ACA’s 20/20 Vision

We used to say change is everywhere.  Little did we know because today, change IS everywhere.  The economy, technology, familiy, community, the population, and on and on and on.  so like it or not, here it is.  I realize I have a choice to make; deny it, ignor it, fight it, or facilitate it.  (and, I am sure many more choices in between any of those.)  But, like it or not, the camp community must evolve in order to embrace this new world.  We can do so with our treasured tradition but need to include appropriate, critical adaptations in order to survive as an industry and, even more importantly, to ensure children continue to thrive.

Barry Garst heard about an interesting book and shared it with me. The title is Here Comes Everybody - The Power of Organizing without Organizations.  I haven’t even started to read the book but was flipping through it when my eye caught this paragraph;

“Collective action, the third rung, is the hardest kind of group effort, as it requires a group of people to commit themselve to undertaking a particular effort together, and to do so in a way that makes the decision of the group binding on the individual members.  All group structures create dilemmas, but these dilemmas are hardest when it comes to collective action, because the cohesion of the group becomes a critical to its success.  Information sharing produces shared awareness among the participants, and collabortive production relies on shared creation, but collective action creates shared responsibility , by tying the user’s identify to the identify of the group.”

I realized the complexity of our own desired collective action, movement as it relates to the 2020 vision.  Each individual, each camp, each section, and the national office and board of directors are struggling with awareness, creation, and responsibility.  The struggle, at this point in time, may be where our collective action intersects.  Maybe the comfort is in knowing this is understood and to be expected.  Will our own incentives and agendas override what we feel would be best for the greater good?  Great fodder for deliberation.

I believe I saw some of this inherent struggle at the Fall Field SErvice meeting in Chicago last week with the Section Executives and Presidents.  There is no doubt that we want what is best for the camp community and ACA but that sure doesn’t make it easy.

I was watching the political process with great interest last night.  In Obama’s acceptance speech he said, ” not change but hope has transformed us.”  It reminded me that for years I have said the most powerful tool a child needs is the sense of hope.  We found that those who survived the concentration camps of World War II often said what kept them alive was hope.  We say we are ‘enriching lives, changing the world’.  I guess we don’t want to forget one of our key elements in that equation - hope.

 

Another thought per the response to the ‘growth of camp’ concept - I believe the public needs to understand not so much the traditional definition of camp but the essential elements of a powerful, positive camp experience, regardless of ‘type’.  Whether a young person goes to a traditional camp or a less traditional camp, I, personally, want to be sure they are receiving a good experience that will add value to their growth and development.  So, I agree the need to explore and examine the ‘growth of camp concept’ is worthwhile if we care about young people.

 

Finally, ‘customers’ - Brigitta, I agree with you.  We could compile all kinds of numbers to tally up to far more than 20,000 customers.  However, as you state, are they just numbers to make us feel better or are they value-added relationships that are intentional in design and purpose/mission?  I am talking about the need for substance and tangible outcome.

A question that continues to surface from time to time.  Most recently, the national board of directors considered the question.  Some responses -

1.  Fill beds

2.  Encourage new camps

3.  Expansion of available sessions

4.  Grow the concept of camp

 

I am wondering what others are doing to advance us toward our 2020 vision.  I have been hearing several ideas popping up around the country.  some camps and sections have targeted new populations for specials promotions.  Others are offering one day, customized visitations.  Others are targeting school systems  for special partnerships.  What are you doing?

I just returned from the ICF conference.  Participate with people from the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Mongolia, Japan, Russia, Greece, Canada, and on and on - who love, cherish the camp experience and then try not to be jazzed about what we are doing for the ‘world’.  Seems as we move toward 2020, the United States will need to find ways to reach out and participate with our global partners in ever-increasing ways.

Read my Keynote Address at the 2008 International Camping Congress in Quebec

As I worry about the state/status of childhood in today’s world, I find I am thinking more about my own childhood.  It has been an interesting process of rediscovery and reflection.  We all have our ‘life story’.  Mine is probably no different than yours.  But, I have been wondering about living as a child today in a world where the one consistent message that I, as a child, am receiving from everyone is fear.  There was a time in my life as a young adolescent that my dad became terminally ill.  That was really the first time I had been gripped by fear.  Up to that point, I remember feeling loved, safe, and relatively secure.  Upon reflection of that period of sheer panic, I now realize what others did to perserve my innocence and sense of well-being.  My grandfather took me fishing.  I remember listening to the waves lap against the boat and the quiet strength of my grandfather.  My Aunt Jean took me to camp where kids were laughing and having fun just being kids.  My Aunt Joyce who drove me back and forth from the hospital taught me all my camp songs as we traveled - I just didn’t realize it.  And, even my dad, who used to play basketball with me or would take me bowling,( who could no longer do that kind of physical activity) instead, stood on the porch with me during thunderstorms pointing out the awe and natural power and beauty of a downpour.  My family found ways to preserve my childhood - they took me out of doors. 

During times of stress and chaos, it is important to remember our role as a camp leader.  The camp community has endured many a national crisis during our 100 years.  Often, the community and families and, more importantly, children and youth have looked to ‘camp’ and its leaders for calm, respite, and support.  We certainly are not immune to world challenges.  On the other hand, places that protect values and nurture us become increasingly important.  We should lead by articulating the value of what we offer that preserves the importance and quality of childhood.  We should recognize that we are strengthened by our relationships and the power of our solidarity around our community.  The strength of relationships helps ensure endurance.

We are trying new things and stretching ourselves.  We face enormous challenges laced with opportunites and relevance.  Yet, when we try ne things we feel clumsy and uncomfortable.  Even a silly thing like trying to manage a blog.  What I have discoverd, however, with my spurts and starts people have reached out to support, encourage, and coach me.  Instead of feeling inadequate as a result of needing such help, I felt shored up and even more detemined to learn something new and to grow.  That is what I believe we can do as a camp community.  We reach out to people everyday.  We also have to be willing to feel a bit of discomfort in order to reach those who have never discovered the value of the camp experience.  Oh, and by the way, to those of you who have been in the wings providing me with support…..THANKS.

 

So, my other conundrum of the day…….like there was only one.  We are dealing with a new world.  What worked with public relations 10 years ago is no longer the key.  How are people finding success today?  The way we fund raise and/or seek support is totally different today.  How are people finding success today?  I know what all of the literature tells us about the new vehicles and protocols and we are scouring those sources on a daily basis.  But, I wonder what the camp community has learned and how we’ve changed in these areas over the past decade? 

Sometimes I have heard people refer to the 2020 Vision as Peg’s vision.  That simply is not the case.  Many people took part in the development of this inititaitve.  Comments and observations from members, parents, staff, and the national board.  It is the initiative the ACA’s National Board of Directors. And, it will take the efforts of all of us to achieve the 2020 vision.

So today, I was thinking about a Field Guide for Preserving Childhood (through nature and relationships) - The Camp Community’s Challenge in the Twentieth Century.  I wonder what that would mean to us?  Would it resonate in any way?