen Heddon, Cole Harbour Place(1.57 MB)
- pdf Fit 4 Life & Fit 4 Tots: Physically Enriched Play Spaces – Dr. Angie Kolen & Sam Ellsworth, Saint Francis Xavier University(3.93 MB)
- pdf You Need Program Evaluation? We can help! Work With Universities – Luc Cousineau & Anneliese Gielis, Dalhousie University(1.48 MB)
- The Role of Recreation in Addressing Complex Social Issues - Josie Hatfield, Youth Wellbeing Network & Anna Haanstra, NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism & Heritage
The Conference Program can be pdf viewed here(17.92 MB) .
Recreation Nova Scotia Awards
The annual RNS Awards pay tribute to exceptional individuals, organizations, and communities that, through their programs, events, projects, and passion, have made outstanding contributions to building healthier communities and enhancing the quality of life for Nova Scotians through recreation.
The 2026 RNS Awards Ceremony & Banquet was held at the Glengarry Best Western on Wedneday, October 14, 2026. Check out the RNS Awards Page for this years award winners.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Of course, no conference would be possible without support from our amazing sponsors. Thank you once again to all of the businesses and organizations that supported our 2026 conference.
Click here to visit sponsor webpages