Influenza is generally not a summer ailment. Last summer’s experience was atypical, which reminds us to keep protective behaviors alive and well at camp!  It is critical to know the facts about H1N1 and know the resources to access for up-to-date information.

• The H1N1 immunization is a recommendation, not a requirement. While knowing if campers have received the immunization is helpful, there will be people at, in, and around camp without it — unless the camp makes the immunization a requirement for its campers and staff.
• People with symptoms were presumed to have H1N1 last summer; consequently, we really don’t know — specifically — if a given individual did, indeed, have H1N1. As a result, making assumptions based on illness history is not always accurate.
• Winter is typically flu season. Many of us expected a flu peak during the winter months and that has not materialized — yet. Perhaps H1N1 has/is burned out? Perhaps we’re yet to see a resurgence? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posts weekly updates about H1N1 at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm.
• People are still dying from influenza/H1N1. Risk remains. All of us should remain cognizant of that and, in particular, remind individuals with risk profiles to talk with their medical doctor about participation in group-based activity like camp.
• The CDC’s international situation update (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/international/) reports that flu rates appear to be low or declining.

Click here for more information, go to the ACA H1N1 information bulletin.

ACA, Texoma ROCK Event in Southlake!

Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Time: 12:30pm
Location: Campania Pizza and More located in the Southlake Town Square
(291 Grand Southlake, TX 76092)

Website: http://www.campaniapizza.com/southlake.html

RSVP: Annie Shepard or Jessica Miller

Sponsored by ACA, Texoma EPIC

As the Summer Camping Season begins to approach quickly come join other camp and youth development professionals at an up and coming ROCK group Gathering in the DFW area.

Rock Groups (Regional Organized Camp Kindred’s) are informal gatherings for networking, socializing and shared discussion. We hope you can join us for conversation and good pizza from Campania Pizza who was voted 2008’s Best Independent Pizzeria in the US by Pizza Today magazine and Named one of the Ten Best New Restaurants in Dallas by D Magazine on April 13 sponsored by EPIC .

If you are not in the DFW area or want to gather professionals in your area at another time, call us to let us help you plan an event or you can plan one and send us the date and information, then we’ll post it and promote it for you.

ROCK groups are gatherings of camp, youth development professionals, and interested individuals who meet regularly for information exchange, education and networking. Everyone is welcome. Join other camp and youth development professionals at an upcoming ROCK Gathering.

For more information: http://www.acatexoma.org/rock.php

Education

Latest Issue of Camping Magazine Now Available Online

The digital edition of the March/April 2010 issue of Camping Magazine is now available to view online. Articles featured in this issue include a healthy camp study, 2009 summer enrollment trends, running a better camp business, and more.

View the Latest Issue

Research

ACA Camp Compensation and Benefits Report: 2010 is Now Available!

These reports contain the latest salary information for day camps and resident camps across the U.S. and are the most comprehensive study of salaries for camp personnel (including international staff) available to the industry. The reports are available for resident camps only, day camps only, or both.

Learn More

Education

Staff Training at Its Best! Pre-order Your May/June Issues of Camping Magazine

Again this year, you can have the foremost camp trainers and consultants available for your staff orientation. This issue features a roundtable discussion with best-selling authors Rachel Simmons and Michael Thompson. Additionally, Kim Aycock, Bob Ditter, Jeffrey Leiken, Bruce Muchnick, Penny Bryan, Kim Storey, Christopher Thurber, Stephen Wallace, and others offer their expertise and professional strategies in this special staff training issue created exclusively for staff and their trainers.

Learn More

Check out Richard Louv’s (author of the Last Child in the Woods) latest Blog regarding a call to action for a conference specifically addressing the legal boundaries (or perhaps an overload, thereof) of children and natural play.   He brings up some great examples as well!

http://www.childrenandnature.org/blog/

Communicating Effectively with Parents and Caregivers: Strategies for Youth Program Providers

ACA/NRPA Webinar — Thursday, March 4, 2010

Strategies for Youth Program Providers

Today’s parents and caregivers have an increasingly complex set of expectations for youth program providers and can be challenging for even the most seasoned professional. From helicopter parents (who pay extremely close attention to their child’s experiences or problems) to disengaged parents, youth program providers often identify “parent communication” as a key stressor. This webinar provides specific strategies for communicating effectively with today’s parents in ways that build rapport rather that opposition.

Click here for more information.

In an effort to help eliminate barriers to families wishing to share the outdoor experience, five Texas State Parks are hosting a Texas Outdoor Family workshops this spring designed to familiarize families with the outdoors and teach them how to tent camp, cook outdoors and get the most out of their outdoor experience.

As we know there are many families that don’t send their children to camp for several reasons, this workshop may help lower those barriers. In addition,this is also a great way to help kids continue the camping and outdoor experience with their families after that great week of camp.

Rose Banzhaf, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department outdoor education specialist states, “ By Sunday afternoon, adults and children alike will have experienced some of those things that many people only know about from watching television or going to the cinema,” Banzhaf said. “The opportunity to catch a fish, cook a meal over a campfire, paddle a kayak or watch a deer nibble leaves on a tree limb can open up a new world full of wonder, excitement and learning. The best part is that it’s so much fun that kids of all ages will be begging for more.”

Click here to view the press release.

Click here to view Texas Outdoor Family website here to get more information about the program and workshops.

Next month, April, is “Children and Nature Awareness Month.”

April 2010 is the third annual Children & Nature Awareness Month.

What is your camp doing to help promote Children and Nature?

Is your camp hosting a one-day invite for parents and children to visit your camp, take a hike, and experience the outdoors?

Check out more information here.

• You can join the Nature Network (free) to place your event on the map of events all over the US  (and find a local event or place)
• Connect with others in your region
• Download and share the April program for your parents and children and youth
• Share your April event!!

To get more information and resources on nature and children, visit the following websites:

http://www.CampParents.org/nature/

http://www.acacamps.org/research/understand/nature.php

Get WILD at the Texas 4-H Conference Center!!

April 23-24, 2010 The Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood, TX, will be partnering with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to offer a Project WILD facilitator certification workshop for educators, County Extension Agents, camp professionals and adult volunteers. Project WILD is a Kindergarten through 12th grade environmental and conservation education program emphasizing awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife and natural resources. It is interdisciplinary and supplementary and can be used to teach basic skills in science, social studies, language arts, math, art, music, physical education, and more. TPWD offers Project WILD through free, hands-on workshops for educators.

By attending this two-day workshop,participants will be certified to teach Project WILD, Project WILD Aquatic, Science & Civics, and Growing Up WILD professional development workshops to formal and informal educators in their cities and communities. Must have previously attended a Project WILD or Project WILD Aquatic workshop and be willing to teach one workshop per year. SBEC credit available for teachers.

Find more information and a registration form on our website: http://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/schedule_of_events/index.php

ROCK Dinner

Join us for dinner on March 3, 2010 @ 6:00pm (RSVP Required for this event)
Hosted by Signature Services Corporation  2705 Hawes Ave Dallas, Texas 75235

Price per Person $10.00 (and, $5.00 will be DONATED TO EPIC)
What a deal!

View Larger Map - 2705 Hawes Ave  Dallas, Texas 75235

The ROCKing Menu includes Salad Bar, Charbroiled Steak, Peppercorn Sauce, Sautéed Mushrooms, Baked Potato, Choice of toppings, Steamed Broccoli, Fresh Baked Rolls, Cheese Cake, Tea & Assorted Sodas

Come enjoy dinner and support EPIC
Make your reservation now as space is limited

RSVP: Annie Shepard or Jessica Miller by February 24, 2010

Everyone is welcome. Join other camp and youth development professionals at an upcoming ROCK Gathering in the DFW area. ROCK groups (Regional Organized Camp Kindreds) are informal gatherings for networking, socializing and shared discussion. read more about ROCK Groups…

Signature Services Corporation is located by Love Field Airport. They are one block north of Mockingbird (same side as the airport) between Denton Drive and Maple Ave. There is construction on the corner of Mockingbird and Denton Drive.

Youth Development Initiative (YDI) Statewide Youth Professional Conference
April 5-6
Austin, TX

http://www.ydi.tamu.edu/

The YDI is hosting a Statewide Youth Professionals Conference in Austin April 5-6th at the Hilton Austin Airport. This 2 day event will offer presentations and workshops on a variety of youth development topics. Youth development practitioners and researchers from across Texas will have the opportunity to interact and collaborate.

For more information about YDI, please visit their website.