ACA Virginias Member Directory Password-protected

Information for Camps Being Visited in 2008

VISITOR ASSIGNMENTS:  Click for visitor assignments and contact information.

CAMP INFORMATION FORM:  To provide information for your visitors, please click here to download the 2008 information form and return it by email to Maile Armstrong, mailearmstrong@verizon.net

Questions?  Contact Maile Armstrong, mailearmstrong@verizon.net or 540-947-5016.

Playground Safety Update  The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has updated its Handbook for Public Playground Safety which is now available for download or to order.  Visit the link http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/325.pdf to view or download the April 2008 Handbook.  The updated Handbook for Public Playground Safety contains new guidelines from CPSC staff for playground equipment for children as young as six months old, track and log rolls for older children, and playground surfacing, as well as suggestions on protecting children from sun exposure on playgrounds.  Hard copies of the Handbook can be ordered by contacting CPSC at info@cpsc.gov.  The CPSC issued a press release in response to National Playground Safety Week (April 21-25) which is below. In addition to the Handbook, CPSC has two other playground safety resources: the Outdoor Home Playground Handbook (CPSC-324); and a Home Playground Safety Checklist (CPSC-323).  All three resources are available at www.cpsc.gov.  You can find more information about National Playground Safety Week at www.playgroundsafety.org the Web site for the National Program for Playground Safety.

ACA Virginia Annual Report

The annual report of the 2007 Accomplishments and 2008 Goals may be downloaded.  The Annual Financial report is also available upon request from the Section Office, acavirginias@acacamps.org or 1-800-347-7523.  Please contact Linda Pulliam, Executive if you have other questions.

Bats and Rabies Exposure in Camps:  While bats can be beneficial to the natural environment, ACA encourages all camps to take precautionary steps (such as avoiding intentional contact with a bats, using screens or mosquito netting).  If a bat is found near a sleeping area, ACA recommends the safe removal, following local guidelines.  If children have been sleeping in a structure in which a bat is found, the camp is encouraged to follow local recommendations regarding possible safe capture and testing of the bat and notification of the local health authorities. The Center for Disease Control released an advisory on August 4, 2006 specific to exposures in summer camps.  The full text may be found at:  http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/ques&ans/q&a_summer_camp.htm The New York State Health Department also has some related information on habitat inspections at http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/batinsp.htm

and on management of bats at children's camps at http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/batcamp.htm

West Virginia Sales Tax:  The ACA Virginias Section Board has requested clarification of the Sales Tax regulations for summer camps as outlined in Publication TSD-375.  The reply from the WV Department of Revenue and applicable sections of the Consumer Sales and service Tax and Use Tax Regulations may be found through these links.  West Virginia camps may want to discuss their tax responsibilities with a tax accountant or tax attorney based on these documents.

Camp Nurses:  The website of the Association of Camp Nurses offers helpful articles for camp nurses.  Camps may advertise nurse vacancies by joining ACN and paying an advertising fee.  Website: www.campnurse.org