Statewide NAPC CAMP - 2026 Carson City
The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) invites all Certified Local Government (CLG) historic preservation commission members and staff, elected officials, and preservation partners throughout the state to attend the upcoming National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP) which will be held in Carson City, Nevada. This FREE training will be a one-day, in-person workshop (virtual option available) on Friday, September 25. For those interested, the SHPO will also be hosting optional networking opportunities and historic building tours on both Thursday, September 24 and Saturday, September 26.
CAMP is the signature training offered by the NAPC, led by qualified preservation professionals, in support of the NAPC's mission to build strong local preservation programs and leaders through education, training, and advocacy.
CAMP provides high quality, engaging and informative training to preservation related boards and commissions through presentations, hands-on exercises, group discussions, networking and mentoring via live and virtual training.
NAPC has an exceptional team of CAMP trainers including commissioners, local, state, and federal staff members, attorneys, consultants, planners and commission partners. Please see the list of Speakers scheduled below.
Agenda
- Thursday, September 24th (optional)
- Morning neworking for CLGs & Preservation Partners.
- Optional Afternoon Carson City Westside Historic District tours and site visits.
- Friday, September 25th
- 8:00am-9:00am Welcome, check-in and networking
- 9:00am-5:00pm NAPC CAMP Presentations with an hour lunch break on your own. See below for Presentation descriptions and learning objectives.
1. Legal Basics
2. Meeting Procedures
3. Standards and Guidelines for Design Review
4. Design Review Exercise
5. Preservation Planning – How to Prepare a Preservation Plan
6. Community Engagement and Building Public Support
- Saturday, September 26th (optional)
- Optional morning tour of the Virginia City Historic District National Historic Landmark led by staff of the SHPO Office.
The Presentations
1. Legal Basics
Description: The strongest defense commissions have against accusations of arbitrary and capricious decisions is to consistently follow established review procedures. Customized for each state, this workshop covers the legal basis for commission operation. This topic will provide an overview of procedural due process, takings, appeals, property rights, and economic hardship. Participants will examine common preservation legal issues and acquire tools to improve decision-making and build a defensible record.
Learning Objectives:
- Distinguish between how the law enables and how the law constrains.
- Explore common preservation legal issues.
- Acquire tools to improve decision-making.
- Identify how to build a defensible record.
2. Meeting Procedures
Description: How a local commission conducts its meetings is critical to maintaining its credibility and reputation. It is also critical to avoiding legal challenges. This topic will address how to work within the legal framework of state law and local statutes and how to establish clear rules of procedure to ensure a defensible decision-making process. Participants will also discuss ethical issues and learn how professionalism, courtesy, and consistency build support for the commission and its work.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify how to operate a meeting consistent with state and local statutes, ordinances, and regulations which govern meeting procedures.
- Discuss how to conduct meetings with professionalism, consistency, and courtesy to all persons involved in order to maintain the reputation and credibility of the community’s preservation program.
- Identify and discuss ethical issues encountered by commissions.
3. Standards and Guidelines for Design Review
Description: The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are the foundation of preservation practice, with the goal of retaining the character-defining features that convey a historic resource’s significance while enabling contemporary updates. Their value lies in flexibility—leaving room for interpretation and adaptation to fit local contexts. This topic will take a close look at the Standards, focusing on how they guide decision-making while allowing commissions to exercise judgment. Learn where the Standards provide clear direction, where there’s room for discretion, and how they can relate to local design guidelines to support thoughtful, context-sensitive decisions. Participants will leave with a stronger grasp of how to use the Standards as a practical, flexible tool in day-to-day preservation work.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain a working understanding of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
- Identify where the Standards allow for flexibility and interpretation.
- Explore how commissions apply the Standards in real-world situations.
- Understand how the Standards and local guidelines can work together to support consistent, context-sensitive decisions.
4. Design Review Exercise
Description: This interactive exercise provides an opportunity for participants to practice design review with a simplified application and set of design guidelines. Participants will determine what questions they would want to ask of the applicant and explore a potential motion. Appropriate for both seasoned professionals and new commissioners, this session provides opportunities for participants to learn from each other in a lively and fun format.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize the roles and objectives of the players in the design review process: commissioner, property owner, staff, members of the public and design professionals.
- Articulate an appropriate and defensible design review response in conformance with established guidelines.
- Recognize that a number of design solutions may be possible within the design standards and guidelines.
- Develop confidence in future decision-making.
5. Preservation Planning | How to Prepare a Preservation Plan
Description: A preservation commission is most effective when its work is guided by thoughtful planning and aligns with the community’s vision for the future. A preservation plan establishes meaningful goals through collaboration with other city departments and the public and paves the way for preservation commissions to have a regular seat at the larger decision-making table. A well-crafted preservation plan can also enhance grant applications and lead to more successful funding of preservation programs. This topic focuses on the components of and the processes for successfully developing a preservation plan. Participants will learn how to: identify the appropriate type of preservation plan needed; fund a plan; gather community input; implement a plan once complete; and integrate preservation into broader planning efforts. This topic is most useful for communities that are thinking about adopting a preservation plan or communities that simply want to gain a better understanding of the importance of preservation planning.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss why enforcement is an essential part of an effective preservation program.
- Discuss the challenges of successful enforcement along with suggestions for overcoming them.
- Explore some of the methods developed by cities to prevent violations and how enforcement can be more proactive.
- Identify what resources are needed for successful enforcement and the roles of commissioners and staff.
6. Community Engagement and Building Public Support
Description: Historic preservation commissioners often get bogged down in the day-to-day administration of their local ordinance and forget that one of their key responsibilities is to be an effective spokesperson for historic preservation in their community. This topic helps participants identify and communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, whether it’s building support for designations, defending sometimes unpopular decisions, or working with reluctant elected officials. CAMP Trainers offer fun and creative suggestions for promoting historic preservation that have been proven to work during this session.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore common situations where a preservation commissioner would need to step into the role of preservation spokesperson.
- Discuss how to communicate effectively with various audiences, such as elected officials, property owners, tenants, business interests, etc.
- Explore best practices and tools for community engagement.
- Identify and capitalize on opportunities to promote historic preservation in their community.
The Speakers
To Be Announced.
Questions
- If you have any questions about the NAPC CAMP or registration, please contact: Jean-Guy Dube, CLG, National and State Register Coordinator, 775-684-3439 or by email at jean.dube [at] shpo.nv.gov.