A Message from the President - remarks, following a conference in Orlando, Florida - Brief Article

Camping Magazine, May, 2001

"He who will live for others shall have great trouble, but they shall seem to him small.

He who will live for himself shall have small troubles, but they shall seem to him great."

William R. Inge

After an outstanding national conference in Orlando, it is clear to me that ACA, at all levels, is a vibrant and creative organization! We are future-focused with connections to a great and powerful tradition. We consistently try to remain true to the franchise we have been given by America's families. As our thoughts become occupied by the upcoming summer, it is important that we continue to focus on the important elements challenging organized camping.

The maintenance and upholding of our franchise will require us to act with trust with all who are in our extended camp family. Campers, staff, and their families are the groups with whom we have the most intimate contact. These relationships are the foundation of the public's trust. For decades, this goodwill carried forward from the camp experience has fueled our success. "Camp Gives Kids a World of Good[R]" is understood and accepted. We are now seen by many as a developmental asset that all children should be able to access. We are known to enrich lives and change the world!

We now receive attention from many quarters that previously thought of us as a vacation choice on the margins of the educational process. The media, as well as political and educational leaders, now know that the outcomes of the camp experience include social skills development, sell-respect and character building, spiritual. growth, cognitive growth, emotional growth and community living, and service skills -- that is much more than a vacation!

With the advancement of our public profile come many new and challenging issues. While we know that the accredited camp experience offers tremendous opportunities for campers to achieve individual successes, it also creates greater public awareness and scrutiny. It is not possible for millions of campers to have an identical positive camp experience. Some subjective interpretation cannot be avoided, but there are obvious standards that the public will expect us to fulfill. These are not ACA standards, but rather the general standards of a public that will not settle for what it perceives as "bad outcomes communicated poorly." Our franchise is based on trust and can only be maintained by acting with trust.

In preparation for the camp season, I ask that you review your procedures and policies and your mechanisms for communicating with parents and the public.

Prepare for the difficult challenges before they require actions. It is necessary to reflect on our behaviors if we want them to be best practices of our profession. Candor and integrity are needed for good relationships! We are a family of camps, and what occurs in any camp impacts on all camps. We should all renew our relationships with other camp professionals in order to offer and call on resources when and if the time of need arises. The healthy connective tissue of the camp experience creates great wisdom, strength, and support.

I ask that you please consider participating in Camp Community Day (the week of July 16) and invite your congressional representatives and senators to visit your camps so they can be inspired by our work. Best wishes for a safe and happy summer that will exceed expectations and be filled with magic.

Rodger M. Popkin

ACA National President