Life Floor And Landmark Aquatic Announce Partnership Through Registered Aquatic Partner Program
Life Floor, the industry leader in aquatic safety surfacing, announced a strategic partnership with Landmark Aquatic through its Registered Aquatic Partner (RAP) Program. This one-year agreement, effective February 5, 2025, established Landmark Aquatic as a trusted partner in promoting Life Floor’s commitment to safety, quality, and innovation in aquatic environments.
As a Registered Aquatic Partner, Landmark Aquatic upholds Life Floor’s core values, brand standards, quality expectations, and knowledge principles. Through this partnership, Landmark Aquatic will enhance its ability to deliver superior aquatic solutions by integrating Life Floor’s award-winning, NSF-certified, slip-resistant flooring into its projects.
“We are thrilled to welcome Landmark Aquatic into our RAP Program,” says MaryAnn Eifert, Director of Registered Aquatic Partnerships and Training at Life Floor. “Their dedication to excellence in aquatic design, construction, and maintenance aligns perfectly with our mission to create safer, more enjoyable aquatic spaces. We look forward to collaborating on innovative projects that set new industry standards.”
“Partnering with Life Floor was a core decision in building Landmark’s portfolio of great partner companies,” says Jessica Mahoney, Vice President of Marketing for Landmark Aquatic. “Their commitment to innovation, and the highest standard of quality, emulates perfectly what we at Landmark strive to deliver to our customers at every level of service. We are proud to be associated with a company and product that delivers so much ‘colorful fun and functionality’ in aquatics.”
Upon completion of the initial one-year partnership term on December 31, 2025, Landmark Aquatic will have the opportunity to enter into a three-year partnership agreement, further solidifying the relationship between the two companies.
Lake Mead Mohave Adventures Unveils Newly Updated Campground At Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina
Lake Mead Mohave Adventures (LMMA) unveiled its newly revived lower campground at Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina, offering outdoor enthusiasts an enhanced camping experience within walking distance of the crystal-clear Lake Mohave.
Nestled within the heart of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Cottonwood Cove lower campground features 40 non-electric RV and tent sites, all within convenient walking distance of the swim beach and lake access. Designed to accommodate RVs up to 23 feet or up to four tents per site, the campground provides a tranquil escape for families, couples, and solo adventurers alike. Each site allows up to eight guests and includes space for two motorized vehicles.
Guests will enjoy an array of amenities, including:
- Convenient access to the Cottonwood Cove gift shop, convenience store, café (open seasonally), and marina
- Pet-friendly policies allowing up to two leashed pets per site
- Restroom facilities on the campground
- Shower access ($5) located across from the motel in the nearby RV park
- Fire-friendly spaces with grills and fire rings, with portable stoves permitted
- A convenient dump station located by the ranger station
- Water spigots located throughout the campground.
With its proximity to popular outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife watching, Cottonwood Cove serves as the ideal destination for camping vacationers seeking adventure and relaxation. The lower campground joins a suite of offerings at the resort, including an RV park with full hookups, boat and kayak rentals, transient moorage depending on availability at the marina, and swim beach access within walking distance.
“With this newly updated campground, guests can wake up to the sounds of nature, explore the great outdoors, and unwind in one of the most picturesque settings in the Southwest,” says Chad Taylor, director of marketing and guest experience, Lake Mead Mohave Adventures.
The nightly camping rate is $30, plus tax. Visitors are encouraged to book early to secure their spot at this sought-after retreat inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area. For more information or to make reservations, visit https://cottonwoodcoveresort.com/lower-campground/.
Active Learning
Introducing STEM into recreation program curricula
By Jason Schait
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. These activities are designed to teach students the fundamentals so as to encourage interest in each area. Implementing STEM activities within a recreation program curriculum, such as in camps, afterschool programs, or by providing ongoing STEM programming, has the following benefits:
- Helps youth participants think critically
- Inspires creativity
- Introduces participants to subjects they may not encounter otherwise
- Fosters collaboration
- Helps develop communication skills
- Strengthens cognitive skills
- Cultivates media and technology literacy
- Incorporates hands-on learning
- Sparks interest in a field
- Increases knowledge and skills
- Helps increase confidence
- Improves problem-solving ability
- Aids social and emotional learning
- Gives individuals more well-rounded skills
- Builds resilience, allowing students to fail and try again.
STEM In Action
Below are a few aspects to consider when incorporating STEM activities into recreation programs:
- Have a plan. Find examples of the projects that will flesh out a program and make a list of necessary supplies.
- Look into kits that have all the supplies needed to complete each project. They may be pricier but will often save leaders a lot of time and effort.
- Order supplies well ahead of time and be sure to order enough to get through the entire program.
- Make sure each time slot fits the time needed for a project. Plan accordingly and always have a backup plan.
- Keep it simple. Some projects are not feasible in the allotted time or with available supplies. Projects may look great on the surface, but when trying to complete these larger, more complicated projects with a large group of students, it can go south quickly. Keep projects simple so they include only limited supplies, easy instructions, and short completion times.
STEM provides students with a well-rounded foundation of skills to help them understand a wide range of concepts. Implementing these topics into a program’s curriculum will open the door to many fun, engaging, and educational activities that will benefit youth participants beyond a recreation program.
More Than 250 Pruners Compete In Bahco’s Five Pruning Contests
Kenosha, Wis.—Bahco wrapped up its 2025 pruning contest season with 30 participants competing in the Washington State University Pruning Contest on March 11. In total, more than 250 professional pruners turned out this year to participate in five world-class pruning contests.
“We were thrilled by the level of participation and excitement that our pruning contests drew in California and across the Pacific Northwest,” says Mike Morrissey, Pruning National Sales Manager for Bahco. “These events are a great way to showcase the skills and dedication of professional pruners, their vineyard organizations, and schools for all that they do. We look forward to continuing our sponsorship with these contests in 2026 and into the future.”
The 2025 pruning contest season included the following events:
- February 8 – Napa County Pruning Contest, 123 contestants
- February 21 – Anderson Valley Pruning Contest, 38 contestants
- February 26 – Sonoma County Pruning Championship, 35 contestants
- March 8 – Willamette Valley Pruning Contest, 27 contestants
- March 11 – Washington State University Pruning Contest, 30 contestants
The aim of these competitions is to shine a spotlight on the critical role of professional pruners in the wine-making process, as well as further solidifying relationships between vineyards, academic institutions, and Bahco. Pruning is an important task in winemaking that involves removing excess wood from a vine to enhance the development of fruit and improve overall vine health.
Using both loppers and secateurs, participants are typically judged on the precision of their grapevine cuts, including the angle of cuts, proximity of cuts in relation to buds, and other criteria. Cash prizes and tools from Bahco and Snap-on were awarded to high-performing competitors, and the contestants with the most perfect prune walked away with a trophy in the form of a fashionable and functional custom-made metal belt buckle.
Based in Paris, France, Bahco is a market-leading premium tool brand that provides tailored solutions and meets the needs of the highest-performing professionals working in various green and horticulture industries. Bahco is one of 28 brands that are part of Snap-on. Bahco has been manufacturing tools for professional pruners since 1934. Its goal is to work closely with vineyards to develop pruning tools that help their staff work as safely, comfortably, and efficiently as possible.
Participants had the opportunity to compete using the new Bahco P8R-20 secateurs. Launched in late 2024, the P8R-20 was designed based on input from vineyard workers in Northern California, Sonoma, and Napa Valley. Developing the new tool was a multi-year process, including several rounds of field testing for prototypes. The Bahco development team observed how vineyard workers interacted with the tool, then spoke with them to get feedback. A handful of workers from several vineyards were asked to work with prototypes for an entire pruning season for more insight into long-term use.
To watch a brief recap of the 2025 pruning season, head here: https://vimeo.com/1067074374.
For organizations interested in signing up workers to participate in the 2026 pruning contest season, or to learn more about pruning tools from Bahco, contact Mike Morrissey at Mike.morrissey@snapon.com.
Field Notes
Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), the world’s largest network of privately owned campgrounds, announced Erik Hoeffs as the new Senior Director of Franchise Field Operations.
The Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation named Chris Lyons as Chief Operating Officer.
Profile® Products promoted Adam Dibble, CPESC, CESSWI, to vice president of global environmental solutions.
The Outdoor Power Parts & Accessories Association (OPPAA) elected its 2025-2026 Board of Directors:
- President: Jim Depolo, VP Racing Fuels
- Vice President: Carissa Gingras, Oregon Tool
- Secretary/Treasurer: Rick Jackson, Gardner, Inc.
- Immediate Past President: Scott Rutledge, Medart Engine
- Director: Chris Roessler, Rotary
- Director: Craig Smith, Stens Corporation
- Director: Darold Dunham, Power Distributors
- Director: Jamie Esser, Rehlko
- Director: John Walker, Dometic
- Director: Shawn Carothers, The Toro Company
- Observer: Dave Johnson, Constellation Dealership Software
Calendar
July
1-31 NRPA Park and Recreation Month; https://www.nrpa.org/events/july/
12 7th Annual Unplug Illinois Day – Illinois Park & Recreation Association; https://members.ilipra.org/event-calendar/Details/7th-annual-unplug-illinois-day-1326496?sourceTypeId=Website
17-19 2025 IDEA World Health & Fitness Convention, Sacramento, Calif.; https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-conferences/2025-idea-world/
27-29 NASO Sports Officiating Summit, Montgomery, Ala.; https://sportsofficiatingsummit.com
August
6 Parks Field Day, Newtown, Conn.—Fairfield Hills Campus; https://crpa.com/events/parksfieldday
15-17 Grown-Up Getaway Camp, Portola, Calif.—Sierra Nevada Journeys Outdoor Education Camp; https://www.sierranevadajourneys.org/grownup-getaway-camp
24-26 SIMA Leadership Forum, Nashville, Tenn.; https://www.sima.org/leadership
25-27 75th Annual Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Ariz.—Phoenix Convention Center – South Building; https://azpra.org/APRA-Conference
25-28 2025 Florida Recreation And Park Association Annual Conference, Orlando, Fla.; frpa.org/Conference
September
16-18 NRPA Annual Conference, Orlando, Fla.—Orange County Convention Center; https://conference.nrpa.org
21-25 World Racquets Conference 2025, Kona, Hawaii—Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa; https://www.uspta.com
27 12th Annual Pine Valley Camp Ride for Hope, New Castle, Penn.; https://www.pinevalleycamp.org