All Available Sessions

Sponsor Gallery

-4/13/2021

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Sponsor Gallery

04/13/2021 8:30 AM
The Sponsor Gallery provides a convenient way to connect with our sponsors and learn more about their great products and services. Please support the businesses that support camps and ACA professional development.
Virtual Swag Bag

-4/13/2021

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Virtual Swag Bag

04/13/2021 8:32 AM
The Virtual Swag Bag is a fun place to connect with our sponsors. Enter drawings, get discounts or schedule a demo.
Tuesday all events in Pacific Time

-4/13/2021

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Tuesday all events in Pacific Time

04/13/2021 9:59 AM
Orientation

Workshop -4/13/2021

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Orientation

04/13/2021 10:00 AM
This session will introduce participants to the engagement features of Zoom, establish meeting norms and describe the many impactful presentations of the conference. Meet your conference chairs and learn about the exciting sessions and socials that the Spring Leadership Conference has in store. We will practice the technology that will be used throughout the conference and share important information about how you can make the most of your conference experience.
Playnote - Connection Before Content

Hands On -4/13/2021

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Playnote - Connection Before Content

04/13/2021 11:00 AM
As we embark on an exciting conference filled with Peace, Love, Camp, please join us to kick-off your conference experience with some time dedicated to connecting with other attendees. We will participate in a collection of fun activities aimed at learning about each other, finding interesting things we have in common, and making personal connections that will add value to our conference experience!

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Roz and Jed Buck, Roz and Jed Training and Consulting

Roz and Jed Buck have done what many married couples consider to be “the impossible” . . . They have worked together, side by side, for almost 20 years.  From 2004 – 2016, they Owned and Directed Meadowbrook Country Day Camp, a large private day camp in New Jersey.  They sold their camp in 2016 and successfully launched Roz and Jed Training & Consulting.  Now, they travel the country sharing what they have learned and experienced first-hand.  Roz and Jed successfully provide Two Voices, Customized Content, and Real Experience.  They are proven youth development experts and dynamic speakers who have shared their messages and experiences at conferences in 20 different states and have trained thousands of staff from coast to coast.

Getting Extra Ready for This Summer

Lecture -4/13/2021

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Getting Extra Ready for This Summer

04/13/2021 1:00 PM
You’re getting ready for this summer of all summers, and you may be wondering something like “we should probably be doing something more this summer when it comes to being ready for our campers and our staff – what is that?” This session is here to help! This is what we do best at camps: we understand what our children and staff are bringing to camp with them, we anticipate what needs to happen and we plan what to do, and we do it. Come for a fun session full of stories and skills, leave with some terrific ideas and inspiration, and launch into your summer on a burst of motivation!

Stuart Jones's photo

Stuart Jones, Outpost Summer Camps

Stuart Jones is President of Outpost Summer Camps and oversees the business and operations of the organization. He has been involved with summer camps his entire life as a camper, counselor and director, and in 2001 followed a life-long dream by moving to San Diego and launching Outpost Summer Camps, celebrating its 19th summer in 2021. Stuart is a frequent speaker and staff trainer at both local and national American Camp Association (ACA) conferences, leading sessions on camp management and child development. He also works closely with local preschools and elementary schools, leading trainings for teachers and support staff on best practices on playground and classroom behavior management, and providing talks for parents on a variety of child-related subjects.

Helping Staff Understand and Embrace Camp Evaluation Data

Workshop -4/13/2021

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Helping Staff Understand and Embrace Camp Evaluation Data

04/13/2021 1:00 PM
You’ve collected camp evaluation data, now how do you use it? This session introduces “data parties,” a fun, engaging method to review data and involve staff in data interpretation and program improvement. Participants will experience a data party, understand how to engage staff in analysis and ownership, and leave with new tools for sharing data and creating conversations to better their programs.

    Marianne Bird, University of California Cooperative Extension

Marianne’s love for the outdoors and desire to work with young people grew from her experiences growing up at summer camp. As co-chair of the California 4-H Camping Advisory Committee, she conducts statewide 4-H camp studies; plans educational conferences for staff, volunteers and youth; and has authored publications about, and for, the camp community. She’s a member of ACA’s CARE committee.  ACA recognized her work in 2020 with the Eleanor P. Eells Award for Excellence in Research in Practice.

Keith Nathaniel, University of California Cooperative Extension

Keith is the Director and 4-H Youth Development Advisor in Los Angeles, CA.  He conducts research projects and extends knowledge to inform and shape youth development programs.  This includes identify emerging issues and trends in youth development and designing protocols and strategies for addressing them locally.  One goal is to create a community of programs that provide quality out of school experiences for youth, including summer camp.

Nate Caeton, University of California Cooperative Extension

Nate is a 4-H Youth Development Advisor in northern California.  He considers the outdoors to be the ultimate classroom and feels that every youth should have the opportunity to experience the wonder of nature.  As co-chair of the California 4-H Camping Advisory Committee, he works to improve 4-H Camp Programs through statewide camp evaluations and camp related development opportunities.  Outside of 4-H, Nate is actively involved in Scouts BSA as a Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor.

Nicole Marshall-Wheeler, University of California Cooperative Extension

Nicole Marshall-Wheeler is a youth development professional who is passionate about camp. Some of her research interests include camp volunteer engagement and satisfaction, and youth-adult partnerships at camp. Nicole enjoys spending time outside with her family.

Liliana Vega, University of California Cooperative Extension

Liliana Vega is a 4-H Youth Development Advisor with the University of California. Liliana obtained her bachelors in Multi-Ethnic Studies and Mexican American Studies and her master's in Adult Learning and Organizational Leadership. Her primary focus is on forming community partnerships to deliver quality youth development programs to minority, low-income, and underserved audiences.

Physical Distancing and Other Best Practices for Real-World In-Person Gatherings

Hands On -4/13/2021

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Physical Distancing and Other Best Practices for Real-World In-Person Gatherings

04/13/2021 1:00 PM
This engaging and activity-based session features content from The Dutchman’s Rope and Connection Without Content, two brand new ACA books!

Jim Cain

Jim Cain, Teamwork and Teamplay

Teambuilding Guru Dr. Jim Cain is the author of 21 books (so far) filled with team and community building activities from around the world.  His real-world in-person staff training events are legendary, and he is getting better at the virtual stuff with each passing day.

Supervising Peers. Managing Friendships. Providing Feedback

Lecture -4/13/2021

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Supervising Peers. Managing Friendships. Providing Feedback

04/13/2021 1:00 PM
The camp environment includes new staff and returners, all of which are supervised by peers, often times coworkers from prior summers. This presentation will discuss how camp leaders can maintain objectivity and professionalism while supervising and evaluating their friends. Strategies will be provided to avoid alienating staff and creating cliques. Join this interactive session and share your thoughts on building trust among staff and creating an inclusive and dedicated team.

Sean's photo

Sean Haggerty, Sunny Days Camp

Sean started as a director at Sunny Days Camp, located at California State University, Northridge in Los Angeles California, in 2018. He is currently a student at the university that helps manage three departments in the student union including Sunny Days Camp, Intramural Sports, and Games Room. Outside of work, Sean enjoys acquiring new skills and knowledge in pursuit of continuous improvement.

Wednesday all events in Pacific Time

-4/14/2021

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Wednesday all events in Pacific Time

04/14/2021 8:59 AM
Wednesday Coffee Conversation

Networking -4/14/2021

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Wednesday Coffee Conversation

04/14/2021 9:00 AM
What a year it has been. Join the conversation to discuss what you learned from 2020 and what you are planning form Summer 2021.

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Andy Kimmelman, Tumbleweed Day Camp and Camp Ursa Major

Andy will facilitate this engaging discussion.  Andy is a long time ACA volunteer, the Chair of the ACA's Southern California/Hawaii Field Office and a former Chair of the Spring Leadership Conference.  Andy owns and directs Tumbleweed Day Camp and Camp Ursa Major with his wife Liz.  

Wednesday Keynote Rachel Rosen

General Session -4/14/2021

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Wednesday Keynote Rachel Rosen

04/14/2021 10:00 AM
Keynote: Inclusion Has US in It: Let’s Talk About Community-building with Cultural Fluency In this interactive keynote presentation, Rachel will share how the S.P.A.R.K. approach supports a more nuanced conversation about DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism). Participants will reflect on what it means to create inclusive community conditions. They will be guided by questions, prompts, and intentional conversational tools. Participants will also have the opportunity to play S.P.A.R.K., a game that invokes empathetic, meaningful conversations. Participants will learn ways to counteract unconscious biases while discovering commonalities at the cultural interface, feeling the genuine community generated by S.P.A.R.K.

Rachel's photo

Rachel Rosen is a seasoned facilitator, speaker, and racial equity practitioner. She partners with educational institutions and leadership teams committed to holding a vision for equity and coherence in their system. In so doing, Rachel supports  teams to align their equity goals with their core values, systems, and strategies with intentionality–in order to have maximal impact with sustained, equitable results. S.P.A.R.K. content emphasizes the importance of critical self-reflection, creating culturally conscious conditions, leading with integrity, and communicating with awareness of blindspots and biases (at every level).

With a Masters from Stanford, as well as extensive training in leadership and organizational development, Rachel has supported organizations, teams, and communities to come together across racial, gender, cultural, and sexual identity differences—engaging in complex conversations—all in service of having maximal impact in their community. She supports her clients to practice equity leadership in action, working to align institutional, structural, and individual DEI goals and priorities with intentionality.

 

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Build Staff Engagement & Retention by Meeting Their Emotional Needs

Lecture -4/14/2021

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Build Staff Engagement & Retention by Meeting Their Emotional Needs

04/14/2021 11:15 AM
As supervisors, we often get focused on staff training, performance reviews and feedback, but miss important opportunities to help develop staff engagement, loyalty and retention. Drawing on findings from a Gallup Research Study, this session will reveal core emotional needs of employees and explore how camp leaders can more intentionally attend to the needs of staff to help them feel more connected and committed, serve more enthusiastically and have a higher chance of returning next summer.

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Sara Kuljis, Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp

Sara Slevcove Kuljis is a second-generation camp director and a certified Gallup Strengths Coach who, along with husband Steve, is owner/executive director of Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp, Emerald Cove Day Camp and ECOS Institute. Sara is cofounder and president of Star Rock Ministries which provides camp experiences to low-income youth and children of military personnel. Sara is a frequent speaker and trainer for ACA SoCal/HI Section, WAIC and parenting groups. 

How to Make your Camp # Trending

Lecture -4/14/2021

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How to Make your Camp # Trending

04/14/2021 11:15 AM
In the age of hashtags, it’s essential that we are up to date on how best to recruit and engage campers. Social Media is one of the most effective tools to grow your organization and share your story. Are you using this tool to its full potential? Come learn how Camp Brave Trails grew their following by 10K in less than two years through the #MakeItLikeCamp campaign, and take away knowledge and tools to enhance the effectiveness of your camp's Social Media presence.

Jake's photo

Jake Young, Brave Trails

Hello my name is Jake (they/he) and I'm the Communications Director for Camp Brave Trails. I received my bachelors degree in Communication from San Diego State University and most of my work is centered around marketing and enhancing our camps social media presence. In my free time, you can find me at the dog park with my Boston Terrier Ronald!

 

Sponsored by 

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Inclusion Starts With “I”: Let’s Talk About Inclusive Leadership

Workshop -4/14/2021

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Inclusion Starts With “I”: Let’s Talk About Inclusive Leadership

04/14/2021 11:15 AM
In this interactive session, participants will reflect on what it means to be an inclusive leader. They will be guided by questions, prompts, and intentional conversational tools. Participants will also have the opportunity to reflect on their "why" for DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism), unpacking how their identity impacts how people experience them. We'll learn the 5 C's of inclusive leadership and walk away with more clarity on how the S.P.A.R.K. approach and framework supports a more nuanced conversation about DEI.

Rachel's photo

Rachel Rosen is a seasoned facilitator, speaker, and racial equity practitioner. She partners with educational institutions and leadership teams committed to holding a vision for equity and coherence in their system. In so doing, Rachel supports  teams to align their equity goals with their core values, systems, and strategies with intentionality–in order to have maximal impact with sustained, equitable results. S.P.A.R.K. content emphasizes the importance of critical self-reflection, creating culturally conscious conditions, leading with integrity, and communicating with awareness of blindspots and biases (at every level).

With a Masters from Stanford, as well as extensive training in leadership and organizational development, Rachel has supported organizations, teams, and communities to come together across racial, gender, cultural, and sexual identity differences—engaging in complex conversations—all in service of having maximal impact in their community. She supports her clients to practice equity leadership in action, working to align institutional, structural, and individual DEI goals and priorities with intentionality.

It Starts With You; How Camp Can Foster Resilience in Campers and Staff

Lecture -4/14/2021

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It Starts With You; How Camp Can Foster Resilience in Campers and Staff

04/14/2021 11:15 AM
It starts with you. Campers, staff, all of us are entering this summer with experiences that have had a profound impact on us. Learn how you can support you, your staff, and your campers by sourcing resilience from camp itself.

 

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Dr. Baila Drucker

Dr. Baila Drucker, LCSW, Project:Camp  

With a decade-long career in psychotherapy, Baila is an expert in the science of trauma and resilience. She is certified in Traumatic Stress Studies by Bessel van der Kolk’s institute and trained in a wide variety of treatment modalities including Emotionally Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy. At Project:Camp, Baila oversees our approach to trauma-informed care and brings a laser-focused intensity and passion to her work that is seamlessly interwoven with laughter and play. 

Alex Rogers

Alex Rogers, Project:Camp 

Alex has worked in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, helping organizations fulfill their vision by building systems that help serve their community in new and innovative ways. He brings a decade of experience in systems development and implementation, event planning, youth engagement and management. Alex is an operations specialist, with an incredible eye for detail and project management. At Project:Camp, Alex is responsible for the health of all of our internal systems and processes, including project management and logistics for our pop-up camps.

Brutal Truths about Camp Staffing

Lecture -4/14/2021

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Brutal Truths about Camp Staffing

04/14/2021 1:00 PM
In this session we will discuss the brutal truths we have learned about camp staffing through our various research projects. We will also offer suggestions on how you can address these topics to create an engaging, safe, and positive experience for your staff.

Dr. Victoria Povilaitis's photo

Dr. Victoria Povilaitis, American Camp Association

Victoria Povilaitis, PhD: Victoria recently completed her PhD at the University of Utah. She works with the American Camp Association as a Research Associate and is a long-time summer camp program director. Through her work she aims to bridge research and practice and hopes to develop tools and strategies for camp professionals to use when working with campers and staff to facilitate positive experiences for everyone who engages with camp.

Dr. Laurie Browne's photo

Dr. Laurie Browne, American Camp Association

Laurie Browne, PhD, is the director of research at ACA.  She specializes in ACA’s Youth Outcomes Battery and supporting camps in their research and evaluation efforts.  Prior to joining ACA, Laurie was an assistant professor in the Department of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management at California State University-Chico.  Laurie received her PhD from the University of Utah, where she studied youth development and research methods.

Conversation Starters—Interactive DEI Training Activities

Workshop -4/14/2021

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Conversation Starters—Interactive DEI Training Activities

04/14/2021 1:00 PM
We all know we have to do it…the often uncomfortable staff training session on diversity. Roberto will share some of the tried and tested DEI training activities he has used over the last 10 years—all designed with one thing in common—to start the conversation. Let’s be honest, we are not going to stop or prevent the world’s isms in one session, in one day, but we can begin to lay the foundation for great conversations.

Roberto's photo

Roberto Gil, Fresh Air Fund

Roberto is The Fresh Air Fund’s Deputy Director of Camping.  Prior, Roberto served as the Director of Programs for Princeton-Blairstown Center, where he was responsible for all aspects of their adventure-based, experiential education program.  Roberto has also worked for Building Educated Leaders for Life, Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, and the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services.  He holds a BA from The University of Texas in Austin and a JD from New York Law School.

Programming Pods: When Free Choice is Not an Option

Lecture -4/14/2021

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Programming Pods: When Free Choice is Not an Option

04/14/2021 1:00 PM
As camps anticipate needing to keep kids in cohorts, many programs are anticipating sending groups of campers to scheduled activities instead of their traditional camper choice programming. It can be overwhelming to think about such a massive change. Where do you even start? Gold Arrow Camp has been scheduling our campers to activities for more than 30 years, so we can give you the tips and tricks to be successful AND keep campers happy when you’re picking what they’re doing. Join Andy and Alison as they share their systems and philosophies that they have perfected over the years.

Alison and Andy with their daughters

Alison and Andy Moeschberger, Gold Arrow Camp

Alison “Bean” Moeschberger and Andy “Soy” Moeschberger are the directors of Gold Arrow Camp in Lakeshore, CA. They are both graduates of Purdue University with education degrees and more than a decade of camp experience each.  Alison has a passion for systems and organization and Andy has a passion for dumb dad jokes and silly costumes. Despite being a Slytherin married to a Gryffindor, they manage to live and work together in peace.

Andy Moeschberger is a Camp Director and the Chief Fun Officer at Gold Arrow Camp, in Lakeshore, California. Prior to working in organized camping full time he was a high school social science teacher for 14 years, specializing in Economics, Government, and Civics. He currently serves as the Government Relations chair for the SoCal/Hawaii LCOL. He is the creator of savenextsummer.com and an avid PEZ collector. During the pandemic he has learned to be a kindergarten zoom teacher and 2nd grade zoom PE teacher for his two daughters. He is a Gryffindor who found himself married to a Slytherin.  

Restorative Justice as a Construct for Our Entire Camp

Workshop -4/14/2021

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Restorative Justice as a Construct for Our Entire Camp

04/14/2021 1:00 PM
This session will focus on how to move forward with diversity, equity, access and inclusion as well as trauma informed practice into our Camp culture and environment. One area to consider is your Camp’s behavior management system and philosophy. We will provide information of how Camp Winnarainbow transitioned to a philosophy of restorative practice over the past 7 years, what restorative justice means in the camp environment and provide an experience of a restorative circle.

Yatiel Owns photo

Yatiel Owens, Camp Winnarainbow
Yatiel Owens, MSW, has been a Clinical Social worker for over 20 years and working in the camp industry for 33. She is the Director of Camp Winnarainbow, a socially minded, justice focused circus and performing arts camp in Northern CA. Yatiel is from Settler ancestry and lives with her family on unceded Ohlone Lands. Yatiel identifies her life’s work as “To Stand in Response Ability.”

Thursday all events in Pacific Time

-4/15/2021

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Thursday all events in Pacific Time

04/15/2021 8:59 AM
Thursday Coffee Conversation

Networking -4/15/2021

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Thursday Coffee Conversation

04/15/2021 9:00 AM
As Bob Ditter says, "testing will make all the difference this year." Join the conversation with experts from Crest Diagnostics to learn about rapid testing for COVID-19 and get your questions answered.

Nick's photo

Nick Coffing, Canyon Creek Summer Camp

Nick will facilitate this engaging Q & A with Scott Lieberman of Crest Diagnostics.  Scott will answer your questions about rapid testing for COVID-19 and how rapid testing can support camps this summer.

Midwest raised and left-coast living, Nick Coffing is the Director at Canyon Creek Summer Camp and is proud to be part of the SLC Committee. When he's not at camp, he's hanging out at home with his girlfriend and two children (dogs) - Rigley & Jules and trying to talk himself out of ordering pizza for the 337th time during quarantine. 

Thursday Keynote Vic Barrett

General Session -4/15/2021

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Thursday Keynote Vic Barrett

04/15/2021 10:00 AM
Keynote - We're the Ones We've Been Waiting For This keynote explores Vic's journey to discovering why his voice matters as a young person. Vic teaches people how to make a difference and does it from an intersectional lens. Identifying as trans, Latino, black and indigenous; Vic has a strong understanding of teaching about climate justice and the ways we can best approach the climate crisis.

Vic's photo

Vic Barrett is from low-lying land in New York, which is threatened by rising sea levels and more frequent storm surges, and has felt firsthand climate impacts in the form of Hurricane Sandy, when his home lost power and his school and local transport shut down. 

Vic is a Fellow with the Alliance for Climate Education, and traveled to Paris to attend and speak at the COP21 UN Conference on Climate Change. After marching in solidarity with more than 400,000 people at the People’s Climate March in New York City, he organized his peers in local frontline climate campaigns, met with the Minister of Environment and Energy for the Maldives, and met with former U.S. astronaut, Kathryn D. Sullivan, who now serves as the Administrator for NOAA. He spoke at the United Nations headquarters in New York City for the High-Level Thematic Debate on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He cares deeply about climate change, justice, and human rights, especially regarding the ways climate change affects young people like him.

 

Sponsored by

Crest Diagnostics

Child Abuse Prevention Amid COVID-19

Lecture -4/15/2021

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Child Abuse Prevention Amid COVID-19

04/15/2021 11:15 AM
Over the past year, COVID-19 has dominated our thoughts, planning, and conversations as we prepare for summer 2021. However, regardless of COVID, camps still have many other risks to manage and prevent – including awareness and prevention of abuse in programs. Child safety will always be our #1 priority at camp. COVID-19 has created an atmosphere in which many more youth are potentially at risk for abuse – both at home or in programs. Our staff need to be prepared to hear potential reports of abuse. Additionally, staff need to know how to prevent abuse from happening at camp. This session will address both reporting as well as techniques and strategies for abuse prevention that can be implemented by all camps this summer.

Katie Johnson's photo

Katie Johnson, The Redwoods Group

Katie Johnson has 20+ years as a youth development professional working with both resident & day camp programs, including 8 years with the American Camp Association. In 2016, Katie joined The Redwoods Group as a consultant where she shares her professional experiences to help camps and youth serving organizations provide safe environments and programs for children, families, and staff.

Creating the Camp Experience in a Day Camp Setting

Lecture -4/15/2021

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Creating the Camp Experience in a Day Camp Setting

04/15/2021 11:15 AM
Do day camps provide the same valuable camp experience found in the resident camp setting? Yes they do! This session will provide attendees with information on how day camps build memorable experiences for campers each day, Monday through Friday. Come learn how Sunny Days Camp builds connections with campers that make them want to return to camp each year through special events and themed programing. Staff will share strategies to provide an enriching day camp environment that encourages campers to engage in activities that build friendships that last longer than the 6:00 p.m. closing time.

Jeremy's photo

Jeremy Hamlet, Sunny Days Camp

Since 2003, Jeremy Hamlett has been the director of Sunny Days Camp on the campus of California State University, Northridge.  Jeremy has presented at numerous ACA, Southern California/Hawaii conferences and seminars, and he is a prior volunteer member of the Education Work Group.

Using the Five Love Languages to Connect with Campers and Staff

Workshop -4/15/2021

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Using the Five Love Languages to Connect with Campers and Staff

04/15/2021 11:15 AM
THIS SESSION IS BEING PROVIDED WITH SPECIAL PERMISSION BY THE AUTHORS AND WILL NOT BE RECORDED. Do you connect easily with some people but struggle to connect with others despite your efforts? Are you nervous about how COVID will impact your ability to bond with your campers and staff? In his book The 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman identifies the primary ways people feel valued. Using a Love Languages lens has helped our team relate more intentionally and effectively to people we work with and serve. We will discuss strategies to help you learn about yourself and notice clues signaling others’ preferences.

Kelly's photo

Kelly Jones, Outpost Summer Camps

Dr. Kelly Jones is a licensed clinical psychologist and Owner/Executive Director of Outpost Summer Camps. Her favorite part of therapy and camp is groups and the fun and growth spurred by being part of an inclusive and dynamic group. She has five kids and loves overanalyzing what makes people connect more easily and work together effectively.

Sam's photo

Sam Townley, Outpost Summer Camps

Sam Townley is the Middle School and Office Director at Outpost Summer Camps. She has directed Outpost After School Camp for 6 years and been at Outpost since 2013. She has a B.S. in Equine Science from Colorado State University. Sam also teaches Kindergarten Hebrew School on the weekends and enjoys talking to strangers about their love languages.

What We Know: Updates to Healthy Camping in COVID Times

Lecture -4/15/2021

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What We Know: Updates to Healthy Camping in COVID Times

04/15/2021 11:15 AM
As we navigate the COVID pandemic, we continue to learn about healthy operations at camp. This session will provide an update of current information to guide decision-making regarding staff and camper health services. We will outline NPIs, testing, vaccines, and transportation, and other guidance documents.

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Tracey Gaslin PhD, CPNP, FNP-BC, CRNI, RN-BC  Association of Camp Nursing

Tracey Gaslin professor and dual-certified nurse practitioner. She has a PhD in Educational and Organizational Leadership and taught for 10 years. Tracey periodically works as a camp consultant and publishes in the areas of camp nursing and leadership. She served as medical director at a special needs camp for six years. She currently serves as executive director for the Association of Camp Nursing where she travels throughout the US and Canada educating about camp health services.

Counseling Counselors: Supporting Your Staff’s Mental Well-Being

Lecture -4/15/2021

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Counseling Counselors: Supporting Your Staff’s Mental Well-Being

04/15/2021 1:00 PM
Join us for a discussion on supporting the emotional and mental wellbeing of your staff. We’ll discuss the impact of the pandemic on young adults and teens. You’ll walk away learning a few ways to support your counselors throughout the summer, no matter what 2021 brings.

Mollie's photo

Mollie Carl, LCSW, Dear Scout

Mollie Carl resides in Richmond, Virginia.  She has a background in camp, camper for 8 years and counselor for 7 years.  She has over 13 years of experience working with youth, teens, and young adults as a licensed clinical social worker. She is currently a manager of the EAP department for Optum United Behavioral Health.  She spends her summers providing support to camp counselors through the small business venture she has with her brother and sister in law - Dear Scout.  Mollie is an avid mental health advocate, working to tear down the stigma in our society.

Exciting and Impactful Activities to Maximize Staff Training

Hands On -4/15/2021

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Exciting and Impactful Activities to Maximize Staff Training

04/15/2021 1:00 PM
“To hear is to forget, to see is to remember, to do is to learn.” During this highly interactive, live online workshop, we will demonstrate a variety of activities that can be used throughout orientation for summer camp staff to maximize learning and retention and create an exceptional orientation experience. Whether your staff training takes place online or at camp, it should effectively prepare your staff at every level to deliver an amazing camp experience. Each activity will include time for debrief and reflection to help you create the teachable moments that you need with your staff as you prepare them to work effectively with your campers. Workshop Takeaways Include: • Understanding why it is important to include experiential activities as part of staff training. • Recognizing key times to use experiential activities as part of staff training. • Leaving with a variety of activities that can be incorporated into staff training to increase effectiveness.

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Roz and Jed Buck, Roz and Jed Training and Consulting

Roz and Jed Buck have done what many married couples consider to be “the impossible” . . . They have worked together, side by side, for almost 20 years.  From 2004 – 2016, they Owned and Directed Meadowbrook Country Day Camp, a large private day camp in New Jersey.  They sold their camp in 2016 and successfully launched Roz and Jed Training & Consulting.  Now, they travel the country sharing what they have learned and experienced first-hand.  Roz and Jed successfully provide Two Voices, Customized Content, and Real Experience.  They are proven youth development experts and dynamic speakers who have shared their messages and experiences at conferences in 20 different states and have trained thousands of staff from coast to coast.

Exploring Gender Equity in Camping

Lecture -4/15/2021

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Exploring Gender Equity in Camping

04/15/2021 1:00 PM
Would it surprise you to learn the gender pay gap begins with kids’ allowance? Gender bias begins as early as preschool and the impact negatively affects everyone - women, men and transgender and gender-expansive individuals. In an industry often gendered at its core, let’s look at how we might be reinforcing these barriers and at what changes we can make to model and teach gender equity and inclusivity.

Bria's photo

Bria Cartwright, Ready 2 Imagine Consulting

With 25+ years of leadership experience in camping, Bria Cartwright has lead 4 YMCA overnight camps to significant growth in program quality, revenue and enrollment. She is an expert in shifting culture and programming to be more engaging, inclusive and intentional, while honoring camp traditions. Bria is a faculty level trainer for the YMCA of the USA Day & Resident Camp courses, is the Chief Imagination Officer of Ready 2 Imagine Consulting and is the Executive Director of YMCA Camp Colman in Washington.

Wyatt Mann

Wyatt Mann, Bright Horizons

Wyatt Mann has been a leader at YMCA overnight camps since his start in 2009. In that time, he expanded the quality and breadth of service provided by training high quality staff, creating new program offerings, and making camp more accessible and inclusive to a wider population. He currently works as an administrator for a preschool in San Francisco.

LGBTQ Camper and Staff: Questions, Answers and Solutions

Panel Discussion -4/15/2021

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LGBTQ Camper and Staff: Questions, Answers and Solutions

04/15/2021 1:00 PM
Bring your questions, answers and scenarios to this interactive, judgement free, Q & A session about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) campers and staff. Together we will brainstorm solutions to your specific needs.

Jessica and Kayla

Jessica and Kayla Weissbuch, Brave Trails

Jessica and Kayla are the founders and directors of Camp Brave Trails, leadership summer camp for LGBTQ youth.  Collectively they have 15 year of experience building queer youth leaders in the non-profit sector.  Their mission is to help make summer camps more welcoming spaces for LGBTQ youth and staff.

Vic's photo

Vic Barrett, Alliance for Climate Education

Vic is a Fellow with the Alliance for Climate Education, and traveled to Paris to attend and speak at the COP21 UN Conference on Climate Change. After marching in solidarity with more than 400,000 people at the People’s Climate March in New York City, he organized his peers in local frontline climate campaigns, met with the Minister of Environment and Energy for the Maldives, and met with former U.S. astronaut, Kathryn D. Sullivan, who now serves as the Administrator for NOAA. He spoke at the United Nations headquarters in New York City for the High-Level Thematic Debate on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He cares deeply about climate change, justice, and human rights, especially regarding the ways climate change affects young people like him.

Friday all events in Pacific Time

-4/16/2021

You Selected This Session

Friday all events in Pacific Time

04/16/2021 8:59 AM
Friday Coffee Conversation

Networking -4/16/2021

You Selected This Session

Friday Coffee Conversation

04/16/2021 9:00 AM
Join the conversation as we discuss Brené Brown's work and how it informs leadership techniques used by camp professionals. Brené Brown is a researcher, professor, author, and podcaster with a specialty in courage and empathetic leadership. In taking pieces of her work in books and podcasts, we will examine ways that we can connect, empower and motivate our staff to be brave leaders themselves. We will talk about difficult conversations, conflict resolution, toxic positivity, courage over comfort, and so much more!

Diana's photo

Diana Huff, Astro Camp

Diana Huff will facilitate this engaging discussion.

Diana discovered her calling for youth development and specifically the power of summer camp in 2010 when she attended the ACA Spring Leadership Conference. She served as the day camp Summer & After School Program Director for 7 years at a local private school organization in Orange County before pursuing her long-time dream as an overnight camp director at AstroCamp. AstroCamp is an overnight outdoor science adventure program located in Idyllwild, CA.  Diana is very active in volunteer work for the ACA as a Standards Instructor, Accreditation Visitor, and co-chair for the Spring Leadership Conference.  Important facts: Diana is a Hufflepuff, Brené Brown Fan, and Food & Travel Enthusiast.