As we navigate the unknown, we hope to continue build on our partnership with each of you by bringing the voices and culture of your camp online! As things are changing weekly, our goal is to update you all via this Newsletter!
Weekly Newsletter
3 MORE DAYS!
CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE starts THIS Monday (May 25th)!
Here are a few final notes before we kick off our summer online!
- We’re excited to share the FLYER for campers/families has been translated into Spanish (see below).
- If you are asking your volunteers/staff to submit videos to your online platform, we’d recommend that you obtain a video release prior to “airing” their video. You’ll find a sample release below.
- Be sure to sign up for our weekly schedule and updates: www.campjohnmarc.org/CIMTAP
- We look forward to welcoming your week of camp with a 1-4 minute video! This is your chance to share the creativity of your leadership team, say hi to your campers and to the entire CJM community. Here are a few tips/things to consider when creating your camp’s intro video!
- Introduce yourself! Let everyone know who is who on your leadership team and what their role is. Maybe you can share how long you have been attending your camp.
- Say “hello” to your campers. Share a special message with them to let them know that you are thinking about them.
- Tell us AND our other online friends (Board Members, other partner group campers, etc. that do not know your camp specifically) about your camp! Share a quick message with campers from other camp populations.
- Let your campers know that you look forward to seeing them again soon!
- The video should be recorded in a well lit, horizontal (phone) fashion, and 1-3 minutes in length. Here are some tips!
Here are a few things to know about getting the joy of camp online:
- Campers/Families/Staff/Volunteers can sign up for weekly “camp schedules” HERE; updates will go out every Friday!
- Camp content will be updated Monday-Friday at 3 PM CST.
- This program is open to EVERYONE. ALL SUMMER.
- Spread the (camp) love! Below is a drafted letter with links can help inform families about our program!
Hello Camp Family and Friends,
We hope you are safe and well during these unusual times! As you know, the health and safety of our campers is our number one priority. Even though we are not able to be together in person at camp, Camp John Marc is excited to bring camp to your home through an online program called CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE. This year, you can have access to camp activities, traditions, songs and stories, horse highlights, and more over 11 weeks of online camp (May 25 – August 7)! Any parent/guardian or individual over the age of 18 can sign up for weekly updates.
If you have questions about the program, please reach out to the Camp John Marc team at morethanaplace@campjohnmarc.org.
Campcerly,
Camp John Marc Staff
CHECK OUT THE CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE HYPE VIDEO BELOW:
With each day passing we are gaining much excitement for the opening of our CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE season! We appreciate your communication and support during these unusual times. Here is a little preview at some of our content:
What CJM Is Working On
- Weekly Schedule (see below)
- Website Preview (click images in the column to the right)
- Activity Preview (click images in the column to the right)
What You Can Work On
- We look forward to welcoming your week of camp with a 1-4 minute video! This is your chance to share the creativity of your leadership team, say hi to your campers and to the entire CJM community. If you need help brainstorming what you can create, please contact your CJM Point Person for some ideas and tips!
- If you have time or people who are interested in creating content (much like the would if they were at Camp John Marc by leading an activity or project), please encourage them to make a video! We’re asking content based activity/project leaders to submit an Online Game Plan for consistency, but know exceptions can be made!
- If you have more than the two types of videos listed above, contact your CJM Point Person to discuss the posting schedule!
- If you have read this far, please email Megan White with the subject: CAMP IS AWESOME for a prize.
Thinking about creating your own program? Here are some Helpful Hints!
- We’ve had a chance to touch base with almost all of our summer camp directors! Y’all are doing some awesome things, please keep us updated on all your happening and ideas!
- We know camping is not your full-time job, here are a few hints we’ve learned through this process:
- If you are interested in creating “CAMP BOX” (a box full of camp swag or goodies and supplies for activities), be sure to think about:
- Timing and Shipment: What if the package doesn’t arrive on time? What if what is in the package melts/leaks? Could you have a centralized “pick up” drive thru that respects social distancing?
- Swag: If campers did not submit an application, do you have their t-shirt size? Could you include items that are not size specific (water bottles, hats, stickers, sunscreen etc.)
- If you or your team is interested in recording videos, have you established criteria for filming – technique and content – for consistency and quality?
- Is there a way you can partner with another hospital or sponsoring organization to meet some of the campers potential needs or wants this summer?
- If you are interested in creating “CAMP BOX” (a box full of camp swag or goodies and supplies for activities), be sure to think about:
OUTLINE WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Please note this will ebb and flow based on your goals and the content created by our team, your team, and the camp community (volunteers, alumni staff, medical directors, etc.)
Monday
- Partner Group Welcome Video – This is YOUR time to shine and to welcome our CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE community to your campers, your diagnosis served, and your mission.
- Arts & Crafts – Easy do at home projects!
- In The News – This is YOUR time to show off an article or news story shared on your campers, volunteers, or staff!
Tuesday
- Partner Group Activity – This is YOUR camp’s time to shine! Have a volunteer, medical team member, or director that wants to submit a video (see Online Game Plan notes)!
- Horses – Introductions, feeding, grooming, and more!
- Live After 5 PM Event – Join us for a fun LIVE event … think energizers, line dances, group games, and more!
Wednesday
- CJM Activity – Join us for your favorite camp activities … teddy bear zipline, pottery, sports & games TRASHketball, and nature videos!
- Survey/Vote – Check out our website for the weekly vote … favorite campfire song, theme night, camp activity, and such.
- Chuckles with Chuck – Bring some tissues, you’ll definitely need it for the jokes!
Thursday
- Puzzles and Games – We’ve got online word searches, online crosswords, online puzzles, and more!
- Partner Group Activity – This is YOUR camp’s time to shine! Have a volunteer, medical team member, or director that wants to submit a video (see Online Game Plan notes)!
- Projects – This is the good stuff, we will have Camp Perfect (home edition), pottery, ukulele, and all your favorite projects.
Friday
- Songs and Story – Check in to see if we’re singing your favorite campfire song this week … Bazooka Bubblegum, Little Red Wagon, Burfle Hunt, and more!
- Thanks and see you next week with a list of supplies needed for Arts & Crafts and other activities.
Online Camper Safety
- No Outside Contact: Remember it is essential that campers are not able to connect with volunteers/staff in an unsupervised setting. Be sure any/all of your online programs are private and restrict the ability for personal information exchange.
- Camper Photos: As a child’s photo consent status may change from year to year, it is not appropriate to post any photos or videos of campers from previous summers.
CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE Flow Chart
(click to enlarge; press backspace to return to this page)
- Click the April 24th tab to see last week’s newsletter! NOTE: If you have not completed the Partner Camp Survey, please be sure to do so ASAP!
- Have questions about how the CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE program works? See the flow chart below! Your CJM Point Person will reach out next week to schedule your planning meeting (if it is not currently scheduled).
- See the updated 2021 dates. So that there is not confusion on the CJM website, we will not be posting 2021 dates until later this year.
- We all know what Risk Management looks like at Camp, but what does it look like online? See the Online Safety tips for more information! As thing evolve, we will be sure to update these principles.
- Looking to share information with your campers/families and volunteers/staff about our online program? See the CAMPER and VOLUNTEER/STAFF FLYER links below!
CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE Flow Chart
(click to enlarge; press backspace to return to this page)
Summer 2021 Dates
Online Camper Safety
- No Outside Contact: Remember it is essential that campers are not able to connect with volunteers/staff in an unsupervised setting. Be sure any/all of your online programs are private and restrict the ability for personal information exchange.
- Camper Photos: As a child’s photo consent status may change from year to year, it is not appropriate to post any photos or videos of campers from previous summers.
CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE OVERVIEW
- Camper families, volunteers, staff, and other friends of your camp can sign up for Camp John Marc weekly updates for the duration of the summer.
- Participants must be at least 18 years old or must have a parent/guardian provide an email address to register: https://www.campjohnmarc.org/CIMTAP
- Camp John Marc has activated an Instagram account to share updates. Any users over the age of 18 can join: @CampJohnMarc
- Based on child safety best practices, Camp John Marc does not plan to host ZOOM style meetings or other Video “Chat Room” events– any real-time platforms for online person-to-person interaction. If this changes, we will let you know.
- Activities will occur May 25-August 7 on our website and open to all friends of camp!
- Media and Activities will include:
- Live Videos/Recorded Videos (activities, camp tours, camp scenes, songs and stories)
- Handouts (BINGO, word searches, crosswords)
- Interactive (surveys, votes, polls)
- Partner Group Celebrations (Weekly Introduction [in your words/video] and opportunities for your volunteers/staff to share their camp culture through photos/videos)
- Again our goal is to connect with all of our camp community in a safe and high-quality manner.
- We are taking point on the waiver/consent form for all participants!
- Here is a link to our Online Game Plans which can be shared with volunteers and staff to submit an activities/videos. Once it is submitted to CJM, we will review, provide feedback, and send details for filming and/or submitting the content to CJM.
RESOURCES
If you need some resources to communicate this news to your campers, volunteers, staff, or other invested individuals here are some resources:
- Camp John Marc Letter/Video: https://www.campjohnmarc.org/covid-19/
Resources for Parents during COVID-19:
Point Person
Reynal – Kyle
I-Thonka-Chi – Bre
TLC – Victoria
MDA – Kyle
Moss – Bre
Sanguinity – Victoria
Jubilee – Kyle
Ailihpomeh – Victoria
Esperanza – Megan
Joint Adventure – Bre
Broncho – Kyle
CHECK OUT NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE [CAMP REYNAL]
AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION UPDATES
While it is still difficult to fully comprehend the cancellation of summer camp, recent guidance from our accrediting body has shown the complexity of what an operating camp might have looked like. Here is some insight into the ACA’s Camp Operation Guide Summer 2020 for camps choosing to operate this summer.
READER SHOUT OUT!
Shout out to all of our NEWSLETTER Partner Group Directors and readers! In our May 8th Newsletter there was a hidden message and the following people saw it. A prize is headed your way (when the time is right)!
- Traci – Jubilee
- Grant – Ailihpomeh
- Danny – Esperanza
- Amanda – Esperanza
- Julie – Reynal
- Julie – TLC
- Katie – Broncho
SAMPLE LETTER TO FAMILIES
Hello Camp Family and Friends,
We hope you are safe and well during these unusual times! As you know, the health and safety of our campers is our number one priority. Even though we are not able to be together in person at camp, Camp John Marc is excited to bring camp to your home through an online program called CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE. This year, you can have access to camp activities, traditions, songs and stories, horse highlights, and more over 11 weeks of online camp (May 25 – August 7)! Any parent/guardian or individual over the age of 18 can sign up for weekly updates.
If you have questions about the program, please reach out to the Camp John Marc team at morethanaplace@campjohnmarc.org.
Campcerly,
Camp John Marc Staff
SAMPLE VIDEO RELEASE- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
I, the RELEASER, hereby grant Permission to Special Camps for Special Kids dba Camp John Marc, the RELEASEE, the rights of my image in video or still, and of the likeness and sound of my voice as recorded on audio and/or video without payment or other consideration. I understand that my image may be edited, copied, exhibited, published or distributed and waive the right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein my likeness appears. Additionally, I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of my recording. I also understand that this material may be used for diverse educational settings within an unrestricted geographic area.
Photographic, audio or video recordings may be used for the following uses: (1) Camp John Marc – “CAMP IS MORE THAN A PLACE” Online Programming, (2) Online/Internet Videos for Camp John Marc, and (3) Camp Partner Group Online/Internet Camp Programming.
By signing this release, I understand this permission signifies that photographic, audio or video recordings of me may be electronically displayed via the internet, online, social media channels or in the public educational setting. I will be consulted about the use of the photographs, audio or video recordings for any purpose than those listed and agreed to above. I understand that there is no time limit on the validity of this release nor is there any geographic limitations on where these materials may be distributed. This release applies to photographic, audio or video recordings submitted for use by the RELEASER to Special Camps for Special Kids dba Camp John Marc and its directors for the purpose of virtual programming. I acknowledge that I have completely read and fully understand the above release and agree to be bound thereby. I hereby release any and all claims against any person or organization utilizing this material for educational purposes.
RELEASEE:
Special Camps for Special Kids dba Camp John Marc (4925 Greenville Ave, STE 400, Dallas, TX 75206)
RELEASER:
FULL NAME: Address:
City: State: ZIP:
Phone: Email:
Signature: Date:
SUMMER 2021 DATES
