A small group of YPs gathered in San Diego a few weeks ago… Here is there “agenda”

ACA Young Professionals Social Notes

Discussion Topics
How can we be recognized as professionals?
Validating our experiences
Explaining what we do/ selling yourself
Importance of commitment to camp/organization
Appearing in control/organized
Translate skill into professionalism (i.e. graces = manners)
If you act professional you will be seen as professional

By parents and clients?
Having the support of your organization to back you
Give the impression of camp to parents when they don’t have a background in camp
Be humble: give the respect to parents of their responsibilities/give credit for what they do
Value the parents’ opinions
Build partnerships
Build trust

By our organizations?
Not seen as an issue with the group at the social
This support is crucial
You were hired for a purpose
Meet with supervisors to discuss your commitment to the organization

What can ACA do to help?
The trainings, seminars, conferences are currently doing this
Reunions for BCDC and visitors courses
Develop “think tanks”
Email groups: use of national YP blog

Check it out! The Camp Cast features the latest on people, ideas and events in the world of camp and youth development. The Camp Cast is about business and fun. In each show, we discuss topics that range from managing people and money to designing a program and telling a joke. Tune in today through iTunes or http://www.thecampcast.com.

Standards - Have your voice heard right away!

The ACA is revising one of the most important things we deal with - Standards! And by ACA, we mean you. Want to hear what’s going on or have your voice heard? The information about the draft changes to the ACA-Accreditation Standards can be found on-line at: http://www.ACAcamps.org/accreditation/2006revisions.pdf.

Council of Delegates

It’s sort of like the House of Representatives for the ACA. Each section provides a certain number of people to represent their members to the organization. These representatives make decisions about many of the critical issues in ACA . This year the hot topic is: Standards! Here’s how to get involved in the Council, which meets before the National Conference in Chicago:

- Ask your Section Executive or President if all the delegates have been chosen for the next meeting. They might need you!

- REGARDLESS of the answer you get, go to the Council’s in person meetings in Chicago and participate in the on-line hearings! Anyone can be heard. That’s why they are open and why it’s not quite like the House of Representatives. Finally, it’s pretty cool to see how this thing we call ACA works and see its volunteer-driven structure in action!

The Delegates are scheduled to meet in Chicago:
-Monday February 6th, 2:00pm-6:30pm (approx.)
-Tuesday February 7th, 8:00am-12:15pm. (approx.)

New committee member Toni Davison has been working with section leadership around the country to find and contact the YPs for each section. Some sections have active YP groups already and soon we’ll have them all connected to each other and ACA YPs everywhere.

We also have a small group of project teams that are beginning to develop programs for YPs. (http://www.acacamps.org/youngpros/projects.html)

Want to get published? We are looking for someone to write an article for the May/June Camping Magazine. The topic is: “From Co-Worker to Supervisor” (First-time Supervisor Skills)

Check http://www.acacamps.org/youngpros for more opportunities!

There are many opportunities to get involved and connected with other YPs leading up to the National Conference in Chicago this February. Here are a few of the things by and for YPs. Email us at youngprosinfo@acamaillist.org to get involved!

- Mentoring Events
- First-Timers Orientation Planning
- Job Space for Seekers and Employers
- Welcoming The ACA Student Members*
- Late Night ACA
- Night on the Town
- Service Opportunities During the Conference

If you want to volunteer at the conference for more than YP, please contact Cathy Scheder (who works closely with the YP Committee) at cscheder@ACAcamps.org

* Did you know that $0.00 < $485.00? Students registrations are FREE for the conference instead of the $485! Take a look now at http://www.acacamps.org/conference/

For even more details on everything YP at the National Conference in Chicago go to http://www.acacamps.org/youngpros/chicago.php

There are no set rules on what makes someone a YP. There is no age limit either way! Some YPs have been working in camp full time for a few years, while some are still seasonal. Some are coming from other jobs in other industries. YP is a self-selecting group. If you want resources as you transition into a camp career or want to help ACA create those resources for YPs, then you are in the right place. For more details go to http://www.acacamps.org/youngpros/whats-yp.php