News to Use - February 23, 2006

IN THIS ISSUE:
National Conference Recap
New Communications Toolkit
Update Your Contact Info
Sign Up for Health Camps Study
Upcoming Meetings
Surveys
Sundial Article Deadline
2006 Accreditation Visits

ACA National Conference Recap
It was GREAT to see so many ACA Southeastern members in Chicago! We were by far the most well represented Section – which goes along with the “Super Southeastern” theme the Board has adopted (or somewhat adopted). I do hope you took advantage of the keynote speakers, many great educational sessions, the exhibit hall and the opportunity to meet new camp professionals and renew acquaintances with former ones.  Make sure to mark your calendar for the 2007 National Conference being held in Austin, TX (February 13 – 16). 

Three of ACA Southeastern's Super Board Members:
Bonnie Nichols, Leslie Conrad and Kat Shreve.

New Resource!
Just in time for summer, the Communications Department of ACA, Inc has created a great resource: “Communications Toolkit.”   The Toolkit is designed to guide camp professionals at all levels in their media relations activities and is a resource for both proactive relations and crisis communications.   This resource can be accessed at: www.acacamps.org/members

Is Your Information Correct?
Did you know that ACA, Inc has more than one “database?”  A very important one contains the information that is on the “Find a Camp” Web site. Check out the current information that is listed for your camp.  If your information is incorrect, please call 800-429-2267 and update your camp CONTACT information (which is different than your camp Liaison Information).  This contact information is what is listed in the Section Directory.

How Healthy/Safe is Your Camp?
Sign up for the Health Camps Study and find out!  Important findings from the 2005 Pilot Study indicate that of illnesses/accidents that caused a camper or staff to miss more than four hours of activity, average, illnesses represented approximately 69% of the events for both campers and staff, and 31% were injuries; staff are almost twice as likely as campers to have illnesses of injuries that met the reporting criteria and the majority of camper injuries in the pilot study occurred during afternoon in general and on Fridays in particular.  Being part of this study will allow your camp to track your trends AND be in a better position to develop interventions and strategies.  This study is being funded through a generous grant from Markel Insurance and is being conducted through The Ohio State University, College of Medicine and Columbus Children’s Research Institute.  For more information, contact Sheila Dannemiller at ACA, Inc (765-342- 3511) or check out www.acacamps.org/research (beginning Monday, Feb. 27). This is great opportunity for ALL camps – day, resident, agency, private, RAC…..

District Meetings
Check out Meetings/Events to find any upcoming meetings in your area. Gatherings of camp professionals are being held in most parts of the Section, being hosted by camps and dedicated volunteers.  Meet the best resource available – other camp professionals!

Your Input is Valued...
...and very useful! As you receive that request to complete a survey (from either ACA National or your Section office), please do take the time to complete it!  The information is valuable as we plan for educational events, determine enrollment trends over 3-5 years, and gather the information ACA repeatedly gets asked for (by both internal and external sources).  Complete the most recent enrollment survey (asking for where your enrollment is now in comparison to where it was last year at this time and is part of a longitudinal study).

Sundial Newsletter Deadline
Do you have something to share in the March issue of the Sundial?  If so, please submit all articles, pictures, etc by March 5.  Send information to Jackie@acasoutheastern.org 

Final Call for Camps Being Visited in 2006!
If your camp is scheduled for a visit in 2006 and you have NOT yet attended a Standards Course (or registered for one), please do so immediately!  Information is available at www.acasoutheastern.org.  If you are unable to attend any of the remaining courses, please contact the ACA, SE office IMMEDIATELY! Camps being visited in 2006 MUST submit a Camp Information Form by March 15, 2006.