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.
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.
Children and youth need a community that: encourages achievement and builds self-esteem; promotes healthy lifestyles, fitness, and activity; teaches in a classroom without walls; instills appreciation, respect, and responsibility for the natural world around them; and inspires the confidence and courage to become the leaders of tomorrow.
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American Camp Association | Summer camps enrich children's lives!
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.
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.
Children and youth need a community that: encourages achievement and builds self-esteem; promotes healthy lifestyles, fitness, and activity; teaches in a classroom without walls; instills appreciation, respect, and responsibility for the natural world around them; and inspires the confidence and courage to become the leaders of tomorrow.
The comment period has ended and the Department of State is now in the review phase. We have heard that they were overwhelmed with the response (from the camp community and other cultural exchange programs) and are seriously considering some changes to the proposed rules in response to those comments. We have been informed that their review will not be completed until late Summer 2010 - thus no rule changes will be in effect for this hiring season.
Thank you for your advocacy response. We made a difference! See below for the details of all the advocacy generated on behalf of the camp community.
The
US Department of State issued proposed
changes to the J-1 Visa program
in September 2009 with the public
comment period ending in late November. (J-1
Visas are the most common type
of Visa granted for international
camp counselors and support staff.) The
proposed rule changes would have
a negative impact on the camp community's
ability to use international staff. (See
section below for details.)
The American Camp Association's Response
ACA posted an online advocacy request in October 2009 and asked for messages to be sent to the US Department of State and to Congress through our web-based advocacy site. We had tremendous response!
The Department of State received over 700 comments.
Over 350 were generated through the ACA site.
We generated over 600 messages from our site to dozens of members of Congress.
Many from the camp community also posted comments directly on the Department of State website.
ACA also advocated on behalf of the camp community by:
Participating in a national advocacy coalition with the Cultural Exchange community and other stakeholders.
Organizing special efforts in IN, MA, ME, NJ, PA with local ACA offices and camps contacting Congressional members and their staff in person and by phone. (These states were targeted because their Congressional members serve on key legislative committees.)
Meeting directly, in-person with the Department of State.
Members of the camp community worked with the Small Business Administration and the National Federation of Independent Business and aquired their support.
The camping community was instrumental in getting congressional letters to be sent to the Department of State from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a “Dear Colleague” letter from the House of Representatives.
Staff from five key Senators met directly with Department of State staff.
International Staff - Impact On Camps
Annually, more than 25,000 exchange visitors are placed in American camps as camp counselors and support staff.
Prior to issuing a Form DS-2019 (which then facilitates an applicant's ability to apply for a Visa) a sponsor must verify which camp the applicant will be working at during the summer.
All third parties (camps) would be required to provide a Dun & Bradstreet identification number.
All sponsoring organizations (in ACA’s language, this is the camp placement agency) must have obtained Dun & Bradstreet Information Reports on all third parties with whom they conduct business.
Key Messages regarding the impact these changes would have on camps.
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.
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.
Children and youth need a community that: encourages achievement and builds self-esteem; promotes healthy lifestyles, fitness, and activity; teaches in a classroom without walls; instills appreciation, respect, and responsibility for the natural world around them; and inspires the confidence and courage to become the leaders of tomorrow.
