What was expected to be a presentation to the Montgomery Academy’s Philanthropy 101 class turned into a much bigger surprise for Camp Director Matt Rickman and the ASCCA staff. Each year, classes from around the area often visit Camp ASCCA to tour the campus and learn more about how a true nonprofit organization operates. This year was expected to be the same. However, the Central Alabama Community Foundation had a better idea for this year’s meeting.

As we continue our “Meet the Program Staff” series, our next introduction is with Nature Director, Mary Ryan. Mary is from Enterprise, Alabama and has served as a camp counselor for several years.

Throughout the next couple of weeks we’ll take each day to highlight one of our Program Staff members and the activity they’re in charge of this summer. Each of them bring their own unique gifts and talents to the group and we want you to hear about it! This week, you’ll meet our Farm Staff, starting with Justin Ward.

This summer, we welcomed 16 new members to the 2017 Program Staff! Composed of some new and familiar faces, everyone arrived for training week eager and ready to work hard. Though some didn’t know what to expect, returning staff were able to give them an idea and minimize the anticipation.

It’s a beautiful day here at Camp ASCCA and Program staff hit the ground running with CPR training. The course follows the AHA (Amercian Heart Association) curriculum and is taught by Director of Health Services, Nurse Abbey Love Murray, R.N.

On Friday, May 26^th, members from Eastmont Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, visited Camp for a tour and to complete a prayer walk across the entire campus. The group first received a tour from Camp Director Matt Rickman, and they gained a better understanding of all the things that we do here at ASCCA.

Program staff training is well underway and everyone is hard at work, learning the ins and outs of their various activities. As staff members break off into their respective groups throughout the day, each of them is learning proper protocol to ensure the fun and safety for all our campers when participating in each activity. They have a lot to cover in the coming days and the weather’s been a little muggy, but each staff member is still finding ways to have fun in spite of.

About Me!

Hey there, Camp ASCCA fam! My name is Jasmine Reed and I am one of the PR interns for camp, this summer. I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from Spain Park High School (Go Jags!). I am currently a senior at Auburn University, majoring in public relations with a minor in marketing. My career interests include social media management, event planning and digital media analysis.

It is safe to say the summer is on its way. Program staff training for Summer 2017 has officially begun, and members of this year’s adventure, aquatics and farm staffs arrived this morning for the summer of a lifetime. As Camp Director Matt Rickman says, “This will be the greatest summer of your life.” The first meeting of the day was held in Davis Cabin where the program staff will be housed over the next five weeks. Camp Director Matt Rickman and fellow full-time staff members met with the summer’s program staff for introductions, and Matt went over ASCCA policies and procedures with the staff.

It was a chilly morning when everyone woke up today for another day of the Hall Foundation Camp, so the ASCCA staff made a few adjustments to the activity schedule to adjust to the weather. Instead of the usual morning rotations, campers and volunteers trekked around the campus to different “Free Choice” activities.

On Tuesday, May 23^rd, campers and volunteers arrived for the week’s Hall Foundation Camp. Each year, the Hall Foundation helps support a group of individuals with special needs to attend Camp ASCCA for a week. This year, the campers have been introduced to new activities like shaved ice at the OutPost and the new Panning for Gold program. The campers and volunteers have traveled from parts of Florida and Alabama to experience a week they will never forget.

In preparation for the week’s adventures, Dr. Mike Hall arrived on Monday with a few of his students from the University of North Alabama, to discuss the week’s schedule for the Charles and Isabel Hall Foundation Camp and hear from several speakers who provide different perspectives on living with disabilities. Dr. Hall incorporates camp into his curriculum for his Recreation for Special Populations class, and different students visit Camp every spring to volunteer and learn about everything that is offered for children and adults with disabilities at ASCCA.