Date: 02/22/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB12-043

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 12-043 to the House Committee ofPASS



09:52 AM -- Senate Bill 12-043

Representative Massey, Chair, made opening remarks and stated that House Bill 12-1155, which appears on the day's agenda, has been laid over. He welcomed Representative Stephens to the table to present her bill.

Representative Stephens, sponsor of Senate Bill 12-043, presented the bill. The bill allows children's resident camps licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to serve children up to age 18. In addition, licensed camps may also serve persons who are 19 or 20 years old and have graduated from high school within the last six months. The bill also clarifies that camp recreational activities may take place at a permanent location or at off-premise locations during field trips. Under current law, licensed children's resident camps serve children who are 6 years of age and have completed kindergarten up to children who are 16 years of age.

Committee discussion of the bill ensued.


10:03 AM

The committee recessed to wait for the bill sponsor's witnesses to arrive.


10:22 AM

The committee came back to order.

The following persons testified:

10:22 AM -- Brett Wingo, representing Young Life Camps, expressed support for the bill. Mr. Wingo provided background of Young Life Camps' operation in Colorado. He described the situation the camp faced when trying to serve 17- and 18-year-old campers. He discussed the economic impact of resident camps in Colorado, stating that about 30 percent, or about 2,542, of the campers at Young Life Camps are aged 17 or older. He added that, at Young Life Camps, the primary focus is on serving kids in the ninth through twelfth grades.

Representative Ramirez asked what the average cost per camper is at Young Life Camps. Mr. Wingo responded that the cost is about $500 per kid for a week-long camp.

10:28 AM -- Tom Cousineau, Director of Covenant Heights Camp in Estes Park, and representative of the Christian Camp and Conference Association, expressed support for the bill. Mr. Cousineau provided background of his camp, stating that it has been in operation since 1946. He stated that, if smaller camps are required to cut back or remove their high school programs, many of them will not remain in existence. He discussed the impact that camp attendance has on high school aged children.

10:34 AM -- Marty Ferguson, Vice President, American Camp Association (ACA) Rocky Mountain, expressed support for the bill. Mr. Ferguson stated that ACA Rocky Mountain represents 37 camps in Colorado. He stated that about 65 percent of children's resident camp campers come from outside of Colorado. He stated that the ACA estimates that this bill impacts about 10,000 campers in Colorado. He discussed the economic impact of camps in Colorado. He also discussed the value of camps to children and youth who attend, saying that children and youth who attend summer camp gain in the areas of positive self identity, values, and leadership skills.


BILL:SB12-043
TIME: 10:36:48 AM
MOVED:Todd
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 12-043 to the House Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 12-0.
SECONDED:Joshi
VOTE
Hamner
Yes
Holbert
Yes
Joshi
Yes
Kerr A.
Yes
Murray
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Ramirez
Yes
Schafer S.
Yes
Solano
Yes
Summers
Yes
Todd
Yes
Beezley
Excused
Massey
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


10:38 AM

The committee adjourned.