Summer Camp Is Even More Vital for 2021 and Beyond
A new article on the American Camp Associaton’s website makes the case that summer camp should no longer be considered optional:
As a mental health professional who works in the camping industry, I am convinced that summer camp is no longer an optional add-on to enrich a child’s experience while they are out of school; it is a vital need for all children and adolescents in 2021 and beyond.
A new article on the American Camp Associaton’s website makes the case that summer camp should no longer be considered optional:
As a mental health professional who works in the camping industry, I am convinced that summer camp is no longer an optional add-on to enrich a child’s experience while they are out of school; it is a vital need for all children and adolescents in 2021 and beyond.
Beyond the PPP: Federal Relief for Camps & Conference Centers
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) program may now be another option for additional financial relief for many camps and non-profits.
Many ministries have already applied for additional COVID-related payroll support. Consider your camp or retreat center's needs and eligibility with this resource roundup.
Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Nonprofits Act (from InsideCharity)
Employer Retention Credit for Camps (from JCamp180)
Financial Relief For Your Camp in 2021 Webinar, (from JCamp180)
Learn more. Are you applying? What have you learned?
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) program may now be another option for additional financial relief for many camps and non-profits.
Many ministries have already applied for additional COVID-related payroll support. Consider your camp or retreat center's needs and eligibility with this resource roundup.
Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Nonprofits Act (from InsideCharity)
Employer Retention Credit for Camps (from JCamp180)
Financial Relief For Your Camp in 2021 Webinar, (from JCamp180)
Learn more. Are you applying? What have you learned?
Games for Social Distancing
These online trainings have been recommended for those who need new go-to games that account for social distancing, and also Zoom game options. They’re free, and there are dozens available in the coming months.
If you participate in one, please let us know how it goes here.
These online trainings have been recommended for those who need new go-to games that account for social distancing, and also Zoom game options. They’re free, and there are dozens available in the coming months.
If you participate in one, please let us know how it goes here.
Preparing Participants for a Different Summer
This video from Outward Bound is agreat example of how to prepare campers and families for what will be different, what is expected of them, and also what continues to be special and wonderful about your program. It’s glossy, and worth a look to see what it might inspire for you.
This video from Outward Bound is agreat example of how to prepare campers and families for what will be different, what is expected of them, and also what continues to be special and wonderful about your program. It’s glossy, and worth a look to see what it might inspire for you.
Ideas? Share them here.
How to Lead When Your Team Is Exhausted — and You Are, Too
It feels like the whole world is tired. Even though the vaccine shines a light at the end of the tunnel, the home stretch will be long and perhaps take a greater toll on our professional and personal lives than we expect it to.
To move through the second wave successfully, leaders need to reexamine their personal resilience and that of their team members: the ability and strength to overcome obstacles, bounce back, and recover in the face of challenges. How strong are you under pressure? How quickly do you bounce back from defeat?
Most importantly: How can you find the mental strength to lead through the last mile?
It feels like the whole world is tired. Even though the vaccine shines a light at the end of the tunnel, the home stretch will be long and perhaps take a greater toll on our professional and personal lives than we expect it to.
To move through the second wave successfully, leaders need to reexamine their personal resilience and that of their team members: the ability and strength to overcome obstacles, bounce back, and recover in the face of challenges. How strong are you under pressure? How quickly do you bounce back from defeat?
Most importantly: How can you find the mental strength to lead through the last mile?
CampCounts: ACA Survey Results
The American Camp Association survey, CampCounts 2020, was unique in its efforts to capture the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on camps in the US. Results are compared to the 2017 ACA Business Operations Survey (now called CampCounts) where possible. The report also incorporates recent information from the ACA Field Guide and provides recommendations for camp operations during the current pandemic.
The American Camp Association survey, CampCounts 2020, was unique in its efforts to capture the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on camps in the US. Results are compared to the 2017 ACA Business Operations Survey (now called CampCounts) where possible. The report also incorporates recent information from the ACA Field Guide and provides recommendations for camp operations during the current pandemic.
ACA Town Hall: Covid-19 Planning for Camps (January 2021)
ACA shared recent developments on COVID-19 planning for camps last week. Here is a recording of the Town Hall.
ACA shared recent developments on COVID-19 planning for camps last week. Here is a recording of the Town Hall.
Camp Staff as Essential Workers
We received word from the American Camp Association last week that camp staff can be counted as essential workers (as “out of school time workers”), when it comes to vaccine implementation. There are still many factors that vary by state, but you will want to start investigating and communicating with your staff.
COVID Financial Relief, Round Two
Many ministries have already applied for additional COVID-related payroll support. You may also be able to apply for the Employer Retention Credit this time. Consider your camp or retreat center's needs and eligibility with this resource roundup:
Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Nonprofits Act (from InsideCharity)
Employer Retention Credit for Camps (from JCamp180)
Financial Relief For Your Camp in 2021 Webinar (from JCamp180)
Many ministries have already applied for additional COVID-related payroll support. You may also be able to apply for the Employer Retention Credit this time. Consider your camp or retreat center's needs and eligibility with this resource roundup:
Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Nonprofits Act (from InsideCharity)
Employer Retention Credit for Camps (from JCamp180)
Financial Relief For Your Camp in 2021 Webinar (from JCamp180)
Question & Answer - Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021
The American Camp Association is compiling updated information on the latest relief package, specific for camps, here.
The American Camp Association is compiling updated information on the latest relief package, specific for camps, here.
Financial Interconnectedness Amidst COVID-19
There is a lot to consider in this timely, thoughtful reflection from Miguel Escobar on the Episcopal Church, its institutions, finances, the pandemic, and where we could go from here.
“Self-help” is the opposite of a faithful approach in times like these. Episcopalians are the inheritors of examples from the first to fourth centuries wherein Christians saw themselves as one part of a larger church body, and pulled together to aid the hardest-hit assemblies and individuals in their communities during times of disaster.
Rather than self-help and financial isolation, it is financial interconnectedness that is in our DNA.
There is a lot to consider in this timely, thoughtful reflection from Miguel Escobar on the Episcopal Church, its institutions, finances, the pandemic, and where we could go from here.
“Self-help” is the opposite of a faithful approach in times like these. Episcopalians are the inheritors of examples from the first to fourth centuries wherein Christians saw themselves as one part of a larger church body, and pulled together to aid the hardest-hit assemblies and individuals in their communities during times of disaster.
Rather than self-help and financial isolation, it is financial interconnectedness that is in our DNA.
8 Strategies to Help Generation Z Rediscover Hope After Coronavirus
This new book, The Pandemic Population by Tim Elmore was recently recommended in a summer camp group. It identifies eight strategies for helping Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012ish) — most of your current campers and young adult staff — rediscover hope after Covid-19.
This book provides best practices for leading in a crisis, helping handle the emotional impact of quarantine, as well as creative ideas to sustain morale and collaboration among students. It’s perfect for educators, parents, and coaches who lead kids.
This new book, The Pandemic Population by Tim Elmore was recently recommended in a summer camp group. It identifies eight strategies for helping Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012ish) — most of your current campers and young adult staff — rediscover hope after Covid-19.
This book provides best practices for leading in a crisis, helping handle the emotional impact of quarantine, as well as creative ideas to sustain morale and collaboration among students. It’s perfect for educators, parents, and coaches who lead kids.
Summer Camp, COVID-19, and Food Service
Here are six things to keep in mind when making a Food Service plan for 2021, direct from a food service provider.
Additional Financial Relief for Camps Included in Federal Relief Bill
The new Coronavirus relief bill that was passed this past week by Congress and eventually signed by President Trump includes some provisions that could support our camps and conference centers. These include:
An opportunity for seasonal camps to modify their original PPP loan amounts, if those loans havne’t already been forgiven.
Additional PPP funds: Call your banks, quickly. The terms remain similar to the first PPP roll-out, and is available to businesses with not more than 300 employees that have been “significantly impacted by the pandemic” — businesses will be required to show a 25-percent drop in receipts from the first, second, or third quarter of 2020 in comparison to the same period the previous year.
Details will continue to be fleshed out and posted on our website and the ACA’s.
The new Coronavirus relief bill that was passed this past week by Congress and eventually signed by President Trump includes some provisions that could support our camps and conference centers. These include:
An opportunity for seasonal camps to modify their original PPP loan amounts, if those loans havne’t already been forgiven.
Additional PPP funds: Call your banks, quickly. The terms remain similar to the first PPP roll-out, and is available to businesses with not more than 300 employees that have been “significantly impacted by the pandemic” — businesses will be required to show a 25-percent drop in receipts from the first, second, or third quarter of 2020 in comparison to the same period the previous year.
Details will continue to be fleshed out and posted on our website and the ACA’s.
Designating Camp Staff as Essential Workers
One of the American Camp Association’s most important advocacy initiatives right now is to have camp staff certified as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers,” allowing staff to be prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccination within the Education sector. Learn more and follow along here.
One of the American Camp Association’s most important advocacy initiatives right now is to have camp staff certified as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers,” allowing staff to be prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccination within the Education sector. Learn more and follow along here.
Tips for Virtual New-Employee Onboarding
There is a critical period between when the applicant accepts your offer and when they start work. Use this time wisely to keep in touch with them and keep them informed of what’s happening in your organization. You should do this regardless of whether you’re onboarding in person or virtually, but bringing a new employee into a remote work environment requires a little extra effort.
There is a critical period between when the applicant accepts your offer and when they start work. Use this time wisely to keep in touch with them and keep them informed of what’s happening in your organization. You should do this regardless of whether you’re onboarding in person or virtually, but bringing a new employee into a remote work environment requires a little extra effort.
Strategies to Help Working Parents Amid COVID-19
While many of our organizations are small, or otherwise exempt from legal requirements in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and other employment regulations, this article offers some excellent suggestions for supporting both the mental health and productivity of the working parents on your staff.
While many of our organizations are small, or otherwise exempt from legal requirements in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and other employment regulations, this article offers some excellent suggestions for supporting both the mental health and productivity of the working parents on your staff.
On-Site Guest Policies & Procedures
We’re grateful to Kanuga for sharing these materials they’ve developed for welcoming guests to their on-site Thanksgiving retreats.
We’re grateful to Kanuga for sharing these materials they’ve developed for welcoming guests to their on-site Thanksgiving retreats.
How to Conquer Tech Exhaustion
Yes, you may be busy. Your inbox may be overflowing. And your calendar may be full of important calls. But being busy doesn't mean you're being productive or making a positive impact. The truth is you don't need more time, tech tools, or productivity hacks. You need fewer things on your plate, clearer intentions, and firmer boundaries.
If this sounds anything like you, you may be asking yourself: how do I create more tech-life balance in today’s changing world.
The simple answer is: set boundaries for when, where, and how you use your technology. During times of crisis and disruption, having clear boundaries and routines is critical for effectively navigating challenging times.
Here are three simple things you can do right way to create more tech-life balance.
Yes, you may be busy. Your inbox may be overflowing. And your calendar may be full of important calls. But being busy doesn't mean you're being productive or making a positive impact. The truth is you don't need more time, tech tools, or productivity hacks. You need fewer things on your plate, clearer intentions, and firmer boundaries.
If this sounds anything like you, you may be asking yourself: how do I create more tech-life balance in today’s changing world.
The simple answer is: set boundaries for when, where, and how you use your technology. During times of crisis and disruption, having clear boundaries and routines is critical for effectively navigating challenging times.
Here are three simple things you can do right way to create more tech-life balance.
Updated details on PPP loan forgiveness
Borrowers may be eligible for loan forgiveness if the funds were used for eligible payroll costs, payments on business mortgage interest payments, rent, or utilities during either the 8- or 24-week period after disbursement. A borrower can apply for forgiveness once it has used all loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness any time up to the maturity date of the loan. If borrowers do not apply for forgiveness within 10 months after the last day of the covered period, then PPP loan payments are no longer deferred and borrowers will begin making loan payments to their PPP lender.
Borrowers may be eligible for loan forgiveness if the funds were used for eligible payroll costs, payments on business mortgage interest payments, rent, or utilities during either the 8- or 24-week period after disbursement. A borrower can apply for forgiveness once it has used all loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness any time up to the maturity date of the loan. If borrowers do not apply for forgiveness within 10 months after the last day of the covered period, then PPP loan payments are no longer deferred and borrowers will begin making loan payments to their PPP lender.