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!
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.
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.”
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.
To get more information and resources on nature and children, visit the following websites:
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
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
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.
Because of Camp…™ PSA Continues to Expand
The outdoor advertising campaign also has seen success. Members can view an up-to-date map of advertising locations on the ACA Web site.
If you see a billboard in the Texoma Section (or anywhere really) - send out a picture on Texoma’s Facebook or Twitter @acatexoma
ACA would like to thank all of the donors who have helped make this campaign a reality. For more information on ACA’s outdoor advertising campaign, or for information on how you can donate, visitwww.acacamps.org/becauseofcamp/billboards/.
ACA Webinars - Accessible Learning for All
Start training your camp staff now! Distance learning can improve the performance of all staff, and today’s technology provides effective and accessible opportunities to all learners regardless of age, location, or reason for learning.
A variety of webinars are provided throughout the year on a range of topics relevant to the camp and youth development communities. Start the month of March off right by signing up for the Communicating Effectively with Parents and Caregivers: Strategies for Youth Program Providers webinar on March 4 and the newly added ACA Purchasing Point webinar on March 9.
Public Relations
ACA Media Update
In the past six weeks, media activity has been on the rise. In addition to national media, many local newspapers and parent magazines have begun assembling their camp guides and information for spring and early summer articles. The ACA national office has been working with local offices and camps to provide interviews, reprinted ACA authored articles, and statistical data.
ACA Video Celebrates 100th Anniversary
At the ACA National Conference in Denver, Colorado, a video celebrating the history of ACA was shown. Because of overwhelming response, this seven-minute video is now available on ACA’s historic Web tribute page. Share the video through your favorite social media sites, or post the video to your Web site. The national communications staff is available to help those who need assistance. Contact Dawn Swindle at 765-349-3317 or dswindle@ACAcamps.org with any questions or concerns.
Advertise Your Camp or School Programs in the Chicago Tribune!
Chicago Tribune publishes a Camp & School Guide in the newspaper every Sunday between January and August. The Sunday Chicago Tribune is distributed to approximately 865,000 households throughout the Chicagoland and surrounding areas. By participating in this weekly guide, you can increase awareness and enrollment for your camp!
Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Apply for the Excellence in Summer Learning Award
If you’re part of a high-quality summer learning program, don’t miss the opportunity to apply for the National Summer Learning Association’s Excellence in Summer Learning Award. The Excellence in Summer Learning Award recognizes and draws national attention to outstanding summer programs.
I know many camps that are up and going with their Twitter accounts (and - I know of several camps that aren’t). As we know, Twitter accounts are used for networking, marketing, and all things in between. We could write all day about marketing and Twitter. However, let’s talk about customer service, customer feedback, and reputation management…..on Twitter.
More importantly here, we’ve all heard about the power of Twitter when it comes to both major and small business “listening in” on what customers are saying. In fact, earlier this week, we heard about Southwest Airlines’ customer who decided to Twitter their specific customer service experience. This, of course, started a Twitter storm in which Southwest Airlines was quick to respond via its Twitter feed. Regardless of the issue, more and more companies are “watching” their on-line reputation - and are also learning to respond and manage it.
Today, I sit here on a break from the ACA National Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Denver. Super Conference!! When I came to my hotel room, I found a silver bucket full of Dr. Pepper cans and a card sitting on the desk. Come to find out, the bucket-o-Dr. Pepper was the hotel’s response to Dani (@danishaw) posting a simple message on her Twitter account earlier this morning. It said, “@denverhyatt thanks for having Dr. Pepper in your hotel. It’s the small things.”
Don’t forget that your customers will give you an on-line presence and reputation (regardless if you want it or not). It will come in many forms - both good and bad.
Your camp probably doesn’t have 1.6 million followers (as in the first Twitter incident earlier this week) causing the Twitter server to go down. However, regardless of the number of followers, your camp does have a reputation. Find out what it is - and make sure you’re listening…..and responding.
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