IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE YOURSELF!
As you know, January 26-30th is National Activity Professionals’ Week. Don’t
worry if you haven’t planned anything yet. I have some goodies that will make
celebrating this week, easy peasy. Please don’t let the week go by un-noticed. You worked harder than ever last year! This is a great time to strut your stuff. Do your thang. Float your boat. Shine your light. You know what I mean jelly bean?
Check out these goodies. They are sure to help you honor and promote this
glorious profession! All you need is a computer, a printer, ink, and a lot of paper.
FREE ACTIVITY RESOURCE DOWNLOADS
ON EVERY NAPW PAGE!
Be sure to stop by the Re-Creative Resources Inc. NAPW pages for a
comprehensive list of ideas, resources, and products. I have many resources,
most of which are free! I have re-vamped my pages, added new ideas and resources, and
each of the eight pages has a free download. You heard me! Freebies galore!
NAPW HIGHLIGHT
I came across this Facebook post and was so moved by it that I reached out to Samantha and asked if I could share this with you all. I love this so much!
Samantha Bitter ADC, CDP, CMDCP
Director of Activities at Hampton Ridge in Tom’s River
 I have spent 28 years today in the Activities Field in healthcare, which means I’ve mastered the fine art of planning fun while expecting the unexpected. Over nearly three decades, I’ve learned that no matter how organized your schedule is, someone will always move the furniture, the CD will disappear, and the activity everyone loved yesterday is suddenly “boring.”
In 2004, I became a Director, officially earning the title that confirmed I could handle chaos with a smile and a clipboard. By that point, I had already survived countless theme days, spontaneous karaoke, and residents who reminded me (daily) that they were much busier than I was. I quickly learned that being a Director meant leading by example, solving problems on the fly, and perfecting the phrase, “Let’s go with Plan B… again.”
Activities in healthcare: where ‘plan A’ is just the warm-up for ‘plan B,’ ‘plan C,’ and ‘Oh, I hope we have enough snacks.’
Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats: activity planner, therapist, IT, and occasional detective (because supplies don’t just walk away… or do they?)
I’ve learned that laughter is just as important as any scheduled program and that a good sense of humor can rescue even the most challenging day.
But despite all the drama, Bingo remains the ultimate crowd-pleaser. It’s the game that proves:
1) People love yelling "Bingo!"
2) There’s always someone who’s convinced they’re being cheated (because “that was definitely a B-12” when we all know it wasn’t), and
3) Even after 28 years, I still can’t help but giggle when I hand out the prize—because, let’s face it, a bag of potato chips or toothbrush/toothpaste never gets old.
After 28 years, I can honestly say this field has kept me on my toes, young at heart, and extremely skilled at improvisation. It’s been a journey full of joy, surprises, and stories that definitely can’t all be written down, but I wouldn’t trade a single moment of it.
Here’s to another 28.
HANDS COVER SONG
DEDICATED TO ACTIVITY PROFESSIONALS
Here's a song I recorded years ago that I set to pictures of Activity Professionals. This is how I see our community of beautiful professionals. Click here to view this video and please feel free to play for the Activity staff or show during an inservice.
ACTIVITY PROFESSIONALS' WEEK eTOOL-KIT
My most popular digital product!
I have this fantastic product called the “Activity Professionals’ Week Tool-Kit.” It
includes 25+ items such as activities, icebreakers, training materials, promotional
materials and more, all specifically created for NAPW. Hundreds of professionals
have downloaded this tool-kit and love it! Check out this wonderful display! Easy
peasy to make! But the tool-kit comes with much more than that!
It's even 50% off!
Click here to learn more about the
Activity Professionals Week Tool Kit.
 
Note: This is a downloadable product and is emailed to you.
Not sure? Check out this wonderful email
I received:
"Hi Kim, I can’t thank you enough for the Activity Professional Week toolkit. The story board slides are fantastic. It will really help to educate all staff and families about what we do. I plan to put together one board with a photo of each member of my team and a few words about them with the title “who we are” then your slides printed with the title “what we do”. Your slides were so easy to edit to tailor to our program. This represents a whole new approach to AP week for me after 20 years in the field. Thanks again for a great resource!" Lorraine W, Activity Director
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