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- CAMPS OFFER CHILDREN
OPPORTUNITY FOR FREE PLAY
A report released this month by the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
suggests that a child’s engagement
in free play can foster creativity
and social skills. The study also argues
that when play is undirected, kids
become resourceful in figuring out
conflict resolution, negotiation, and
even leadership, all important skills
in child development.
Despite these documented benefits,
children do not always get the opportunity
to play. In fact, 21 to 30 percent
of children in grades one to six get
fifteen minutes or less of recess a
day.
In an environment where kids do not
always get to be kids, the American
Camp Association (ACA) promotes the
benefits of the camp experience in
the developmental needs of children.
The benefits camp offers children include:
- Opportunities to engage in unstructured
play
- Experiential education and experiences
- Opportunities for healthy, safe
risk-taking
- An "unplugged" environment
- A community that includes caring
adults
ACA published the results of the largest
camper outcomes study ever conducted
in the U.S., Directions: Youth Development
Outcomes of the Camp Experience. This
study, conducted by the independent
Philliber Research Associates and ACA,
with generous support from Lilly Endowment
Inc., provides scientific evidence
that camp is a positive force in youth
development.
For more information on the study and
its results, visit www.ACAcamps.org or
contact Public Relations at pr@ACAcamps.org.
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- ACCREDITATION IS KEY
One way parents can feel confident
that their child is in a safe and nurturing
camp environment is to confirm the
camp's ACA accreditation. ACA
accreditation assures parents that
the camp has had a voluntary, independent
safety audit that goes beyond regulations
in most states. To achieve accreditation,
camps must demonstrate compliance with
many mandatory standards applicable
to their specific programs, as well
as substantial compliance with an additional
body of standards in ten operational
areas that specifically address the
delivery of a quality camp program.
It is important for parents to know
that there is a difference between
licensing and accreditation. Licensing
focuses on the enforcement of the minimum
regulations, whereas accreditation
focuses on education—supporting
the best practices in all aspects of
camp operation.
Although no accreditation process,
no licensing program, and no set of
regulations or laws can guarantee safety,
ACA accreditation is the best evidence
for parents that a camp is committed
to health and safety. To access a list
of ACA-accredited camps, visit www.CampParents.org.
For more information about ACA accreditation,
contact Public Relations at pr@ACAcamps.org.
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- CAMPS ARE HELPING KIDS
HEAL
Therapeutic camps provide children
with the opportunity to deal with
emotional issues in a safe environment—specializing
in helping children cope with circumstances
such as chronic illness, siblings
with disabilities, or loss of a loved
one. Through the camp experience,
children are able to learn the coping
skills necessary to face these situations.
Some of the critical issues that
the camp experience helps children
address are:
- How children manage the psychological
effects of an illness, death
of a loved one, or serious event.
- How children perceive themselves
and others.
- How children can develop resiliency
and courage.
The safety of the camp environment
reduces fear and anxiety in children
by providing opportunities where
they can interact with other children
and learn beneficial ways to share
and cope. Therapeutic camps provide
extraordinary opportunities for children
to be in control of their experiences
and their lives—even though
during the rest of the year, because
of illness or events, they feel that
they are not.
Parents can find additional information
surrounding special needs and therapeutic
camps by visiting ACA’s www.CampParents.org.
Reprints of the articles, "Being
a Regular Kid," by Melora Mayo,
R.N., and “A Camp With an ‘I
Can’ Attitude” are available.
For more information and permission
to reprint, contact Public Relations
at pr@ACAcamps.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Public Relations, American Camp Association
765-349-3317; 765-342-8456, ext. 317
pr@ACAcamps.org
About ACA
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance
the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs
ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally
challenging learning opportunities. ACA is the only national organization that accredits camps. There are over 2,400 ACA-accredited camps
that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.
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