Let's get it started … building a young professionals group: young professionals

Camping Magazine, May-June, 2007 by Sara Morrison

You've just attended one of the many springtime American Camp Association (ACA) conferences. You connected with other Young Professionals (YPs) like yourself--others who are students today, working as camp counselors and supervisors, and planning to be the camp administrators of tomorrow. Others who are changing positions, organizations, and their minds faster than change can actually happen. You may have attended a session on the needs of YPs or a YP welcome meeting. You realized that YPs need resources, support, and connections to help us fly ahead into the future. And you thought to yourself, "We need a Young Professionals Group in our area!"

But Where Do You Start?

I found myself asking this question after attending the April 2005 CampWest conference. At the conference, a forum was held concerning the needs of YPs in the western states. Needs discovered at this forum included:

* Networking opportunities

* Cheaper options for membership and events attendance

* Access to resources to develop camps (i.e., program, training, and facilities)

Seeing the energy and enthusiasm of seventy-five plus so-called YPs inspired me to ask the question, "What are we going to do now?" Now that we know what YPs need and want, should we just sit around and wait until summer is over? No way! Immediately, I sat down with Dot Mains, the ACA Southern California-Hawaii YP representative, and made a plan to conduct events in San Diego using the information gathered at the forum.

Dot and I developed a plan that included a place where YPs could gather together fairly regularly to discuss topics relevant to them. Some of our discussions revolved around the relevance and value in the events and program developed for these YPs. We looked at costs, location, and topics of discussion, as well as how to promote the value of these activities. Knowing that camp staff and administrators are busy year-round, promoting an additional group to belong to was going to be a challenge.

The first group that gathered together in San Diego at our local TGIFridays consisted of six camp professionals, including Dot, Meredith Eisz (ACA Southern California-Hawaii education director), myself, plus three others. This small but intimate group began discussing what YPs in San Diego needed out of a group like this. It seemed clear from the start. This group's purpose was to network YPs in the camp industry together. I made it my goal to develop social networking opportunities through group gatherings that were convenient in time, location, and price so camp professionals in San Diego had a place to turn for advice and to share on a regular basis.

Creating Networking Opportunities

The structure of the original socials were very focused and structured. I created a list of questions and discussion points for each social and directed conversation to meet the outline. Over time the structure of the socials became looser, with preparations limited to only developing a general topic or theme for discussion. Conversation now flows, meeting the needs of the individuals in attendance.

Our group in San Diego consists of about forty-five individuals and growing. The average attendance of events is much lower with an average of five to six people attending each. We continue to invite others into the fold, sharing information and stories with other YPs eager to learn and share.

Organizing Events

The following are several tips to start developing networking opportunities in your area:

Talk to your ACA local office's YP representative. Let the representative know about your interest in organizing events for YPs in your area. As you embark on developing a sustainable group, your local YP representative may have suggestions and resources for you.

Pick dates, times, and locations. Double check with your ACA local office's education calendar as well as local camp community events and YMCA meetings, so your events don't conflict. Choose a time of day that is convenient for most people. (In San Diego, events are typically held during dinner or early evening.) You could also choose a time paired with an event that would attract a specific attendance.

The location should be convenient (near camp offices, actual camps, or universities). Here is a list of ideas for places to convene:

* Restaurants

* Bowling alleys

* Camps

* Neighborhood park (BBQ anyone?)

Wherever you choose, be sure the environment is conducive to holding conversations, but make it fun. Have a camp tour, play some games, or just chat about life for a while.

Collect information on potential YPs. "Okay," you think, "but where am I going to find people to attend my events?" Start with your local ACA office, and ask for information (e-mails and phone numbers) of individuals who have attended particular educational events such as New Director Orientations, Standards trainings, staff development/training days, or supervisory training days. Often these individuals are new to the camp industry or new in their positions and are looking for networking opportunities and resources to help them in their jobs.