ICF: Report From Quebec City

Camp Friendship’s owners Chuck and Alina Ackenbom have returned from Quebec City, Canada after 4 days participating in the International Camping Fellowship Congress. Please read below for a quick and formal update about the goals of ICF and the sessions and great learning experiences that took place this year.

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The International Camping Fellowship is a worldwide assembly of camping professionals interested in sharing their enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment to the camping experience. It was founded in 1987 amidst the energy of individuals gathered around the dream of a better world through camping and it is rooted in the belief that we can make a difference by “bringing together the world of outdoor experience.”

The ICF is committed to coordinating the exchange of news and information between individuals, camps, outdoor experiences and organizations in different countries in order to encourage and facilitate bilateral and multilateral exchanges and to stimulate efforts to achieve international understanding and global living, leadership, and ecological action through organized camping and outdoor experience and to encourage the organization of regional and national camping associations.

Every 3 years camp professionals from around the world gather together to share their knowledge on camps and camp programs. Chuck and Alina Ackenbom, owners of Camp Friendship in Palmyra participated in 8^th International Camping Congress in Quebec City, Canada held on October 4-7, 2008.

More than 600 delegates from Canada, Russia, Japan, France, Mongolia, USA, Ukraine, China, Mexico, Venezuela, Australia, Colombia and many more spent together four wonderful days packed with workshops, sessions, entertainment programs, and sightseeing tours.

One of the highlights of the congress included opening ceremony led by Max “One-Onti” Gros-Louis, Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation, also known as the founder and director of organizations dedicated to the culture and rights of First Nations (Indian tribes). Some of the other events presented at the Congress included evenings with McGill Conservatory Youth Choir, International Dance Troop Mackinaw and reception by the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports of Quebec Province.

Delegates were very pleased to attend the general session led by Peg Smith, CEO of American Camp Association, Georges Brassard, Member of the Quebec and Canada Order, the highest distinctions of the country and the person who’s life story was reflected in the movie “Blue Butterfly” as well as other prominent speakers from around the world.

Chuck and Alina both serve on the steering committee of International Camping Fellowship representing camps from the USA. They admit that the Congress once again proved the important role that summer camps, year round camps and camp programs play in the lives of children and adults. By attending camps children learn social and life skills through play in a natural environment. They gain self-confidence and respect of others and make unforgettable memories and friendships lasting through their lives.

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Building Social Capital

Today I find myself lucky enough to have discovered my Camping Magazine, the Sept./Oct. issue, under a pile of papers on my desk. It’s always nice when one discovers those small little surprises during the day. Just like finding a few dollars in your freshly washed jeans! So I took a moment to read through the issue since I will most certainly loose it again somewhere on my desk. While reading I discovered a rather interesting article called “Camping Alone” by Steven Wallace, M.S. Ed. The title immediately captured my attention; it just doesn’t make much sense to me to go camping alone. It seems Mr. Wallace and I are in complete agreement.

The article goes on to talk about the considerable decline in social capital in America and how summer camps combat this decline by building communities, friendships, and respect for each other. Mr. Wallace goes on to cite certain examples and quotes from the likes of Michael Eisner, Robert Putnam author of “Bowling Alone” and some research studies on the subject.

Here’s an excerpt borrowed from Steven Wallace’s very own website. www.stevenraywallace.com

Eight years ago, Harvard University Professor Robert Putnam published a book, Bowling Alone, chronicling the demise of connection in modern-day American society and warning that the precipitous decline in “social capital” (the collective value of all social networks and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other) impoverishes our lives and communities. As evidence, Putnam cites plummeting rates of membership in PTAs, unions, and clubs of all kinds; long-term declines in blood donations, card games, and charity; and drops of 40-60 percent in dinner parties, civic meetings, family suppers, picnics . . . and league bowling.

Like many of our camp families already know camp is not just about having a good time in the summer but about building relationships, friendships, and social skills. Camp Friendship works hard to create this kind of positive atmosphere at camp and we are very proud of our 42 years building social networks. This article by Steven Wallace highlights one very big benefit of camp that we should all be a part of.

To read the entire article please visit http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/issues/0809/wallace.php

See you soon

Cris

 

 

Just 37 Days Until Camp Starts!

Can you believe that in just 37 days camp will be full of happy campers? The pool and lake will be as busy as ever, our kitchen will be going non-stop, and our campers and counselors will be having the summer of their lives. Good Bye peace and quite and Say Hello to some SUMMER FUN! It’s going to be yet another amazing Camp Friendship Summer.

As we continue to countdown the days until camp starts we are still working very had preparing camp for your arrival. Some of our seasonal staff are already arriving and settling into their new positions. Zee our summer Challenge Director and year-round Groups Coordinator is back at camp after a few months home in South Africa. She’s back and ready for anything, but I’ll let her fill you in soon. Let me just share a little bit of what the rest of us have been doing.

Lets start with the office staff, these ladies are working very hard gathering every bit of information we need about each of our campers. Our office staff is the front line for camp, they are the ones who package and send out your parent packets, the first ones to answer any of your questions when you call, and so much more. Right now they are working diligently on sending out all parent packets but don’t forget if you haven’t received yours yet or have misplaced a form you can go online and retrieve it. Usernames and passwords have been sent out to access the parent handbook page but if you have not received yours call us and our office staff will be happy to set you up.

We also have our maintenance staff. They are working very hard making all the final preparations on the grounds all over camp. These guys have just recently finished installing the new A/C units in the Dining Hall, oh that’ is going to make for some refreshing meal times. Not only that but they have also finished work on the new Dance Pavilion, new floors and mirror walls. They’ve done a great job, and with a little help from Robin our new Camp Store Manager they also completed work on renovating Huntmaster’s Lodge which any riding campers will remember as their cabin. While you may not notice much difference on the outside once you enter the lodge you’ll be pleasantly surprised. So on to the rest of camp.

Our Kitchen Staff is hard at work preparing the dining hall for the campers’ arrival. Barbara our Dining Hall Supervisor is ordering food, checking labels, and stocking up for a summer full of hungry kids and staff. I’m sure we will have all your favorite meals this summer. Barbara and her staff also take care off keeping camp and all cabins on camp clean and ready, that in it self is quite the undertaking.

This year is a very important year for Camp Friendship because we are up for re-accreditation by the American Camp Association. So our directors are very hard at work making sure that every single piece of camp is up to par. This includes safety standards, staff certifications, food safety, and so very much more. It’s a massive project but one that we are all happy to be a part of. Camp Friendship has been ACA Accredited since our founding in 1966 and that’s not about to change.

Our Program Director on top of being knee deep in the staff hiring, and setting up our programming for the summer and all the groups programming coming up until camp starts is also busy helping with ACA re-accreditation. Lets just say she’s a very busy little bee.

As for me, I’ve got my hands in all kinds of pies. You could say I’m a Jack of many trades and a master of none. However my most important job is to communicate with our camper families and make sure you have all the information you need before arriving at camp. So if you have any questions please let me know. I’m also pulling out my camera and getting ready for the summer, I’m going to have a lot of photos to take.

Well I hope this update helps you envision some of what we are doing and gets everyone excited for another great summer at Camp Friendship. I have a few more things to share, as the summer gets closer so keep your eyes on this page for more.

Cris