VRSA State Workshop | October 1-2, 2026
Join George Mason University for the 2026 Virginia Recreational Sports Association Workshop: Pathways to Play.
Registration
- Registration must be completed on our Fusion portal.
- Early Bird Registration (Deadline: 8/31)
- Students: $90
- Professionals: $110
- Regular Registration (Deadline: 9/20)
- Students: $100
- Professionals: $110
- Early Bird Registration (Deadline: 8/31)
- Registration Instructions:
- Go to the above registration portal and click "Sign In" in the top corner to create your account.
- Once logged in, click on the "VRSA 2026" icon.
- Based on your affiliation, please select either "Professional Staff" registration or "Student Staff" registration.
- Vendors/sponsors should select Professional Staff at the time of registration.
- Complete your registration and pay.
Presentation Proposals
The conference theme, Pathways to Play, celebrates the many ways recreation professionals create opportunities for connection, well-being, belonging, learning, and community. We invite proposals that share innovative ideas, practical strategies, and evidence-informed practices that attendees can adapt and implement within their own organizations. We believe play extends far beyond traditional recreation activities. As you prepare your proposal, remember our guiding principle: Show us not only what you have done, but how others can do it too.
Proposals must be submitted by July 31, 2026, and presenters will be notified on August 26, 2026 if their submission was accepted.
Each of the proposals should represent one of the following conference tracks. If your presentation spans multiple areas, you may select up to two educational tracks.
- Programs & Experiences: Expanding the Definition of Play
- Well-Being & Engagement: Building Connections Through Play
- Leadership & People Development: Growing the Next Generation
- Operations & Infrastructure: Creating the Foundation for Play
- Assessment, Strategy & Impact: Measuring the Pathway Forward
- Access, Inclusion & Community: Creating Opportunities for Participation
Proposal Information
All proposals should:
-
Align with the conference theme, Pathways to Play.
-
Address one or two conference educational tracks.
-
Include 2–3 measurable learning outcomes.
-
Focus on practical, transferable ideas that attendees can implement within their own organizations.
-
Include at least one participant engagement activity, such as discussion, polling, reflection, small-group activities, case studies, demonstrations, or other interactive learning strategies.
-
Identify the intended audience for the session.
-
Be clear, organized, and relevant to recreation, well-being, and engagement professionals.
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
-
Alignment with the conference theme
-
Practical application and value to attendees
-
Quality and clarity
-
Participant engagement
-
Relevance to recreation, well-being, and engagement professionals
- Educational Session: 50 minutes
- Interactive Workshop: 75 minutes
- Panel Discussion: 50 minutes
- Roundtable Discussion: 50 minutes
- Lightning Session: 15 minutes
We welcome proposals from:
- Campus recreation professionals
- Higher education practitioners
- Faculty
- Graduate students
- Researchers
- Community partners
- Industry professionals
The educational tracks and potential topics listed below are intended as examples and are not exhaustive. Proposals on other relevant recreation, well-being, and engagement topics are encouraged. A list of potential topics for each track can be found in our presenter guide.
- Programs & Experiences: Expanding the Definition of Play: Exploring innovative approaches to creating meaningful recreation experiences across diverse
populations and interests. - Well-Being & Engagement: Building Connections Through Play: Exploring the role recreation plays in supporting individual well-being, belonging, and
community connection. - Leadership & People Development: Growing the Next Generation: Exploring strategies for developing student leaders, professional staff, and teams that create
impactful recreation experiences. - Operations & Infrastructure: Creating the Foundation for Play: Exploring the systems, services, and spaces that make accessible and engaging recreation
experiences possible. - Assessment, Strategy & Impact: Measuring the Pathway Forward: Exploring how professionals use data, assessment, and strategic thinking to improve programs
and demonstrate impact. - Access, Inclusion & Community: Creating Opportunities for Participation: Exploring how recreation and well-being professionals create inclusive environments where
individuals of all abilities and experiences can participate, connect, and thrive.
Facility Tours & Additional Events
- Facility Tours
- Mason Recreation will be offering tours of our facilities. We are excited to showcase facility enhancements which include new fitness equipment, a new facility, updated locker rooms, and more.
- Beep Baseball
- During the same weekend as VRSA, Mason Recreation will be hosting our annual Beep Baseball adaptive sport tournament & inaugural Wheelchair Tennis event.
- There will be learn-to-play clinics for both sports on Thursday, October 1, and prior registration is not required.
- Beep Baseball clinic: 4:30-7 p.m. on Fields 3 and 4
- Wheelchair Tennis clinic: 6-8 p.m. on the West Campus Tennis Courts
- Additional Information about all of our adaptive sports can be found here.
- There will be learn-to-play clinics for both sports on Thursday, October 1, and prior registration is not required.
- During the same weekend as VRSA, Mason Recreation will be hosting our annual Beep Baseball adaptive sport tournament & inaugural Wheelchair Tennis event.
Additional Information
We will have a room block at the Courtyard by Marriott Fair Oaks from the night of September 30th through the morning of October 2nd.
- Hotel Address: 11220 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway; Fairfax, VA 22030
- Rates: Kings are $135 per night, Doubles are $125 per night
- Booking: Reservation Link
- September 2nd is last day to book
Complimentary parking will be provided on the George Mason University campus
- Parking will be identified as we get closer to the date, but a general parking map can be found here.
Questions? Our professional staff is available to help!
- Contact Ethan Carter ([email protected]) for program-related questions.
- Contact Chris Topping ([email protected]) for all other inquiries.
Sponsorships
Mason Recreation is proud to recognize and thank our sponsors for VRSA 2026!
- Sponsorship Packages
- Inquiries: Reach out to Chris Topping, [email protected]