Contributor's Guidelines

About Camping Magazine
Camping Magazine is your primary source for the most recent trends in the camp industry-the latest research in the field of youth development-critical management tools and innovative programming ideas. Camping Magazine is the official publication of the American Camp Association, under the authorization of the National Board of Directors. The magazine is published bimonthly. Note the following deadlines for manuscript submissions:

Topics covered
Topics covered include programming, health and wellness, child development, marketing, ancillary services, and risk management. We also publish research relevant to the camp profession. Many of our articles are written by camp directors and other camp professionals — people in the field who have firsthand knowledge and experience.

How to Submit a Manuscript
Camping Magazine accepts unsolicited manuscripts on topics related to the camp profession. The focus may be theory or practice. Academic research articles must contain information useful to camp professionals. All manuscripts must be the original work of the author.

The ACA Research Committee accepts article ideas for Camping Magazine's Research column from camp researchers on an ongoing basis. The Research column reflects current findings of camp-related research in a format that Camping Magazine readers can use to improve the quality of their programs.

If you're a camp researcher and are interested in writing a short article (1200 to 1600 words) for a future issue of Camping Magazine, please complete the online submission form to submit your research topic to Jon Malinowski, consulting editor of the Research column. This form is only to express interest and is not a commitment on your part or on the part of Camping Magazine.

Submit manuscripts in MS Word format as an e-mail attachment to magazine@ACAcamps.org. Please include manuscripts on a compact disk if mailing them to ACA.

Mail manuscripts to: Editor, Camping Magazine, 5000 State Road 67 North, Martinsville, IN 46151-7902.

Requirements

• Feature articles should be between 1,500 and 3,000 words in length. Short articles and supplementary information are also welcomed.
• Manuscripts should be double-spaced on white paper and include the author's name and address and an approximate word count for the article on the first page. A separate title page is not necessary.
• Include short biographical information about yourself, your background, and your experience in the camp field at the end of the article.
• If you are writing about a particular camp, please include a short (50 words or less) description of the camp — name, where it is located, affiliation, who it serves, type of programs, etc.
• If photos are available to accompany your article, please inform the editor or include with your submission. They don't need to be included with the manuscript. Photo requirements are listed in this brochure.

Tips

• If possible or applicable, begin the article with an example of the situation or phenomenon about which you are writing. Then provide concrete steps to approach or solve the situation.
• Offer helpful suggestions for camp professionals and explain how to implement these ideas.
• Provide appropriate definitions, explanations, background information, demographics, statistics, etc., regarding the issue about which you are writing.
• Include any pertinent references and a list of helpful agencies, Web sites, or other resources that might be of interest. Also, include any other related information that could be used in a short, accompanying article or sidebar.

Review Process
All manuscripts received by Camping Magazine will be acknowledged by the editor. Manuscripts are reviewed and edited first by the editor. The editor may suggest possible alterations or additions and return the manuscript to the author for revisions. The manuscript is then sent to the Editorial Advisory Committee for review.

All articles selected for publication will be edited to fit the style and tone of Camping Magazine. Manuscripts will also be edited for grammar and to fit in the allotted space. Before publication, authors will receive a proof on which to make minor corrections.

Feature manuscripts once published in Camping Magazine will automatically be eligible to be judged for the J. Wendell and Ruth T. Howe Golden Quill Award.

Other Ways to Contribute
We publish . . .

• Essays, opinions, and inspirational stories in "A Place to Share."
• Promotions, job changes, staff additions, community awards, and any unique projects and activities for "Information and Insights."
• Letters to the Editor

Compensation
We are unable to pay writers and photographers. Authors do receive three issues of the magazine in which their manuscript is published. Published manuscripts and all photos received are eligible for the J. Wendell and Ruth T. Howe Awards. Photos are nonreturnable.

Send Us Photos

To send photos to Camping Magazine for publication, a photo release is required. Photos can be received by the following methods:

• PRINTS Color prints can be scanned and used. Be sure they are clear and in focus.
• DIGITAL IMAGERY Please send on DVD or CD or transfer electronically. The images must be high resolution, 300 dpi to reproduce and must be saved as a JPEG or TIFF file.

All photos will be eligible to be judged for the J. Wendell and Ruth T. Howe Golden Lens Awards.

Photos should depict the camp experience, reflect the diversity of the camp community, and represent best practices. Photos that do not comply with American Camp Association standards will not be considered.

Photos should be clear, simple, and effective. Try to choose photos in which the background is not cluttered. Please include the photographer's name, camp name, and contact information on each printed photo. All photos submitted will be retained for our photo file and will not be returned.

The photographer or camp must have a signed model release from parents or legal guardians on file for all identifiable subjects. You can consult your camp's legal counsel to make sure the release meets all laws and regulations. Note the sample release in the Photo Release Form. You can consult your camp's legal counsel to make sure the release meets all laws and regulations. Note the sample release below.

For further information, contact the editorial department at:

American Camp Association
5000 State Road 67 North
Martinsville, IN 46151-7902
765-342-8456
fax 765-342-2065
magazine@ACAcamps.org