Spring is finally coming and students are looking for summer jobs. Due to pandemic closures, there is one amazing summer opportunity that many may have forgotten about; being a summer camp counselor! There’s a reason there are so many movies about summer camp. They provide unforgettable life experiences for campers and staff. The benefits…
COVID disrupted the entire world including the summer camp industry. With most camps closed or offering limited programs in 2020 and 2021, campers and professionals both started this first “back to normal” season with trepidation. The Alberta Camping Association (ACA) entered this season with a larger number of camps in need of accreditation renewal than…
Summer camps have a big impact on children. In a recent news conference, Alberta Culture Minister, Ron Orr, shared his experience as a 13 -year old camper and how it turned his life around. “It began a literally life-changing journey for me,” said Orr. “I say this to encourage staff with a real-life story…
August has begun, you’re in the midst of camping season and now is a good time to evaluate your staff and provide feedback for them to improve as camp professionals for the remainder of the summer. But how do you do that effectively? How do you pull aside a staffer and give them an effective…
Our teens have been in front of screens more in the last two years than ever in history. Pandemic lockdowns forced kids to adjust to an online learning system and their smartphones were their only socialization for a large chunk of time. Studies have shown associations between smartphone usage and increased levels of anxiety, depression,…
It’s the number one topic camp Director’s talked about this spring “What are you doing to recruit staff?” Camps are happy to return to normal this year, but the pandemic has had lasting effects when it comes to staffing. The loss of two years of campers means a shortage of junior or entry level counsellors.…
Children need nature; now more than ever. Our modern way of living has slowly disconnected kids from outside play and research is showing the very negative impacts that is having. According to Outdoor Play Canada outside free play is essential for healthy child development, with positive impacts on social skills, imagination, executive function, problem-solving ability,…
Parents want the best for their children. Whether it’s academic, friends, extracurricular activities, or camps; parents work to ensure that their child will have a pleasant and safe experience. When it comes to choosing summer camps, parents have complete assurance when they choose a camp accredited by the Alberta Camping Association (ACA). This designation means…
Alberta families are looking forward to a summer of outdoor fun. After two years of closed or limited programming due to the pandemic, Alberta summer camps are reopening. The Alberta Camping Association (ACA) works with camps to ensure they offer high quality programming while maintaining safety standards. “Everyone we’ve talked to is excited to go…
Many campers attend camp without a friend. However, this can be an intimidating experience for some youth. At camp, campers become a part of a cabin group, and each group is led by one or more cabin leaders, whose job it is to personally welcome each camper upon arrival to camp and introduce them to…