Inside ACA — December 2008

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Learning Resources

ACA 2009 National Conference, The Power of the Experience

Check out the Program, Organized by Topic Area
With more than 125 program offerings to choose from in Orlando, you can pack a powerful professional development punch, early in 2009.  Check the program out online by clicking here, or check your mailbox for the November Resource Flyer, packed with details about the conference.

Super Sessions — Heavy-Hitting Headliners
We consider all our presenters to be top-notch, so consider this listing merely a sampling of the talent we are showcasing at this year's National Conference: 

For the full list of sessions accepted to date, visit www.ACAcamps.org/conference. Articles from selected presenters will be featured in the January/February issue of Camping Magazine.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort — Make Your Reservations Today!
Did you know rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at our special conference rate of $169, single, double, or triple occupancy?  In other words, don't delay in making your reservations. This special rate can be extended four days prior or after our conference dates, depending on availability. This full service, Disney resort offers family-friendly services and amenities. Disney resort guests now enjoy complimentary, round-trip ground transportation from the Orlando International Airport. For more about the hotel, visit our customized Disney pages.

Tickets to Disney Theme Parks
Visit our customized pages for links to various ticket packages.  The options seem endless, but take a moment to check out the After 4 p.m. ticket option.

Night on the Town (NOT), Chapter Two!
For the past several years, we've offered Night on the Town options that showcase our host-city's atmosphere and cuisine. In addition to the great dining, entertainment, and transportation, our Night on the Town has been just as much about offering some casual and meaningful networking. In 2009, we have a special opportunity to marry those offerings with Disney's attractions. On Thursday evening, February 19, we will plan to meet informally in designated parks and points, including the Magic Kingdom, at selected times to offer opportunities to experience these amenities together. We will offer options for meeting up with other attendees at parks that require a ticket, as well as entertainment and dining spots that don't require any special purchase. Transportation from Disney's Coronado Springs Resort to the Disney venues is complimentary for guests. Look for more about our NOT, Chapter 2 as our conference dates approach. In the meantime, check out the ticket options including specially priced, After 4 p.m. passes.

Pre-Conferences Enhance Your Conference Experience
Several pre-conference offerings have been organized to make the most of your conference experience.  For those arriving a little early, consider attending one or more of these great offerings:

Monday, February 16
1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
What Now? Effectively Addressing Mental Health Issues at Camp
Karen Carlson, Bob Ditter, Linda Erceg, Alicia McAuliffe-Fogarty and Chris Thurber
$79 members and $89 non members

Tuesday, February 17
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Friendship and Social Cruelty in Camp
Michael Thompson

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Marketing the Power of Our Experience: Intentionally Communicating Youth Outcomes to Parents and Stakeholders
Cathy Scheder and Maggie Braun

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Collaborative Problem Solving—Advanced Skills for Defusing Emotional Bombs
Chris Thurber

For details about each pre-conference, visit:
www.ACAcamps.org/conference/preconference_bonuses.php

Kindred and Affiliate Groups
Check out the Kindred Groups and Affiliates that will host pre-conferences, special luncheons, and other events as part of the ACA National Conference. Details about events, registration procedures, and contact information are available at:
www.ACAcamps.org/conference/kindred.php

Special Thanks to our Premier Sponsors

For additional information about the 2009 National Conference, including news about our Community Service Project,
www.ACAcamps.org/conference.

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December Is Stock Up Time — Visit the ACA Bookstore for Resources You'll Need in 2009

Gear up for Summer 2009 now, with the tools, forms, and other resources from ACA's Bookstore, offered in cooperation with our publishing partner, Healthy Learning.  

	Homesickness Prevention Tool – The Secret Ingredients of Summer Camp Success Look no further than ACA's homesickness prevention program. This award-winning DVD/CD set ($9.95 for individual copies / $5.95 in bulk) lowers the intensity of first-year campers by an average of 50 percent! This translates to more fun for campers, less stress for staff, fewer parent phone calls, and better outcomes for your camp program. Slide the DVD/CD set into new campers' registration packets and watch severe homesickness disappear.
	Camp Health History Forms, Camp Health Record Forms, Accident-Incident Report Forms, Camp Health Record Logs and Transportation Logs make easy work of information you need to collect and maintain.
	Who Will Care When I'm Not There?  (2nd Edition), Peg Smith, American Camp Association, $19.95 Do you have the latest edition, in DVD format of the sensitive and effective way of sharing the critically important message of the depth of responsibility for campers that our counselors must understand?  This recent edition includes an expanded facilitator's guide for easy use in staff training.
	Camp Is for the Camper: A Counselor's Guide to Youth Development (2nd Edition), Connie Coutellier, American Camp Association, $9.95 Build your counselors understanding of the ages and stages of youth development of the campers in their care.  Offer insights into how your counselor's actions may be translating to camper parents, supervisors, and the campers themselves.  This time-tested training tool is effective for both new and returning counselors.  Order one for each counselor, or keep multiple copies on hand as an accessible, quick-reference.

Check out all the titles at www.ACAbookstore.org.

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Online Courses Target Illness and Injury Prevention
ACA's Injury and Illness Prevention e-Courses are a series of courses related to the provision of healthy camp experiences for participants and staff. These courses, based on results from ACA's Healthy Camp Study, target prevention efforts that camps and other youth development programs can take to reduce the likelihood of camp injuries and illness.

Reducing the Spread of Communicable Diseases in Camp: Why We Should Do It In Our Sleeves
Did you know that campers are twice as likely to become ill at camp as they are to get injured?  You owe it to your campers and staff to stop the spread of germs! This course teaches camp professionals how to reduce the spread of communicable diseases like the common cold. In the end, you'll have a healthier camp community. Specific activities that camp directors can include in staff orientation and training are included in the course.

Footloose: Minimizing Slips and Falls at Camp 
The majority of camper injuries result from trips, slips, and falls, and these injuries are often associated with improper footwear. The purpose of this module is to teach camp directors and staff strategies for preventing foot and ankle injuries through the application of footwear selection guidelines that are appropriate for children and the camp setting. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the number and severity of foot and ankle injuries that occur in camps.

Knife Safety: Reducing Sharp Object Injuries at Camp
One of the most common causes of staff injuries in camps is knife injuries to the hand or finger from improper use. The purpose of this module is to teach camp directors and staff strategies for preventing knife -related injuries through the application of knife handling and usage guidelines that are appropriate for the camp setting.  

Member and non-member pricing are available for these e-Courses. All three courses are included in one course fee. For information about these courses, please visit www.ACAcamps.org/einstitute/healthycamp. 

For more information about ACA's e-Institute, please visit www.ACAcamps.org/einstitute/courses.php. 

Learn more about the Healthy Camp Study.

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The Basic Camp Director Course (BCDC)
The BCDC provides the basics and more for camp directors with fewer than six years of experience or for seasoned program directors and site managers. This is an excellent opportunity for camp professionals to develop well-rounded knowledge of the core areas and to begin building a personal network of camp professionals.

The course is offered over five days. Courses serve twenty to thirty-five participants and are supported by two trainers. Participants receive an extensive course notebook and a copy of the most recent edition of Basic Camp Management by Armand and Beverly Ball and the American Camp Association.

February 13-17, 2009
Southeastern
Life Enrichment Center
4991 Picciola Road
Fruitland Park, FL 34731

March 22-26, 2009
Mid States
JCYS Camp Henry Horner
P.O. Box 297
Ingleside, IL 60041
For more information and to register visit www.ACAcamps.org/education/bcdc.

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Crisis Communications and Camp Administration e-Institute Courses Debut in January
ACA is pleased to announce an educational alliance with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). NRPA's mission is to advance parks, recreation, and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people. In recognition of our complementary missions, an educational alliance has been formed to advance the professional development of those individuals dedicated to carrying out these missions.

To provide high-quality learning in the areas of recreation, camping, experiential education, and youth development, NRPA and ACA are collaborating to create online education courses, available through NRPA's Pyxis Learning Center and ACA's e-Institute.
Two courses are currently under development and will debut in January 2009.

1. "Communication in a Time of Crisis—Are You Prepared?"
   A one-hour course targeting camp directors and managers. Based on information from the American Camp Association's knowledge center, this course covers crisis identification, crisis key messages, media communications, and developing a crisis response team. This course is a must for anyone working with risk and crisis management.
2. "Camp Administrator 101: Preparing for Your New Role"
   A three-hour course targeting new directors and managers. Based on the American Camp Association's popular New Director Orientation program, this course teaches the fundamentals of leadership, staff training, and supervision; risk management; and child development/behavior.

ACA and NRPA are excited about this new alliance and look forward to offering even more educational opportunities in the future.

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ACA Regional Conferences Listed Online
Check out ACA's Web site for a complete listing of ACA regional conferences with live links to ACA local office Web sites for more information.

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