On Monday, March 18 during the Maine Recreation & Parks Conference, Kelsey Crowe, Deputy Director for Windham Parks & Recreation, received the Dr. Bill Eckart Young Professional of the Year Award.
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| Kelsey Crowe, the Deputy Director for Windham Parks and Recreation, is the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Bill Eckhart Young Professional of the Year Award. COURTESY PHOTO |
The requirements and qualifications to be awarded the Dr. Bill Eckart Young Professional of the Year Award consist of a review of Employment History and Experience, Education, Professional Affiliation, Program Development, and Professional Involvement.
Crowe is from Gorham, graduating from Gorham High School in 2009 and going on to attend Thomas College where she earned a bachelor's degree in sport management and a master's degree in business administration. During college, Crowe worked for Gorham Parks and Recreation in the summer and after graduating college, she worked part time for them as the Before and After the Bell Supervisor.
A few years later, she became the Administrative Assistant for Windham Parks & Recreation and was promoted to Deputy Director and now has three years of working for the Town of Windham.
“As the Deputy Director, my hand is in almost everything our department does, but some of my larger roles are coordinating our summer day camps, coordination for our community events, stepping in for the Director when the director is out of the office, and overall, just making sure the office is running smoothly,” says Crowe. “On the side, I also do CPR/AED/First Aid training for the department, I coach eighth grade softball for Gorham and have a small training and consulting business with a friend where we go to different towns to help train their summer camp staff.”
She has served as the Deputy Director of Windham’s Parks & Recreation Department since 2020.
“Although I spend a lot of time on the computer replying to emails, setting up programs and planning events, I get out of the office as much as I can,” says Crowe. “Helping with programs, going shopping for events, or going to visit our parks. When I do have to spend my day in our office, there is usually a lot of laughter because we do like to have fun throughout the day, which makes me love my job and coming into the office every day.”
A popular adage says that “If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life” and this is true for Crowe.
“My favorite part of my job is being part of our large community events, February Formal, Holiday Celebration, Trunk or Treat, Summerfest and seeing everyone come together as a community. Summer camp is also another reason I love my job,” Crowe says. “Although there are many moving pieces coordinating summer camp, I have joy just knowing the kids have a fun and safe place to spend their summer. During the summer, if I am not in my office, I am at one of our camps playing games or having lunch with the kids.”
Knowing that the child at summer camp who has a hard home life is having an amazing time at camp, or the student in the after-school karate class finally found a friend, or a senior citizen who just lost their significant other finally leaves their house to go on a senior outing and is able to laugh again are what Crowe says that she wants to accomplish while working for Windham Parks & Recreation.
Crowe had no idea that she was receiving this award until she walked into the event hall at the Samoset Resort for dinner and her parents, co-workers, and close friends were all sitting at the table.
“It was definitely a surprise,” she says. “I am a behind the scenes type of person, meaning I don't often get recognized for doing my job, but knowing that my co-workers and bosses notice and want to recognize all of the hard work I do for the department, I am very appreciative and grateful for that.” <
She has served as the Deputy Director of Windham’s Parks & Recreation Department since 2020.
“Although I spend a lot of time on the computer replying to emails, setting up programs and planning events, I get out of the office as much as I can,” says Crowe. “Helping with programs, going shopping for events, or going to visit our parks. When I do have to spend my day in our office, there is usually a lot of laughter because we do like to have fun throughout the day, which makes me love my job and coming into the office every day.”
A popular adage says that “If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life” and this is true for Crowe.
“My favorite part of my job is being part of our large community events, February Formal, Holiday Celebration, Trunk or Treat, Summerfest and seeing everyone come together as a community. Summer camp is also another reason I love my job,” Crowe says. “Although there are many moving pieces coordinating summer camp, I have joy just knowing the kids have a fun and safe place to spend their summer. During the summer, if I am not in my office, I am at one of our camps playing games or having lunch with the kids.”
Knowing that the child at summer camp who has a hard home life is having an amazing time at camp, or the student in the after-school karate class finally found a friend, or a senior citizen who just lost their significant other finally leaves their house to go on a senior outing and is able to laugh again are what Crowe says that she wants to accomplish while working for Windham Parks & Recreation.
Crowe had no idea that she was receiving this award until she walked into the event hall at the Samoset Resort for dinner and her parents, co-workers, and close friends were all sitting at the table.
“It was definitely a surprise,” she says. “I am a behind the scenes type of person, meaning I don't often get recognized for doing my job, but knowing that my co-workers and bosses notice and want to recognize all of the hard work I do for the department, I am very appreciative and grateful for that.” <
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