One of my favorite TV characters and role models, Leslie Knope, once said, “Sometimes, you just have to say, ‘I’m going to be better today than I was yesterday.’” Since I became a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), I’ve been trying to live out Knope’s suggestion of “being better.” The CPRP is a great distinction, but I knew that when I was eligible, I wanted to go for the Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE).
This past August I applied to take the CPRE exam with the goal of completing the exam before the end of the year. I knew, having spoken with several CPREs, that this exam was not going to be an easy one. It wasn’t an impossible feat, but it was one that would require a plan, dedication and a willingness to learn. I purchased the Management of Park and Recreation Agencies (5th Edition) and thought to myself, I’m never going to pass this exam. This book is just way too big for me to fully comprehend what it’s teaching and laying out as the ideals of our industry.
After panicking a bit, I realized there must be help somewhere. I found that though there isn’t a comprehensive study guide for the CPRE like there is for the CPRP, there are NRPA State Affiliates (such as those in Illinois and Pennsylvania) that offer prep classes. This made the daunting task of getting through the textbook accessible. The prep classes I took set me on a road to understanding.
As doom’s day, I mean, test day, approached, I began to double down my review. Practice tests (from the CPRP resource), Quizlet flashcards, notes, and good old-fashioned index cards became my friends. Re-reading the textbook and compendium (yes – the examples in this PDF helped big time) and keeping standing study appointments on my calendar helped carry me over the finish line. When the big day arrived, there were nerves, but I went in saying, “show them what you’ve got.” I answered each question on the first shot and flagged the ones I was unsure about. I went back, made the best decision I could and hit submit. Waiting for the results was not fun but seeing “Congratulations! You have passed” took all the stress away.
If you’re thinking about “being better” in this field, I challenge you to take the CPRE exam. It’s not easy, but it is worth it.
John Roche, CPRE, is the Manager of Recreation, Parks & Community Services and the Aquatics Director for Crystal Springs Family Waterpark in Township of East Brunswick, New Jersey.