Scholarships
Scholarships for post-secondary students focused on parks & recreation.
The Recreation Foundation of British Columbia is proud to provide scholarship opportunities to emerging environmental leaders and recreation experts.
Our Leaders of Recreation Scholarships were developed to honour members of the parks and recreation profession who have made outstanding impacts in their field. Two scholarship opportunities are currently available each year for BC post-secondary students:
- William and Vivian Webster Scholarship
- Wendy McCormick Scholarship
What are the objectives?
The primary objective of these scholarships is to invest in future leadership by providing financial support to emerging leaders enrolled in recreation-related studies throughout British Columbia. Scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 towards tuition costs. An additional objective of these scholarships is to promote environmental studies and raise visibility for recreation to encourage students to pursue these fields of study.
Eligibility & submissions requirements
To be eligible for each scholarship opportunity, students must be enrolled in a post-secondary program that is focused on the field of Parks, Recreation and Culture. These programs include but are not limited to health promotion, environmental protection, arts/cultural services, and parks and recreation leadership/management. Students must be located in British Columbia and be enrolled and attend in their program at a BC post-secondary institution.
- British Columbia Institute of Technology
- Camosun College
- Capilano University
- Coast Mountain College
- College of New Caledonia
- College of the Rockies
- Corpus Christi and St. Mark’s College
- Douglas College
- Emily Carr University of Art and Design
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Langara College
- Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
- North Island College
- Northern Lights College
- Okanagan College
- Quest University
- Royal Military College of Canada
- Royal Roads University
- Selkirk College
- Simon Fraser University
- Thompson Rivers University
- Trinity Western University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Northern British Columbia
- University of the Fraser Valley
- University of Victoria
- Vancouver Community College
- Vancouver Island University
To apply for either scholarship, students must:
- Submit a complete application package
- Email your complete submission package (including all 6 pieces) to Admin@recreationfoundationbc.ca before March 31st.
- Application packages must include the following 6 pieces.
- a resume (maximum 2 pages) demonstrating your capabilities and work/volunteer experience in parks and/or recreation.
- identify which scholarship
- The William and Vivian Webster scholarship or
- The Wendy McCormick scholarship
- a cover letter indicating your understanding and commitment to the National Framework of Recreation priority goals.
- Create a written submission (maximum 500 words) of your commitment to the field of Parks and Recreation, linking to the National Framework.
- A letter of reference from a recreation professional in a leadership role.
- confirmation of enrolment at a post-secondary institution in British Columbia
- Annual Scholarship Cycle dates
- Application window opens -January 1st each year
- Applications window closes – March 31st each year
- Scholarship application review – April each year
- Scholarships are awarded May – June of each year
Bill Webster worked as a parks and recreation administrator for nearly 50 years in the public, private, and non-profit sectors of British Columbia and across Canada. He was a respected educator, mentor, and fundraiser during his career. Bill was the former President and Executive Director of the BCRPA and was a founding member of the Recreation Foundation of BC.
He was a graduate of the University of Oregon and served on the Pacific Northwest Council of the NRPA and the American Parks and Recreation Society. He was a recipient of the Professional Award from the Pacific Northwest Council of the NRPA, the Citation of Outstanding Achievement from the BCRPA, and the BCRPA Honorary Life Member recognition. Bill leaves a rich legacy as one who shaped the leadership of the Parks and Recreation field.
Vivian Webster volunteered untold hours to the RFBC as she worked alongside Bill to provide him with the logistical support, he needed to manage the inner workings of the Foundation. Vivian was a major contributor in coordinating the Foundation’s fundraising events, assisting with all the details that needed to be looked after to allow the foundation board, sponsors, and event participants to have their greatest success.
Together, Bill and Vivian were the dynamic duo who had the vision and energy to work with countless volunteers and organizations to carry the RFBC to significant success for nearly 3 decades.
William & Vivian Webster Scholarship Criteria
Resume
- Related work experience (10)
- Community related experience (10)
- Professional and community organizations/associations affiliations (10)
Reference Letter
- Clearly cites ways in which the student meets each criteria of the scholarship (8)
- States the reason this student is deserving of the scholarship (2)
Commitment & Leadership
- Demonstrates commitment to the recreation field (10)
- Community leadership, and active engagement in recreation (10)
- Shows promise as a future recreation leader (10)
Volunteerism
- Past experience volunteering for non-profit and/or community based organizations (10)
Recreation Framework
- Cover letter and/or paper connects to priorities set in the Recreation Framework (10)
As a leader in the field of Recreation for over 35 years, Wendy McCormick worked with unmatched tenacity to provide programs and opportunities for all members of the communities she led.
She played countless, significant roles in the lives of others in her personal and professional life, especially as a fierce advocate for access to recreation and a mentor to many in her field. Nearly 30 of her 35 years in Recreation were dedicated to serving her hometown, the District of Mission. It is here where she began her career in Aquatics and her passion for this field never waned, even as her portfolio and responsibilities grew exponentially.
Wendy was on the Board of Directors of the RFBC for over 25 years. She was a mother, a sister, a partner, a friend, a mentor, a leader, an athlete, a changemaker, and more. The world, and especially the field of Recreation, is a better place having had Wendy McCormick.
Wendy McCormick Scholarship Criteria
Resume
- Related work experience (10)
- Community related experience (10)
- Professional and community organizations/associations affiliations (10)
Reference Letter
- Clearly cites ways in which the student meets each criteria of the scholarship (8)
- States the reason this student is deserving of the scholarship (2)
Commitment & Leadership
- Demonstrates commitment to the recreation field (10)
- Community leadership, and active engagement in recreation (10)
- Shows promise as a future recreation leader (10)
Equitable and Accessible Access to Sport & Recreation
- Past proven experience in providing/encouraging barrier-free access to sport and/or volunteer work with organized sport (20)
Recreation Framework
- Cover letter and/or paper connects to priorities set in the Recreation Framework (10)
