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From the CampGroup Chronicles - June 2007
June 2007
CampGroup Chronicles
Expense and Energy Savings
CAMPGROUP WILL PUSH ENERGY SAVINGS, ENVIRONMENTALLY ENHANCING IDEAS AT ALL CAMPS
"Set forth below are a list of energy saving steps that every camp is expected to pursue this summer.
AIR CONDITIONERS: Eliminate air conditioners from non-insulated areas and use fans instead. Turn off air conditioners in insulated areas when they are unoccupied. Make a list of air conditioners and assign an individual to monitor at least 2x per day.
LIGHTS: Install fluorescent mini spiral light bulbs that last over 10x longer than conventional bulbs. Turn off lights in camper, staff and activity buildings – Deduct inspection points if lights are left on.
ELECTRIC POWER: Set up a mid-season appointment for your electricity supplier to visit your camp and test the efficiency of transformers, the sizing of the cables that feed the meters and the condition of the meters. The power companies are very willing to provide this free service.
LAUNDRY: If your laundry machines have an energy cycle, use it.
SHOWERS :Install low flow shower heads – Unlike previous models, these provide a powerful stream of water and use only 2.25 gallons per minute (GPM), 65% less than conventional shower heads.
POOLS: Check to make sure that the pool thermostat is functioning properly. Maintain a maximum pool temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Purchase Solar blankets for your pool – These cost less than $250 and will save65-70% in heating costs.
COMPANY VEHICLES: Always purchase low octane gas
ON-SITE GAS TANKS: Control the gas tank keys and require those using the tank to complete a form noting name, date, purpose and quantity of fuel.
SHOPPER DRIVER: Instruct shopper drivers to map out their drive before leaving camp and to call prior to returning to check for any additional needs. Require shopper drivers to refuel at the camp gas tank.
GOLF CARTS: Designate a specific individual or purpose for each golf cart and post a sign on the cart, e.g. head of house-keeping, head nurse. This makes the named person or group account able and demonstrates that the cart is for a specific use.
BOATS: Address the following information to your waterfront staff and make sure your waterfront director follows through during orientation and throughout the summer.
1. Design quadrants and driving patterns for ski boats.
2. Limit waterskiing to water ski staff and limit their time on the water.
3. Easy on the throttle – Train boat drivers to go easy on the throttle -- Have them pay attention to the RPM's not the speedometer for more efficient driving -- Instruct your drivers not to "full throttle" the boats during boat rides and when leaving/returning back to the docks -- Shut off the engine when skiers are exchanging places. This save energy and ensures safety.
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June 2007
CampGroup Chronicles
CampGroup Proposes "People's Pier" Day Camp On New York City's Pier 40
CAMPGROUP HOLDS OWN IN DAVID AND GOLIATH BATTLE WITH NATIONAL DEVELOPER
More than 1,500 people crowded into the auditorium, cafeteria, and outdoor courtyard of Public School 41 in Manhattan on May 3 for a hearing on the proposed redevelopment of Pier 40, at Houston Street in New York City. Police officers and firefighters kept watch so that the rooms didn't swell to over capacity. It was by far the largest turnout anyone couldremember for such a public hearing.
The Hudson River Park Trust is seeking a private developer to rehabilitate the former shipping pier, which currently houses 1,800 parking spaces and public sports fields. Two teams are vying to redevelop the pier. CampGroup, together with Urban Dove, an organization that provides programs for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, has proposed building "The People's Pier," which would add a high quality summer day camp and a school to the pier, as well as courts for public high school basketball teams. Sizeable swimming pools – 4-1/2 feet deep, two indoor, totaling 23,000 square feet, and one 24,000-square-foot outdoor pool – are also included in the plan.
CampGroup is vying with The Related Companies, an international developer of multi-billion dollar projects. The Related proposal could not be more different from CampGroup's. The $626 million "Pier 40 Performing Arts Center," or "PAC," would transform the pier into a major entertainment destination joining Cirque du Soleil with a 10 screen movie theater, theTribeca Film Festival, a 45,000 square foot entertainment hall and numerous high end restaurants.
"The People's Pier is not just a name," according to Mark Benerofe, CampGroup's Director of Business Development, who is spearheading CampGroup's Pier 40 effort. "It symbolizes a belief that this extraordinary property belongs to the residents of the city that surrounds it."
The Related proposal received an ice cold reception at the public hearing. "We don't need an elaborate circus or a film festival," said Carole DeSaram, a Community Board 1 member representing her Tribeca Community Association. "The fact of the matter is, children come first, and shame on you." Those present reported that the People's Pier team received better treatment.
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June 2007
CampGroup Chronicles
Catherine Steiner Adair Joins Panel of Mental Health Professionals Who are Availablefor Summer Consultation
Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, who spoke at CampGroup's two most recent professional development conferences, has agreed to join the roster of mental health professionals available for summer consultations. Dr. Steiner-Adair is available between June 20 and June 27 and between July 10 and the end of camp. Directors desiring her assistance should call her cell phone (781) 367-7798. She will arrange a time for a telephone consultation, usually right away or on the same day. Examples of the issues on which Dr. Steiner-Adair has consulted with camps and is available for consultation include bullying, difficult parents, deciding whether and how to send a camper home, ADD, cutting and camper sexuality. Dr. Steiner-Adair will bill her time at the rate of $250/hour with charges prorated for time actually spent in consultation.
She will join Steven Stutman and Dr. Ian Goldberg, mental health professionals who will continue to be available for summer consultations.
Steven Stutman is available to consult on all issues relating to the behavior of campers and staff. A practicing therapist for more than 30years, Mr. Stutman treats children, adolescents, families and adults. For ten years, he headed the therapy program at the DeSisto School, a highly acclaimed school for troubled children. He can be reached by cellphone (914) 420-6867 or at his Manhattan office (917) 441-9265 and will get right back to you if you leave a message. Please let him know what camp you are calling from when you call. Mr.Stutman will bill us at the rate of $150 per hour, with charges prorated by the time actually spent on the phone.
Dr.Ian Goldberg, a board certified psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of children, is available to consult on issues involving a camper or staff member who is taking medication to address some mental health issue. Dr. Goldberg can be reached at (917)975-5259. Leave a message, and he will call you right back. Dr. Goldberg will bill us at the rate of $300 per hour, with charges prorated by the time actually spent in consultation. It is important to understand that Dr. Goldberg can not advise you as to how to treat a patient, nor can he prescribe medication or critique the current level of medication prescribed. Rather, he can explain the implications of treatment with various medications, can consult with respect to whether a child should be seen by a psychiatric professional or whether a child is a danger to himself or others, and he can assist camp professionals in interpreting and interfacing with psychiatric professionals who are currently treating a camper or staff member. Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Steiner-Adair, Mr. Stutman or Dr. Goldberg.
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June 2007
CampGroup Chronicles
We Are There For You In A Crisis!
Any crisis at camp must be immediately reported to Dan Zenkel and/or the person who is "on call" at the CampGroup office in the summer. A "crisis" is any incident involving criminal activity, sexual abuse or potentially disabling or mortal injury or death. Dan Zenkel is available to coordinate every sort of crisis response and has experience with many different situations. A wide variety of resources can be brought to bear depending on the particular situation. These include insurance professionals, public relations experts, counseling professionals, attorneys, grief counselors and social workers. CampGroup's current and retired directors and other camp professionals can also be counted on to assist in any practical way, including coming to the scene.
We Are On-Call 24/7 During Summer!
To make certain that someone from CampGroup is always available 24 hours a day during the summer, we have developed and will be distributing an on-call schedule. Of course, you can always reach us at the office during normal business hours. The schedule applies to after hours and weekends. Dan, Mark, Jeff, Adam and Marie will take turns being on call. The person who is on-call will carry a pager. The on-call schedule, pager number and a complete schedule of professional resources available to our camps will be distributed before camp opens. This "Summer Resources And On-Call Schedule" will be sent both in both letter size and poster size so it can be displayed and distributed throughout camp.
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June 2007
CampGroup Chronicles
Campgroup Hosts Inaugural parent Information Night
Approximately 50 CampGroup parents and staff came together on the evening of May 10 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in White Plains for CampGroup's first camp wide parent presentation titled: "The Internet and Your Child: What's Really Happening On-Line." Dr. Joel Haber, a clinical psychologist, and Jennifer Burgess, Bunk 1's senior camp Liaison, presented an informative overview on what today's youth are doing on line. They spoke about the social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace, instant messaging, on-line gaming and chat rooms.
They urged parents to take the following steps with respect to their childrens' internet use:
- Recognize that children are spending a lot more time online than you may think
- Learn the language of the internet. The more familiar you are with what your children are saying on line, the better able you are to speak with them about it.
- Keep computer terminals in a common space, not in your child's bedroom
- Monitor or limit the amount of time your children spend on-line. Consider installing "spyware" and other software that keeps parents aware of their child's internet activity
- Communicate honestly and openly with your children about their internet use. Ask your children if they have Myspace or Facebook pages. Ask them where and how they spend their time on-line.
- Speak to your children about theiri nternet "netiquette"
- Don't write or publish anything on line that they wouldn't want their grandmother to see.
- Don't send a message when you're angry
- Discuss responsible internet use and the sites they visit
- Explain to your children how and why to protect their privacyo n line:
- Never give out a cell phone number, IM name or email address.
- Never give names of family or friends, address, school name, or photos of yourself.
- Never give out passwords
- Encourage your children to speak to you about any hurtful, mean or excluding emails that they receive. If they get such emails or IM's, print them as evidence and send them to the appropriate person (school or camp) to handle
- In the event of serious cyberbullying or invasion of privacy or potential predatory behavior:
- Call law enforcement immediately
- Call or write the internet service provider and copy all material to them. Lodge a complaint against the attacker, as a "terms of use" violation of the internet service provider (ISP)
Some tools to help safeguard your children on the internet.
- Email Tracker Pro: soft2share.com
- Securitysoft Predator Guard: Banksiasoftware.com
- McAfee Parental control: mcafee.com
- Cyberpatrol.com - limits time online
- KidWatch - creates a log of where kids are
- Cybersitter (filters)
- Netmop (filters)
- Zephyr - MySpace cleanup (sex offenders being watched)
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