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IN THE LOOP

Gather up everyone! Time for the news, resources, and fun!

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A TOPIC TO PRESENT AT MID STATES

10/1/2019

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Ask your supervisor and colleagues about what you do well!
Who else would know what you are most skilled at better than your supervisor and coworkers? These folks are going to be able to point out what you do well and what they look to you as the expert on. Some solid prompting questions can help you collect concrete topic ideas for your proposal. Examples include:
  • What parts of our/my work do you think I excel in? 
  • What parts of my job do you think I could teach others how to do because of my experience and knowledge?
  • What do you believe has been my best idea since starting here?
  • What topics do you believe I could speak on and provide expert advice to other camp pros?

Ask yourself: what brings you joy?
The most effective and favorite speakers we have often are presenting on topics that they have deep passion and joy for. Presenting at conferences should be challenging and fun for you, the speaker. Pick topics that interest you. You’ll shine more and the audience will appreciate your presentation if it’s something you find interesting to share. (This means if your boss tells you that you are very good at budgets but you find zero joy or have zero interest in the subject matter - find another topic.) 

What do you wish you would have known more about?
Our attendees love to hear from speakers who developed their craft through trial and error. What task or skill did you have to work hard to achieve your goals? What did you learn along the way - both positive and negative? What do you wish you had known prior to going into a project or task? Often our best presentations come from a place of exploration, innovation, and problem-solving. 

Just start writing!
If you want to present, just take the first step! Then, each step will come after another and before you know it- you'll have a proposal! Here are some suggestions of things to consider when submitting a proposal for Mid States:
  1. The session length is 1 hour or 60 minutes. This will go by quickly, so the more narrow the topic, the better. Instead of “Human Resources at Camp,” a more effective topic could be “best interviewing practices for seasonal camp staff.” Attendees prefer to learn a lot about one idea than a little about a million ideas.
  2. Clear titles! Catchy titles are fun and we encourage them, but they should also clearly state the overall topic of the session. Many attendees won't read a description if they don’t feel like the title sounds interesting or pertains to them. 
  3. Descriptions should tell the attendees and committee three key messages: an overview of what will be covered, how the session will be presented (hands-on, lecture, etc.) and how your camp will be better because of it.  
  4. Write a bio you’d include on your resume! Your bio will be used to help sell your session proposal to the committee, and then if picked, to the attendee. Everyone reads the bio. We recommend including the following in your bio: current role and type of camp/organization (nonprofit, private, day camp, etc.) current involvement in organizations and committee that increase your knowledge base (like ACA, NPRA, etc.) overview of past experience (not super detailed but broad statements,) education and training on this topic (what makes you qualified to share your knowledge?) Feel free to get creative, so long as it includes the important information that will help the committee and attendee know you are an expert on your topic. 

Still want to present at Mid States but need more help? Give us a call at 312-343-1070 x3 or x1 or email us at kim@acail.org or colette@acail.org. 

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Ready to Submit a Proposal? Click here!
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DID I PASS? (AND OTHER ACCREDITATION RELATED QUESTIONS FOR 2019 AND 2020!)

8/20/2019

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Thank you to everyone who participated in Accreditation visits this year!!!
Here are a few answers to some of your burning questions regarding 2019 and 2020 Accreditation.

Camps that were Visited in 2019 FAQs:

When do I get my scores?
Once all the scores come in and score forms have been reviewed by the national office, the American Camp Association, Illinois Board of Directors reviews all camps who are accredited and votes to pass accreditation for the next year, approximately mid to late October. 

How will I get my scores?
We will send a copy of your scores both as an email and mailed letter to your primary contact. Please check on who is listed as your primary contact and that your contact information is up to date so you don't miss the correspondence. Unsure of the Primary Contact listed for your account. Contact Allie Boyaris at allie@acail.org or call 312-332-0833 x 4.

How do I know if I passed?
Camps need to score 80% or higher in each section to pass. In the letter, mentioned above, it will begin with identifying whether or not you passed, it will then show you a breakdown of your scores for each section percentage-wise.
How are my scores calculated?
The national office of the American Camp Association assembles a team to facilitate the scoring. Each standard is weighted differently and this information is kept confidential as to not impact the integrity of the program

Who sees my score reports?
Once received by the American Camp Association, Illinois staff, only those staff who work directly with the process see the scores so they can create the letters to send to your primary contact. Your primary contact is encouraged to use discretion regarding the results. Communicating that you passed is all that needs to be said. Camps should keep your scores confidential.

Do I have to do an Annual Accreditation Report this winter?
Yep. Accreditation maintenance is yearly. You maintained your accreditation for 2019 by completing your visit this summer, so to maintain your accreditation through 2020 you will need to complete the Annual Accreditation Report between Dec. 1 and Feb 1. Failure to submit the Annual Accreditation Report results in an onsite visit in summer 2020.

When will my next visit be?
Great question. It varies from camp to camp. Please reach out to American Camp Association, Illinois staff to check on your status.

How will I know what to do next?
The American Camp Association, Illinois works hard to help you stay on track. We communicate updates and timelines through emails, newsletters, phone calls, social media. We make sure that you are well informed about the process. 

General Visitor & 2020 Plans FAQs 

How many camps were visited this year?
This year we had 24 camps visited!

How many visitors are there?
We had 26 visitors visiting this summer but have about 40 on our visiting roster. If you would like to become a visitor we invite you to reach out! Contact Allie Boyaris at allie@acail.org or call 312-332-0833 x 4.

How do I become a visitor? 
Being an ACA Visitor is such a great space to volunteer. We host visitor courses throughout the year so register for a course and fill out our application. All you need is to have taken the Accreditation Process Workshop to be qualified! 

Any advice for someone participating in accreditation next year?
Work on accreditation all year. Preparing for accreditation is time-consuming, but most of the standards should be implemented before you even hire staff. Don’t put it off until the last minute. Tackle smaller pieces of it over the year and you will be stronger and more prepared in the end.

How do I know if I will be visited in 2020 or need to complete the Annual Accreditation Report? 
Letters will be both emailed and mailed informing you of your camp's 2020 statuses. They will be sent addressed to the primary contact on your account in late October if you need to check to see who is your primary contact or make a change email Allie Boyaris at allie@acail.org or call 312-332-0833 x 4. You are always able to give us a call at 312-332-0833 as well to check on the status of your Accreditation Cycle.

However, If you are not being visited in 2020, all camps will need to complete an Annual Accreditation Report by Feb 1, 2020.
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American  Camp  ASSOCIATION,  illinois

American Camp Association, Illinois
PO Box 5412
Evanston, IL 60204


Phone: 312-332-0833
Email: info@acail.org


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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Board Members
    • Award Honorees
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Accreditation
    • DFI Title XX >
      • 2023 Camp Referrals
    • Send a Child to Camp
    • Top 5 Reasons to Send Your Child to Camp
    • Find a Camp
  • Join Us
    • Group Membership
    • Individual Membership
    • Why Accreditation?
    • 4 Reasons to Be Accredited
    • Services Portal
    • Volunteer
  • Learn & Tools
    • Professional Development & Training >
      • Executive Seminar
    • Calendar
    • Resources for Individuals and Families
    • ACA & COVID-19
  • Ways to Give
    • Donate Today!
    • Fresh Start Campership Funds
    • Become a Sponsor or Community Partner
    • Throwing Lids & Helping Kids Fundraiser