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

Important ACA Research updates

The ACA Research Team has provided some updates and information about current research projects where you can provide input. The updates also include information about future research efforts where your participation is needed.

• H1N1 Survey - The online survey done with the Association of Camp Nurse (ACN) and the Center's for Disese Control (CDC) is extended until Friday, October 2nd. It documents the prevalence of flu-like illness in camps this past summer. We need every camp director to complete this 15-25 minute survey even if they had no flu-like illness in camp this summer! The results of this survey will have a direct impact on future recomendations for effective strategies regarding preparation and response to health challenges. Click here for the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=6M4QIJvryoplvaXDr5lbAg_3d_3d .

Coming in October and November:

• Fall Enrollment Survey - this online survey will be available during October for Directors to document their enrollments for Summer 2009. Many people have questions about the impact of the economy on camps, so we need every director to complete this survey in order to have the most accurate picture possible, both nationally and for the Section!
• Salary Compensation Business Survey - this mailed survey generates detailed information about salary and compensation for key full-time and seasonal staff positions. Since this survey is sent to a random sampling of half of all ACA accredited and affiliated, it is critically important for directors to complete the survey if they receive one.
• New Outcomes scales - thanks to funding from the Not-For-Profit Council, two new outcomes scales will be available later this fall. The scales measure outcomes for problem-solving/decision-making and connectedness. When added to the rest of the ACA Youth Outcomes Battery, camps can measure ten different outcomes: teamwork, friendship skills, independence, family citizenship, exploration, competence, responsibility, affinity for nature, problem-solving/decision-making, and connectedness. For information on outcomes, go to: http://www.acacamps.org/members/outcomes/index.php. A big Thank You to the following pilot camps: Camp Fiver; Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Inc- Camps Cedarledge and Tuckaho; The Hollows Camp; Sherwood Forest; and Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA!!
• Healthy Camp Study - This summer ACA finished Year 4 of the 5-year Healthy Camp Study. A total of 193 camps reported data (a 12% increase over last year!) and 101 camps took the “end-of-season” survey. Most camps (86%) taking this survey reported being either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the Healthy Camp Study. Several camps also reported having utilized the injury and illness prevention on-line courses as part of staff training with over 9 in 10 camps saying they would recommend them to other camps. You can visit http://www.acacamps.org/einstitute/healthycamp/ to learn more about these e-courses. The day and resident camp reports will be completed over the next 2-3 months and mailed to participating camps in December. Special thanks to all camps who participated in Year 4. Don’t forget, the opportunity to get involved in Year 5 of the Healthy Camp Study is just around the corner. New camps are always welcome. Camps interested in the study should visit: www.acacamps.org/research/enhance/reduce_injury_illness.php . Questions about the study should be directed to Barry Garst at bgarst@acacamps.org.
• Camp 2 Grow - Twenty-four camps across 5 metro areas participated in Camp 2 Grow this summer. Camp 2 Grow is an environmental leadership and stewardship program developed by the American Camp Association through funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. Camp 2 Grow teaches middle and high-school aged youth fundamental leadership knowledge and skills in a nature-based setting. The nucleus of the program is LifeKnowledge® - a cutting-edge leadership curriculum created by the National FFA organization with environmental stewardship applications designed to be integrated into a typical camp schedule and completed within a two-week period. Evaluation results from this summer are currently being analyzed. Additional camps will be offered the opportunity to participate in Camp2Grow in 2010. For more information, visit: http://www.acacamps.org/camp2grow/.

Thanks for all your help and support of our efforts to gather information important to all camps.