|
 Happy
New Year! I always enjoy the beginning
of a year, because it's a time to look
to the future and anticipate great things
to come. It's that way with jobs, too,
whether paid or volunteer. Every new job
provides excitement about what's ahead.
I'm looking forward to a new job
with ACA, because in a little more than
a month, I'll be the past president. At
the end of our national conference in February,
we'll have a new national president,
our colleague and good friend, Peter Surgenor
of Holmes, New York. Peter has prepared
for his new job and is ready to get started.
I'm excited, too, because there are great
things ahead for ACA, and Peter will be
an excellent leader.
All of us, whether we're members
of a section or national board or committee,
student members, retirees, or new members
to ACA, have a role to play in our future
success. We have a wonderful vision
for the year 2020 – 20 million children
attending camp and 20,000 participants
in ACA. There are over 53 million
children between 5 and 17 in the United
States right now. Only an estimated
11 million get to experience what we know
is a life-changing experience, camp. Just
think how great it would be to double that
number! After all, our future national
leaders are our campers and counselors
of today. By 2020, they will be our
educators, professionals, and business
and government leaders. Children
and youth need camp; we can make sure that
they have that experience to prepare them
for adulthood and the responsible positions
they will assume.
The "20/20 Vision" will be
discussed in detail at ACA's national
conference, February 12 – 15 in Nashville. It's
not too late to sign up for this educational
event; its theme is "The
Strength of Many Voices" and which will feature
our headliners, Dr. Rick Rigsby, REI CEO
Sally Jewell, Dr. Michael Thompson, and
ACA's CEO, Peg Smith, along with
hundreds of workshops related to all facets
of youth development and camp administration.
Just go to www.ACAcamps.org/conference for
more information and to register online. In
addition, remember that the deadline for
the discounted hotel rate is January 9.
The year 2020 isn't that far away. Between
now and then, we'll be celebrating
the 100th anniversary of our association
and the 150th anniversary of camp. And
each year, we will increase the number
of children and youth attending camp, along
with the number of participants in the
American Camp Association.
On a personal note, thank you for allowing
me to serve as ACA's national president
for the last three years. It has
truly been an amazing experience, and I
am honored to have had this opportunity.
I look forward to seeing you in Nashville
as we learn and share together and support
ACA's
20/20 Vision as we move ahead. Happy
New Year and I'll see you in February!
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