by Linda Grier Pulliam
Selection of a butterfly as the logo for the 1987 International Camping
Congress, hosted by the American Camp Association, was farsighted and
fortuitous in many ways. Adoption of the butterfly logo by the International
Camping Fellowship — founded during that conference — has
represented countless exchanges of campers, staff, and information, as
well as five subsequent International Congresses during the past eighteen
years. The blue butterfly, circumscribed with a map of the world on its
wings to represent the conference theme of "Our Fragile World,"
has become a metaphor for the development of greater understanding among
the global camp community. In preparation for the flight of the butterfly
to Mexico City for the Seventh International Congress, October 12-16,
2005, the Camping Magazine series, "Our Global Camp Community",
has highlighted camps on five continents.
The Faces of Global Camping
As a retired camp director, I consider myself tremendously privileged
to have had the opportunity to visit camps in Russia, Japan, Greece, Australia,
Venezuela, Mexico, Canada, Cyprus, and Ukraine over the past fifteen years.
I also treasure the friendships of campers and staff — represented
by the flags of sixty countries hanging in the dining hall of my former
camp — as well as those friends from International Camping Congresses
and ACA National Conferences. Guests at my own wedding represented eight
different countries! But conveying to other Americans the significance
of these trips and relationships is often met with a glazed expression.
Through this series of articles, I have attempted to put faces on the
people who are impacting organized camping around the world.
In Colombia, we met Juan Mario who has repeatedly moved his Camp Kajuyalí
to escape the threats of guerrilla warfare, drug traffickers, and the
eruption of a volcano. Russian directors — Svetlana, Larisa, and
Anton — continue to deal with the economic and political transition
that impacts their ability to recruit campers and secure supplies. We
visited an important gathering in Mongolia, where Asians united to share
knowledge and develop plans for the future. Sako, Yuko, Mohamed, Anthony,
and Tulshig helped us to understand the challenges of camping in their
countries. Mohamed from Malaysia has kept us informed about the terrible
impact of the December 2004, tsunami on the people of Indonesia and Sri
Lanka. In Europe, we discovered the special atmosphere of a camp for children
with chronic illnesses based in a castle in Ireland, danced traditional
dances with Fifi and Alexia at Camp Delphi in Greece, and met Radu and
Lavinia who are developing a camp based on an American model on a lake
in Romania, near Dracula's stronghold. Australians — Jenny,
Trevor, Bill, and Don — enlightened and entertained us with images
of kangaroos, wallabies, and glow worms, possum prowls, and bush cooking.
Finally, Genaro and Peter have welcomed us to visit them and their camps
in Mexico where the fledgling camp industry is hosting a world-wide gathering
— the Seventh International Camping Congress.
As we have met directors from around the world, several issues and challenges
have resounded from nearly all and, not surprisingly, echo those of North
American camps:
- Financial constraints
- Increased governmental regulations
- Need for public awareness of the benefits of camping
- Competition with other activities in recruiting campers
- Increased cost of insurance
- Finding and keeping qualified staff
The camp traditions of some countries reflect the U.S. and Canadian
models of the mid-1900's or the long-established Boy Scout and Girl
Scout camps, but most of these programs are now recognizing the value
of establishing an identity unique to their countries. Japanese camping,
deeply rooted in Canadian tradition, is an example of a country where
activities that more accurately reflect Japanese society today are now
an integral part of camp programs. Camps in other countries are complementing
American activities with indigenous crafts, historical dramas, music,
and dance. In some areas of the world, camp is a developing institution,
and directors seek help and support from North American camp professionals.
They have recognized the needs for better risk management and increased
educational opportunities for camp administrators.
Camps in most countries outside the U.S. have shown a strong interest
in affiliating with the camp movement. Well-established camp associations
with professional staff operate in Russia, Japan, Australia, and Canada.
In Mexico, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Ukraine, Greece, Malaysia,
and Georgia, volunteer associations advocate with government entities
and provide educational programs. Varying levels of programs for best
practices, either voluntary or government mandated, exist in these countries.
In Asia and Europe, "associations of associations" are being
formed to further communication among camps on those continents. At the
upcoming International Congress, presidents and executive staff of existing
associations will meet for the first time to share ideas and discuss collaborative
efforts.
Global Resource Partners
The term, global resource partners, was coined and advocated by Peg
Smith, CEO of the American Camp Association, to represent ACA's
commitment to sharing with other countries. ACA possesses the largest
collection of camping and youth development publications in the world,
and efforts are being explored to offer these resources at reasonable
prices to professionals in other countries. International participation
at national ACA conferences has increased significantly during the past
decade, and there have been many recent requests for sharing of ACA's
other educational programs.
But sharing goes both ways — and there is much to be learned from
the accomplishments of camps and organizations around the world. Americans
are often viewed in the global camp community as being somewhat self-important
and patronizing in their attitudes toward camps outside the U.S. borders.
As an organization, we are beginning to recognize that significant research
in youth development and outdoor programming has been done in Russia,
Japan, and Australia, and the Research Forum has become an important function
of the International Congresses. We have much to learn from the Australian
approach to year-round camping and the designs that could be applied in
American camps, as well as the prevalence of fully-accessible sites throughout
the country. As we become better acquainted with the world-wide institution
of camp, we will have opportunities to learn from our colleagues as well
as to share our knowledge and resources.
The Butterfly Unites Us in Mexico
One of the greatest values of identifying with a movement larger than
the boundaries of our own camps and organization lies in opportunities
for exchange of ideas and establishment of relationships. Fifteen-year-old
James Simpson, an Australian camper, composed the theme song for the Sixth
International Camping Congress, "As the Butterfly Flies,"
and expressed in the chorus, "Let's celebrate how we differ;
let's celebrate what we share. Let's show the world together
that together we can care." That opportunity waits at the Seventh
International Camping Congress, October 12-16, 2005. You are invited to
join your colleagues in Mexico City to experience the magic of that blue
butterfly uniting us in a world of outdoor experiences.
Originally published in the 2005 September/October
issue of Camping Magazine. |
