The CSPRA Member Scholarship Program
Download and print a Scholarship Application form.

The California State Park Rangers Association places a strong emphasis on professional training and career development. To that end, CSPRA offers it's members financial assistance through scolarships under the direction of the CSPRA Education and Training Committee and the Whitehead Scholarship Fund.

A member concern continues to be the issue of unstable funding of training for individual employees. Operational dollars are often aimed at the problems of specific parks, programs or the department as a whole. Many times excellent training is not 100% supported for individual employees.

CSPRA attempts to bridge that gap with its scholarship program. Two thousand dollars is set aside each year for member scholarships. The procedure for obtaining scholarships is simple. Ask for training support through normal Department channels. Training the Department does not support is where the CSPRA scholarship comes in. The next step is to write a brief letter with information about the training details, attach a copy of the disaaproved training request from the Department and fill out a Scholarship Application.

Send those 3 items to the Education and Training Committee. The request will be reviewed and the committee will authorize the appropriate dollar amount available in the scholarship fund. One award per year, per member, $200 maximum.

Are there restrictions for the scholarships? Yes, there are a few. First, the member's request must benefit the employee, the employee's professional career or the Department. Second, there is a cap on the amount the Committee may authorize. Third, reimbursement will be given after receipt of a CSPRA "Wave" Newsletter article that details the high points of the training. It should be informative so all members can benefit.

How successful has the scholarship program been? Over the last fifteen years, almost $30,000 in scholarships have been made available to members to attend a historic preservation class given by the Sagamore Institute, training to learn how to make a wooden bow from a bowmaster in Texas, the National Association of Interpreters Conference, a course on Elementary Science and how to teach kids from K-6 at Hayward State University, a course on Basic River Canoeing, a conference by the Association for Living Historical Farmers and Agricultural Museums, a leadership training course sponsored by Leadership Santa Cruz County, the California Mission Studies Conference, and even a scholarship to attend the CSPRA conference held this year. This variety in training supported by CSPRA is reflective of our State Park professional members needs.

In summary, the CSRPA Scholarship Program has been an important part of the organization's member support. CSPRA's goal is to promote professionalism in the park system. Training of the employees is essential to reaching that goal. CSPRA is doing its part.

We need you, the membership, to take the next step in developing your skills and enhancing your perspective of the park profession.

December 11, 2006