The Oakbrook Terrace Park District is pleased to announce its Animal Care Assistant Mentoring Program (ACAMP) was selected as the winner of the 2026 Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Outstanding Program Award (Division I). The Park District’s award was recently announced at the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)/IPRA Annual Conference in Chicago.
ACAMP is a transition services program designed to help students with disabilities prepare for adult life plans. The Park District’s Lake View Nature Center provides a safe, inclusive environment where individuals learn important, transferable life skills geared toward independence and personal growth. Participants learn how to care for the Nature Center’s more than 20 species of reptiles, amphibians, insects, and small mammals. Tasks include feeding the animals, cleaning their habitats, and ensuring correct humidity levels.
“The ACAMP program was developed amid the COVID-19 pandemic as a way for students in transition programs to continue to learn and practice life skills,” said Executive Director Shannon Elsey. “The program has evolved and expanded over time, providing an ongoing platform for community inclusion and therapeutic support. It also helps foster an appreciation for animals and nature.”
The annual IPRA Awards provide professionals with an opportunity to recognize extraordinary work and contribution in the parks and recreation industry. The Outstanding Program Award is presented to public agencies for outstanding and unique achievements in program development and implementation.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition,” said Nature Center Manager Kate Johns. “It is truly inspiring to watch the ACAMP participants gain new skills and confidence through the program.”