|
 The
benefit of a professional conference is
sometimes hearing great speakers on important
topics or participating with colleagues
in relevant workshop sessions or simply
networking with friends. Last month, we
had it all in Austin . . . and I left feeling
energized and eager to move forward with
the American Camp Association! Our
keynote speakers were inspiring, we honored
some wonderful volunteers, and we celebrated
the conclusion of CAMPaign '07 with
some very special guests. A huge
thanks goes out to Gwynn Powell and the
entire conference team for a wonderful
educational event and to the vendors and
sponsors who helped make this conference
a success.
In addition to the great education and
camaraderie at the Austin conference, we
reported on the creation of a National
Advisory Board. We are actively seeking
recommendations of well-known persons who
could serve on this board, with the primary
responsibility of being an ambassador for
camp. If you know of someone who
would be a good match for ACA, please let
me know.
We also announced that preliminary discussions
are underway with the Children and Nature
Network, founded by Richard Louv, to develop
partnerships that will encourage children
and their families to spend quality time
outdoor in nature. An ACA task force
is now working closely with the network,
and we look forward to expanding this relationship.
The weather in Austin was great, but a
few of our friends from the northeastern
U.S. were unable to leave home. One
such person was Marge Scanlin, who retired
from ACA in December after more than twenty
years on the national staff. We had
planned on presenting Marge with a blanket
filled with camp patches, reminding her
of the warmth of ACA. Since she could
not attend, we can still add more patches.
If you didn't have a chance to send
in your camp patch for Marge's blanket,
just send it to me as soon as possible.
We'll
get the blanket to Marge later this spring.
Now that the conference is past, all of
us will be shifting into high gear in preparation
for the busy summer ahead. Best wishes
in your staff and camper recruitment!
Ann Sheets,
ACA President
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