November 2008
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

It's Thanksgiving Time

This is my favorite holiday because it's simple and it includes everyone  It's not over commercialized.  It's not just for certain people.  It's for all of us:  the simple message that we should pause, understand what we have, appreciate it and give thanks.  It's about people more than parties.  It's about values more than possessions.

Maybe one reason I like Thanksgiving so much is its similarity to camp.  Because camp is really a simple concept.  It's about people who care for each other.  It's about having a good time because we are together.  It's about taking the time to talk to each other and express how we feel.  It doesn't have to be fancy or glitzy.  Yet we have endless fun and learn more than we ever expected and expand our understanding of the world through the people we meet.  What could be better?

Best wishes to you, your family and friends, for the most meaningful and wonderful Thanksgiving ever.

Tom

Saturday, November 15, 2008

A Few Days in the Life of a Camp Director

At this time of the year, Jeremy and I are working on many different projects to get camp ready for next summer.  I thought I'd share some other things that have taken place recently.

We continue, as always, to give weekend tours up at camp.  Since this is our first summer at Blair Academy, many current campers and their families have been taking tours also.  And even some staff are coming up.  The other day I showed Alexa, Jack, Donald, Andy and Rachel around the campus on a beautiful fall day.  It was Donald's second trip up, but he'd first seen it on that rainy open house day in September, so this time he got a sunnier view.  Jack, of course, was here all the way from England on his USA Reunion Tour.  Andy got to see "his" new dorm (the dorm for the younger boys' division).  Alexa was excited because she's looking forward to being a counselor (at last!) at camp.  Rachel is working on a school project studying small businesses and is using our camp as her subject, so she had two reasons to want to visit.

Earlier this month Jeremy and I attended a workshop sponsored by the American Camp Association (ACA).  Jeremy actually was on the planning committee for the workshop, which about 45 camp professionals from NJ attended.  The topic was how to train our staffs to be effective communicators with campers and parents and each other.  There was lots of discussion and role playing and, as always, we came away with new ideas to incorporate into our camp and we were able to share some of our own ideas.  It's always good to get together with our fellow camp directors because we all benefit from the experience.

Speaking of ACA, I was the instructor earlier this week for a "Standards Course", which is the orientation course attended by camp directors whose camps are receiving an accreditation visit during the upcoming summer.  The course helps them understand the process of being accredited and how to prepare to comply with the hundreds of required standards in such areas as program design and safety, health and wellness, transportation, personnel, operational management and site and foodservice.  I have been very active in ACA's accreditation program for many years, as a volunteer, and am one of the certified instructors who helps teach these courses.  I always learn from everyone attending the course and feel like I got at least as much out of talking with my fellow camp directors and I put into the course itself.

Tomorrow (Sunday) I'll be doing some tours up at camp.   Then early Monday morning I fly to Chicago for a quick (2-day) meeting with the leaders of the various ACA chapters (called sections) from across the country.  I am currently serving a three-year elected term as the ACA-NJ Section president and I will be meeting with the presidents and executive staff of the 23 other sections.  Our main topic is ACA's "20/20 Vision", which has the goal of doubling the number of summer camp spots for kids across the U.S. and also doubling the number of camp professionals participating in our joint efforts to maintain the highest standards possible for camping.  I'm not sure how enjoyable it will be to sit in an airport hotel for two days, but I do know that I enjoy meeting with my colleagues from across the country.  It provides an opportunity for me to contribute something to our great camp profession and I always learn from other people (which helps make CK even better!).

So those are a few of the things that happen in a camp director's life during the "off season".

Tom

Friday, November 7, 2008

Old School

So my sister, Juniper, who I haven't seen in forever, has apparently joined the world of Facebook.  And upon doing so, decided to post some really old and slightly cute pictures of us from way back when.  I just thought I'd share one of them with you.  Can you believe those glasses... what were my parents thinking?

I hope everyone is excited for the reunion.  Remember that you can RSVP online here. 

Also, you can still get your entries in for the online photo game here.

See you soon,

Jeremy

November 2008
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