ACA’s 20/20 Vision

I am fielding a number of media calls about the impact our economy is having on our camp enrollment numbers.  At this point in time, we are encouraged that enrollments are generally remaining steady for the 2008 season.  It is interesting to note that this remains consistent with our own historical evidence that the last dollar parent’s will ‘cut’ is the one spent on their children.  We  want our children to still be able to be children - particularly during challenging times. 

I wonder if that is why the current ad on ‘play’, now being aired by the Ad Council, is so popular right now?  As a society, we have forgotten the important, yes, critical, value that play has in normal human development.  We can call it practice or experiential, but we all know that play affords one the opportunity to engage, perform, and take part….all precursors to learning.  At camp play means engaging with nature, authentic human connections, and physical activity.

That said, of course, parents still want their children to have a camp experience - especially in tough times.

There is so much literature available today that speaks to the time children and youth are spending in front of a screen.  Today, I read more than six hours a day in front of a screen, and only four minutes a day outdoors.  Yikes!  I want to transport and transform the life of today’s child.  Do we even know how the deprivation of authentic relationships with humans and nature will modify what we have known in the past as sound child and youth development?  ACA’s 2020 vision can come none to soon.

Last week, ACA’s national board of directors met.  I am sure for some this hardly causes a blip on the screen.  For others, you wonder what ever happens of any import at such meetings.  What I can tell you is this group is made up of very committed individuals who are very passionate about the camp experience.  In today’s world of work, the job of a not-for-profit board is messy, exciting, challenging, and, if done correctly, can change the lives of many in very positive ways.  It is also work that  builds on itself over time leaving many to believe if they fail to recognize the aggregation of work that any one meeting or term of a board member -  rather insignificant.  In truth, it is that steady, hard-work from meeting to meeting, leader to leader that takes an organization forward.  When we fail to build on the past to create the future but, instead, simply start over from one meeting to the next or one term to the next is when we witness the recklessness of such short-sightedness.  This board, a board nearly a 100 years old, has led us to the path of our 2020 vision.  It will be interesting to realize the same appetite for continued evolution from the members of ACA.

“Leaders cannot rely on forecasting and planning alone.  Leaders must embrace ambiguity and attempt to frame meaning - not answers but sense-making.  Old ways pull hard.”

Let’s start thinking about ACA’s 2020 Vision.