December 31, 2017

Our Mission Statement

"To equip and support camp ministry professionals as they advance the kingdom of God"

Our Core Values

1. Bible-based
2. Community
3. Excellence
4. Christ-likeness
5. Diversity
6. Experiencing God in Nature

To all of our members:
We are wishing you and yours a God-Blessed and Happy New Year!
From your AACP Board

FINDING THAT “SOMETHING MISSING” AT CAMP!

Campers were given a chance to share thoughts about their week at camp. One camper said this, “I love summer camp because there is acceptance here…and that is something that is missing in my church”.

DIRECTOR’S CLIPBOARD for ALL STAFF

HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE AACP CONVENTION SURVEY?
For those in attendance, we’d appreciate hearing an evaluation of your experience…thanks so much! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8NQLJGF

IMPORTANT REMINDER! – YEAR-ROUND CAMP EVANGELISM REPORT DUE

Tracy has received numerous year-round reports from camps. Many thanks to those who have submitted their reports already! He is hoping the rest of the camps can email their reports by the end of the year (or early January). These numbers help substantiate the value of camp ministry throughout the NAD. Tracy will be making a report to the administrators early in the year and he is hoping to obtain all of the camps’ reports.

Note that the time period begins immediately after summer camp in 2016 through the end of the summer camp session this year. THIS REPORT DOES NOT INCLUDE SUMMER CAMP NUMBERS. Thanks for taking a moment to complete this form: http://www.adventistcamps.org/site/1/2017%20Year-Around%20Camp%20Report%20Form%20%2010.10.17.pdf 

BOARD MEETING ON JANUARY 9TH

Just a reminder to all board members…the conference call will begin at 2:00 eastern time. You will be receiving the dial-in information a day or more ahead of time along with an agenda from Norm Middag. ‘See’ you then!

FOAM NOODLE GAME – “SOCCOR BALLOON”

It does go by different names, but the goal is the same. Here’s one way it can be played: Each participant sits on a chair (or on the floor) and is given a noodle. We play it with four colors. Then one or more balloons are tossed into the mix near the middle of the room. Those with red and orange noodles try to hit the balloons to the left while the green and blue noodles hit the ball towards the right. Those balloons ‘hitting the wall’ (or other designated wall) score a point. Here we are playing this at our AACP convention.

FACEBOOK FOR SUMMER CAMP NATURE PROGRAMS

The blessings and information of this year's AACP conference at PSR still rings loud and clear in my heart. It truly was a privilege to reconnect with like-minded friends and colleagues who are committed to sharing the love of Christ with the young and young at heart at camp.

Theresa and Ray graciously provided the opportunity for John Henri and Wade St. Martin to share their deep desire in seeing nature programming strengthened in the camping ministry. They also shared the "Summer Camp Nature Center Resource" Facebook page and discussed how the idea/information community of Christ-centered nature enthusiasts can keep the conversation alive throughout the year. With your help, they would like to connect that resource of praying, nature-passionate individuals with the AACP Facebook page and the website. Your help is sincerely appreciated and may God continue to bless and expand your influence for the saving of souls for the kingdom.

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND THE 2018 AACP CONVENTION

That’s right! Get your calendars out and mark out the dates: November 28 – December 2, 2018. And be sure to schedule some vacation days just before or just after the convention. Orlando is one of the big attractions. See you at the convention!

CITRUS FOR STRESS…AND MORE

Oranges, lemons and limes are known to curb stress and help to relieve anxiety.  Their distinct, crisp & clean scents are a mood booster. And don’t forget cinnamon! It is known as a ‘brain booster’. It’s not only a powerful air-freshener, but it also promotes alertness and increases productivity.

ROUND OR RECTANGLE TABLES…THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION!

How is your dining room laid out? Do your tables make it conducive to conversation? You can get a lot of people around a rectangle table and not take up much space. Depending on the size, you can get the same number seated at a round table, but they take up a lot of room. One camp has found a happy medium…oval tables. Take a look... 

View Oval Tables Online

WHAT’S YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN?

Having a trained emergency response team is essential for navigating crises. To safely navigate the emergency, your team must have a thorough plan in place.
 
Emergency plans should include guidelines and procedures for a variety of potential risks. Consider your location and any emergencies your camp may encounter. Is the area known for flooding? Have a flood emergency plan in place. If wildfires occurred nearby in the past, include guidelines for a wildfire emergency. Also, be sure to add instructions for structure fires, active shooter situations, and missing child emergencies.
 
Throughout the year, regularly practice the various scenarios. Train staff members on how to respond and how to guide campers and visitors. Following each practice session, note any issues or ways to improve the plan. Update the plan and practice again.
 
Adventist Risk Management, Inc. wants to help you prepare for any emergencies or risks that may occur. Learn more and find camp safety resources at AdventistRisk.org/Safety-Resources/Camp-Safety.  
 
Elizabeth Camps; Writer and Public Relations Specialist; Adventist Risk Management, Inc.;
ecamps@adventistrisk.org; Adventist Risk.org

MEMBERSHIP DUES PAYABLE ONLINE

These sites will be up and running in January for those who wish to pay their AACP Individual or Camp Membership fees online. You will login on this AACP site and then ‘Make a Reservation’ and then ‘Make a New Reservation’. Be sure to include all of the names of your year round camp staff on the list. You can use the form to figure out your dues for 2018. Of course, most camps won’t have their books closed until February or March to determine their overall expense used in the formula.

Pay Here

ALTERNATIVE: a membership form will be emailed to each camp which can then be used as a hard copy to submit the dues. Either way is fine.

Thanks for continuing to be a part of the AACP family of camps as together we ‘advance the Kingdom of God’!

BLIND CAMP…CAN IT BE A REALITY IN YOUR AREA?

Christian Record Services for the Blind desires to partner with Seventh-day Adventist youth camps in 2018 to provide people who are blind with exciting camp experiences to help them learn more about their abilities, meet new friends, and continue their journey with their best friend, Jesus. Blind camps are a wonderful opportunity for camp staff to expand their experiences with compassionate service, and many report that meeting and empowering people who are blind is the highlight of their summer camp experience. An online portal has been set up for camp directors to learn more about a partnership with Christian Record and to complete the online agreement. Contact Diane Thurber, president, at 402-802-6036 or Diane.Thurber@christianrecord.org if you have questions about partnering with Christian Record.
Diane Thurber, President; Christian Record Services, Inc.; PO Box 6097, Lincoln, NE 68506; 402-488-0981 x212; www.christianrecord.org; www.facebook.com/ChristianRecord; www.twitter.com/CRSBfriends

NOT EXPECTING RAIN?

One camp keeps umbrellas in taller cans at the entrance/exits to their buildings. When guests find it pouring down rain outside, a guest can borrow one of the umbrellas to keep dry on their way to their destination. How many umbrellas have been ‘stolen’? None. Sometimes they may be misplaced, or broken by the wind. But this ‘guest service’ is much appreciated!

DO YOUR GUESTS KNOW THEY ARE INVITED BACK?

Here are some ways to get your message across:

• Make sure when your guests are checking out to say “See you next time”
• Place a sign near the entrance of camp that guests will see when they leave that reads, “Hope you enjoyed your stay…come back soon!” 
• Send your guest group leaders a ‘thank you’ card along with an invitation to schedule another event with your camp…perhaps with a special gift or discount if done within ‘X’ number of days.

IDEAS FOR SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES

An Amazing Race - Your cabin is your team and throughout the week your team will have the opportunity to solve puzzles and complete various challenges on your way to completing the Amazing Race. Each day has a different challenge (one of the favorites includes the team cook-off). Not only do you draw your ingredients out of a hat, but scores are based on whether you are using a camp stove or a wood fire to cook on.
 
Hey There, Matey!! - We may not be traveling to the Caribbean, but we will be trying for ‘all things pirates’ this week at camp. How about a special treasure hunt looking for (fake) gold doubloons? Build your own pirate ship to race in a rain gutter regatta. Put on your eye patch and your best pirate voice and join us for a jammed pack week of pirate adventure.

QUOTES FOR CONTEMPLATION

• Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.—Charles Spurgeon 
• When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves. —William Arthur Ward 
• Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.—Scott Adams
• Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.—Abraham Lincoln 
• Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.—Goeth

TRADING POST

This is a section dedicated to those camps either looking for equipment or wanting to donate or sell one or more items. Send your list of needs or items you’d like to get to another camp (donating or selling) to terry@leonimeadows.org.

RESUME’ – SEEKING JOB POSITIONS

DO YOU HAVE JOB OPENINGS?

If you have a job opening for year-round staff, let us know and we can post it here. Or if you are having trouble finding someone to fill a particular position in summer camp, that can be posted here too. Contact terry@leonimeadows.org to get it published.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

AACP OFFICERS & UNION REPS – MARK THESE DATES!!

The dates for the AACP board meetings via conference calls are posted here once they are finalized. You will also be notified by email and/or phone call prior to the meeting, along with agendas when possible. Meetings begin at 2:00 Eastern Time, unless otherwise specified.

2018 Dates

• January 9
• February 13
• March 13
• April 3
• May 8
• September 11
• October 9
• November 13
• November 27-28 — Tuesday and Wednesday at Camp Kulaqua

COOK’S NOOK

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE DELUXE

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 cup sour cream
3 (14.5 ounce) cans French style green beans, drained
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crumbled buttery round crackers
1 tablespoon butter, melted
 
DIRECTONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Stir in flour until smooth, and cook for one minute.
4. Stir in the salt, sugar, onion, and sour cream.
5. Add green beans, and stir to coat.
6. Transfer the mixture to a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish.
7. Spread shredded cheese over the top.
8. In a small bowl, toss together cracker crumbs and remaining butter, and sprinkle over the cheese.
9. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven or until the top is golden and cheese is bubbly.

PRAYER & PRAISES

If you know of a special need or praise that should be lifted up in prayer by your fellow encouragers, please send an email with that request toterry@leonimeadows.org. Be sure to mention if it is URGENT. Special E-messages can be sent out quickly rather than waiting for the next E-News edition to be sent out. We serve a God who listens AND answers.

Each month camps in specific unions are invited to share their special prayer requests and praises (although they can be shared at any time). Here is the list of the E-News Issues and which union is featured that month: 

• January - Mid-America
• February - Southern
• March - Pacific
• April - Southwestern
• May - Columbia
• June - Atlantic
• September - North Pacific
• October - SDA Church in Canada
• November - Lake

1. God’s leading in 2018
2. Summer Camp Staff Recruitment
3. Ongoing camp projects
4. For those who are facing health issues
5. Continued blessings on the year round camp ministries

Special Prayers & Praises from our MID-AMERICA CAMPS

In addition to the above items:
6. God’s continued protection, especially during the winter storms
7. Successful completion of on-going camp projects and goals

INSPIRATION, ENCOURAGEMENT & COUNSEL

HOW MANY ‘ABILITIES’ DO YOU HAVE?

Response-ability, account-ability, transfer-ability, remark-ability…every Christian has an ability … something to do in the service of their Master.
 
“We are not to seek our own ease or convenience, but rather to make the up-building of Christ's kingdom our first consideration. Unselfish efforts to help and bless our fellow men will not only evince our love for Jesus, but will keep us near Him in dependence and faith, and our own souls, will be constantly growing in grace and in a knowledge of the truth.
 
The deeper the darkness around us, the greater the need that our light should shine for God. We may be placed in circumstances of great difficulty and trial, but this does not prove that we are not in the very position assigned us by Providence…. Whoever will rely wholly upon divine grace may make his life a constant testimony for the truth.”   EGW Testimonies Vol. 5 182

AACP E-NEWS is the regular communication to all of our AACP members. This message is sent to you because you or your camp is a member of AACP. Its purpose is to provide news, announcements, reminders, and ideas on a regular basis. If you have any items you would like to include in E-NEWS, please email them to terry@leonimeadows.org and list the subject as ‘AACP’. Please include your name and camp name in the email and any contact information as appropriate. For email address corrections or additions, or to unsubscribe, please contact Norm Middag at bnmiddag@gmail.com. We do not hold any responsibility/liability for the excerpts/announcements/articles.