|
January 25, 2007
ATA TO HOST STAMP CAMP USA JUNE 16-17 AT NTSS2007
Stamp Camp USA will have two distinctly different targets. The first will be training for
adults who want to help children with a training class all day on Friday, June 15th. The
second will be the hands-on, fun classes for youth.
Have you ever thought about new ways to help energize kids about reading, writing, and
learning? Perhaps you work with the educational system, or with youth through community
service groups such as Scouting, 4-H, after-school programming, or in the social services
field. Maybe you are a newly retired professional seeking to give back to the community in
a positive way and haven’t yet determined how to become involved. Then Stamp Camp can be
the means to bring exciting rewards into the lives of children in your community, while
providing you with an interesting way to utilize talents that have been developed through
life skills experiences.
On average, children have nearly 2,000 hours of free time without structure or supervision
(Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development). Taking this into account, Stamp Camp is a
non-profit, collaborative education program for children ages 8 – l4 that boosts children’s
skills and knowledge through the use of worldwide postage stamps. Popular hands-on
activities help children learn stamp collecting basics with an emphasis on creative
storytelling through individual and team projects. Stamp Camp is dedicated to providing
valuable learning experiences to children and communities-at-large by not only inspiring
self-directed learning, but also enriching how community members become engaged in projects
which promote positive youth development and community networks. The Stamp Camp Program
concept is easily integrated into existing community youth programs and can enhance
learning and participative activities using materials that are inexpensive and readily
available to most groups and organizations.
First introduced in Pennsylvania’s Northern Tioga School District, Stamp Camp USA is a
501c3 non-profit organization that operates under a collaborative program structure.
Partners include the United States Postal Service, The American Philatelic Society,
American Topical Association, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Senior Corps of
Pennsylvania, Communities That Care, Scouting, YMCA, and others. The Program has been
certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Act 48 continuing education
credit and enhances multiple community environments, where children can succeed and improve
important skills.
An Adult Leader Workshop and two kid’s Stamp Camps have been scheduled to introduce this
model program at the American Topical Association National Stamp Show in Irving, Texas,
June 15-17, 2007. At the kid’s Camp, children 3rd through 8th grade will learn to
effectively begin a stamp collection in a very hands-on, learning incentive atmosphere.
Participants will prepare creative three-dimensional stamp exhibits, as well as a
traditional format, while earning “stamp camp cash”, to be used at an end-of-camp live
auction. A closing awards ceremony provides a perfect ending to a time of learning and
philatelic fun. Adult and older youth leaders are encouraged to register for the Adult
Leader Workshop on June 15th, where they will learn the step-by-step process of conducting
a youth Stamp Camp during this hands-on and interactive learning workshop. There is a cost
for the leadership training. Advanced registration is required and tuition fees include all
necessary support materials. Enrollment space is limited, so registration forms will be
accepted on a first-come basis. For additional information please contact Stamp Camp USA
at (814) 326-0810, or E-mail
stampcampusa@intergate.com.
What is Stamp Camp USA?
Stamp Camp USA is a collaborative educational program that boosts children’s skills and
knowledge through the use of worldwide stamps, envelopes, and Stamp Camp Cash.
Campers, ages 8 to 14, begin by learning stamp collecting basics, including the proper care
of a stamp collection and the use of cool stamp tools. After they learn the basics, campers
select a topic and then hunt for related stamps, envelopes, and postmarks in the donations.
These materials become part of their personal collections, to be used in their projects,
such as creative three-dimensional exhibits, or four-page competitive exhibits.
Throughout these activities, each camper earns Stamp Camp Cash, which they use to purchase
prizes at the end-of-camp auction.
Why Stamps?
Postage stamps, with their colorful images and real-life stories, have fascinated millions
of adults and children ever since they first appeared more than 150 years ago. There’s
something to interest everyone in the world of stamps — nature, wildlife, artists,
athletes, space ships, dinosaurs, monuments, historical events, faraway lands, and more!
Stamps are an ideal way to motivate children to learn. They provide a stimulus for an
exciting discussion and they add a touch of family fun for your home and community.
What Kinds of Activities?
Camp schedules may include:
- scavenger hunts
- creating travel passports
- using identifiers and maps to learn geography
- translating the mysterious markings on envelopes to unravel everything from bar codes
to zip codes
- transcribing handwritten letters (an activity that brings poor spellers into a
“prized” team role
- hands-on opportunities to soak stamps, sort them, and learn such basics of the hobby
as how to hinge, mount, and display their collections
- creative storytelling with worldwide stamps, envelopes and postmarks
Who Is Involved in Stamp Camp?
First introduced in 1996 in Pennsylvania’ s Northern Tioga School District, Stamp Camp USA
is a non profit 501c3 educational organization that operates under a collaborative program
structure. Partners include the United States Postal Service, the American Philatelic
Society, Postmasters Organizations, Pennsylvania 4-H, Scouting, and community volunteers
and resources on the local level. Supplies and materials are obtained through direct
program donations and community fund-raising efforts.
To Register
For more information or to register, contact:
Stamp Camp USA, 149 East Main Street, P O Box 377, Knoxville, PA l6928-0377;
Phone: 814-326-0810; Email:
stampcampusa@intergate.com
Payments by check should be sent directly to this address. For Visa, MasterCard or PayPal,
payments can be made to the American Topical Association, clearly identifying the payments
to be for Stamp Camp, USA. Our address is ATA – PO Box 57 – Arlington, TX 76004-0057 –
Phone: 817-274-1181 – Fax: 817-274-1184 – Email:
americantopical@msn.com.
For information on the world’s largest all-topical philatelic organization, contact the ATA
Central Office, P.O. Box 57, Arlington, Texas 76004-0057 (telephone: 1-817-274-1181; email
americantopical@msn.com; or visit their
website at
www.americantopicalassn.org.
BACK
|
