Russell W. Hogrefe Fresh Start Fund

The Russell W. Hogrefe Fresh Start Fund was established by Russell Hogrefe during his tenure as Executive Director of the American Camp Association, Illinois Section.

He served in that position from 1979 until his retirement in 1996. Russ spent his entire professional career providing camping and other services to families with very low income.

Teachers, social workers, counselors or other professionals refer campers for assistance and the ACA-IL staff and the person making the referral select an appropriate day/ resident camp.

The camper's family is encouraged to pay whatever they can afford for the camping experience. The camp provides a partial campership and the Fund pays the balance.
If you would like to honor a friend, relative or colleague by making a contribution to the Russell W. Hogrefe Fresh Start Fund.

Please make check payable to:

ACA Illinois Section, Russell W. Hogrefe Fresh Start Fund
67 E. Madison Street, Suite 1406
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Your contribution will be acknowledged to a person (s) of your choice.

You can also contribute online at the link below:

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The Chicago Camping Committee - CAMPFEST 2009

The Chicago Camping Committee, comprised of the Chicago Police Department Youth Investigations Section, Juvenile Court Probation, and ACA-IL present:

25th annual CAMPFEST on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Moretti’s Restaurant, 1645 W. Jackson, 4:45 to 10:00 PM.

Tickets are $25, and admission includes an unlimited buffet dinner and complimentary draft beer, door prizes, a raffle and silent auction.
Back by popular demand, there will also be a Bean Bag Tournament on the outdoor patio, with great prizes.

This benefit supports year round camping programs for Chicagoland abused, neglected, and at-risk children, with referrals from CPD Youth Investigations Section & Juvenile Court.

In recent years, over a thousand DCFS wards attended camp at no cost to the agency or families due to this event. Proceeds are held in trust in an audited account by ACA-IL.

Funding is challenged, and CAMPFEST ’09 is a wonderful fundraiser. Please help us make this event a success, by making a donation of goods or services; or attending.

For more information about The Chicago Camping Committee & CAMPFEST 2009 please contact Michael Hoffenberg at michael@acail.org
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Best of the Best - Day Camp Workshop - Resource Files

At the ACA Illinois / IPRA Best of the Best - Day Camp Workshop (held during January, 2009), a resource CD was distributed.

To access these files, please go to :  www.acail.org/bestofbest.php

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Illinois Parks & Recreation Association's Environmental Committee

Tools for Greening Your Organization (or You) - Presentation

At the ACA Illinois 2008 Annual Meeting members of the IPRA'ss Environmental Committee shared resources designed to help chart a course towards environmental sustainability.

The panel described efforts undertaken by the committee to develop the Model Environmental Policy, Environmental Toolkit and Environmental Report Card.

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