What are the best overnight camps in North Carolina for kids. How do 4-H camps provide unique experiences for youth. Why are summer camps beneficial for children’s development. What safety measures are camps implementing during the pandemic.
Exploring North Carolina’s 4-H Camps and Centers
North Carolina offers a rich array of overnight camping experiences for boys and girls, with 4-H camps standing out as popular options. These camps are open to all youth, not just 4-H club members, providing memorable summer adventures across the state.
The three main 4-H centers in North Carolina are:
- Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center
- The Eastern 4-H Center
- Millstone 4-H Camp
Each year, over 4,000 campers participate in 4-H camping programs at these educational centers. The camps offer a wide range of activities and resources, catering to diverse interests and age groups.
The Rich History and Objectives of 4-H Camping Programs
For more than 80 years, North Carolina 4-H camping has been teaching vital life skills to youth. These programs utilize hands-on, experiential learning approaches to achieve various objectives:
- Fostering an understanding that learning can be fun
- Improving communication skills
- Helping youth acknowledge their abilities and limitations
- Developing scientific skills and understanding
- Promoting appreciation for different cultures and diversity
- Enhancing understanding of the natural environment
- Improving physical skills and fitness
- Teaching problem-solving and cooperative working skills
- Developing goal-setting and decision-making abilities
- Learning resource management
- Experiencing a variety of lifelong recreational activities
- Practicing ethical behavior
- Exploring spiritual values
These objectives contribute to the holistic development of young campers, preparing them for future challenges and opportunities.
Unique Features and Activities at North Carolina 4-H Camps
While each 4-H camp has its distinct characteristics based on geographical location, they share many common activities and resources. Some of the exciting features you can expect at these camps include:
- Archery ranges
- Arts and crafts centers
- Canoeing and kayaking facilities
- Challenge courses and zip lines
- Climbing walls
- Environmental education programs
- Fishing spots
- Hiking trails
- Horseback riding (at select locations)
- Marine science programs
- Sports fields and courts
- Swimming pools or beach access
These diverse activities ensure that every camper finds something they enjoy while developing new skills and interests.
Leadership and Management of North Carolina 4-H Camps
The North Carolina 4-H Camps operate under the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, which is part of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) at North Carolina State University. This connection to a land-grant university ensures high-quality educational experiences for campers.
Each center is managed by a full-time Center Director and supported by a team of professionals, including:
- Program Directors
- Facility Maintenance Supervisors
- Food Service Supervisors
- Seasonal team members
This dedicated staff works tirelessly to provide safe and exceptional facilities, programs, and services for North Carolina’s youth.
Adapting to the Pandemic: Creative Solutions for Summer Camps
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges for summer camps across North Carolina. How have camps adapted to ensure children can still enjoy summer activities while staying safe? Many camps have implemented creative solutions to continue operating during these unprecedented times.
Virtual Camp Experiences
Some camps, like the Girl Scouts’ virtual camp attended by 15-year-old Kelsey Sisk, have moved their activities online. These virtual camps offer unique opportunities for children to connect with peers and try new activities from the safety of their homes. Virtual camps can help kids step out of their comfort zones and interact with a diverse group of fellow campers they might not have met otherwise.
Modified On-Site Programs
Other camps have adapted their on-site programs to comply with safety guidelines. For instance, some day camps, like those run by Jacksonville Parks and Recreation, have continued to offer field trips and outdoor activities with appropriate precautions. These modified programs allow children to enjoy traditional camp experiences while adhering to necessary safety measures.
Implementing Safety Protocols
For camps that have remained open, strict COVID-19 prevention protocols have become the norm. These may include:
- Regular testing of staff and campers
- Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures
- Smaller group sizes
- Outdoor activities whenever possible
- Mask-wearing and social distancing requirements
Despite these challenges, many camps have found ways to provide enriching experiences for children, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of the camping industry.
The Impact of Summer Camps on Child Development
Summer camps play a crucial role in children’s development, offering benefits that extend far beyond just fun and recreation. How do these experiences contribute to a child’s growth and learning?
Social Skills Development
Camps provide a unique environment for children to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds. This exposure helps develop crucial social skills such as:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Conflict resolution
- Empathy
- Leadership
These skills are essential for success in both personal and professional life.
Independence and Self-Reliance
Overnight camps, in particular, offer children the opportunity to develop independence. Being away from home, managing their daily routines, and making decisions on their own fosters self-reliance and confidence.
Physical Health and Outdoor Appreciation
Many camp activities involve outdoor experiences and physical exercise. This exposure to nature and active lifestyle can:
- Improve physical fitness
- Reduce stress
- Enhance mental well-being
- Foster an appreciation for the environment
Skill Acquisition and Interest Exploration
Camps offer a wide range of activities that allow children to discover new interests and develop various skills. From archery to marine science, these experiences can spark lifelong passions and even influence future career choices.
Choosing the Right North Carolina Overnight Camp for Your Child
With numerous options available, how can parents select the best overnight camp for their child? Consider the following factors when making your decision:
Camp Focus and Activities
Look for camps that align with your child’s interests or offer a diverse range of activities for exploration. Consider whether your child would prefer a specialized camp (e.g., sports, arts, science) or a more general camp experience.
Location and Facilities
Consider the camp’s location and available facilities. Some children may prefer mountain settings, while others might enjoy coastal environments. Ensure the camp has appropriate facilities for the activities they offer.
Staff Qualifications and Camper-to-Staff Ratio
Research the qualifications of camp staff and the camper-to-staff ratio. Well-trained staff and smaller group sizes can enhance the quality of the camp experience and ensure proper supervision.
Safety Measures and Accreditation
Verify the camp’s safety protocols, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic. Check if the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, which sets high standards for camp operations.
Duration and Cost
Consider the length of the camp session and whether it fits your family’s schedule and budget. Some camps offer financial assistance or scholarships, so inquire about these options if needed.
References and Reviews
Seek out reviews from other parents and campers. Personal recommendations can provide valuable insights into the camp experience.
Preparing Your Child for Their First Overnight Camp Experience
Sending a child to overnight camp for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for parents and children alike. How can you ensure your child is ready for this new adventure?
Open Communication
Discuss the upcoming camp experience with your child. Address any concerns they may have and highlight the exciting aspects of camp life. Encourage them to ask questions and express their feelings about the experience.
Practice Independence
Before camp, help your child develop skills they’ll need at camp, such as:
- Making their bed
- Organizing their belongings
- Managing personal hygiene
- Choosing appropriate clothing
This practice can boost their confidence and self-reliance.
Packing Together
Involve your child in the packing process. This not only ensures they know what they’re bringing but also helps them feel more in control of the situation. Review the camp’s packing list together and discuss the purpose of each item.
Addressing Homesickness
Discuss the possibility of homesickness and strategies to cope with it. Remind your child that it’s normal to miss home and that camp staff are there to help. Consider packing a comforting item from home, like a favorite stuffed animal or family photo.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Help your child form realistic expectations about camp life. Discuss daily routines, sleeping arrangements, and the types of activities they’ll be doing. This preparation can reduce anxiety and increase excitement about the experience.
By following these preparation steps, you can help ensure your child has a positive and memorable first overnight camp experience in North Carolina.
North Carolina 4-H Camps & Centers
Review the 2021 Summer Camp COVID-19 Testing Memo and
Pre-Camp Health Screening Form – Updated with COVID Test Attestation
READ OUR STATEMENT ABOUT THE SUMMER 2021 CAMPING SEASON
All North Carolina 4-H Camps are open to the public. Youth do NOT have to be a member of a 4-H Club to attend. Check out our three centers at:
Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center www.bjpenn4h.org
The Eastern 4-H Center www.eastern4hcenter.org
Millstone 4-H Camp www.millstone4hcamp.com
Experience
For more than 80 years, North Carolina 4-H camping has taught youth life skills through centers located from the mountains to the sand hills to the coast. Each year, more than 4,000 campers from across the state participate in 4-H camping programs at North Carolina’s 4-H educational centers.
Thousands more participate in conferences, school enrichment programs, special events, and workshops.
Objectives
Both residential and day 4-H camping programs have a rich history of providing educational programming to thousands of youth annually through hands-on, experiential learning. Through participation in the 4-H camping program youth:
- Understand that learning can be fun.
- Improve communication skills.
- Acknowledge their abilities and limitations and develop skills and options for growth.
- Learn about various sciences and develop scientific skills.
- Gain an understanding and appreciation of different cultures and the value of diversity in a global society.
- Learn about the natural environment and improve stewardship skills.
- Improve their physical skills and fitness.
- Learn a process for solving problems and working cooperatively in groups.
- Learn skills to set goals and make decisions individually.
- Learn to identify and manage resources.
- Experience a variety of life-long recreational activities.
- Learn and practice ethical behavior.
- Explore spiritual values.
Resources
While our 4-H camps and conference centers are each uniquely different based on their geographic location, each camp and conference center offers most of the same activities and resources, including:
Leadership
All North Carolina 4-H Camps are managed and operated under North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service through the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS) at North Carolina State University, one of two land-grant universities in the state. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land, and economy of North Carolinians.
Each Center is managed by a full-time Center Director and supported by Program Directors, Facility Maintenance Supervisors, Food Service Supervisors, and seasonal team members dedicated to providing safe and exceptional facilities, programs and services for the citizens of North Carolina.
North Carolina 4-H Camp Resources:
NC 4-H Camps & Centers Contact Sheet
Register for a 4-H camp or center.
From NC Health News: Summer camps get creative to carry on in pandemic
By Aaliyah Bowden, North Carolina Health News
Eleven-year-old Averie M. spent time this summer learning how to zipline, rock climb and do gymnastics at a summer camp in Transylvania County.
“The activities were very fun and you tried new things that you didn’t think you would be able to do,” she said.
Averie was lucky to go to sleep-away camp this year when many other camps and activities for kids were shut down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Others camped from home on screens and devices that provided them opportunities to link up with people even without the s’mores, campfire songs and bonding activities of summers past.
As the traditional school year is about to start again in North Carolina, students will not return to virtual or in-person classes with camp stories.
Just as the pandemic changed how students take classes, it also changed how day and overnight camps offered summer activities.
Kelsey Sisk, 15, attended a virtual camp for Girl Scouts this summer and met new friends online, a platform that helped her to get outside her comfort zone and interact with people she might not have otherwise met.
Kids at Jacksonville Parks and Recreation took a field trip to an ecological center in Surf City. where they collected specimens from the ocean. Photo courtesy of Jacksonville Parks and Recreation
Some kids took a splash in a pool or played and did camp activities on-site with counselors and fellow campers.
Others went to virtual camp. Many camps were closed, either because opening them under the strict COVID-19 prevention protocols would not have been feasible, or because a counselor or camper tested positive for the virus during the session.
That’s what happened in Raleigh, when a city-run day camp had to greet parents with the news that on July 5, the day the camp opened, someone tested positive for COVID-19.
The quick camp shutdown generated an email to 24 families who were told to have their child tested, said Kellee Beach, a city administrator.
Those children, who had a day to run around somewhere different and be around peers they had been cut off from when schools closed to in-classroom instruction in March, were back in their homes, where parents once again had to juggle child care with work schedules.
Too much screen time?
Because kids are staying home and often playing video games or increasing their screen time on various devices, some of them have not been as physically active this summer.
“Kids could be a lot healthier,” James F. Sallis, the director of Physical Activity Center at the University of San Diego, said during an American Heart Association media briefing last month.
Children should have at least an hour of physical activity daily, Sallis said. That activity stimulates kids’ brains.
A study conducted last year at the University of San Diego, before anyone could fathom the pandemic’s impact on children, found that physical activity was lower by 14 minutes in the summer for kids from all racial backgrounds and that their screen time was significantly higher. The largest increase in screen time was found to be among African American children.
“This is evidence that we could do more to help kids be active,” said Sallis, one of the study authors.
To help change those numbers, Sallis suggested that youth-focused organizations set up group walks with kids and advocate for safe physical activities in every neighborhood, specifically in low-income communities of color.
Virtual does not exclude physical
Though camps and schools have gone virtual, physical activity and new adventure can be incorporated into all that screen time.
For instance, some virtual youth camps in the state have allowed children to connect with kids living in other states and countries.
River of Life Church in Onslow County hosted a five-day virtual vacation bible school through Facebook Live. Each day there were over 500 views from children all over the United States and in Brazil.
“With everything going on, we felt we would reach more people by having a virtual vacation bible school,” said Pastor Jackie Hornage.
All the videos were pre-recorded in a day at the church, according to Hornage. The bible school leaders had their children on stage with them as they shared the lessons.
The children spun, clapped and jumped on stage in their VBS shirts. For one of the outdoor activities, the kids sat on the ground and quickly passed wet sponges over their heads to another camper.
Sandra Adams, one of the vacation bible school leaders at the church for the past decade, said it was different this year by “not having the kids in the room to feed off of their energy.”
Prior to online camps beginning, some organizations mailed out craft kits for kids registered for the camp or had a drive-thru set up where the daily crafts could be picked up.
Zooming in on solutions
N.C. State University College of Engineering hosted their summer camps through Zoom with professors from the department. All of the kids who were registered learned how to be creative in solving daily problems by completing challenges, from how to survive on a deserted island to environmental engineering. Some of the items in the craft kits for eighth graders were a Barbie doll and modeling clay that was used to form a helmet or other safety equipment.
“They’re not just (on Zoom) to sit and listen to stuff we have to say; we want to hear from them,” said Susan D’Amico, the camp director at NC State.
“We want them to talk and come up with creative ideas, talk amongst themselves, and use the breakout rooms, and just learn how to connect again.”
Kelsey Sisk, 15, a senior Girl Scout from Camp Ginger Cascade, shows off her watercolor painting she created at home from a virtual camp. Photo courtesy of June Sisk
D’Amico said that parents expressed gratitude for the virtual experience after the College of Engineering decided to move their summer camps to online only.
Some Girl Scout troops in the state also resorted to using Zoom so scouts could continue to earn badges while camping and trip excursions for the organization were canceled.
Girl Scouts Carolina Peaks to Piedmont created stay-at-home Kamp Kits that allow girls to practice camping, craft skills, and learn about Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) on Zoom with other Girl Scouts across the United States.
“It was great!,” said Sisk, a senior Girl Scout from Camp Ginger Cascade. “It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. It was well-planned out, the staff were great! It was so much fun!”
Despite creatively pivoting to provide kids with summer fun, more than $16 billion of revenue was lost this summer from youth camps across the United States because of closures, according to the American Camp Association.
Camps, like schools, provide safety net
Despite the costs associated with living up to camp guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some organizations offered services, knowing that even in a pandemic year some children rely on them for food and nutrition, much like the schools.
Goldsboro Family YMCA day camp is partially funded through the Summer Food Service Program, ensuring all kids will receive a breakfast and lunch, and sometimes a snack when they take field trips.
“While the kids were at home, we weren’t sure if kids were getting fed,” Kriquette Davis, a camp director at Camp Sunshine said.
Prior to the camp opening for the summer, Goldsboro Family YMCA partnered with United Way and Chick-Fil-A to provide hot meals for over 19,000 kids in Wayne County.
Once open, Camp Sunshine campers were divided into groups of nine, staying under the 10-person limit for indoor activities that public health experts and Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive orders mandate.
Campers older than 11 were encouraged to wear masks and camp sites were cleaned thoroughly by staff.
The Goldsboro Family YMCA also offered a Summer Skills Sports Camp for young athletes. This year, instead of playing full-on games for close-contact sports such as basketball, they only performed drills such as passing the ball back and forth.
Jacksonville Parks and Recreation in Onslow County took only about 150 campers this year, instead of their usual 210 kids. Their strategy was to keep kids outside, where transmission of COVID is less likely. The organization took campers on field trips to nature trails, and to visit a sea turtle hospital.
On hot days, campers stayed cool with water-based activities.
Some overnight camps opened, though 60% of overnight camps across the country decided not to open this year, according to the American Camp Association.
Some in North Carolina decided to give it a go.
“We really think as long as we all understand that we’re doing the best we can do, then we can continue to live our lives and take that calculated risk together,” said Page Lemel, a camp director at Keystone Camp, a camp for girls ages 7 to 14 in Transylvania County.
The campers were placed in small groups that stayed together for activities and meals to try to limit the potential for virus spread and contain it quickly if someone is infected.
Lemel said that in the past camps had dealt with epidemics, such as flu, norovirus and head lice, so they had experience in limiting infection. For instance, camps were in operation during the dreaded polio epidemic of the 1950s.
“It was very important for us to be able to host these smaller groups to understand the new normal,” Lemel said.
North Carolina Health News is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit, statewide news organization dedicated to covering all things health care in North Carolina. Visit NCHN at www.northcarolinahealthnews.org.
This article first appeared on North Carolina Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Top Asheville, NC Summer Camps: YMCA, Community Movement & More
Summer in Asheville, NC, is a glorious season. The days are warm and sunny, with welcome respite provided by overhanging trees and cool river water. The mountains are lush with forest foliage and rhododendron blooms, and opportunities for exploration abound. As daylight fades to twilight, lightning bugs illuminate the dark and constellations become visible overhead. It’s the ideal environment for building friendships, making memories, and going on adventures – which is why Asheville is home to many incredible summer camps for kids of all ages.
From day programs to summer-long camp experiences, the area has many options that will suit your family, schedule, and budget. Keep reading to find out more about Asheville summer camps.
Since 1945, Camp Merri-Mac for Girls has pursued its mission of growth through friends and adventure in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Photos, including header image, courtesy of Camp Merri-Mac.
Sleepaway Summer Camps in Asheville, NC
Camp Merri-Mac & Camp Timberlake
Located in the mountains of Black Mountain and Marion, North Carolina, Camp Merri-Mac for girls and Camp Timberlake for boys are traditional, Christ-centered camps that have pursued their mission of growth through friends and adventure since 1945. Both owned and operated by the Boyd family, the two camps have the same opening and closing dates, and are located about 30 minutes apart.
Campers from ages 6-16 can enjoy a wide variety of activities, ranging from mountain biking, fencing, and lacrosse to guitar, cooking, and pottery.
They even offer puppy training! Campers have the opportunity to explore the Blue Ridge mountains daily through off-site backpacking, rock climbing, and kayaking excursions.
Camp Timberlake for Boys, located about 40 minutes east of Asheville, recently built a brand new camp on 200 beautiful, rolling acres. The design for the camp development was informed by their 35 years of camp experience. Photos courtesy of Camp Timberlake.
Camp Cedar Cliff
Camp Cedar Cliff is an overnight camp with three tiered age groups (2nd-4th graders, 4th-6th graders, and 7th-10th graders). The camp has a Christian focus and is located in East Asheville (accessible through the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove). Campers enjoy horseback riding, swimming, hiking, climbing walls, slip ‘n slide, and more while making friends and building confidence.
Camp Cedar Cliff has a day-camp program for rising K-5th graders as well.
Camp Pinnacle
Camp Pinnacle is located in Flat Rock, NC, about 40 minutes from Asheville.
This camp focuses on campers’ personal growth, friendships, and traditional summer camp fun. Kids ages 7-15 can stay for two- or three-week sessions, enjoying activities such as capture the flag, fishing, community-building activities, a 200-foot mountain slide, “The Blob,” and more.
The Adventure Center of Asheville runs two day camp programs, a Bike Camp and an Adventure Camp. The Bike Camp serves kids ages 5-15. Photos courtesy of the Adventure Center.
There are dozens of well-known independent summer camps in Western North Carolina, and far too many to discuss them all in this post. The North Carolina Youth Camp Association is a great resource for parents that are trying to find the right camp for their family.
YMCA Summer Camps in Asheville
YMCA of Western North Carolina offers many different camp options, including half-day and full-day camps as well as the sleepaway Camp Watia. Day camp options include:
- Discovery Camp (rising 1st-rising 6th graders; with theme weeks exploring art, science, and sports)
- Adventure Camp (ages 10-14; a field-trip based camp with hiking, swimming, and nature activities)
- Explorer Camp (ages 4-13; a traditional outdoor camp with ropes courses, archery, forestry, swimming, and more).
- Counselors in Leadership Training Camp (ages 13-15; teens learn leadership and basic job skills).
Because the YMCA has been running emergency childcare since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, employees and volunteers are now well-versed in maintaining safe conditions for children through social distancing, health screenings, and mandatory face coverings.
Camp Watia offers kids the chance to unplug, meet new friends, and explore the outdoors. They offer three camp experiences: Traditional Camp (grades 2-10), Watia Adventures (trip-based, grades 7-10), and Teen Leadership (grades 10-12). To ensure the safety of all campers, camp enrollment for 2021 has been capped at 75% capacity for the time being, but a waitlist is available for interested families and enrollment may reopen in spring 2021. Click here for more information on Camp Watia’s offerings.
Asheville Community Movement Summer Camp
Asheville Community Movement offers summer camps that encourage kids to move, play, explore the outdoors, and make friends in a nurturing environment.
Their Movers and Shakers Summer Camp has weekly themes from “Folk Art and Wildcrafting” to “World of Hogwarts” to “Grub Week,” so kids can choose exactly the theme they find most fascinating.
Regardless of the theme, every week campers enjoy group games, music, outdoor water play, gymnastics, dance, archery, soccer, frisbee, scooters, trampoline, and more. Campers also participate in activities that focus on community-minded living, sustainability, and conflict mediation.
The Adventure Center of Asheville (ACA) offers an Adventure Camp with access to all the Adventure Center has to offer — zip lines, whitewater rafting, and more. Photos courtesy of the Adventure Center.
Sports Summer Camps in Asheville, NC
Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (ABYSA) offers soccer “FUNdamentals” camps each summer. If you have a budding soccer star in your family, sign them up for a week-long day camp where they can learn soccer basics, make friends, and enjoy time outside while honing their skills.
The Adventure Center of Asheville (located just a few minutes from downtown) will hold biking summer camps this year, with a kiddie camp for ages 5-7 and a more advanced program for ages 8-15. The kiddie camp focuses on bike basics, while older campers ride on purposefully-built mountain biking trails, building confidence on their bikes and practicing jumps and other skills in a safe environment. Kids can bring their own bikes or rent bikes at camp. Experienced bike counselors accompany and coach young riders to ensure safe fun is had by all.
Each day in the Adventure Center of Asheville’s Adventure Camp, campers experience a different adventure at the center, including fun at the Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, KidZip, and a trip down the Pigeon River with Wildwater Ltd. Whitewater Rafting.
Asheville is Fun for Non-Campers, Too!
Asheville’s summer camp industry has played a key role in the area being “discovered.” After the terror attacks of 9/11, many parents no longer wanted to send their kids on a plane to attend camp.
So, those families began driving to Asheville to bring their children to camp, stayed for a week or two (or longer), then returned home after camp was over. Since then, more and more “camp families” have invested in Asheville real estate, either by buying a vacation home or moving to Asheville permanently. Of course, for families with camp-aged kids, it makes sense to consider Asheville school districts and school rankings, as well as the best places to live in the Asheville area.
In the meantime, while your kids enjoy the splendor of summer at an Asheville area camp, you can enjoy the scenery by taking a brewery tour or hiking to a waterfall off the Blue Ridge Parkway? Asheville’s culture, history, food, and natural beauty is waiting for you. If you’ve fallen in love with Asheville, let us know and we’ll help you find your dream home in the mountains.
Summer camps in Henderson County prepare for potential impacts of coronavirus – News – Hendersonville Times-News
As children and staff from all over the world prepare to descend to the “summer camp mecca” of Western North Carolina, youth overnight camps are preparing for the potential impact of the coronavirus.
Camp officials are taking steps to ensure safety as the virus spreads worldwide, with some updating communicable disease plans, adding nursing staff and working with health department and food and insurance providers to communicating with families. At least one camp is restricting travelers from China.
The hope is to offer a full slate of camp sessions, as the loss of income to both camps and their surrounding communities could be substantial.
Several counties in North Carolina are monitoring returning international travelers. Two cases of coronavirus have been identified in the state, neither of which are in Western North Carolina.
Sandi Boyer, executive director of the North Carolina Youth Camp Association in Asheville, said a symposium has been scheduled for March 27, when all NCYCA members will receive information from hospital staff, the health department and insurance groups on the coronavirus.
She called Western North Carolina the Silicon Valley of camps, with more than 70 camps in Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties alone.
Most camps begin around Memorial Day, drawing children and their families to the region. Camp staff, including more than 2,500 counselors in the Henderson County area alone, arrive weeks earlier.
More: Latest coronavirus coverage: Local, state, national updates
The camps have tackled situations like this before, said Boyer, dating back to the h2N1 virus. While they already have good information, Boyer said camps want to be more prepared this time.
“They will continue to have conversations on this,” she said. “They will discuss policies; they will put policies into place. Their concern is with the safety and health of all the children.”
Camps are receiving information from the American Camp Association, including how to best communicate with parents and staff, support international travelers, and connect with local health authorities and insurance carriers.
The ACA also offers a free webinar on how camps should respond to communicable diseases.
Boyer said most camps have nursing staff onsite and dedicated sick areas where people can be quarantined.
“They understand this is on their plate,” she said. “I feel like they are so proactive in dealing with it. Right now they’re figuring out, like everyone else in the country, just how far-reaching this is going to be, how long and prolonged this event is going to happen.
“They want to be prepared for the fact that it could go through to the summer season. That seems like it’s most likely at this point.”
“I know they will handle it adequately, but of course I’m even a parent,” she continued. “I would want the camps doing what they’re doing now. I would want to know all about coronavirus, know how they can prevent it and how they treat it and know when it’s safe for the kids to come to camp and when to say no, we need to take a step back.”
Possible financial hit
Seasonal businesses like summer camps make nearly all their profits during the summer months, and any restrictions from the virus could be detrimental to their economic livelihood.
It would also negatively impact the communities that house and feed families coming to the camps and camp employees.
“The blow to the economy would be devastating,” said John Dockendorf, executive director of Camp Pinnacle, a youth camp in Flat Rock, and founder and director of teen camp Adventure Treks.
An economic impact study of the camp industry prepared by the NCYCA in 2011, based on camps in Western North Carolina’s Buncombe, Jackson, Henderson and Transylvania counties, reported an impact in the four-county region to be $365 million a year.
The study showed that in Henderson County, about 1,181 workers traveled to WNC because of the residential camps, each spending an average of $3,858 dollars during their stay, reported Karen Baker, assistant director of the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority.
This study also showed that the total economic impact of the industry on Henderson County in 2011 was $120 million.
A majority of families – 82% – traveled to camp by car to bring and pick up children, spending an average of four nights during their stay as well as shopping, dining and visiting historical sites.
Dockendorf said officials in states like Washington, which has seen multiple cases, are urging people to limit gatherings of 10 people or more.
If something similar was proposed in North Carolina, Dockendorf said the blowback would be substantial.
“It could put the entire camp industry out of business just like that,” he said. “…You can’t live for two years off one summer.”
If schools in Western North Carolina ended up calling off classes for weeks due to the virus and had to make up those school days in the summer, that could also affect camp attendance, Dockendorf said.
Impact on camps
The uncertainty is weighing on camps in the region.
Campers come to Camp Pinnacle from 35 states and 16 countries. With the most significant effects of COVID-19 in China, the camp has restricted individuals coming directly from the country.
Chinese campers living in the U.S. are not included, Dockendorf explained, since they are not living in the epicenter of the virus outbreak.
Roughly 5% of staff are international counselors, and Dockendorf is hoping there are no more travel restrictions in other countries. Most of their international counselors are from England.
Seasonal staff usually start trickling in about mid-May, with campers arriving the week of June 7.
It’s hard to know what the public reaction will be if COVID-19 cases are reported in Henderson County.
“The question is, will we be like Britain and ‘keep calm and carry on,’ or have the Henderson County response in a snow flurry, which is shut everything down, and buy all the bread and milk?” Dockendorf said.
Summer camps prepare
At this time, camps are focusing on education and preparation. “We’ve been studying and learning a lot, and spend a couple of hours a day reading the latest so we can plan and prepare,” Dockendorf said.
“It is definitely a wait and see game; we wish there was more we could do. If you know what the problem is going to look like, you can come up with lots of alternatives to solve it; when you don’t know, it is harder.
“
Preparedness from a hygiene standpoint has been one of the simpler parts of the process, as it is already ingrained in day-to-day life at Camp Pinnacle.
“We already use everything the (Centers for Disease Control) says about hand washing,” Dockendorf said. “We don’t share stuff, and all that’s built into our camp health policy, along with pretty much every solid camp in North Carolina. We are all religious about hand washing when that many children live close together.”
It’s also routine for campers to undergo lice and temperature checks when entering the camp.
“The good thing about summer camp is once you get the kids here, there are not a whole lot of people coming in and out,” Dockendorf said.
He referenced statistics about younger populations being at low risk for the harsh impacts of COVID-19. Still, it’s important to keep everyone healthy, particularly for the more vulnerable populations, he said, which include the elderly and those with autoimmune diseases.
Camp Pinnacle’s plans include bringing an additional nurse on board this summer, for a total of three. Along with following guidelines from the CDC, the camp is prepared to use local resources such as the county Department of Public Health.
“The health department works great with summer camps with hygiene and what we need to do to up our game every year,” Dockendorf said. “We expect them to continue to be.”
It’s also a positive to have an incubation period of at least two weeks between staff arrival and the start of camp.
Camp Pinnacle has sent out letters to all parents and guardians of upcoming campers about COVID-19, and Dockendorf said they will continue to keep families informed.
Even with increased anxiety around the virus, Dockendorf said the camp’s parents “are approaching the situation rationally.”
“We have not had a single cancellation because of coronavirus, and gotten fewer calls than I would have thought,” he said.
Yates Pharr, director of Falling Creek Camp in Tuxedo and an NCYCA board member, said they’re trying as an industry to see what they can learn from the community and public health services.
“We are, of course, planning to just continue with business as usual,” Pharr said. “We’ll change based on whatever happens.”
Kanuga, a nonprofit conference, retreat and camp center in Hendersonville, is staying updated on health control measures ahead of its upcoming camps. The organization runs Camp Bob and Camp Kanuga, both youth summer camps, and the Mountain Trail Outdoor School.
“We are following guidelines as published by the Center for Disease Control and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services,” said Jim Hackney, executive vice president for advancement at Kanuga. “We will continue to monitor the situation, but at this point we are looking forward to a great summer camp season.”
Plans already in place have given camp directors a running start.
“During summer, for Camp Kanuga and Camp Bob, we already have a communicable disease plan in place that will be revised in cooperation with public health authorities as additional COVID-19 guidance is provided,” Hackney said, adding they will work closely with the health department “to maintain effective protocols for the identification and appropriate treatment of any illnesses that may occur at camp, including COVID-19.
“
“As a camp and conference facility, safety is always a top priority for us and existing safety measures will be continually updated in line with recommendations for the CDC, the health department, and those we work with to ensure the safety of all,” he said.
Camp Bob serves 760 campers during the summer season, with 610 from North Carolina, 85 from South Carolina, 35 from Georgia and 30 from Washington, D.C.
Camp Kanuga serves 800 campers during the summer, with 30% from South Carolina 20% from North Carolina and 50% from surrounding states, according to Hackney.
The Mountain Trail Outdoor School, which operates during the school year, serves another 2,791 students, including 1,123 from North Carolina, 905 from South Carolina, 215 from Georgia, 209 from Tennessee, 120 from Florida and 119 from Louisiana.
During the summer, the camps hire 130 counselors, and 10 will come from out of the country through Camp of America staff.
Counselors come from mostly southeastern states, but all across the U.
S. as well, Hackney said. High-season staff totals are around 250 for both camps and the conference center.
Hackney said the organization has had parents reach out with concerns about COVID-19.
“We are working with Sodexo, our food service provider, and with our insurance company,” Hackney. “We are also operating under the guidelines of the NCDHHS and the CDC and the Henderson County Department of Health.”
The camps do not anticipate adding medical staff at this time.
“We always have two nurses on site when our camps are in session and we partner with Blue Ridge Community Health Services. We do not plan to increase them unless needed,” Hackney said.
Kanuga released a statement Friday concerning preparations.
“Since Kanuga guests often come from many states and other countries, we are asking each guest to follow guidelines for travel,” according to the statement.
“In addition, our staff continues daily preventative measures that include increased environmental cleaning of all frequently touched surfaces.
“
Preventive actions for all guests and staff
•Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
•Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away.
•Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
•Stay home when you are sick.
•Refrain from shaking hands, hugging or kissing.
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Learn music in a fun, team-oriented setting. Rock & Pop, Ukulele, Harry Potter-themed Strings, Music Explorations, Fiddle & more. Mon-Fri, 9-4 or half-days 9-12 or 1-4..
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Choose from optional add-on classes to learn a new skill,
Three unique themes repeated throughout the summer. Sessions include animal encounters, outdoor recreation, crafts, & group activities on the Nature Center grounds.
O. Box 802,“Lynxes”, remembering the predatory nature
By the start of the NBA season, scheduled for October 27, Sportbox.ru will present all the participants in the world’s strongest basketball league. You will be able to watch her best matches on the “Sport” TV channel again, and the five best moments of each game day – on our portal.
We continue the presentation of the clubs with material about Charlotte Bobcats.
Last season there were hopes that Charlotte would progress and still make the playoffs.However, the Lynx lacked only four victories. This can be called a successfully played championship, and bring it to the team’s asset (35–47). However, on the eve of this season, “Charlotte” will not set themselves any other tasks, except for getting into the playoffs. It should be noted here that the team was quite active in attracting new players, both from the draft and from the free agent and trades market. The fact that the club will be coached by the famous Larry Brown for the second year in a row says a lot. In particular, that the team is going for it.So, in the offseason, several trades were carried out, which characterize Brown as an adherent of fast sparkling basketball.
In addition, like some league teams, Charlotte simply needs a leader in attack, that is, a player that Brown would give to finish matches.
Who can become one? There are at least five candidates. In addition, Brown’s teams are focused on a fairly tough defense. In this regard, the question is: with whom from the current squad will the coach build defensive redoubts? However, it is better about the attack, since of those problems that are obvious, there is an embarrassment with the attack.So, “Charlotte” according to the results of the last championship is the most unprepossessing club in the attack. It’s like a lynx that has lost its natural aggression. As a result, the offseason and the upcoming championship should give an answer: are basketball lynxes predatory or herbivorous animals?
The most ineffective and non-combinational team
“Bobcats” are not only not effective, but also non-combinational, so to speak. Not only did the club only averaged 93.6 points per game, but they only shot 76.8 times per game.This speaks of the incomprehensible tactical preparation of the team for the championship.
However, needless to say otherwise, since the Lynxes were actually built during the last championship. Apparently, Brown initially received carte blanche for the “team for himself”, which resulted in the acquisition of Raja Bell and Boris Diao, as well as Vladimir Radmanovich. Thus, a sniper-personalist in the person of Bell, a sniper-hard worker on the shield in the person of Radmanovich and a player of all five positions, who was undeservedly buried on the bench in Phoenix, appeared in the club.It’s about Diao. With the acquisition of these masters, the team, if not transformed, then at least started playing. So, if before the All-Star match (read, before these trades) I gained 92.2 points, then after them it was 96.2. It would seem not such a big deal, but in the first half of the regular championship the team had 20 wins and 31 defeats, and in the second – 14-17, albeit below 50 percent, but still not so bad. In the previous regular championship, Brown and the club’s management team were not limited by exchanges, continuing to change in the offseason.
Will the Okafor-Chandler exchange help the defense?
On the one hand, this, of course, was a mess. Okafor (13.2-10.1-1.7) and Chandler (8.8-8.7-1.2) are more defense-oriented. Moreover, according to statistics, Chandler looks worse than his opponent. But apparently Larry Brown knows something about Chandler that others do not know. Most likely, Brown was attracted to Chandler by his ability to move quickly around the court, which should fit the new model of Charlotte’s game. However, it is worth remembering that in the last championship, Tyson played only 45 matches, was morally unstable and constantly wanted to leave Charlotte.In this regard, the statistics of his 2007-08 season becomes significant (11.8-11.8-1.1). If Tyson plays the same way, then the exchange is certainly beneficial for Charlotte, since Okafor is, after all, a purely defensive center throwing only in a 1000% situation, which Brown’s team cannot afford now.
Generation change and speed change
Trades have outlined a generational change in the team.
Now in the starting lineup, most likely, young people will play, whose eyes are simply burning.Interestingly, the Charlotte team represents the most basketball state in the league. North Carolina, Duke, and a few other educational institutions where basketball is in the leading positions. Therefore, despite the place in the standings, playing for “Charlotte” should be popular for everyone who joined the team. However, all this, of course, is pathos and pathos, and as for the game, it will be very interesting to look at the team that is now going to North Carolina. If we take Brown’s previous clubs, then every time the coach, first of all, put such teams on the defensive.Here he, most likely, wants to bet on the attack. The new faces of the club should be the second year Dee. Jay Augustine and Gerald Henderson.
Dia. Jay. Augustine as the new starting point guard
While still a student at the University of Texas, Augustine played the precocious basketball.
For some reason, it seemed that as soon as he got into the league, he would immediately become the main point guard. Brown trusted this guy, but Augustine wandered between the starting lineup and the bench for the first season.In the starting lineup, Dee. Jay. Spent 11 matches and the result was not long in coming – 18.6 points, but the team won only 4 and lost 9 times, having Augustine in the starting lineup. Perhaps Brown misused the player as Dee. Jay. it’s a point guard, after all. However, he often came out in the top five with Raymond Felton, who is also in charge of the playmaker role. Thus, the main battle of the training camp: Augustine against Felton in place of the main number one.
Gerald Henderson, how is the new superstar?
While Gerald Henderson is a dark horse that could very well become a league superstar.However, it’s all about Brown’s trust. Typically, academic coaches are increasingly focusing on the top student programs, to which Henderson belonged.
Moreover, it is not just a program, but Mike Krzhizhevsky’s program at Duke University. Most likely, Brown carefully studied Henderson’s style of play, whom Coach K often trusted with the last shots in meetings with the most dizzying endings. Will that kind of trust come from an NBA coach? In the meantime, it remains to predict. Personally, I think Henderson will start the season off the bench, but end up in the starting lineup.
Dmitry Donskoy
| Starting lineup | Reservists |
| Di. Jay. Augustine | Raymond Felton |
| Raja Bell | Gerald Henderson |
| Gerald Wallace | Vladimir Radmanovich |
| Boris Diao | Derrick Brown |
| Tyson Nazrmer |
Forecast sportbox.ru
Fifth place in the Southeast Division. Out of the playoffs
| Other results | |
| Parents and family members regularly traveled to the schools, often camping outside to be closer to their children. | Parents and their families traveled to schools regularly, often camping outside to be closer to their children. |
| In March 2019, St. Timothy’s School displayed another duplicate on its campus. | In March 2019, St Timothy’s School showed another duplicate on its campus. |
| Bains then asked him to move to Nova Scotia and beg money from his well-heeled father to return to school and organize on the campus. | Baines then asked him to move to Nova Scotia and beg money from his rich dad to return to school and organize campus work. |
| As school is nearing the end, Joey Jenkins and his friends are getting ready for a return visit to summer camp at Camp Davis. | As school draws to a close, Joey Jenkins and friends prepare for a return visit to Camp Davis Summer Camp. |
| Entering the 21st century, the school has proposed reform schemes in improving teaching methods and campus environment. | Entering the 21st century, the school has proposed reform schemes to improve teaching methods and campus environments. |
| There is a plaque memorial in his old school, Campbell College, Belfast. | His old school, Campbell College, Belfast, has a plaque. |
| Proponents of ID have campaigned for ID to be taught in US public school science classes. | ID supporters campaigned for ID to be taught in US public schools in science classes. |
| In 1864, he was placed in a boarding school at Zevenbergen, where he felt abandoned, and campaigned to come home. | In 1864 he was admitted to a boarding school in Zevenbergen, where he felt abandoned and began a campaign to return home. |
| Dynoson attacked the school campus and kidnapped Ayata. | Dainoson attacked the school campus and kidnapped Ayata. |
| Moffat was born in Paisley, Scotland, where he attended Camphill High School. | Moffat was born in Paisley, Scotland, where he attended Camphill High School. |
| Catholic schools and newspapers were closed, and a propaganda campaign against the Catholics was launched. | Catholic schools and newspapers were closed and an anti-Catholic propaganda campaign began. |
| After filming finished the training camp huts were relocated and used as sports equipment storage for the school’s playing fields. | After filming ended, the training camp huts were relocated and used as sports equipment storage for the school playgrounds. |
| The term was also used for various schools and courses established during the campaign. | This term was also used to refer to the various schools and courses created during the campaign. |
| In exchange their families were fed, clothed and housed for free at the Army camps; often schools were set up for them and their children. | In return, their families were fed, clothed and placed in army camps free of charge; schools were often organized for them and their children. |
| By this time, hundreds of terminals were spread across the campus, from the hospital to the business school. | By this time, hundreds of terminals were scattered throughout the campus, from hospital to business school. |
| From 1970 Anderson campaigned to have the fiddle taught in Shetland schools as part of the curriculum and, when successful. | Since 1970, Anderson has campaigned for violin to be taught in Shetland schools as part of the curriculum and when successful. |
| The trio began practicing and writing songs on the fourth floor of Ďurinda’s campus building until Ďurinda finished his schooling. | The trio began rehearsing and writing songs on the fourth floor of theururinda campus building untilururinda finished his studies. |
| Cyberbullying is the quickest growing form of harassment of school campuses in the U.S. and 40% of adolescents report being a victim. | Cyberbullying is the fastest growing form of bullying on school campuses in the United States, and 40% of teens report they are victims. |
| Each camp had its own school, club-room, theater. | Each camp had its own school, club room, theater. |
| Camp life was organized, there was a school, scouts, and religious life. | Camp life was organized, there was a school, scouts, religious life. |
| Many schools also have canteens, and street food vendors can often be found in front of school campuses. | Many schools also have canteens, and street food vendors can often be found in front of school campuses. |
| Fiona Twycross campaigned to persuade the Labor Party to commit to providing universal free school meals. | Fiona Twicross campaigned to persuade Labor to commit to providing free school meals for all. |
| This became a major topic of debate in 2004, when chef Jamie Oliver spearheaded a campaign to improve the quality of school meals. | This became a major topic of discussion in 2004 when Chef Jamie Oliver spearheaded a campaign to improve the quality of school meals. |
| DCPS also operates School Without Walls, a magnet high school, on the GWU campus. | DCPS also operates a school without walls, High School Magnet, on the GWU campus. |
| Residents are zoned for Cardozo Education Campus for high school. | Residents are zoned for the Cardoso High School Education Campus. |
| The school offers a range of services such as on-campus housing, a library, a scholarship program, food services and health services. | The school offers a wide range of services such as on-campus housing, a library, a scholarship program, catering and health services. |
| Bates was born in Sydney and spent her early years in Appin, New South Wales, attending Campbelltown High School. | Bates was born in Sydney and spent her early years in Appina, NSW, attending Campbelltown High School. |
| The effects of the Royall Must Fall and Reclaim Harvard Law continue to be felt on the law school campus today. | Royal’s fallout should fall and reclaim Harvard Law, which is still felt on the law school campus today. |
| The university began offering a small set of general summer school classes at the Charlotte campus in the summer of 2014. | The university began offering a small set of general summer school classes at the Charlotte campus in the summer of 2014. |
| The school also maintains a campus in Charlotte, N.C., which houses an MBA program for working professionals. | The school also maintains a campus in Charlotte, NY, which hosts an MBA program for working professionals. |
| The university’s Graduate School of Management maintains a presence on the main campus in Winston-Salem and in Charlotte, North Carolina. | The University Graduate School of Management maintains a presence at the main campus in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, North Carolina. |
| These have included a week-long ‘space camp’ for university undergraduates, and overnight camps for school students. | These included a weeklong space camp for university students and overnight camps for schoolchildren. |
| The duo later met Lerdamornpong at a sushi restaurant where he worked near campus and Greg who went to a school nearby. | The duo later met Lerdamornpong at a sushi restaurant where he worked near campus, and Greg, who was attending a school nearby. |
| John R. Grout is an American educator who serves as Dean of the Campbell School of Business at Berry College. | John R. Grout is an American educator who serves as Dean of the Campbell Business School at Berry College. |
| The school district received an Acceptable rating for their junior high and Exceptional for the elementary and primary campuses. | The school district received an acceptable rating for its junior high school and exceptional for its elementary and elementary campuses. |
| Camps take place at various schools and cities through the year. | Camps are held in various schools and cities throughout the year. |
| The new college retains the name Taunton’s College but is located solely on the old Hill College campus, formerly the Girls’ Grammar School. | The new college retains the name of Taunton College, but is located exclusively on the old Hill College campus, a former girls’ grammar school. |
| For the next two years the campus was used as a boys preparatory school. | Over the next two years, the campus was used as a preparatory school for boys. |
| Legend has it that the school was named for a stand of oak trees found on the campus. | Legend has it that the school was named after the Oak Grove found on campus. |
| Despite the school having purchased their campus from a former farm, they still maintained the property as such. | Even though the school bought their campus from a former farm, they still maintained the property as such. |
| The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is in Oakwood, on the campus of the former Garden High School. | Appalachian Pharmacy College is located in Oakwood, on the campus of the former Garden High School. |
| It was also listed as the school with the greenest conscience by Plenty in their green campuses ratings. | It has also been listed as the schools with the greenest conscience scores in their green campus rankings. |
| Following the Hong Kong Way campaign, some secondary school students formed human chains around their schools during early September. | Following the Hong Kong Way campaign in early September, some high school students formed living chains around their schools. |
| In January 2018, the new Wilson School of Design facility officially opened its doors beside the KPU Richmond campus. | In January 2018, the new Wilson School of Design facility officially opened its doors next to the Kpu Richmond campus. |
| In 2018, the campus underwent major renovations with the addition of the Chip & Shannon Wilson School of Design. | The campus underwent a major overhaul in 2018 with the addition of the Chip & Shannon Wilson School of Design. |
| The Langley campus is home to the university’s School of Horticulture – which includes a field lab, greenhouses, and gardens. | The Langley Campus is home to the University School of Horticulture, which includes a field lab, greenhouses and gardens. |
| Small portions of Andover’s campus were laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of Central Park and himself a graduate of the school. | Small sections of the Andover campus were laid out by Frederick Lowe Olmsted, the designer of Central Park and the school’s alumnus. |
| He completed his primary and secondary school studies at the Luis Campino Institute of Humanities in Santiago de Chile. | He completed primary and secondary school at the Luis Campino Humanitarian Institute in Santiago de Chile. |
| Schoolchildren often start the campaigns for state reptiles. | Schoolchildren often start campaigns for government reptiles. |
| Schoolchildren often start campaigns promoting their favorite reptile to encourage state legislators to enact it as a state symbol. | Schoolchildren often launch campaigns to promote their favorite reptile to encourage state legislators to adopt it as a state symbol. |
| Petersburg Beach hosted the Dolphins’ first training camp in 1966. St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton hosted training camp in the late 1960s. | In 1966, the first training camp of dolphins took place on the St. Petersburg beach. In the late 1960s, a training camp was held at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton. |
| During the summer of 1966, the Dolphins’ training camp was in St. Pete Beach with practices in August at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport. | In the summer of 1966, Dolphin Training Camp was in St. Pete Beach, and in August he did an internship at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport. |
| Cadence is also active in music education, attending school functions and hosting a summer camp for a cappella musicians. | Cadence is also actively involved in music education, attending school events and organizing a cappella summer camp for musicians. |
| The school banned him from wearing a backpack on campus. | The school forbade him to carry a backpack on campus. |
| An armed school resource officer of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office was on campus when the shooting broke out. | These various differences in procedures and terminology do not affect the binding status of treaties under international law. |
| From 1965 the Victorian Railways introduced the Train of Knowledge, essentially a mobile school camp for week-long tours. | Since 1965, the Victorian Railways have introduced the Knowledge Train, essentially a traveling school camp for weekly field trips. |
| Campbell was a school friend of R. S. McLaughlin. | Campbell was a school friend of R.S. McLaughlin. |
| He drove a yellow school bus throughout the district during his campaign to focus attention on the issue of public school funding. | He rode a yellow school bus throughout the district during his campaign to focus on funding public schools. |
| The school partners with a local tennis club to allow for the cooperative use of tennis courts on campus. | The school is partnering with a local tennis club to provide shared tennis courts on campus. |
| The original nine-acre campus was donated to Lancaster Country Day School in 1949. | The original nine-acre campus was donated to Lancaster Country Day School in 1949. |
Military-Historical Camps – Country of Heroes
Who can participate in the military history camp? How old are the participants?
Participants in the camps can be young men and women who are citizens of the Russian Federation, aged 12 to 17 years (at the beginning of the camp shift), who do not have medical contraindications for participating in the children’s military history camp and playing sports, sharing the values of the program, which have passed competitive selection …
Can one participant submit multiple applications for participation?
No, each participant can apply once! Only one camp and only one direction. Before submitting your application for participation, please make sure that the information provided is correct.
Is it necessary to register each participant if the candidate is on the list of the collective application from the organization?
No. The candidates who are on the lists of the collective application are not re-registered.
What documents must be presented upon arrival at the camp?
The list of required documents is attached on our website in the “Parents” section.
Which camp is the best to apply to?
The conditions for the camps are the same. Recreation and recreation organizations for children, on the territory of which the camps are held, comply with all the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation. The educational program is approved for all military history camps.
We recommend choosing a geographically convenient camp, since the transfer to the camp site is carried out independently by the parents or official representatives of the child.
Is it obligatory to accompany the child to the venue?
Yes. The accompanying person can be a parent or legal representative of the child.
How to find out the results of the Competition?
The results of the Contest are posted in the personal account and sent by information letter to the e-mail of the parent or legal representative specified during registration, no later than 7 days before the start of the camp change.An information letter is sent in case of both a positive and a negative decision.
What will the child do during the shift?
The program includes: educational, informational and cultural, play, excursion, sports and events related to memorable historical events, contributing to the achievement of the goal of military-historical camps. You will not be bored!
What document confirms the child’s residence permit?
Certificate of registration at the place of stay, extract from the house book, stamp on the birth certificate or passport.
90,000 A Dog’s Life in the U.S. Army
For the second week, the domestic media is haunted by the evacuation of their service dogs from Afghanistan by the Americans. Some are ironic, others are indignant.
Why were the dogs taken out and the loyal American henchmen left to be devoured by the Taliban?
Explaining
All service dogs in the US Armed Forces are regular military personnel with the rank of sergeant or higher.
All dogs on duty are non-commissioned officers. This practice began as a means of deterring curators (guides, handlers) from mistreating them, as they are assigned a higher rank than their partner.
Because they are superior to their handler, disciplinary action against anyone who mistreats them will be significant and will help ensure that service dogs are well cared for.
Dogs are not equipment, they are partners, although they are federal property.
Therefore, of course, according to American law, dogs have priority for evacuation from a war zone in comparison with Afghan or other other civilians, foreigners.
Photo: ABC News. Evacuation of dogs from Kabul
Moreover, the dogs were evacuated even before a massive crush of people began at the airport in the capital of Afghanistan, clinging to the landing gear and wings of aircraft.
And they flew formally in accordance with their military position in chairs on board a special flight between the military and the embassy staff.
History
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US Army received the first nine American-trained guard dogs.
Of these nine dogs, the United States Army Canine Corps (K-9) was formed.Before the end of the war, its population increased to more than 10,000 dogs.
K-9 Division, Hampton Roads Military Police, World War II. Military Service Dogs first entered service in March 1942 for the K-9 Army Corps.
World War I, World War II, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, endless protests and demonstrations – there are many wars and conflicts in the world where American fighting dogs can carry out their mission. Too many. There were heroes in these wars, and these are not only people.
The world knows almost nothing about many heroes; about heroes who save the lives of soldiers at the cost of their lives; about heroes who melt rough male hearts, hardened by war; about heroes who inspire the soldiers with inspiration and courage with their devotion and loyalty.
They have a long and varied history of service in the United States
When most people think of modern military service dogs, they might imagine the Belgian Malinois sniffing out mines and bombs at a forward operating base somewhere overseas.This is one aspect of the job, but it is far from the only task that military service dogs perform, and it is far from the only type of military service dogs that serve the American state.
For service dogs, this task is similar to a game. Their goal is to please their owner or partner and receive a reward for a job well done, whether it be detecting explosives, finding an object, or any other task, even working on a figurant.
Facts
Dogs have long served in the US military.
During the First World War, Stubby’s dog became famous – the living mascot of the 102nd Infantry Division . With his bark, he warned of approaching enemies and gas attacks. For this, the dog was promoted to sergeant and awarded a medal.
Heroic Dog receives the award from General John Pershing. The new sergeant looks very solid.
And after World War I Bulldog became the mascot of the US Marine Corps.
Traditionally, the American military prefers to recruit dogs of several breeds.
Labradors and Sheepdogs – German, Dutch and Belgian – are most commonly used in the US Army, and small dogs with a sharp nose, such as Beagles and Fox Terriers, in the Air Force and Navy.
Initially, the rule was introduced that all dogs on urgent service receive a military rank: army accounting recorded them as privates.
Today there are about two thousand dogs in the US military service. The cost, for example, of a sapper dog who has completed a full training course, reaches 150 thousand dollars.However, the military believes that they are invaluable: after all, such dogs are capable of detecting up to 98% of explosive devices.
All military service dogs and their handlers are trained by the 341st Training Unit located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
The Department of Defense’s Military Service Dog Veterinary Service is a subordinate unit of the Army Public Health Center, which is responsible for the medical care of approximately 900 dogs / puppies at Lackland Air Force Base.This team includes 14 veterinarians, 23 technicians and six non-medical support staff.
About 10 percent of Department of Defense military service dogs are bred in Lakeland. The rest were purchased from about 30 suppliers in the United States and abroad.
Indispensable
Why not replace them with a man or a machine?
In short, this would be nearly impossible.
These dogs are a terrific asset. Many scientists have tried over the years to replicate the ability of these dogs.In vain! Their olfactory glands are 10,000 times more sensitive than any equipment we could develop. So the job of looking for explosives or drugs will never be replaced by a robot.
There are intangible considerations: military service dogs are valuable companions for their trainers and compatriots, and the bond they share with their fellow humans often lasts long after the dog has ended its life.
Breeds and Specialties
Although German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are the two most common breeds of working dogs, there are other breeds in the K-9 program to suit different tasks and conditions.
The two main purposes of the military service dogs are to detect drugs, explosives or people; and patrolling. Many dogs in the Department of Defense program have a dual purpose and can perform both basic tasks.
Of course, this is not the only thing military service dogs are trained for.From time to time, military service dogs are even trained to skydive with parachutists or on their own.
Training
The Military Service Dog Program is based at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas with the 341st Training Battalion, where puppies receive intensive training in obedience and martial skills, as well as working together with their owners. Only about 50% successfully complete their studies.
Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas has been training guard dogs since 1958.Today, over 1,000 dogs are trained at any time by a staff of 125 from all branches of the military. Sophisticated training methods are designed to use dogs’ natural abilities for concentration and aggression to your advantage. German Shepherds and Labradors can detect weapons, bombs, gases, and drugs more accurately than any military hardware available.
Military service dogs are not only chosen for their breeding or keen sense of smell, they must have several other qualities.They should not have physical problems (such as hip dysplasia) and be motivated to reward.
Dogs suitable for military service
Military dogs should have an optimal level of aggression and excitement. They also need to be able to attack on command.
Heroic Achievements
Sergeant Stubby, the most decorated military dog of the First World War with his medals
As in all areas of the American army, there are certain personalities who have achieved fame for their heroic and intelligent service.War dogs are no exception.
One of the most famous military service dogs is the German Shepherd Laika, which protected its trainer from an explosion and lost a leg, but survived.
Laika on the cover of National Geographic
Against terrorists
In 2011, another war dog was attached to a bulletproof vest and taken by helicopter to a secret complex in Pakistan. There, the dog helped the Navy SEAL team put an end to one of the largest human hunts in human history and kill Osama bin Laden.
The dog was not alone, but it was she who distinguished himself.
According to military experts, the dogs were wearing special body armor, into which a shock-resistant night vision video camera, a special sensor, which can be used to monitor the movements and location of the four-legged fighter, was mounted. The armor of the vest allows you to protect the dog from bullets with a caliber of 9 to 45 mm. Such a vest, according to experts, costs at least 30 thousand dollars.
In addition, the Americans received the first pictures of the mansion in Abbottabad with the help of another high-sensitivity video camera mounted in a dog’s helmet and allowing people to see everything that the dog sees.
Another dog pursued ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi already in 2019, leading to al-Baghdadi’s death when he blew up the suicide vest he was wearing. The dog was injured in the explosion, but has since returned to service. The dog’s identity is kept secret, even though the dog is called a hero, and a picture of it was tweeted by President Donald Trump, who named him Conan.
Donald Trump, speaking with a statement on the elimination of the leader of the terrorist group “Islamic State” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria, separately dwelt on the “beautiful dog”, which, according to him, coped well with the combat mission.On his Twitter, he also declassified a photo of a dog.
But where is Trump and his account now?
Ibid and photo not found by the author. Therefore, I bring a photo archive, with another hero.
US Army Sergeant with a Malinois Service Dog
After that, dog breeders in the US reported a rapid rise in prices for the Malinois breed, one of which participated in a special operation to destroy the number one terrorist.
Innovative Gear
Elite Army Ranger dogs may soon receive new tactical vests and additional quest gear.
US Army Special Operations Command is looking for ideas to equip the dogs of the 75th Ranger Regiment with improved vests, wearable sensors and video cameras.
This dog training program is called Multipurpose Tactical Equipment (MPC).
Command is committed to providing dogs with tactical vests , which, for example, will help them carry out missions with rangers in a helicopter.
They will also be designed to help strengthen support for lower-level missions, such as compatibility with a new wearable video camera system that can provide real-time footage.
The Rangers Regimental Canine Program trains versatile dogs and their handlers. They possess a range of skills to support vital ranger combat operations in often challenging environments.
Military Service Dogs are used for a variety of roles including tactical operations, patrolling, detection, and specialized search.
Hearing Protection
Until now, available hearing protection systems have been rigid, bulky and difficult to install on a dog, with limited effectiveness in canine hearing protection testing.
The Dog Hearing Protection System, resembling a tight-fitting hood, evenly distributes the pressure needed to keep the dog hearing protection in place.
The system uses lightweight, high quality sound absorbing materials to block unwanted sounds. Unlike conventional canine hearing protectors, this solution is made from flexible materials that conform to the unique shape of the dog’s head. This flexibility ensures proper sealing around the ear and maximum noise cancellation.
A headgear, which resembles a tight-fitting hood, evenly distributes the pressure needed to keep the hearing protector in place, avoiding belt problems. It is also compatible with other equipment used by service dogs, such as goggles.
Virtual reality goggles
Trainers give commands to dogs using commands, gestures or a laser pointer, but in all these cases a line of sight between the person and the dog is required.
Command Sight has developed augmented reality glasses for service dogs under contract with the US Army Research Laboratory.
The development of Command Sight is intended to eliminate this deficiency. The new technology is based on augmented reality glasses that simulate control by means of a laser pointer. Thanks to this device, the trainer will be able to remotely give commands to the dog by remotely indicating the target on the camera glasses.
Universal Combat Harness
The harness was specially designed by K9 Storm, Inc.Besides the ability to parachute, the harness provides the dog with Kevlar armor and many other benefits.
Combat service
Army.
USAF. Belgian Malinois in the M2A3 Bradley combat vehicle Iraq, February 13, 2007
Aviation.
Erik Barrios, canine handler of the 36th Security Forces Battalion, received a Combat Medal for his actions during an ambush on his patrol team while serving with US Army Special Forces, 3rd Special Forces Group, Task Force Alpha from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.After the battle, Sergeant Barrios and his military service dog Rex discovered a small weapons cache of five AK-47s, an ammunition vest containing 200 rounds of ammunition, and a bag containing six RPG missiles.
Fleet, Marine Corps.
Marines and their service dogs during special training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Special Forces.
What is special about the canine squads used in fur seals is the way they are trained.
All Navy SEAL dogs undergo intensive training to meet the challenges of their fellow humans.
Dogs of the Special Operations Forces are overwhelmingly selected from one breed – the Belgian Malinois. Only 1% of candidate dogs are fully trained.
The US Navy Elite Seals use the Belgian Malinois, a breed similar to the German Shepherd Dog but smaller in size. These dogs are incredibly compact and fast, with 40 times more sense of smell than humans.Their small stature makes them ideal for skydiving and repelling missions with their handlers.
• Malinois are especially prized for their targeted aggression, speed, agility and ability to survive in extreme heat.
• These dogs are trained to shoot, descend from helicopters, ride a Zodiac boat or even skydive.
• In total, dogs and their training cost up to $ 40,000 each.
War dogs and their trainers play a vital role, especially in covert operations.But when these missions take place a few miles from the base, you have to jump with a parachute.
Landing
The dog is in a bag called a flight capsule. This capsule rests on a shell-shaped tray.
The bag is made with a soft lining for convenience. It opens evenly, and the dog lies down on it, folding both hind and front paws under it – this is how military dogs are taught to lie down so that they can jump out faster when landing. The collar is closed with a special magnetic lock, which can activate the handler, but the dog cannot.
Once on the ground, an extremely ingenious system allows the flight capsule to “open like a flower and release the dog in less than 10 seconds after landing.”
Partners are preparing to attack. Photo by the US Marine Corps
And this fighter is already on the way to the defendant.
Military medicine
A US soldier trains with a military service dog during a joint medical evacuation exercise involving pilots, sailors and soldiers at Ali Al Salem Air Force Base in Kuwait.
Combating Covid
CBC Combat Capabilities Command Scientists are working in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania and various canine training institutions to continue research on how dogs can help combat COVID-19 and other chemical biological threats …
COVID-19 Search Trainer
Scientists at the center say these dogs are capable of detecting a COVID-19 positive person a few days before a rapid test does.
“We are using this ability to detect odors and figuring out how far we can go into their detection limits,” said Jenna Gadberry, research assistant at the center. “So far, the levels they’ve found have been amazing.”
In the fall of 2020, a team of employees completed the first phase of the study, during which they collected urine and saliva samples from a person who tested positive and negative for COVID-19.
The scientists needed to find dogs that were agitated and motivated enough to smell VOCs, but focused enough to get the job done.At the beginning of the project, eight dogs were selected and entered the second phase. There are seven Labradors and one Belgian Malinois between the ages of 2 and 7. Dogs come from all over the United States, and there is even a dog from Mexico.
COVID-19 Achievement Gathering
Detector dogs were selected based on a number of criteria, one of which was how motivated they were to smell COVID-19 (some other dogs basically did not want to do this).
Scientists at the center hope to harness the power of dogs in an environment where large groups of people gather, including large ships, training facilities, and events such as the graduation ceremony at the US Military Academy.
“The use of this opportunity would be beneficial for the army in many ways, especially when they have exercises over large areas or large numbers of people who need to gather in one place. We are looking for a way to improve the safety of militants in large swarms by testing them while they are in this element, ”said Dr. Patricia Buckley, one of the work’s leaders.
Titles and awards
In addition to titles, dogs are awarded some of the most impressive medals and military honors.One of the most senior dogs is a sergeant (this is a rank) named Major Fosco (this is a nickname), who was one of the first to perform a tandem jump from the air with his handler, 1st Sergeant Lalonde on September 18, 2009.
Sergeant Yeager , an explosives detection dog for the Marine Corps, has been on nearly 100 combat patrols and has received a Purple Heart following an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2012.
Pension
Traditionally, as in World War II, American K-9s returned home after the war to their former owners or new adopters.
The Vietnam War was distinguished by the fact that American fighting dogs were “designated as disposable equipment” and were either euthanized or transferred to the Allied army prior to the US withdrawal from South Vietnam.
Thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Vietnam War veteran canine handlers, Congress passed legislation allowing the use of US K-9 veterans after serving in the military. In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed legislation authorizing the “adoption” of these dogs, making the Vietnam War the only American war in which American fighting dogs never returned home.
Since the Robbie Act was passed in 2000, all military dogs are eligible for adoption at the end of their service life.
In 2016, new laws obliged the Ministry of Defense to pay for the return home of all military dogs after service, which means that no dog will be left out of the homeland.
Adoption of a military service dog
Retired military dogs or those not fit for life in the military make excellent pets and are available for adoption.
Fortunately, they are very popular and over 90% of them have been adopted by their former curators. There is a waiting list, but those who wish can contact the US Combat Dogs Association.
The United States Fighting Dog Association exists to provide lifelong practical support for military service dogs; their curators and foster families.
There are now long lines of civilians who want to give these veterans a loving home in which to retreat.
Remembrance of Heroes
US Navy Trainer with Military Service Dog at National Fighting Dogs Cemetery, Naval Base Guam
Inscription from WWII War Dogs Memorial … 25 Marine War Dogs gave their lives, liberating Guam in 1944. They served as sentries, messengers, scouts. They explored the caves, found mines and booby traps. – Semper Fidelis Kurt, Yonnie, Coco, Banks, Skipper, Poncho, Tabby, Hobo Ni, Prince, Fritz, Emmy, Missy, Cappie, Duke, Max, Blitz, Arno, Silver, Brokki, Bursh, Pepper, Ludwig, Ricky, There (buried at sea at Cape Asan).
Created in their memory and on behalf of the surviving soldiers of the 2nd and 3rd platoons of sea battle dogs, many of whom owe their lives to the courage and self-sacrifice of these brave animals.
End of the road
If a war dog dies in battle, he is honored by the whole squad. The feeding utensils are symbolically placed upside down, and the poem “Guardians of the Night” is read in their honor … Trust me, my friend, because I am your comrade.
I will protect you until my last breath,
when everyone else leaves you and the loneliness of the night draws near,
I will be by your side.
Together we will overcome all obstacles and find
those who wish to harm others.
All I ask of you is compassion, the caring touch of
of your hands. For you I will give my life unselfishly …
My days are measured by your comings and goings.
I wait for them every time I open the door.
When I am sick, you are the voice of caring.
