About ACA

Media Tip from the American Camp Association
March 4, 2009

More than Camp: CampParents.org the Resource for Families

Did you know that the American Camp Association® (ACA) is one of the nation's leading child and youth development resources? For nearly a century, ACA has worked to promote exceptional programs – providing children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living. Additionally, ACA works closely with other youth-serving organizations and associations. As part of ACA's continued commitment to give parents and families the best possible information, CampParents.org is ACA's parent resource Web site. This site includes:

1. Expert Advice – CampParents.org provides families with expert advice on child development and parent-child relationships in addition to camp-related advice such as the benefits of camp, coping with homesickness, and preparing a first-time camper. With information broken down by age group, parents can review developmental milestones, what is "on their child's mind," relationship building tips, and advice on how to get the most out of the camp experience.
2. Camp e-News – Through CampParents.org, parents can sign-up to receive Camp e-News, ACA's bi-monthly parent e-newsletter on child and youth development, the camp experience, and timely issues concerning today's families. Archived issues of Camp e-News are also available on the site.
3. Children and Nature Resources – CampParents.org offers parents and families insight into the importance of a first-hand relationship with nature, online environmental resources, and family fun activities to "get green."
4. Healthy Kids and Teens Information – Families can access information on health and safety issues such as bullying, sun safety, avoiding and treating poison ivy and poison oak, developing healthy lifestyles, and teen specific issues such as driving safety, information on underage drinking and drug use, and online safety.
5. Información en Español – CampParents.org is translated for parents and families who are more comfortable reading and searching for information in their primary language. This includes all developmental information, expert advice, and the ultimate camp planner. The entire site has been translated – providing non-English speaking families, or English as a second language families, with the same beneficial resource information.
6. Camp Planning and Search – Of course, this resource would not be complete without the ultimate camp planner and ACA's Find A Camp searchable database. By using these camp resources, families can find the perfect camp experience, see research and information on the benefits and essential quality of camp to a child's development, visit camp Web sites, find information on financial assistance, and read helpful camp tips.

Contact Public Relations at 765.349.3317 or pr@ACAcamps.org to interview an ACA spokesperson for more information about CampParents.org or the essential camp experience. For customizable public service announcements or article reprints, visit our Media Center at http://www.ACAcamps.org/media.

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. 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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