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 Happy
New Year! It's great to have
the opportunity to reflect on the year
just ended and look toward the future.
As members of the American Camp Association,
we can look back on 2005 with great pride.
We completed our first full year with a
new name and logo; we launched our outstanding
new parent initiative, CAMP magazine; and
we had the highest membership ever in ACA
in 2005!
The impact of ACA's efforts in educating
parents and getting our messages to the
public has been amazing in the last twelve
months. We can all be proud that media
calls have increased by 129 percent; national
media calls have increased by 220 percent;
half a million copies of CAMP were distributed
to libraries, schools, physician offices,
and airline lounges; and reprints of CAMP articles reached an audience of ten million
in thirty-five magazines across the country.
I am equally excited about 2006. In January,
ACA members will have an opportunity to
comment on the proposed accreditation standards
which will be formally presented in Chicago
at the national conference. The second
issue of CAMP magazine will hit the newsstands
in January, as well.
In February, we will gather together at
the national conference to learn and grow
as we discuss Partnering
with Parents.
This theme will be woven throughout the
conference. There are excellent keynote
speakers: Richard Louv, Dr. Marcia Tate,
Alex Kotlowitz, Dr. Wendy Mogel, Jay Frankel,
Bob Ditter, and Faith Evans. Please
join your colleagues and me for the 2006
American Camp Association National Conference,
February 7 – 10, in Chicago. Check
out the conference Web site, www.ACAcamps.org/conference,
for all the details and online registration
instructions.
ACA's research efforts will continue
in 2006, as will the many regional educational
events. Our business partnerships are continuing
to grow, and CAMPaign '07 is on target,
with gifts of over $3,000,000. With membership
and camp accreditation on the rise, just
think of the impact that the American Camp
Association will be making on children
and youth, their families, and camp professionals!
It's always encouraging to look to
the future, and ACA's future is bright.
I wish you the same bright future in 2006
and look forward to seeing you in Chicago
at the national conference. Happy New Year! |
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