Camp Special Edition March 2024

A Message from Mike

Growing up in Minnesota, camp was a way to start fresh, meet new people, and be part of a group. I was and am extroverted but was bullied at school so camp gave me a blank slate. What I remember most fondly was the outdoors activities, stomping through mud at Camp Lincoln, exploring at JCC St. Paul's Camp Butwin, and most powerfully, going on canoeing trips in the boundry waters with YMCA Camp Widjiwagen. Those experiences gave me the camraderie and self confidence I brought home each Fall. By 8th grade, I got on the Varisty wrestling team and I was able to apply this team spirit and physicality in a wonderful manner.

Woodworking is now the embodiement of this ethos of building together. We see both campers and counselors grow through woodworking. Whether you want to give your campers a taste, or an immersive experience, we are here to help you.

Please enjoy this special camp newsletter and we hope to see you at ACA TRI STATE at booth 606. We will have some GREAT Show Specials!

Mike 

Did you know?

Camp builds necessary skills for adulthood

The ACA was fortunate to have the Lilly Endowment Inc. fund research by Philliber Research Associates to collect longitudinal data at 92 randomly selected camps including over 5,000 families from around the country. In summary:

"Results confirmed that camps build skills necessary to prepare campers to assume roles as successful adults. Parents, campers, and camp staff independently reported growth in areas such as self-confidence, independence, making friends, exploring and learning new activities, and spirituality. Indeed, camp provides growth experiences for youth that can benefit them through adulthood."

More at the ACA sit

Funding Sources

If you are in the the ACA, NY & NJ, please check out the Scott Rails Fund. This generous grant helps camps with capital improvements up to $25,000 and the application deadline is April 15, 2024.

"Scott Ralls, a longtime volunteer and past President of ACA, NY & NJ passed away in September 2020. Scott was an incredible advocate for our industry and an amazing supporter of ACA. We plan to honor Scott’s contributions with a dedicated fund that will provide capital grants to Accredited non-profit camps of our affiliate." 

More information here.

Program Updates

Introducing the Maplewoodshop MINI! This 'back to basics' version of our program is ideal for tight budgets, younger campers, and use of seasonal staff. You still get the amazing project plans, all in one equipment and tools, as well as online training. 

Learn more here then give our wonderful Account Executive John a holler here.

Are you on LinkedIn? Stay connected with us and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

The Orange Pencil Award

With over 50 camps to choose from, and each one amazing and unique in its own way, this year we give the Orange Pencil award to Dean Adventure Camps (formerly The Handwork Studio & Velocity Adventure Camp). Across their 7 locations, they focus on creating A-HA moments through playful learning and hands-on fun. We are proud to support woodworking in each location and wish them and you a wonderful 2024!

Welcome to the Family

Welcome Osher Marin JCC whose Camp Kehillah is , we create a lifetime of magical summer camp memories while learning and living Jewish culture and values.

Upcoming events

American Camp Association Tri-State Conference
March 12-13
Atlantic City, NJ

Booth 606 - come find us!
Show specials!

New York City District Council of Carpenters Training Center Open House
March 27
Manhattan, NY

Other Info

Hosting a webinar? Presenting at an upcoming state or regional conference? If so, please email hannah@maplewoodshop.com. We’d love to offer our support – from providing the most up-to-date information on CTE and woodworking, to sharing your upcoming session on our social media outlets, and more.

Write for us! One of the best ways to earn recognition for the work you do is to write about it. We are interested in submissions about implementing CTE in the classroom, experiences with project-based learning, teaching insights, and any new trends you’re spotting. Email hannah@maplewoodshop.com to learn more.

Contact us today to bring woodworking to your school this year.