20/20 News - 03/27/09

 

Welcome to the April Edition of 20/20 News, our e-newsletter about the American Camp Association’s vision for the future. ACA’s 20/20 Vision: 20 million campers and 20,000 participants engaged in ACA by the year 2020.

This e-newsletter is intended to keep you informed about your association’s plans and actions toward reaching this vision and to update you on how we’re doing. In this issue, we will present to you specific ideas to help you bring more kids to camp . . . .!

What Can I Do to Bring More Kids to Camp?

When the Council of Delegates met in Florida, one question on the table was "what can I do personally to bring more kids to camp?" We collected many thoughts and are honored by all the great ideas. Getting 20,000,000 kids to camp by 2020 is a major part of our exciting vision for the future. 

And now, with drum rolls, we present . . . .

The Top 20 Get-Kids-to-Camp Ideas!

Fund-raising efforts:

  1. Establish a local campership fund for local kids. Remember ACA is already set up to help in this area!
  2. Work to expand SCOPE, a successful program that might be duplicated in other areas. SCOPE is one way to build camperships, and the folks at ACA have more ideas as well.
  3. Focus individual giving on campership opportunities.

Marketing and spreading the word:

  1. Share positive camp experiences on social networking sites for parents.
  2. Try family programs at camps as ways of introducing non-traditional campers into the fold.
  3. Invite church groups for off-season picnics or nature games at camp.
  4. Offer to speak about the value of camp.
  5. Have an ACA table with information at every summer opportunities fair.
  6. Write letters to the editor. Call ACA National or local PR Chair for ideas.
  7. Share camp positives with everyone you know. Remember to emphasize the particular abiding values of the camp experience — connections with nature, deep relationships between people, and children and adults are unplugged from machines and electronics and engaged in human-powered activities.
  8. Work to articulate the value of the counselor experience in the world of jobs and careers.  ACA can help here, too.

Community partnerships:

  1. Contact local non-ACA camps to offer ACA resources.
  2. Work to connect ACA with other groups like AARP, NRPA, etc.  Build these connections locally as well as nationally. Here are some connections ACA has already established.  You can build on these or contact others in your area.
  3. Reach out to new community leaders to share the message.

Camp-specific ideas:

  1. Bring local schools on site for programming in the "off-season."
  2. Host a neighborhood Open House.
  3. Fill every bed, working with individual families who might need time or help to make payments.
  4. Make sure staff is comfortable and ready to serve diverse populations.
  5. Learn Spanish!
  6. Keep working to build the very best camp experience for your campers and staff.  Happy families are our best advocates!

We are sure you have many additional ideas about making 20/20 a reality. Watch for our upcoming newlsetters with further information and details!

Happy Spring!

Questions or comments? E-mail the task force at 2020@ACAcamps.org.

20/20 Task Force
Peg Smith
Peter Surgenor
Ann Sheets
Scott Brody
Posie Taylor
Rich Garbinsky
Diane Tyrrell

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