Former Secretary Of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Delivered Keynote Address To Thousands Of Camp Professionals At The American Camp Association, NY & NJ Conference Thursday, March 19 In Atlantic City, NJ

NEW YORK, March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed over 3,000 summer camp and out of school time professionals on Thursday, March 19^th at the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey's Tri-State CAMP Conference, the largest gathering of camp professionals in the world.  The conference took place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ and provides professional development for camp and out of school time professionals.

In her keynote, Secretary Clinton said, "Thank you for what you do for so many young people.  I heard Jed say that in many ways camping really is about life skills, it's about that village I wrote about all those years ago, it's about bringing adults and kids together in ways that really build confidence and resilience." Secretary Clinton added, "Every child needs enrichment beyond what they have in their family or certainly in the classroom...I am very grateful to everybody in this industry who cares about kids, who gives your best every single year to make sure they have good experiences, who kind of fills in that village for so many children and provides good role models as well as having some fun and teaching them some life skills."

Camp is a unique environment where children have the opportunity to be independent which builds self-esteem in children.  During the 30 minute Q&A with Jay Jacobs, owner of TLC Camps, Secretary Clinton stated, "You don't do your child any favors by trying to cushion that little boy or girl from everything that might happen.  They don't learn what they themselves are capable of doing and how they can stand up and be heard."

The Former Secretary of State said that the nation's politicians could use "camp for adults," a reference to the cooperation and teamwork that is fostered at camp.   Secretary Clinton also thanked members of the American Camp Association, NY and NJ for all their philanthropic and volunteer programs, mentioning Project Morry which has "welcomed more than 400 children from low-income families, that's exactly what we need to be doing, reaching out and making sure more kids have a nurturing and fun experience, and then keep working with the kids throughout the school year so that they can continue to learn and grow their scope and organization, which I know provides scholarships." She also noted SCOPE, "an organization that provides scholarships to more than 20,000 children who might not otherwise be able to afford camp" and thanked America's Camp hosted at Camp Danbee, which was created specifically for children who lost a parent on 9/11. 

Secretary Clinton closed her keynote saying, "I could go on the rest of the day with great examples of what you all are doing and it so fits in to what I think we all should be doing...your camps are part of the fabric of our national life. They are often safe havens in the storms that blow across everyone's life and seem particularly difficult for children and teenagers. Places where people can get back to basics and remember or learn for the first time what is really important...so thank you for being one of the essential building blocks for so many young people over so many years."

Andy Pritikin, President of the American Camp Association, NY and NJ said, "Secretary Clinton has validated what camp professionals have been doing for over 150 years and has brought national attention to the work we do in teaching children important life skills that will help prepare them to be successful adults in the 21^st century."

The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey's Tri-State CAMP Conference is the largest conference for camp professionals in the world and offers professional development for over 3,000 camp professionals, camp staff, youth development professionals, and "out of school" experiential educators.  Attendees come to learn at over 180 educational sessions, find new services and products in the 300 booth exhibit hall, and spend time with like-minded professionals who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children.

For more information about the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey's Tri-State CAMP Conference, visit www.tristatecampconference.com

ABOUT THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION, NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY

The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey is a private not for profit organization dedicated to enhancing the summer camp experience for children. Because of camp, children have the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can't be learned in any other environment.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150326/194643

SOURCE American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey

Related Links

http://www.tristatecampconference.com

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