ACA Visitation

Earlier this week, we welcomed two visitors from the American Camp Association for our standards accreditation review. Every three years, the ACA visits member camps to assess program quality, health and safety and site facilities. Camps must meet the minimum standards to maintain their accreditation.

I am proud to announce that Camp Chippewa has again renewed its accreditation by passing with flying colors. I was delighted by the response by the two visitors who enjoyed their visit to Chippewa. Congratulations campers and staff!

Here is more information about accreditation by the ACA.

And You Thought Chippewa Was Old...

ACA Turns 150

Just a quick note of congratulations to the ACA (American Camp Association), which turns 150 years old in 2010. Camp Chippewa is proud of our longterm accreditation by the ACA and it's worth noting that Cap and Mom Endres have been recognized as Pioneers of Camping by the ACA. A big hats off to our ACA friends.

Conference Reflections

Last week I attended the American Camp Association (ACA) National Conference in Denver. It's always great to meet with other camp directors and staff to exchange ideas and share experiences. In fact, I was selected as a presenter at the conference, speaking on the conversion from a for-profit to a not-for-profit camp, as Chippewa did in 1999.

In preparing for the presentation, I reflected a bit more about the series of events that led to the creation of Camp Chippewa Foundation. It is a remarkable testimony to the Chippewa philosophy that we have inherited from the Endres family. The sons and daughters of Cap and Mom provided us with foresight, gifting the entirety of camp without any compensation or tangible benefit in 1999. Instead, what they have created is a legacy that we will all honor into perpetuity. We have been left with a boy's camp unlike most any other camp and a philosophy that is as relevant now as it was 75 years ago.

So on behalf of the future generations of campers, thank you to the Endres family and to all of the alumni and families who continue to strengthen Camp Chippewa. As JP often says, the best years are indeed ahead!

Official Word from the ACA

In late July, we were pleased to welcome visitors from the American Camp Association (ACA) for our periodic review for accreditation. Karen and Linda, our visitors, had wonderful things to say about Chippewa following their day-long visit and review of Chippewa and offered some insightful guidance for camp.

Today, official word from the ACA arrived stating that we had either met or exceeded the standards as set forth by the ACA. We have again maintained our ACA accreditation, demonstrating our commitment to a high-quality and safe program for our campers.

A big thanks to all of the Chippewa counselors, staff and campers for sharing their camp with the visitors in July. It was a fun visit!