Many CCCA members across the country are
already engaged in advocacy in their state and local governments. It’s through engagement at the local, state and federal levels that Christian camps and conference centers can advocate for positive change. For several years, CCCA has sought expert guidance
in government relations to help equip camp and confer- ence leaders to deal with regulations that may hinder members’ operations. Most recently, as part of CCCA’s government advocacy initiative, the organization has enlisted the help of Anne Basham, founder of Ascend Consulting, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm with many years of experience in coaching clients and lobbying the federal government on their behalf. CCCA wants to ensure that all its members are
equipped to engage in policymaking. In this article, we’ll look at the experiences of a couple CCCA mem- bers and provide tips for you to act on your camp or conference center’s behalf (and on behalf of Christian camping, in general).
Joining Forces Tere’s power in numbers. A group of camps coming together in a state provides a strong network of like- minded organizations with similar goals and issues, creating larger visibility when standing together on an issue or benefit for the industry. Many states across the U.S. have groups like this that include Christian and secular camps and other organizations that serve youth. Networks like California Collaboration for Youth
(CCFY) and Colorado Camps Network (CCN) pro- vide a vital support infrastructure for camps. When local coalitions build vital relationships with officials, the outcome can be powerful. It’s important to build credibility and context behind the awareness being built with those officials. “Make the health department your best friend,” said Doug McClain, vice president of operations at Sky Ranch (Westcliffe, Colorado), who is engaged with CCN.
McClain explained, “We’ve been trying to get legis-
lators to camp … to understand camp and how we impact lives.” It’s by building those relationships and exposing those leaders to camp that “when things come up and you can say, ‘Hey, remember me? … Tis is going to kill my camp’ in an email,” McClain said. When they see your camp firsthand, legislators better understand why they should write an exclusion into a bill that will negatively affect camps. When you understand and are engaged in what is
happening in the legislature, you don’t have to take a reactive, damage-control approach. In addition, you can be an organization that comes to mind when legislators are navigating the best ways to serve communities. “We’re governed by the department of early
childhood, so by building relationships, CCN has been the go-to organization for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood when they have questions about things.” CCCA has compiled a list of known organizations
across the country. You can go to [link] to access the list. If you’re aware of groups that are not included on our list, please notify our member engagement team by emailing
ehughes@ccca.org.
(Left to Right): Jon Labadie, Michael Best Strategies, Colorado Camps Network lobbyist, State Government Relations; Rhonda Mickelson, CCN Board Member, Cheley Colorado Camps; Steve Fenberg, Colorado Senate President; David Secunda, CCN Board Member, Avid4 Adventure; Heather Mrozek Novak, Avid4Adventure; and Isabel Browning.
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www.ccca.org September/October 2024
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