Do you remember your first time at summer camp? I do. I was 9 years old and attending Birch Bay Ranch, located just east of Edmonton. All the kids arrived on a Sunday night and the first thing they did was assign us to a horse. This was the horse we would get to ride during our lesson block each day for the whole week.
My horses name was Empress. She was a pretty little chesnut. I stood beside her in the dusty arena, holding onto the reins and looking up at her face. She pushed her nose against my shoulder. I patted her on her should too.
The camp leader camp around and helped me climb into the saddle. I sat tall as Empress took the first few steps. This was the first time I had ever been on a horse. I remember thinking, “I can’t believe they let all these kids just come here and ride their horses!” I remember thinking the other kids and I…we were just about the luckiest kids in the world.
The camp experience “buildings engaged, capable citizens and leaders, and facilitates holistic, lifelong development.” I took that right of the Alberta Camping Associations website. The ACA works hard to organize and promote camps of all kinds, to increase public awareness of camps in Alberta, and to see them achieve a high standard for safety and the overall camp experience.
Camps help us to experience community, the natural environment, friendships, leadership, education, and physical activity. I am so pleased to be on board with the ACA to help enhance these experiences.
Members of the Alberta Camping Association include overnight camps, day camps, outdoor education programs families, special needs, special interests…they are all these things and more! You don’t have to be a camp to be a member of the ACA. Membership is extended to businesses that supply camps with goods and services, organizations and individuals that support camps, students, and honourary members who contribute to the camping industry.
Find the Alberta Camping Association on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Check their website for a regular blog coming in the new year. (maybe I will publish some postings on this blog too!) www.albertacamping.com
Regards,
Amy Hancock