NEWS TO USE - LATE MARCH

Here in the Piedmont of North Carolina, it is “yellow haze time.” 
For those of you not lucky enough to experience it, this is the time when the pine pollen starts to fly!  More importantly, it truly signifies that spring is here… with summer not too far behind.  And, we all know that means: THE CAMPERS ARE COMING!  Please don’t panic just yet, there are two months before June 1.

Does Your Camp Get the Same Pricing as a FORTUNE 500 Company??
Not likely . . . but now you can through the new ACA/Consorta Group Purchasing Program! Our program has special contracts with FEDEX, SYSCO, GORDON FOODS, OFFICE MAX, HOME DEPOT SUPPLY, ECOLAB and hundreds of other companies. Never before have camps had this buying clout.  ACA has joined forces with one of the largest group purchasing cooperatives, Consorta to save you money. What does this mean to you? ACA camps and members now have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars on your camp purchases by taking advantage of the combined purchasing strength of over 4,000 organizations. You will have access to contracts worth $5 billion annually.  Check out http://www.acacamps.org/partners/consorta.php for full information and sign-up form!

Information about TEENS for Camp Professionals !
...teen girls report at a rate of 91% that flip-flops are definitely “the thing”… from walking on the beach in them to completing party attire. What type of footwear policy do you have at camp?
…as teens spend more time “talking” to their friends online, they may not be getting the face to face time to hone their social skills. The majority of teens (71%) say they make friends easily but of this number, 60% of them would rather spend time with a small group of friends.

While we may not be able to keep up with their lighting fast texting thumbs or understand the lyrics to the music they listen to, for many of us teens are a critical component of our camp program. From teen programming to entry-level employment opportunities, we find ourselves marketing to this important segment of the population.

Do you want to know more about teens' spending behaviors, likes and dislikes, and generally what makes them tick? ACA is pleased to announce a new relationship with Teen Research Unlimited (TRU), a leading provider of teen data. TRU surveys teens from across the US and even employs teens from major US cities to help them determine “what’s hot” and “what’s not.” ACA camps will receive a sneak peek at TRU’s teen market research in a biweekly newsletter entitled TRU View.  TRU View will be available to ACA member camps beginning in April 2007 on ACA's Web page.
http://www.teenresearch.com/TRUSubscription/truviewNSL.cfm?page_id=561

ACA Recruiting Additional Camps for Year Two of the Healthy Camp Study of Injuries and Illnesses
ACA is currently preparing for year two of the Healthy Camp Study.  The purpose of this five-year study is to monitor illness and injury among campers and staff at U.S. summer camps so that preventive interventions can be identified and integrated into camp risk management programs.  There is still time to join the Healthy Camp Study!  Learn more about the Healthy Camp Study and sign up at www.ACAcamps.org/research/healthycamp.php, or go directly to the OSU Children’s Research Center site at http://HealthyCampEnrollment.ccri.ws.  Appreciation is expressed to Markel Insurance Company for their generous support of this project.  Questions about the study can be directed to Barry A. Garst at bgarst@acacamps.org or Sheila Dannemiller at sdannemiller@ACAcamps.org

Resources Available!
Even if you were unable to attend the ACA National Conference held last month in Austin, TX, you can still take advantage of the great session hand-outs!  You might just find the one to help you finish off that session for Staff Orientation/Training. Check out http://acacamps.org/handouts/ to see all those available.

PLEASE COMPLETE!
The Spring Enrollment and Staff Recruitment Surveys are now active!  Please take 7-10 minutes of your time to give the ACA Research Department a snapshot of how your enrollment looks at this point.  Enrollment trends is one of the most asked question when we get calls from the media!  Please help us provide accurate information by providing yours. As always, this survey is completely anonymous.  The survey and can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=241613441773

The Spirituality Survey is open until early April open at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=948623191176. This study is a collaborative effort with ACA, the National Collaboration for Youth, and Search Institute to explore the role of spirituality in youth development.  

Call for Presenters!
Are you or do you know of a great session presenter for our Fall Conference?  If so, please encourage them to submit a “Call for Presenters” form for the 2007 ACA Southeastern Camping Conference!  It is shaping up to be a great conference (once again), with many opportunities for sharing, learning and fun!  The call for Presenters can be found at:  http://www.acasoutheastern.org/conf/CFP07.php    Check out the ACA Southeastern Conference website often for updated information!

Attention Accreditation Visitors and Camps being visited in 2007!  There have been a few more revisions to the interpretations of the Newly Revised Standards!  Please make sure you are aware of these as they are being used for your upcoming visit! The most recent updates were posted on March 20 and can be found at: http://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/interpretations.pdf   Feel free to call the Section Office should you have questions.

Training Opportunities!   Please remember to share the training opportunities your camp/program is offering that you will allow “outside” individuals attend!  We often get calls/emails from potential staff members asking how they might receive the necessary training!  With your permission, we will post the training OR can share as on a “need to know” basis. See those currently listed: http://www.acasoutheastern.org/trainings.php

Upcoming Events:
Central NC Camp Professionals Meeting
Tuesday, April 10 2007
Camp Harrison, Boomer, NC
For more information, contact Carrie Myers at keyauwee@northstate.net

SC District Meeting
Wednesday, April 11. 2007 10 am - 1 pm Lunch provided
McCall RA Camp, Columbia , SC
Program: medication procedures and health issues at camp.
For more information and to RSVP, contact Teresa Tucker at ttucker9@yahoo.com

Southeast Regional Conference of AEE (the Association for Experiential Education) http://www.aee.org
April 13-15, 2007
US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina

The AEE Registration Brochure: http://venture.uncc.edu/aeeconference
One day registration is available: $105 for Saturday, $50 for either Friday evening or Sunday morning. (For students: $60 and $35).

If you have questions about the conference, please respond to sakohn@email.uncc.edu.

ACA Southeastern Board meeting
April 23 in Atlanta, GA

NC District Meeting
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 10 am - 12:30 pm with optional camp tour-9 am
Camp Kanuga.
Interested folks can contact David Griffin at 828-692-0077 ext. 264 or by email dgriffin@kanuga.org

The Camp Effect n.  Lasting sense of well-being and accomplishment that children (and adults) feel after participating in camp!

Rhonda Mickelson                        Pamela Allen
Executive Director                       Membership Services Coordinator
Rhonda@acasoutheastern.org       Pamela@acasoutheastern.org