Imagine you've met a representative of a native Aboriginal tribe in Australia and are taught a provoking philosophy, "A river starts with a drop of water." Or, what about standing in the center of Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG) on a tour with 1968 Silver Medal Olympian Peter Norman. You are aware that the MCG is a revered Australian sports icon, home to the 1956 Olympics and also the US Marines during World War II.

Four professionals from New England don't have to imagine this--they experienced it in the group's three-week exchange program in February of this year and in 2000.

Group Study Exchange

The Group Study Exchange Program (GSE) was created to help NRPA accomplish its goal to promote international understanding, peace and goodwill between countries. Former NRPA Board of Trustee David I. Clifton, director of Sharon Recreation in Massachussetts, developed the concept for GSE based on his experience with the International Rotary GSE Program.

The New England Regional Council was given the endorsement of the Board of Trustees from NRPA's International Affairs Committee to create a pilot program. Since 1999, three successful exchanges have been held. The first exchange was held with New Brunswick, Canada, and the Canadian Recreation and Park Association. The second two exchanges were held with Victoria, Australia, and Parks and Leisure Australia.

Kathryn Garcia, the current chairperson of the International Committee, a subcommittee of NRPA's National Forum says, "The purpose of the International Committee is 'to initiate, promulgate and foster the mission of NRPA in the global community, where the exchange of knowledge and culture will advance the enrichment of all people everywhere.' Considering this, the committee members hold the New England Exchange Program in high regard as one of the best examples of how we accomplish our mission."

Group Study Exchange furthers international understanding by providing an opportunity for park and recreation leaders to study another country's people, culture, leisure services and facilities, as well as its institutions through personal contacts with recreation, parks and leisure professionals, their families and others.

The hosting country is responsible for creating a schedule for the visiting team that displays parks, recreation and leisure in their region of the country; provides meals and lodging; pays for conference or meeting fees; and provides internal transportation throughout the tour. The visiting team members, with one serving as the team leader, are responsible for paying for or raising funds for the transportation to the country, clothing, photography and personal expenses. Most importantly, the returning team members will share their thoughts and impressions of the experience through a written report to the International Affairs Committee, and articles, reports and presentations to all interested groups.

The Schedule

When putting together a schedule, each country tends to include opportunities to learn about:

* Facilities: aquatic complexes, beaches, playgrounds, skateparks, athletic fields, sport complexes, bike paths, trails, gardens and community centers.

* Policies and Concepts: governmental structure, partnership opportunities, volunteerism, park and site amenities development, park management, people with disabilities, long-term planning, benefits and wellness.

New England Hosts

The New England region consists of the six states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Each has its own unique flavor, and weeks could be spent in each state learning about the park and recreation field. So, how does a visiting team learn about six states in a two- or three-week period?

Each state chooses a state coordinator to work with the Regional Council's Group Study Exchange Coordinator. Between the seven individuals, a calendar is created that delineates two to three days per state, and provides time for acclimation for the incoming team. Each coordinator puts together a schedule that highlights parks and recreation particular to that state.

The 2004 Australian team, "The Leisureroos," sent information to the state coordinators on what they hoped to view and learn while on the Group Study Exchange. They were prepared for their trip by members of "2000 Team OZ" that included Peter Fitchett, Mike Hoy, Sharon Sykes, Lesley Humphries and Alan Kemp.

The Leisureroos flew into Logan Airport in Boston and were welcomed to New England at an informal cook-out by NRPA Trustee John Whalen. During their visit to Maine, they were also greeted by NRPA Trustee Tom Farrell, who presented them with copies of the book Management of Park and Recreation Agencies as a gift from NRPA.

Participants named a few highlights of the trip: Lynda Counsell (team leader), Jayson Moran, Linda Smith and Janice Lane had the opportunity to serve as official parade marshals at the Yarmouth (Maine) Clam Festival; they participated in the Colchester (Vt.) Triathlon; flew in a small plane over sections of New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts; threw out the first pitch at a New Britain (Conn.) Rock Cats minor league baseball game; presented Massachusetts' Make Way for Ducklings and books by native author Dr. Seuss; and participated in educational sessions on the ADA and playground safety in Rhode Island.

Other field trips of the exchange in New England included a swim in the Atlantic Ocean, visits to Frederick Law Olmsted's parks (including Boston Common, the oldest public park in the United States and Shelburne Farms in Vermont) and lighthouses (including Portland Head Light, the oldest lighthouse in the United States). They toured college and professional level athletic complexes, including Yale University and Newport's Tennis Hall of Fame; national and state park sites, including the Massachusetts birthplace of John F. Kennedy, Fort Adams in Rhode Island, the National Seashore on Cape Cod, Burlington, Vt.'s Farrell and Red Rocks parks, and Halibut Point State Park, Mass.

The Aussies also enjoyed some of New England's famous foods including clam chowder, lobsters, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and even shared a picnic dinner at a Mozart festival.

The Leisureroos

Having stayed in the homes of park and recreation professionals and advocates throughout each state, Moran felt that this aspect of GSE was one of the most important for learning about New England professionally and culturally. Though he learned a tremendous amount in the more formal presentations, he believed that the informal times were also important.

Lane was surprised at the level of involvement by members of the communities, which in many cases was impressive, but in some situations the size seemed to have delayed progress. Overall, it was seen by all the team members that the New England communities seemed to have stronger connections with their residents in comparison to the much larger communities in Victoria, Australia.

Funding is an important issue in both Victoria and New England. Counsell was impressed to observe philanthropic gifts, donations, trusts, memorials and monuments, all helping to financially support facilities or programs. Public art in parks that was designed to be interactive intrigued all the team members.

Many issues are similar in both countries, as Smith noted. Examples included litter, graffiti, encroaching development and dog groups wanting to have use of the best parks. But, there was more regionalization in Australia as compared to New England, which is managed by each community.

Time to Visit

In February of this year, it was time for a group of four from New England to represent the New England Regional Council in Victoria, Australia. The friendship between the two regions is particularly relevant as Melbourne and Boston are "sister cities." Flying into Melbourne were Maggie Leugers, the team leader and recreation superintendent in Burlington, Vt.; Assistant Director of Manchester, Conn., Parks and Recreation Chris Silver; Dan Landesman, the program coordinator for Southborough, Mass., Recreation Department; and Nancy Bove, the special events coordinator for the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department in Vermont. As they prepared for their trip, "Team New England" was guided by the members of "2000 Team USA"--Patty Carey, Marcia Noyes, Dyana Martin, Mark Hyson and Guy Lefebvre.

While in Australia, Team New England visited many sites, including the University of Melbourne; the famous "Twelve Apostles" and surfing location Bells Beach along the Great Ocean Road; Surfworld Museum; Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre; the mountainous Grampians; the Royal Botanical Gardens; the Bayside Arts Trail; and Torquay Skate Park.