American Camp Association | Summer camps enrich children's lives!

All books and DVDs 25% off on all orders of $75 or more at the ACA Bookstore! Use code LBD-25 at checkout. 

Labor Day Spectacular at the ACA Bookstore

Perfect for campers, camp parents, and staff! Single item or quantity orders available. Customize with your camp name.

Stock your camp store . . . Purchase as gifts . . . Share the memories.

T-shirts • Hats • Bags • Posters Brought to you by ACA in partnership with New D

Learn the skills you need to succeed. Camping Magazine is your primary source for the most recent trends in the camp industry, the latest research in the field of youth development, critical management tools, and innovative programming ideas. September/October 2010 articles address education, research, history, 2020 Toolbox, and much more.

2010 September/October Camping Magazine Magazine

Join more than 1,500 of your colleagues, presenters, and exhibiting personnel at the 2011 National Conference in San Diego. Fourplus packed days of quality education, social and issuesbased networking, professional trade-show access, and special events are designed to boost your professional development.

2011 National Conference in San Diego

Camp is just around the corner, and you’ve still got to pack! You might be a pro at packing for camp, but there are always a few things you might forget. That's why The Clorox Company is partnering with the ACA to bring you a simple list of great suggestions for what counselors and staff should make sure is on their packing list this summer. Take a look – it just might save you from leaving something really important off your list!

The Clorox Company

Find a Camp

Looking for a summer camp? Search over 2,400 ACA-Accredited camps.

Find a Job

Find the perfect summer or year-round camp job. Need Staff? Check Out ACA’s Staff Recruitment Solutions!

Join ACA

Join today and be an integral part of an evolving, versatile, and vibrant organization of people with knowledge to share.

American Camp Association | Summer camps enrich children's lives!

All books and DVDs 25% off on all orders of $75 or more at the ACA Bookstore! Use code LBD-25 at checkout. 

Labor Day Spectacular at the ACA Bookstore

Perfect for campers, camp parents, and staff! Single item or quantity orders available. Customize with your camp name.

Stock your camp store . . . Purchase as gifts . . . Share the memories.

T-shirts • Hats • Bags • Posters Brought to you by ACA in partnership with New D

Learn the skills you need to succeed. Camping Magazine is your primary source for the most recent trends in the camp industry, the latest research in the field of youth development, critical management tools, and innovative programming ideas. September/October 2010 articles address education, research, history, 2020 Toolbox, and much more.

2010 September/October Camping Magazine Magazine

Join more than 1,500 of your colleagues, presenters, and exhibiting personnel at the 2011 National Conference in San Diego. Fourplus packed days of quality education, social and issuesbased networking, professional trade-show access, and special events are designed to boost your professional development.

2011 National Conference in San Diego

Camp is just around the corner, and you’ve still got to pack! You might be a pro at packing for camp, but there are always a few things you might forget. That's why The Clorox Company is partnering with the ACA to bring you a simple list of great suggestions for what counselors and staff should make sure is on their packing list this summer. Take a look – it just might save you from leaving something really important off your list!

The Clorox Company

Find a Camp

Looking for a summer camp? Search over 2,400 ACA-Accredited camps.

Find a Job

Find the perfect summer or year-round camp job. Need Staff? Check Out ACA’s Staff Recruitment Solutions!

Join ACA

Join today and be an integral part of an evolving, versatile, and vibrant organization of people with knowledge to share.

About ACA
Who We Are
Vision, Values, & Mission
20/20 Vision Resources
Annual Report
Board of Directors
Inside ACA
Logos
Camp Accreditation or Affiliation
Membership
Public Policy
Local Offices of ACA
Support Camp
 
 
Inside ACA — December 2008  Printable Version (PDF)

PR Press Box

ACA Needs You!

Finding the Hook
There is a saying in print and broadcast journalism "if it bleeds it leads." In today's world, where so many news stories "bleed," it can feel like even our best efforts are ignored. How do we compete with car accidents, global economy crises, and sensationalized national tragedies? We have to find the hook.

Webster's online dictionary defines hook as both something designed to attract or ensnare and a selling point or marketing scheme. In the world of public relations, we are doing both. The hook in public relations is the "Ah-ha!" or the thing that makes something newsworthy and relevant. It's the "thing" that makes the public care about what you are saying.

For example, the Change A Life campaign is a very noble and sincere cause. Eleven months out of the year, as much as we hate to admit it, this story might fall into the "yeah that's nice, but…" category. However, as we approach the holiday season it becomes far more significant. Giving becomes the hook. It's a great time to contact the media about the good work of Change A Life, the importance of camp, ACA's 20/20 Vision, and how your camp is doing everything feasible to provide the camp experience to as many children as possible.

It's an excellent time to write a letter to the editor, respond to news blogs, write a press release, or call your local radio station and ask to be included on a local program. Some local radio and television stations will list places to give or donate on their Web sites. Explore all of the options in your area and take advantage of the holiday spirit — or at least take advantage of the hook.

For more information or assistance promoting the Change A Life, or for a copy of the media tip sheet, contact Dawn Swindle, public relations specialist, at dswindle@ACAcamps.org or 765-349-3317.

ACA Needs You!
As part of the national public relations plan, we will be working to identify new positive camp stories and new resources for the media. In the last year, ACA received over 300 media requests. We would like to expand our media resource list to include more camps and more voices who can share with the media the depth, breadth, and importance of the camp experience. With your help, ACA can influence print and broadcast stories that appear throughout the country. If you would like to join the ACA Media Resource Team or if you have any questions, please submit our online form or contact Public Relations at 765-349-3317.

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2008 December Inside ACA Newsletter
 
Latest News Home
American Camp Association | Summer camps enrich children's lives!

All books and DVDs 25% off on all orders of $75 or more at the ACA Bookstore! Use code LBD-25 at checkout. 

Labor Day Spectacular at the ACA Bookstore

Perfect for campers, camp parents, and staff! Single item or quantity orders available. Customize with your camp name.

Stock your camp store . . . Purchase as gifts . . . Share the memories.

T-shirts • Hats • Bags • Posters Brought to you by ACA in partnership with New D

Learn the skills you need to succeed. Camping Magazine is your primary source for the most recent trends in the camp industry, the latest research in the field of youth development, critical management tools, and innovative programming ideas. September/October 2010 articles address education, research, history, 2020 Toolbox, and much more.

2010 September/October Camping Magazine Magazine

Join more than 1,500 of your colleagues, presenters, and exhibiting personnel at the 2011 National Conference in San Diego. Fourplus packed days of quality education, social and issuesbased networking, professional trade-show access, and special events are designed to boost your professional development.

2011 National Conference in San Diego

Camp is just around the corner, and you’ve still got to pack! You might be a pro at packing for camp, but there are always a few things you might forget. That's why The Clorox Company is partnering with the ACA to bring you a simple list of great suggestions for what counselors and staff should make sure is on their packing list this summer. Take a look – it just might save you from leaving something really important off your list!

The Clorox Company

Find a Camp

Looking for a summer camp? Search over 2,400 ACA-Accredited camps.

Find a Job

Find the perfect summer or year-round camp job. Need Staff? Check Out ACA’s Staff Recruitment Solutions!

Join ACA

Join today and be an integral part of an evolving, versatile, and vibrant organization of people with knowledge to share.