ACA, Texoma’s Buffalo Bur NEWS AND INFORMATION THAT REALLY STICKS WITH YOU.

ACA Partners with The North Face

ACA is pleased to announce a new partnership with The North Face through their online outdoor portal called Planet Explore. Through Planet Explore, outdoor enthusiasts can learn more about the camp experience and opportunities provided through camps.

Learn More

Printed from the ACA NOW Publication.

Celebrate in Style!

2011 marks the 150th anniversary of camp . In 1861, the Gunnery Camp was founded by Frederick W. Gunn and his wife Abigail. Thanks to a partnership with New Dimensions, you, your camp families, and camp staff can celebrate this momentous anniversary in style. We are proud to offer "Celebrating 150 Years of Camp" t-shirts, hats, bags, and posters. Visit the merchandise page to get your 150th gear today! Bulk pricing is available and items can be customized with your camp name. Please share this link with your camp families and staff, post it to your Facebook page , and link to it on your Web site to let everyone know that we are celebrating in style!

Learn More

Printed from the ACA NOW Publication.

ACA’s 2010 Member Needs Assessment Starts Today!

We value your opinion, and here's how you can share it with us: Spend fifteen minutes taking this online survey about your awareness of and satisfaction with specific ACA member products, services, and benefits. Visit www.ACAcamps.org/member-survey any time day or night between now and October 1. By taking the survey, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a free registration to ACA's 2011 National Conference in San Diego, February 8-11.

Take the Survey!

Printed from the ACA NOW Publication.

Check out the article about President Obama’s daughter at camp!

Click here to see the article.

Here's a list of some other famous folks who have gone to camp:

Julia Roberts

Reese Witherspoon

Chevy Chase

Keira Knightley

Natalie Portman

Dorothy Hamill

J.D. Salinger

Bob Dylan

Neil Diamond

Gwen Stefani

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

George W. Bush

Gerald Ford

Nancy Reagan

Prince Albert of Monaco

Albert Einstein

Michelle Obama (she was a camp counselor.)

The only presidential child on the list is Chelsea Clinton, who attended U.S. Space Camp in Hunstville, Ala., when her dad was in office.

Environmental Protection Agency Calls For Input On Their 2011-2015 Strategic Plan

• Taking action on climate change and improving air quality
• Protecting America’s waters
• Cleaning up our communities
• Ensuring the safety of chemicals and preventing pollution
• Enforcing environmental laws

• EPA Draft Strategic Plan for 2011-2015
• Comment site - to comment on the EPA Draft Strategic Plan - use Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OA-2010-0486
• Discussion Forum - to comment on the EPA Draft Strategic Plan

• Nature Education Resources
• Nature Education Background and Articles
• How Camp Teaches Kids to Think Green

Printed from the ACA NOW Publication.

House Passes Child Protection Improvements Act

Indianapolis, IN (July 22, 2010) — Today, the House of Representatives passed a historical, bipartisan bill aimed at protecting our nation’s children. Passed with overwhelming support (412 – 4), HR 1469, The Child Protection Improvements Act, expands and makes permanent a background check pilot program created in the PROTECT Act of 2004. The bill will allow youth-serving organizations access to timely, inexpensive fingerprint-based checks of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s criminal records database. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) sponsored the bill in the House. The bill gained bipartisan support, and Tuesday evening when the bill was debated,Rep. Robert Scott (D-VA) and Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) joined Mr. Schiff in speaking in support of the bill. The companion bill in the Senate, S 1598, is sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and also has gained bipartisan support.

As participants in the pilot program, the American Camp Association® (ACA) congratulates the House on the passage of HR 1469 as it moves this country one step closer to a law that will allow camps, children’s groups, and other nonprofit organizations to gain access to FBI criminal background checks.

Congressional Recess 2010 — Visit with Your Legislators Aug 9 – Sept 12, 2010

Beginning August 9, members of Congress and their staff will be heading out of Washington, D.C., and back to their home states and districts to visit with constituents, conduct town hall meetings and attend campaign events. While this annual summer recess may be after your camp has closed for the season, it is still an important opportunity for you to meet with your elected leaders to discuss issues important to your mission!

The American Camp Association suggests the following tips and topics for you to make the most of the Congressional Recess:

• If your camp is still in session during the recess, invite your legislators (and their staff) to camp to see the impact the camp experience has on the lives of children and youth. Access ourtoolkit to help you set up this camp visit.
• No Child Left Inside — Advocate for their support in including the provisions of the No Child Left Inside Act (NCLI) as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is reauthorized. Details about the issues covered in the Act.  Learn how NCLI will impact environmental literacy.
• Access to Fingerprint-Based Criminal Background Checks — Advocate for their support of theChild Protection Improvements Act which would provide all youth-serving organizations access to timely, inexpensive, fingerprint-based records checks of the FBI database for all staff and volunteers.
• Federal Funding for Children’s Issues — Advocate for their support of increased funding for children’s issues

Other American Camp Association Resources

• Interested in discussing other topics of interest to the camp community with your legislators?  Review ACA's Public Policy Position Statements for ideas.  Topics include:
  • Camp Safety
  • Children and Nature
  • Criminal Background Checks
  • Public Lands Use
  • School Calendars
  • Year-Round Education

Contacting Your Legislators

• Unsure about who your legislators are and how to contact them?  Access the links below:
  • United States Senate
  • United States House of Representatives
  • Want to include your state-level legislators?  Identify and contact them here.
  • How about your local elected leaders?  Identify and contact them here.

Printed from ACA NOW publication.

ACA Bookstore Sale

Go to http://www.cart-acabookstore.com/ for more information.