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by Peg L. Smith, Chief Executive Officer
We are focused and driven by the 20/20 Vision. But, no matter how focused
and driven we are, we cannot be misguided and fail to understand that
the work for all of us begins now. Right now. Progress must be accomplished
every year from this point forward.True, 20 million children, youth,
and adults going to camp is a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG), but not
impossible. Let me repeat, not impossible — if each one of us begins
to focus on the success of that vision. It is not about something that
will just happen in twelve years because we want it to; it will only
happen because of what each of us does every day from this day forward.
If we want 20 million children, youth, and adults to go to camp, that
means each year we need to see an increase in enrollment. It means every
one of us needs to talk to at least one person everyday about the value
of the camp experience in today’s contemporary world — no
assumptions, no omissions — but, rather, succinctly articulated
messages of value. It means that every one of our camp counselors needs
to be charged to do the same — throughout the year — every
day. No more silence, no more soft voices — nothing but advocacy
for children, youth, and adults.
If we want 20 million children, youth,
and adults to go to camp, we need to understand it is not about growth
for the sake of growth. That kind of growth is careless and meaningless.
Growth must be driven by value and the worthiness of our mission to enrich
lives through the camp experience. We must embrace and share the commitment:
- To
provide young people with the opportunity to experience an intimacy
with nature — to participate in saving our planet.
- To provide
young people with authentic human connections so they can learn to
be productive, contributing citizens in healthy communities.
- To
provide young people with the opportunity to advance their wellness
of mind, body, and spirit through human-powered activities.
If we want 20 million
children, youth, and adults going to camp that means we must look different.
We must recognize that today we are serving an evaporating demographic.
We are dealing with anxious parents who are less and less willing to
give the care of their children and youth to others. We are dealing with
a public that is growing increasingly skeptical of bureaucracies, regulation,
and accreditation — particularly as stand-alone proof of quality.
We cannot be accused of simply moving the deck chairs around our own
deck, but must lower the gang plank, release the water from the moat,
take down the walls, and invite people to join us.
This is hard work.
Nothing of value is anything less than difficult to accomplish. Hard
work is not for the weak of heart or the timid of spirit. This BHAG is
our tipping point; it is what ACA has been working towards for no less
than twenty years. It is now, right now. It is my hope that each person
reading this letter will today, not tomorrow, share the value of the
camp experience with someone new. Today, not tomorrow, and every day
that follows!
Originally published in the 2008 March/April
issue of Camping Magazine. |
