Standards Orientation:  Camps which are applying for accreditation for the first time or those being revisited are required to have a representative attend a 6-hour Basic Standards Course.   This should be the Director or other person involved in the camp administration and who will be on-site during the time of the summer visit. All courses will meet from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  There is no fee for the course, but participants should bring their own lunch and drinks.

To register for any of these courses or for questions or further information, contact Rev. Roy Quist, 540-636-6737 deerg8@gmail.com or John Edwards, 804-457-4210 wvcampdirector@hughes.net, or the Section Office, 1-800-347-7523 or acavirginias@acacamps.org

Virginia Recreation and Park Society is hosting its statewide annual conference in Hampton, Virginia September 11 - 14, 2010, our theme is "Celebrating People, Parks and Programs!"  Sign up for our email newsletters at VBgov.com/newsletters   Session proposals are being accepted.  Click here for the proposal submission form.

GoodGreen, Bad Green: Invasive Plant Control for Habitat Restoration

A MID-ATLANTIC FOCUSED CONFERENCE

Sept. 16 & 17, 2010

Northern Virginia 4-H Center and Smithsonian Conservation Ecology Center, Front Royal, Virginia

Auditorium and Field-sessions include:

Species identification techniques

Integrated Pest Management

Treatment demonstrations

Strategies for conducting site triage

Herbicide safety

Restoration successes and challenges

Who should attend:

Natural Resource Professionals

Master Naturalists

Consulting Foresters

Landowners

Arborists & Horticulturalists

Master Gardeners

You!

Continuing Education Credits Pending

Conference Website in Development

To make sure you receive final notice of this conference, please complete this 1 minute survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/goodgreenbadgreen              

Adam Downing 540-948-6881 or adowning@vt.edu

Kids' Tech University (a partnership between Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Virginia 4-H) will offer four teacher workshops for CEU credit on each of the integrated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, monthly on the Virginia Tech campus. This program is ideal for elementary and middle school teachers or other educators interested in STEM teaching.  Click here for full descriptive brochure.  http://kidstechuniveristy.vbi.vt.edu/for_teachers 

Non-Profit Learning Point (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Class catalog is available at: http://www.community.vcu.edu/pdfs/Nonprofit%20Spring%20Catalog%202010.pdf

All classes are two days long from 9am-3pm (unless otherwise noted). The cost for the entire two day course is only $45.00. All classes must be taken for academic credit.

Speaker Presentations from Fall Conference, October 21, 2009:

"Minding Your Mission" - Dr. Karla Henderson

"Children in Nature" - Ray Bivens

"Telling Ain't Training" - Marcia Meador

"Camp Snakes of Virginia" and Snake presentation - Mike Clifford

This listing is provided as resource information only.  The events listed, with the exception of the ACA Fall and Winter Conferences, are sponsored by the camp or organizationindicated, and that organization assumes full responsibility for course content, injuries, accidents, administration and refund policies.  The American Camp Association, Virginias, hereby expressly disclaims any responsibility or liability related to any courses or events not sponsored by the American Camp Association.   Some events may be full after the time of this posting.

To determine whether certification courses meet the criteria for ACA Standards, please check the ACA website:

Aquatics:  http://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/aquaticcert.php

First Aid/CPR:  http://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/firstaidcpr.php

Horseback Riding http://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/horsecert.php

ACA Canoe Instructor Certification Course: Camp Bethel, Fincastle,
Virginia. September 25 – 28, 2010.
Certification for Tandem  or Solo Canoe Instructors/Current Instructor Updates

This course is a certification course for Levels 1- 3 in River Canoe Instruction. Level 1 is a 2 day course for those teaching/leading on lakes, While Levels 2 and 3 are for moving water (rivers). Candidates may certify for any of the 3 levels. Upon passing the course, certification is valid for 4 years.

Level 1 (2 Days, Sept 25-26): Intro to Canoe

Level 2 (1 day Sept 27 + Level 1 Cert): Essentials of River Canoe

Level 3 (1 day Sept 28 + Level 2 Cert): River Canoeing

Course Price:  $100/person/day + $25 reg/materials fee

Course information can be found on the website at http://www.campbethelvirginia.org/ACACanoeInstructorCourse.htm or by contacting the Instructor Trainer, Beth Wiegandt, at sbwiegandt@rbnet.com; Cell # (540) 556-2594.

ACA Canoe Instructor Update: Camp Bethel, Fincastle, Virginia.
October 15 – 16, 2010.
Update your current Canoe Instructor Certification. Updates can occur at any point during your 4 year certification period (you don’t have to wait until the end). Updates are one of the requirements to extend your certification another 4 years! This course consists of an evening classroom session and a day trip on a local river to enhance paddling, rescue, and teaching skills. Contact Instructor Trainer, Beth Wiegandt, at sbwiegandt@rbnet.com; Cell # (540) 556-2594, for more information and registration materials.

Challenge Course Instructor Development Program

INNER QUEST offers a number of Challenge Course Instructor Development programs each year. Programs are held at their facility near McLean, VA. Trainings are divided into two sections—Low Challenge Course elements and Basic High Challenge Course elements. Trainings are conducted from 8:00am until 5:00pm daily. Accommodations are readily available nearby. The cost for the program is $375 per instructor candidate for each low or high session, or a discounted cost of $700 per instructor candidate for consecutive low/high sessions. Training dates are August 23-25 (low), August 26-28 (high), 2010. They will also be offering a one day Challenge Course Supervisor Curriculum ($200) on August 30. Advance registration and payment is required and space is limited. To register or for further information, contact INNER QUEST at 703-478-1078 or innerquestinfo@cs.com.

Wilderness First Responder (through Wilderness Medical Associates):  December 6-14, 2010;  Open Recertification:  December 3-5, 2010; Wilderness First Aid, including CPR through SOLO:  May 24-25, 2010.
More information: http://campgreenville.org/special_events.phptfay@ymcagreenville.org

Wilderness First Aid.  The Wilderness Safety Council is offering Wilderness First Aid classes from NY to NC this year. The cost for most Wilderness First Aid classes $200.  A complete schedule of class dates and locations is available online at http://wfa.net. Wilderness First Aid is a program of the Wilderness Safety Council and meets ACA standards for 60 minutes or more from definitive medical treatment. It is the responsibility of the attendee/trainee to determine whether certification courses meet the criteria for ACA Standards.  For clarification,please check the ACA website, http://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/hyes.php

The Spring 2010 Professional Development Catalog for Child Care Professionals published by the Virginia Department of Social Services is now available online at http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cc/professionals_resources.html (click on Professional Development Catalog). The catalog includes class schedules, registration information, and additional professional development information. For additional class and registration information, please call the Community College Workforce Alliance at (804) 523-2298 or e-mail VDSSclasses@ccwa.vccs.edu.

Virginia Snakes: Mike Clifford, Frog Holler Outdoor Education presents an educational video on identification of the snakes of Virginia at the Virginia Herpetological Society’s web page http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/reptiles/snakes/snakes_of_virginia.htm

There’s also a test for what’s not a copperhead snake that’s good. http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/VHS/venomous-look-a-likes/copperhead-look-a-likes/copperhead.asp  Mike is also author of the book, Snakes of Virginia.

ACA E-Institute: 

ACA's e-Institute is a Web-based professional development and public education system designed for the entire spectrum of child and youth development audiences—from ACA members to afterschool staff to community based program leaders. Current offerings include Designing Quality Youth Programs, Camp Business and Finance, Camp is for the Camper Online Training Program, Injury and  Illness Prevention e-Courses, and Creating Positive Youth Outcomes.  ACA is pleased to announce an educational alliance with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) with Crisis Communications and Camp Administration e-Institute courses debuting in January, 2009. http://www.acacamps.org/einstitute/

Armstrong Unlimited can help camps with (1) Assistance in planning your staff training schedule, (2) Supplemental workshops to enhance your staff training, (3) In-service training to rev up your program, (4) Risk management assessment and safety planning, (5) Large group programs, (6) Other services crafted especially for your camp. Call or e-mail Maile Armstrong for details mailearmstrong@verizon.net or 540-947-5016.

Greg Cronin Training Solutions:  Staff training, team building, conference presentations, outdoor adventures.  www.GCTrainingSolutions.com Contact Greg Cronin, 703-395-6661 or Greg@gctrainingsolutions.com

River Riders is a family-owned and operated outfitter based in Harpers Ferry, WV. We have our own day camp, Outdoor Adventure Camp, therefore we understand the needs of affiliating camps. By partnering with River Riders your company will be able to expand your summer offerings, increase program attendance, and  generate additional income. With several different programs to choose from, participants will be able to enjoy professionally guided white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, biking, and tubing. Contact Matt Knott or Angie Goldizen, 304-535-2663 or angie@riverriders.com