Join us in Denver as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the American Camp Association

American Camp Association National Conference
February 16-19, 2010
Denver, Colorado
The American Camp Association invites international participants to participate in ACA’s100th anniversary celebration, February 16-19, 2010, in Denver Colorado, USA.  Full information about the conference is found at http://www.acacamps.org/conference   There is also information about registering for a room at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.   

There will be an ICF-sponsored Pre-Conference tour, February 14 (meeting at 10:00 am ) through the 16th.  The tour will begin and end each day at the Hyatt, and each person is asked to make their own hotel arrangements.  The fee of $90 will include lunch and dinner on Sunday, lunch and dinner on Monday, admission to museums and transportation.  Don and Carole Cheley will be hosting us at their home for a special cocktail hour and cookout on Sunday evening. 

On-line registration for the Conference is on the ACA website, and registration for the tour will be posted shortly.

There will be an International Room during the Conference and to provide hospitality for internationals.  Contact Linda Pulliam linda.pulliam@campingfellowship.org  with questions.  Additional information will be provided for all internationals who register for the conference and/or the tour.

2010 Annual OCA Conference

Greetings from the 2010 Annual OCA Conference Committee!

We would like to share with you even more exciting details about the upcoming conference….

• Danny Roth will be joining us as a keynote speaker on Friday morning!  (Please see attached flyer for more information.)

• Join the 2010 Annual OCA Conference Facebook group! Stay in the know of all things conference related with our up-to-date group. Here are some ways you can use the 2010 OCA Annual Conference group to your advantage:
- include your questions for Jennifer Fantini (Labour Law) in the discussion thread. These will be addressed during her session;
- include your questions for the Outtripping Round Table in the discussion thread. These will be addressed in the Outtripping session;
- Arrange transportation or create car pools to and from the conference to save money and the environment;
- Find a roommate for your stay at the hotel to help cut costs!

To find the OCA on Facebook open an internet browser and follow this link:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=11343&uid=166331373519#/profile.php?id=525010105&ref=name

Once there you will be able to sign in to your own Facebook profile and add the OCA as a friend! Once we have accepted your friendship you will be able to join the Conference Group and stay in touch with everyone else! If you have any questions or problems please don’t hesitate to contact us in the OCA office at 416-485-0425 or info@ontariocamps.ca .

Any affiliate members of the OCA – ICF, ACA, etc. are welcome to register at member rates for the OCA conference.  Registration forms are available through the OCA website www.ontariocamps.ca  or by calling the OCA office at (416) 485-0425

Report about American Camp Association Conference in Florida in February, 2009

In spite of a difficult economy, ACA’s National Conference hosted international     participants from Venezuela, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Poland, Canada, China, and Japan.  Thanks to ACA’s national President, Peter Surgenor, and CEO, Peg Smith, for hosting internationals at a special reception on the opening night of the Conference. 

Seacamp Tour, Big Pine Key, Florida – February 12-15, 2009
Elena Istomina, Seacamp International Coordinator
Our tour group — Tulshig Tuvshin, Mongolia; Chultem Byambasuren, Mongolia; Ivan Jargalsaikhan, Mongolia; Sako Tanaka, Japan; and Hiroaki Sugihara, Japan –  arrived at Seacamp at about 2:00 a.m. February 12, 2009. After a late breakfast, there was a property tour and a snorkel workshop in our swim canal. For all of them, it was the first snorkeling experience ever. Sako was the most experienced      swimmer, having taught swimming before. She was the first to jump into the water and the last to leave. After lunch, the group met with the Seacamp administration for a talk about our school and summer programs. In the afternoon, everyone went to Hemingway’s museum in Key West and later in the evening had dinner in the historic port in an authentic fish house. During the next day, the group observed the Seacamp school program in action and went on a boat trip to the coral heads. Later that Friday, our international participants joined a weekend teachers’ workshop, an annual Seacamp event offering educational sessions in marine science and tropical ecosystems for science teachers. Our Japanese and Mongolian friends had a chance to watch a slide presentation about the Florida Keys and observe the Marine Investigation lab. On Saturday morning our guests met with the Seacamp Marketing Director and talked about marketing strategies and techniques before departing for Orlando to join the Central Florida Camp Tour.

Join us in Taiwan

Changing Asia, Multi-Program CAMP in Taiwan
Children and youth are in a difficult time universally today. Beyond the imaginations of people in Asia, the urge arises in North America to “leave no child inside” in recent years. Over exposure to examinations and electronic devices may cause children and youths become self-centered and is harmful to self-discovery, sharing and teaming with others, and experiencing the real world and nature.  On the other hand, effective camp experiences can help lighten their brains, open their minds, and soften their hearts.
Camp practitioners, educators, and academics, come along and join AOCC2009 and shed some light on how to get more children and youth to camps and how to provide them with effective learning programs
and environments. Let’s share the research on development of children and youth to strive for a better life for themselves and mankind as a whole.  The base for the AOCC is National Taiwan Normal University. The Congress fee is $US200.00.  Information is on the website: 
www.3rdaocc2009.org/congress-overview
The 3rd Asia Oceania Camping Congress 2009 (AOCC2009) is the formal  representative meeting of Asia Oceania Camping Fellowship (AOCF) every two to three years.  AOCF was founded in 2003 during the 6th International Camping Congress in Melbourne, Australia. Participants from Asian countries held a meeting and decided to establish the Asian Camping Fellowship (“ACF”) in order to exchange camp information and collaborate for the developing camp movement in Asia.  In 2004, the first Asian Camping Congress (“ACC2004”) was held at the International Children Center  Nairamdal, Mongolia; and ACF was formally established by representatives from fourcountries (Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Mongolia).  The 2nd Asian Camping Congress(ACC2006) was held in Perak State, Malaysia in August, 2006. The Congress had about 150 participants from 20 countries and regions. Representatives approved the acceptance of Australia, Russia and CIS in the fellowship and changed the name from Asian Camping Fellowship to Asia Oceania Camping Fellowship.
AOCF website: http://aocf.camping.or.jp

Camp professionals are heading to Florida

2009 National Conference
February 17-20 — Orlando, FL
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

This year’s theme, The Power of the Experience, explores both the meaning and the depth of our experience with children, youth, teens, and families. With the strength of our voices and the compelling story of the camp experience, we can make a powerful, societal impact. Plan to join us in Orlando for four, education-packed days in the beautiful backdrop of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

International Camping Fellowship Camp Tours
Florida camps and youth programs are showcased for international conference participants, but everyone is welcome. The fun, sharing, and camaraderie of this group always enhance the tour, with new friendships guaranteed.

A. Seacamp (Florida Keys) – February 12-15, 2009 Arrival in Miami and transportation by van to Seacamp for camp and marine science program and visit to Key West. Registration fee of $455 includes 3 nights lodging, 5 meals, transportation from Miami airport and to Orlando on February 15 by 1:00 to join Camp Tour B or other pre-conference events. Deadline for registration is January 15.

B. Central Florida Camps – February 15, 1:00 pm – February 17, 1:00 pm. The tour will begin at Disney Coronado Springs, with commercial bus transportation to the Life Enrichment Center, Fruitland, FL, and return to Disney Coronado on Feb. 17. The group will visit 5-6 camps, including Busch Gardens Adventure Camps in Tampa. Registration fee of $300 includes double occupancy lodging, six meals, transportation and program.