2025 ACA, Upstate New York Winter Gathering

All Available Sessions

Registration and Check-In

-12/12/2024

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Registration and Check-In

12/12/2024 8:45 AM
Welcome

-12/12/2024

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Welcome

12/12/2024 9:15 AM
Keynote

-12/12/2024

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Keynote

12/12/2024 9:40 AM

 

Dr. Chris Kukenberger has been working in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging space as a leadership consultant and trainer for 15 years providing inclusion training and support to over hundreds of companies, school districts, camp groups, and community organizations. Chris has also served as an art history college professor and academic department chairperson at colleges in the CNY region for over two decades. More recently, Chris joined the camp experience as the 2023 director of Camp Beyond Binary, an LGBTQ+ youth camp powered by Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways. With a doctorate in Executive Leadership & Social Justice from St. John Fisher University, Chris is a certified Dialogue Facilitator, Leadership Consultant, Safe Zone Trainer, and DEIB/LGBTQ+ inclusion researcher. Chris has attended a number of ACA conferences and is thrilled to be joining the ACA Upstate Winter Gathering again this December! On their free-time, Chris enjoys quiet mornings on the lake, hiking and traveling with their spouse, and spending time with their growing family of toddlers and furry loved ones!

Breakout Session 1

-12/12/2024

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Breakout Session 1

12/12/2024 11:00 AM
Camp and Character Development

-12/12/2024

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Camp and Character Development

12/12/2024 11:00 AM

Camp and Character Development

This session will begin with a discussion on character, exploring its definition and personal significance. Then engage in a self-reflection activity to identify and discuss their own character traits and dive deep to find their origins. We will hear from each other  about the role of camp in character development, followed by a brainstorming session to enhance camp practices and share successful strategies for fostering positive character development among both campers and staff.      

Session led by Hanna Sue Percy is the Camp and Marketing Director at Eagle Island Camp. Hanna Sue has been a part of the Eagle Island family for 4 years now, starting seasonally and transitioning into a year-round full-time role in 2023. She graduated with a degree in International Education which focuses on culturally sustaining teaching practices and methods. Hanna has always worked with children and has experience in both the school and camp settings. She loves being unplugged and outdoors in nature and shares this passion with campers, alumni, family, and friends. 

Roundtable Discussions

-12/12/2024

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Roundtable Discussions

12/12/2024 11:00 AM

Roundtable discussions:

Staff Recruiting: How do you get your staff & where are you recruiting

Staff Interviewing Questions: How to ask the right questions when interviewing staff

Lunch

-12/12/2024

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Lunch

12/12/2024 12:00 PM
Breakout Session 2

-12/12/2024

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Breakout Session 2

12/12/2024 12:45 PM
LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Tactics & Benefits

-12/12/2024

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LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Tactics & Benefits

12/12/2024 12:45 PM

Dr. Chris Kukenberger will lead a breakout session. 

LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Tactics & Benefits

Join us for this engaging and interactive session as we explore tactics for the active inclusion of our LGBTQ+ leaders, staff, and campers. While focusing on transgender and non-binary identities, we’ll discuss why our campsites need to be aware and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ population (youth in particular) now more than ever. We’ll look at terminology, current trends, data & stats, and action items everyone can implement! Time for Q&A and resource lists will be provided. 

Panel Discussion on CIT (Counselor in Training) / Leader in Training Programs

-12/12/2024

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Panel Discussion on CIT (Counselor in Training) / Leader in Training Programs

12/12/2024 12:45 PM

Panel Discussion on CIT (Counselor in Training) / Leader in Training Programs

Join in on the discussion with our panel of camp directors who have had a successful program at their camp! Bring your questions and ask the panel!

 

Breakout Session 3

-12/12/2024

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Breakout Session 3

12/12/2024 1:45 PM
Growing Your Staff

-12/12/2024

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Growing Your Staff

12/12/2024 1:45 PM

Growing Your Staff

Let’s talk about how to make strong counselors into excellent supervisors.  What tricks and tips do you need to help them be successful and grow with your organization.  We will talk about management strategies to teach your counselors to successfully make the leap from friend to supervisor.  We will cover how to teach them to have the courageous conversations and evaluate others in a strategic positive manner to allow them the space to grow with your program.  Talk about how to help them evaluate situation with campers to be able to mentor other counselors and the magic of strong communication skills.

This session is led by Nancy Grimes. Nancy is the Administrative Director of Programs and Operations at Cradle Beach.

Roundtable Discussions

-12/12/2024

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Roundtable Discussions

12/12/2024 1:45 PM

Roundtable Discussions

Preparing Staff for what to expect at camp- how to prep & communicate with your staff before summer 

Mental Health- What are you doing for your staff (year-round & summer) 

Camp Tour

-12/12/2024

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Camp Tour

12/12/2024 2:45 PM

Enjoy a camp tour of Camp Stella Maris!