Campaign '07 update

Camping Magazine, Jan-Feb, 2003

"Honor Our Post, Assure Our Future" is being supported by a fund-raising campaign designed to mobilize financial support from corporations, foundations, ACA members, and those interested in the camp experience. The fund-raising campaign is called CAMPaign '07. Your "I Believe" contribution will support this initiative: CAMPaign '07 -- I Believe Even More.

The campaign is off to a great start and continues to gain momentum every day. New pledges are arriving daily. The total amount pledged and contributed as of November 27, 2002, is $961,764.30 from only 186 donors.

ACA distributed a mass mailing to all members, which included a campaign letter and a brochure. The mailing was used to announce the campaign initiative to members and encourage them to "just imagine...." the possibilities that could be rendered from this unique fund-raising endeavor. All members should have received a copy of the CAMPaign '07 brochure that was sent in mid-October. If you did not receive your copy, please call 765-342-8456, ext. 339.

Testimonials

"I contributed because the American Camping Association is the organization that can make a difference in how the camp experience is thought of by parents, educators, legislators, and other members of the public. We can improve the quality of the camp experience by helping camp professionals be more intentional in the outcomes they strive to achieve with each camper. I believe that the ACA will succeed in this effort, so I have pledged a contribution each year for the next five years."

Tom Horner

Catalina Island Camps

The Outcomes Research Study

ACA is currently conducting a Research Study on the Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience that is funded by Lilly Endowment and CAMPaign '07. We are halfway through a two-year survey project. Thanks to the following camps for their participation in year one of the study:

Antiochian Village

Bar T Ranch

Belvoir Terrace

Beth Tfiloh Camp

Breezy Point Day Camp

Brooks School Day Camp

Camp America Day Camp

Camp Arcadia

Camp Atwater

Camp Echo Trail

Camp Glengarra

Camp Glyndon

Camp Hanover

Camp Hidden Falls

Camp Kennybrook

Camp Louise

Camp Monroe

Camp Nawaka

Camp Neosa

Camp Northwood

Camp Onas

Camp Pondicherry Keunebec GSC

Camp Skimino

Camp Wayne for Boys & Girls

Camp Winnataska

Cherith in the Adirondacks

Cherith of Western New York

Edith Read, GSC

Favorite

Fleur-de-Lis Camp

Fresh Air Fund -- Hidden Valley

Girl Scout Kamp Kiwani

Land O' Sunshine Camp Cherith

McCall Royal Ambassador

North Woods/Pleasant Valley

Paradise Farm Camps

Sentinel Baptist

Wapanaki

Wind in the Pines GSC

Winnetaska GSC

WOW RC Cliff Payne Youth Camp

YMCA Camp Coniston

YMCA Camp Dudley

YMCA Camp Fuller

YMCA Camp Worth

It is anticipated that results of the study will be available in the fall of 2004. For further information, contact Marge Scanlin, executive officer of research, at mscanlin@ACAcamps.org.

Meet Your CAMPaign '07 Committee

Chuck Ackenbom, Virginias Section

Ari Ackerman, New York Section

Deb Bialeschki, Southeastern

Mickey Black, Keystone Regional

Maggie Braun, Wisconsin Section

Don Cheley, Rocky Mountain Section

George Coleman, New York Section

Maria Coleman, New York Section

Sam Cote, Northland Section

Jack Dowell, Heart of the South Section

Denny Elliott, Ohio Section

Vance Gilmore, Texoma Section

Gordie Kaplan, Illinois Section

Bill Key, New York Section

Sandy Leiser, New Jersey Section

Bob McKinlay, Evergreen Section

Jean McMullan, New England Section

Fred Miller, New England Section

Doug Pierce, New York Section

Rodger Popkin, Southeastern Section

Tom Rosenberg, Southeastern Section

Ann Sheets (Chair), Texoma Section

Al Sigoloff, St. Louis Section

David Silverstein (Chair), New York Section

Debbie Smith, Indiana Section

Posie Taylor, New England Section

Henry Thomas, New England Section

Ross Turner, Southern California Section

Susan Welch, Great Rivers Section

Opinion Research Reveals Parent's Perceptions

Nineteen focus groups participating in opinion research conducted by ACA's independent consulting firm, APCO Worldwide, revealed the following details about parent's perceptions of the camp experience:

* Besides cost, physical and emotional safety is considered the most formidable challenge to camp attendance.

* Staffing was a concern; however, the major concern was not necessarily the staffs qualifications but police background checks.

* Safe and secure facilities, along with positive and fun activities for their children were important to parents -- environment was not a critical factor.

* Parents believed camp should offer accommodations for special needs.

* Both parents and peers felt barriers prevented access to camp; those barriers included parental awareness of the camp opportunity and the availability of space at camp -- both were at fault.

* One parent claimed, "Not everybody gets to go. Another parent stated, "There is often not enough space at camps.

This opinion research serves as a springboard for the breadth of knowledge ACA hopes to gather and share. Similar research projects will be made possible through the individual generosity of CAMPaign '07 donors. The value of such research exemplifies the importance of CAMPaign '07 and how its success is vital to helping ACA reach and inspire the public's perceptions about the camp experience.