Dear ICF Family,
We are almost at the end of another year. 2022 is around the corner. I believe that 2022 will arrive with health and good feelings.
The current ICF Board has completed its first year. It has not been an easy year. We have had to update the plans we made before the pandemic and adjust to the new reality in the World and in our industry. I can’t thank my colleagues in the ICF board enough for all the time they gave to and work they did for ICF voluntarily. I am so proud to be a part of this amazing team.
Recently, the ICF Family was saddened with the loss of Beverly Ball. She was a great leader and role model for all of us. Our thoughts are with Armand, his family and friends as they mourn her loss and celebrate her life. May she rest in peace. Life goes on and we all keep walking and moving forward together.
In this issue of ICF Newsletter, I am very excited to share some wonderful news items with you:
- Our past-president and backbone of ICF, John Jorgenson has been presented with the 2021 Camp Without Borders Award from the Russian Camp Association MOO-SDO. This is the highest camp award in Russia and we are very proud of Jorgi.
- Russian camp leaders decided to conduct an annual meeting in Europe each year and the first meeting took place in October in Greece. The seminar was very successful with presentations by the participants from Russia, Greece, Spain and Turkey. They were very informative and inspiring. Of course, the best part of the gathering was the social and network times when we were laughing and sharing together.
- ICF membership chair Pablo Casas is very active on preparing agreements with Association Network members in many countries. Some agreements have alreay been signed and more will be finalized soon.
- The ICF Academy Team is working on the new program and we will announce the new program, new ideas and new speakers very soon. Our focus is on the future – it is time for our industry to look forward.
I am confident that 2022 is our turning point. Camps around the world are recovering and getting into shape again.
In 2023, our plan is to bring the entire world of camp and outdoor education together with an in-person International Camping Conference in Europe as we move towards a brighter future together.
Fahrettin Gözet
ICF President