This-N-That
Correction
An article in the Jan/Feb issue of Camp Business incorrectly identified camp-management software provider CampSite as being a local solution when it is actually a cloud-based solution. Camp Business regrets the error.
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I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how much I enjoyed the “Healthy Competition Is Not An Oxymoron” article in the Nov/Dec. 2014 issue of Camp Business. I found it very interesting and informative and I look forward to using it during our camp staff training next summer. As always, thank you for all the work and great information that goes into this publication!
Megan Ball
Special Events Coordinator
PIA, Program Director
Town of DeWitt Recreation
East Syracuse, NY
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Nonprofit Climbing Program Has A Sole Purpose
Boulder, Colo.—Eldorado Climbing Walls has launched Sole Purpose, a nationwide program that gets unwanted and unclaimed climbing shoes to nonprofits that can use them. The purchase of shoes is a major challenge to starting or maintaining a climbing program. Access to free shoes is a solution. Sole Purpose will work with facilities like climbing gyms and college recreation centers to get thousands of lost, unclaimed shoes into the hands, and onto the feet, of the kids participating in rock climbing activities offered by nonprofits like YMCAs, community recreation centers, and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Sole Purpose is seeking gyms that want to collect climbing shoes and nonprofits that need shoes for new or existing climbing programs. Organizations can apply through the Facebook page /SolePurposeProgram or contact Christina Frain at solepurpose@eldowalls.com or 303-447-0512 x 132.
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How To Make A Compass
It’s easier than you might think to make a compass. All you need are a few simple household items to pinpoint due north with surprising accuracy.
Here’s what you need:
- Bowl of water
- Sewing pin or needle
- Magnet
- Small piece of craft foam, cork, or paper
Cut a small circle from a material that will float in water. We used some craft foam but cork or even a piece of paper will work. The next step is to turn the sewing needle into a magnet. To do this, stroke the needle across the magnet about 30 to 40 times. Be sure to stroke in one direction only, not back and forth. The needle will now be magnetized.
Next, place the needle on the circle of craft foam or cork and place it on top of the water. Try to place it in the center of the bowl, keeping it away from the edges. The needle will begin to slowly turn around and eventually the needle will point north and south. We were so amazed to watch the needle find north; we checked the accuracy of our DIY compass with a compass app (we used Compass from Tim O’s Studios. It was free to download and very simple to use).
How It Works
Every magnet has a north and south pole. A compass is small magnet that aligns itself with the north and south poles of the Earth’s magnetic field. As the needle is stroked across the magnet, it becomes magnetized because the electrons within the needle straighten up and align themselves with the magnet. The magnetized needle then aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field when it is placed on top of the water.
Information from 101 Kids Activities That are the Bestest, Funnest Ever! by Holly Homer and Rachel Miller [Page Street Publishing, June 2014, $19.99]. For more ideas, visit www.kidsactivitiesblog.com.
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Word On The Web
On “Do Your Feedback Gathering Methods Measure Up?” Nov. 21 Week-Ender Blog Post:
From my years in camping, I created the Camp Practices Profile, which measures 12 specific areas of Christian camp leadership, a total of 96 practices. All stakeholders are invited to score the organization on the perceived importance of the practice and the performance of the organization in carrying this practice out. This has allowed camps to pinpoint exactly where they need to pay attention and take action in order to improve. Follow-up assessing takes place 12 months later. Example practices: “The effectiveness of board members is regularly assessed.” (Board) “Options are weighed against the master plan during decision making.” (Planning) “Requests and complaints are quickly addressed.” (Guests)
Gary Wood
G.E.Wood and Associates
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On “Bullying Redux” Nov. 14 Week-Ender Blog Post:
I run an after-school program for 120 K-8 kids plus a small two- to three-week summer camp just outside Kings Canyon National Park in California .
This is an excellent article. Last year we bought the Expert Online Training program, which we started using last summer. I hope there will be even more trainings added on how to retrain bullies and their targets to make more healthy social connections.
Thanks very much for the work you do!
Sulfiati Harris
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On “My Three Favorite Things to Do with a 3×5 Index Card” Sept. 19 Week-Ender Blog Post:
I also have a fondness for 3×5 cards, carrying them with me, particularly to record “aha moments,” gratitude lists, and notes to self as well as more mundane but necessary reminders. One of my favorites, posted on my desk and one to share is: “There is no right way to do the wrong thing.”
Many thanks for the weekly articles. I do look forward to reading them.
Christine Doyle
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On my mirror: “You’re never fully dressed without a smile” (with a picture of SpongeBob SquarePants).
But push pins in my new bunk beds? NO!
Gary Forster
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Calendar
March
16-19 ACA Tri-State Conference, Atlantic City, N.J.—Atlantic City Convention Center; (212) 391-5208 or www.aca-nynj.org
26-28 ACA New England, Manchester, N.H.; (781) 541-6080 or www.acanewengland.org
April
14-17 Spring Leadership Conference, Palm Springs, Calif.—Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel; www.acacamps.org/socalhawaii
16-18 ACA Midstates Conference, St. Charles, Ill.; www.acamidstates.org
24-26 ACA Northern California CampWorks Conference, Felton, Calif.—Mt. Hermon Conference Center; dpinney@acacamps.org or www.ACAcamps.org/norcal