Educational Workshop – December 10, 2008

A cooperative program with the Illinois Park and Recreation Association

Leave No Child Inside: Connecting families to nature in parks

Please respond to info@acail.org to indicate if you (and others from your camp/agency) will be attending!!  We have had an exceptional response to this program, and we want to be sure we have an appropriate room/hall to accommodate everyone.

Date & Time:     Wednesday, December 10, 2008, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location:            Oakton Community Center – Program Room West, 2^nd Floor

                            Skokie Park District

                            4701 Oakton Street

                            Skokie, IL 60076

Speaker information:

Peggy Stewart, Manager of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Chicago Park District

Detailed Information available at:  www.acail.org/dec10.php

The price is $10. Cash or check (payable to ACA-IL) at the door.  We are asking everyone to bring your own lunch, non-alcoholic beverage and enough snack (healthy &/or other) for yourself and two other people.

PROGRAM OF VALUE TO DAY & RESIDENT CAMP DIRECTORS AND STAFF ALSO

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Best of the Best - Day Camp Workshop - Jan. 8, 2009

Date:         Thursday January 8th, 2009

Location:   Rolling Meadows Park District

                   3000 W. Central Rd., Rolling Meadows, Il. 60008

Contact:    Sandra Thompson sthompson@crystallakeparks.org

·         Whole Day-  9:00 am – 3:15 pm (lunch included)

·         Half Day-9-11 :30 or 12-3 :15 (no lunch)

·         Registration begins at 8 :30 am.

·         .5 CEUs Available, Pending Approval

·         Presented by:  IPRA School Age/Day Camp Committee

Send new inexperienced camp directors or supervisors in the morning, experienced in the afternoon. Or you can enjoy a whole day of fun and information! The American Camping Association  will present proven ideas and techniques in areas such as programming, field trip ideas, behavior management, inclusion, and successful staffing in regards to accreditation, team building, and training for returning staff. There will be some round table time to get specific questions answered. Handouts include programming ideas and a “Day Camp Operations Handbook”. 

For more information including a registration form:  www.acail.org/jan08.pdf

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In Memoriam

Gordie Kaplan, Executive Director, ACA, Illinois

Betty van der Smissen, Re.D., JD.   One of the great leaders in the fields of organized camping and outdoor experiential education passed away in early November.  Betty made many significant contributions during her fifty years of teaching, research, writing, and mentoring.  She served as President of the American Camping Association and she was the single most important developer in the 1967 - 1972 rewrite and reorganization of the ACA Accreditation Standards Program.  Betty was a member of a group of volunteers who placed the ACA Accreditation Standards on the path that is still primarily being followed thirty-six years later.  The key concepts of “Yes/No” responses, written documentation, elimination of Visitor’s subjective comments, program design standards based upon the ACA definition of the camp experience, specialized program activities scoring on the basis of evaluation of the supervisor, skill verification and supervision of program staff by the supervisor, written operating guidelines, and careful attention to the facilities and equipment were all initiated by Betty van der Smissen.  I know this because I witnessed it as a member of the rewrite task group.

The Betty van der Smissen I knew was a kind, gentle, supportive person.  Working with her I was always aware and in awe of her towering intellect and immense knowledge of recreation, camping, risk management and legal liability in camping and related fields but she never made me feel inferior.  If you are interested in learning more about one of the giants in our field take time to read more about the accomplishments of Betty van der Smissen.  The website mentioned below documents some of her many achievements.

To continue Dr. van der Smissen’s life’s work and to further research related to outdoor program benefits for children and adults, the Association for Experiential Education has created the van der Smissen Research Endowment.  For additional information go to:  http://www.aee.org/files/en/user/cms/van_der_Smissen_Pamphlet_final.pdf

Allen Sigoloff.  I () lost another close friend and colleague during November when Allen “Moe” Sigoloff passed away on the 19th.  “Moe” married Carol Altman, daughter of Gene “Speedy” Altman and Margaret, “Honey” Altman founders of Camp Thunderbird for Boys and later of Camp Thunderbird for Girls.   I grew up at Camp Thunderbird and while there caught the camping “bug” that led to my career in the camping field.

“Moe” first came to work at Thunderbird in 1958 when he was a seventeen year old Junior Counselor and I was a sixteen year old Counselor in Training.  We were placed in the same cabin with Joe “Caesar” Soete who was the Cabin Counselor.  “Caesar” later started his own camp, “Forty Legends” near Washington, MO.  “Moe” was in charge of Nature Lore and cared for a baby de-scented skunk and a baby raccoon along with native fish and other specimens from Minnesota’s Northwood’s.  He was especially skilled caring for the animals.  He was a dedicated environmentalist even at an early age.  He bred tropical fish while he was in high school.  He also had a special gift of sharing his love of animals and plants with others. This was my first opportunity to appreciate and learn about the special wonders of the natural world and “Moe” was my teacher.  He was also a first rate camp director.  “Moe” and Carol along with “Speedy” and “Honey” started Camp Thunderbird for Girls in 1970 on the other side of the same lake where the boy’s camp was sited.  “Speedy” died shortly after the girl’s camp’s initial summer season concluded.  “Moe” and Carol continued operating both camps until recently when their daughter Shari “Tres” Sigoloff and her husband, Michael Rawitscher purchased the camps.

Allen Sigoloff is survived by his wife, Carol, his brother, Jerry, and his three daughters; Julie, Laura and Shari. Memorial contributions for Allen “Moe” Sigoloff can be made to the Speedy and Honey Altman Memorial Camp Foundation:  for more information go to:  http://www.camptbird.com/Alumni/Foundation.asp

Pat Hayes Parks…  Pat passed away in late November.   Pat worked for the Rockford Park District.  She supervised Atwood Park which is the home of Rockford Park District’s resident camp Nature Quest as well as a year around environmental education program.  Pat also supervised the District’s day camps.  She led these camps through their initial ACA Accreditation several years ago.

The Rockford Park District has established a fund for the arts to remember Pat.

Les Brower…  Les Brower passed away in California in November.  Les was Bob Brower’s brother.  Bob and Marcy Brower have been actively involved with ACA Illinois, the Mid States Camping Conference, and ACA national for many years.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of each of these individuals.

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New Arrivals

Ms. Liliana Heinrich was born, 8/19/08.  Her family members include; parents, Brian and Claudia Heinrich, sister, Sofia, age four and brother, Benjamin, age two.  Brian worked for many years at Riverwoods Christian Center, St. Charles, IL.  He now leads the Elgin Christian Development Corp.  Brian is an Accreditation Visitor and a member of the ACA IL board of directors.

Ms. Hannah Grace Pedersen was born, 10/22/08.  She is the daughter of Eric and Mary Pedersen.  Mary works in the Risk Management Department of the YMCA of Metro Chicago.  Among other duties, Mary works directly with the Y’s fine day camps.  Eric works for the Brookfield Zoo.  Among other duties, Eric supervises the Zoo’s day camp which became ACA Accredited in 2008.

Mr. Ehren Ryker was born, 11/30/08.  He is the son of Sean and Catherine Curry Ryker and the new brother of Ms. Aislinn Ryker.  Aislinn’s birthdate is December 1^st.  Catherine works for the Latin School and supervises their day camp.  She is also an Accreditation Visitor and ACA IL Board of Directors Secretary.

Congratulations to each of these new arrivals.

If you know about new arrivals, marriages, or the passing of friends and colleagues from our camp community please send information to Michael@acail.org so we can inform other members.

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Illinois Parks & Recreation Association's Environmental Committee

Tools for Greening Your Organization (or You) - Presentation

At the recent ACA Illinois annual meeting, held on Thursday, November 20, 2008; members of the Illinois Parks & Recreation Association's Environmental Committee shared resources designed to help chart a course towards environmental sustainability within our organizations and in our personal lives.

The panel described efforts undertaken by the committee during the past several years to develop the Model Environmental Policy, Environmental Toolkit and Environmental Report Card and will be reviewing each of these documents and how they can be adapted for use by any organization. They also described efforts to promote these resources within their organizations and efforts to document the environmental successes that can result.

For more information about this presentation please go to:  www.acail.org/ipragreen.php

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American Camp Association, Illinois * 67 E. Madison St. Suite 1406 * Chicago, IL 60603-3014 * Ph (312) 332-0833 * Fax (312) 332-4011

Gordie Kaplan , Executive Director * Ph (312) 332-0833 ext. 22 * email gordie@acail.org

Michael Hoffenberg, Director of Operations * Ph (312) 332-0833 ext. 24 * email michael@acail.org

Cathola Hill, Administrative Assistant * Ph (312) 332-0833 ext. 21 * email info@acail.org

Web Site:  www.acail.org