Do your policies describe what youth can and cannot do while doing volunteer construction-related jobs? Resources you can draw upon: ACA standard SF-8.Power Tools: Must be used only by trained persons, safety devices intact, in good repair. Your state child … Continue reading
Category Archives: Participants/guests
How many thermometers do you have for your campers and guests? Here are some questions to consider: What size thermometers? Small, discrete temperature as part of the thermostat, or a large, circular thermometer that’s maybe 12 inches in diameter? Are … Continue reading
How dark is the sky above your outdoor facility? What are you doing to enhance the guest and participant experience? Site and facilities can have an impact by cutting energy waste and decreasing light pollution. However, safety is paramount. Resources … Continue reading
Do you have an Environmental/ Outdoor Ed program at your property? Do your guests learn about the natural world while they are on site? Here’s a new way to connect technology with the real world experience. Check out a video … Continue reading
By guest author Marc Johnson Below Marc shares some of his expertise in managing a property with looking at the users view. —————————– It’s a beautiful sunny day and you are walking through your property and your thinking, “what can … Continue reading
“At Blue Star, as at many camps, we care passionately about healing the planet. As third generation owners/directors, we are humbled and honored to continue and deepen the long tradition of social justice that breathes at the core of our … Continue reading
When was the last time you went undercover at your site? Pack a suitcase and stay overnight at your retreat or conference center. By experiencing things first hand, you might pick up a few things that would make things more … Continue reading
With guests coming and going, do you have a schedule to clean the dirtiest things? Below are some areas you might include in your daily, weekly, or monthly schedule: light switch plates remote controls door handles bathroom faucets switch on … Continue reading
Pictorial maps are a category of maps that can be called illustrated, panoramic, or bird’s-eye view maps. The cartography can be a sophisticated 3-D perspective landscape or a simple map graphic enlivened with illustrations of buildings, people and animals. Pictorial … Continue reading
“The Food and Drug Administration issued a proposed rule requiring manufacturers to prove that their antibacterial cleaners are safe and more effective than plain soap and water. An estimated 75% of the anti-bacterial liquid soaps and body washes sold in … Continue reading
“You well know the liability associated with having guests on your site. Most times, invited guests have expectations about what their experience will entail and the level of risk they intend to accept. At certain times of the year, though, … Continue reading
With technology advances and tight budgets, groups might be reluctant to make or cancel their reservations for meetings and retreats. Is this challenge exclusively a marketing and outreach issue? It’s important that facilities and property staff be involved. In preparation … Continue reading
Take a look at your Web site. Are there enough photographs to showcase the beauty and inspiration of the buildings? Will guests positively anticipate their arrival to your property? Below are some tips to consider for photographs: Show more than just … Continue reading
Below are the published articles for November/December 2012 relating to site and facilities. Topics include: Flagpoles Solar panel installation Interpreting Green to Retreat Guests Insurance “Building Principles: On Old Glory.” By Rick Stryker, PE. ACA Camping Magazine. November/December 2012. “…U.S. flags … Continue reading
Some folks may quietly whisper their opinions and ideas about your property, while others will be very vocal. All perspectives are important to capture. Continuous input gives you ideas for updating the facilities, changes to consider, and affirmation of the … Continue reading