The YP Committee presented three options to the Board and the Board decided to take a more in-depth and comprehensive look at YPs and similar groups. This new Task Force is also looking at how YPs, Students and Emerging Professionals all connect. Their response and approach shows how far YP has come and how important to the fabric of ACA the YPs are.

At the October ACA Board Meeting, the ACA Young Professionals Committee asked the Board for guidance on how to proceed with the growth and development of YP. Because of the success and growth of the YP Initiative, we felt we needed more direction and resources to move forward.

Starting this week you’ll be hearing a lot more about YPs in your InBox. And here. And on the web site (http://www.acacamps.org/youngpros). Just waiting for final revisions and feedback from the “editors”!

The National Conference Team is hoping to send people to some college classes to talk about the conference and to get students interested in attending. To do this they wanted to get some information from people that are currently working in the field. Please fill this form out and help make the National Conference grow!

Go to: http://acacamps.org/youngpros/austin-survey.php

DEADLINE: September 18th.

CAMPaign ‘07: a five-year, fund-raising effort draws to a close in February 2007. Thirty volunteers in four different ACA Sections will come together in a unified effort to raise funds for CAMPaign ‘07 and the camp experience on October 19, 2006. These volunteers from around the country are donating time, energy, and “cell phone” minutes to the first-ever CAMPaign ‘07 Phone-a-thon. Be sure to support your commitment to the camp experience by making a contribution or pledge when you get that special phone call in October! You can also always make contributions online NOW!!!!

Phone-a-thon Volunteers . . . .
Okay . . . you just read about the CAMPaign ‘07 Phone-a-thon. Want to volunteer and have an impact far greater than your financial contribution? Contact Tim Millbern, 765-349-3517 to find out more information and to lend a hand on October 19. It’s easy . . . it’s fun . . . and you will make a difference!!

Calling all writers! Camping Magazine is publishing a Young Professionals column three times a year. We are currently seeking writers to submit articles of 1,500-3000 words (shorter articles are also welcome, and may be used as sidebars). This is a chance to become a nationally published author and make a contribution to the knowledge of the camping field.

The next deadline for submission is October 9 for the January/February issue. Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested in writing for this or any future issues.

A suggested topic for this issue would be about the “The Mid-Winter Blues,” i.e. the ebb and flow of a year-round position. A focus could be on making the transition from summer camp staff to year-round staff or the pitfalls of the coveted year-round position.

Other topics that have been requested for this or future issues are:

- Are you practicing what you teach? TEAMWORK
- Professional Development to stay ahead of the game
- Reflections on YP camp experiences
what got us where we are; making a difference in a child’s life
- Advice column on Pickle in the Middle topics
co-worker conflicts, supervising more experienced staff, etc.
- How YP efforts are being acted out at the Section level (EPIC in NY, New England, IL YPs, WI, and several groups out west); can talk about how to get involved or start a Section group (how to get support from the Board, how to get funding, etc)

If you are interested in becoming a nationally published author, please e-mail Gretchen Vaughn, Young Professionals Column Coordinator, at gretchenv@gsmhc.org . I look forward to hearing from you soon!