Archive for 2008
Friday, December 19th, 2008
you go first
Brian Crater from Southern California sent me a book this month titled, Chnage is good…You go first.Â
The book talks about the fact that sameness is the fast track to mediocrity. Hmmm, I said outloud as I pondered what the implied message a 100 year old organization might derive from that thought. I certainly know [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Like it or Not
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, [...]
2 Comments » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Herding Cats
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 [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Hope Transforms Us
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 [...]
3 Comments » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
Where will we put 20 million campers?
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
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1 Comment » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Friday, October 10th, 2008
What are you doing?
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?
19 Comments » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Thursday, October 9th, 2008
Quebec
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 [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Monday, September 29th, 2008
Memories
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 [...]
No Comments » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Friday, September 26th, 2008
Strong Community
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 [...]
4 Comments » - Posted in General by Peg Smith
Friday, September 19th, 2008
Extend the hand
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, [...]
