This-N-That
News, Letters & Events
Defining Equine Terms
The article Good Horse Sense (Camp Business, Jul/Aug 2008) was very well written and very informative. I would like to point out two instances where the story may be misleading.
In the story the statement is made that liability releases may deter lawsuits, but not for negligence. Releases stop lawsuits based on claims for negligence in 45 out of 50 states. Releases do not work for claims made by minors except in three states--California, Colorado and Ohio. The Florida Supreme Court is currently looking at this issue. So releases do work to stop suits, they only work when signed by someone over the age of consent.
The article also states that horses are “attractive nuisances.” They are not. An attractive nuisance is a condition on the land or a premises issue. The definition usually revolves around the term “artificial condition” upon the land.
Farm animals and pets have never been considered an attractive nuisance. A child should be instructed by their parents as to the dangers present in land; it is the special features of the premises created by man that a child may not know about that creates the liability. The best example is a swimming pool is an attractive nuisance and a pond is not.
This article is needed because too often camps rely on equine liability acts to protect their business. When speaking to groups about equine liability acts, I always make sure I tell them that those laws are 100 percent effective. Since their enactment no horse has been sued. However, suits against horse owners have not changed. A horse cannot be held liable for negligence, which is what the acts cover, but a horse owner still can.
Sincerely,
James H. Moss
Editor
Outdoor Recreation Law Review
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National Ticket And Synergy ID Form Partnership
Shamokin, Penn.--National Ticket Company—a provider of ticketing and wristbands for the leisure and entertainment market--announces a partnership with Synergy ID--a provider of project management and software integration services to the entertainment, emergency management, utility and oil and gas markets. As the demand for increasing visitor experiences grows and the interest in more efficient and effective visitor management solutions increases, venues of all sizes are pursuing RFID and barcode management systems. The use by customers and availability of data for the venues creates a win-win for users of RFID and barcode systems over traditional cash or credit-card based systems.
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Writer Quizzed On Test Question
I was reading an article in Camp Business September/October 2008 today. It was in the Aquatics section, titled: "Perpetual Heat," on pages 25-27.I noticed in the text and the pool heating test that the answer to question number nine (What is emitted when a gas heater burns fuel?) was carbon monoxide.This isn't the most correct answer. Carbon dioxide (answer A) is the most correct answer, since carbon monoxide is only generated when there is an inefficient burning of fuel, or re-burning of fuel exhaust.Thank you for taking a look into this.ShawnMinneapolis, Minn.
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The reader is correct regarding carbon dioxide. The reason I discussed carbon monoxide was that this is what has caused death in most pool heating-related accidents. Please apologize to the reader for my incorrectness.
Connie Sue Centrella
Director of Education
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Highlights of the Tri-State Conference
Opening Keynote Session The Dynamic Day Camp: Essential Ingredients for SuccessMichael Brandwein, Educator, Author, and SpeakerThis session is packed with specific tools and techniques and practical materials you can use right away to make sure your recreation and parks program is even more than fun activities—discover the secrets to ensure that you are set up to help campers and staff grow as people. Get staff to see that although camp is fun, it’s a real job and a professional commitment in which we can make intentional use of camp to change lives forever. Michael is the number one best-selling author in camp on staff training, supervision and camper leadership. Breakout SessionsSummer Park & Recreation Camp Staff TrainingMarc Hoberman, Grade Success Inc. Staff TrainingPark and recreation summer camps offer an array of activities and outdoor programs for a variety of children. Marc will teach you how to train staff using various hands-on exercises and skill building that will enable them to make sure that the campers have a safe and fun summer experience. Orientation is a perfect opportunity to give staff the tools they need to succeed. Learn an assortment of training methods that are fun, interactive and informative and make you more effective “in the field.” Marc will also talk about training upper staff how to train their counselors and program specialists. How to Think Like a Big Fish in a Big Pond... (Even if You Feel Like a Minnow)Jodi Rudick, Advisors Marketing Group Trip and Travel: Tips and TechniquesCricket Snearing, Sesame/Rockwood CampsCaren Kern, Blue Rill Day CampBully-Proofing Park and Rec Summer Programs
Joel Haber, PhD., RespectU
Everyone wants a fun and safe summer. Our goal for park and recreation summer camps is to ensure that every camper has the opportunity to feel emotionally and physically safe. Unfortunately, bullying behavior can take away that dream for campers and even staff. Joel Haber will provide the tools to bully-proof your summer program and train your staff to recognize the types of bullying that will occur and deal with it effectively. Don’t be unprepared--learn how to be aware of bullying that will occur under the radar so you can be on top of a great summer!
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Calendar
January
7-9 Southwest Camp Conference, Midlothian, Texas; www.acatexoma.org
29 Ohio Camping Conference, Columbus, Ohio—Ohio 4-H Center; www.acaohio.org
29-February 1 Upstate New York Camp Conference, East Syracuse, N.Y.—Holiday Day-Carrier Circle; http://www.acaupstatenewyork.org/
February
17-20 ACA National Conference, Orlando, Fla.—Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort;
28 Fifth Annual Summer Camp Convention, Solon, Ohio—Solon Community Center; Contact Sheryl Stanowick at sstanowick@yahoo.com
March
1 Summer Camp Convention, Fairview Park, Ohio—Gemini Recreation Center; Contact Sheryl Stanowick at sstanowick@yahoo.com
18-21 Tri-State Conference, Atlantic City, N.J.—Atlantic City Convention Center; http://www.tristatecampconference.org/
26-28 Mid States Camp Conference, St. Charles, Ill.; www.acamidstates.org
27-29 New England Camp Conference, Manchester, N.H.; www.acane-camps.org