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Coffee & Pastries / Networking Opportunities

Networking -10/10/2024

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Coffee & Pastries / Networking Opportunities

10/10/2024 9:00 AM
Keynote: Be Unreasonable About Your Staff Culture Next Summer

General Session -10/10/2024

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KEYNOTE: Be Unreasonable About Your Staff Culture Next Summer

10/10/2024 9:30 AM
Do you want to be unreasonable about the staff culture you create at your camp? Do you want to create a culture at your camp that makes it hard to say no to coming back each summer because staff feel so connected and valued? Creating the staff culture you want at camp starts with you, from the top down.  Or as a servant leader, from the bottom up.  Learn strategies for being unreasonable about the culture you create; one that practices servant leadership fosters respect, community, agency, growth opportunities and leadership among your staff. Coach your staff that they’ve “got this” because you’ve “got them.”

Kelly Schuna, Executive Director and CO-owner of Hidden Pines Ranch Day Camp  

Break

Meal / Break -10/10/2024

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Break

10/10/2024 10:45 AM
Educational Breakout Session 1

-10/10/2024

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Educational Breakout Session 1

10/10/2024 10:55 AM
Leadership Games and Activities That are the Best Kept Secret to Staff Training

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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Leadership Games and Activities That are the Best Kept Secret to Staff Training

10/10/2024 10:55 AM
Empower your camp staff to lead effectively through engaging in team-building games and activities. This session will equip camp professionals with the skills to confidently direct programs, fostering staff collaboration and leadership. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their ability to manage large groups—learn how to lead activities for over 50 campers at once while building a stronger, more cohesive team!

Jared Knight, Aspen Grove Family Camp 

Navigating Camp Challenges Together

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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Navigating Camp Challenges Together

10/10/2024 10:55 AM
Join us for a collaborative session designed for camp and youth professionals to tackle common challenges in youth programming. Through interactive discussions, participants will explore critical issues such as parent communication, camper behavior, and staff interpersonal skills. We will identify challenges like inconsistent communication and difficult behaviors while uncovering actionable solutions, such as developing proactive communication systems, creating behavior management plans, and enhancing staff training. This session aims to foster idea exchange, helping you implement strategies that improve your programs and enhance participant engagement.

Shelli Campbell, The Natural History Museum of Utah 

Real Magic Secrets That Will Make You S.M.I.L.E.

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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Real Magic Secrets That Will Make You S.M.I.L.E.

10/10/2024 10:55 AM
Join us for an engaging session that not only teaches valuable social skills but also empowers you to create a more welcoming environment for everyone—don’t miss the chance to learn a magic trick that will leave a lasting impact! Our main objectives are to 1) Have Fun, 2) Think of Others, and 3) Give Our Best. We use magic and its principles to foster empathy, helping kids (and adults) consider the feelings of others. Participants will learn the acronym S.M.I.L.E. — Stand up straight, Make eye contact, Initiate conversations, Listen carefully, and Exceed expectations — which reflects the techniques magicians use to engage their audiences. Everyone will also master a simple magic trick that embodies these concepts, using everyday items they can find at home.

Brian South, Magic Explorers 

Lunch & Awards

Meal / Break -10/10/2024

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Lunch

10/10/2024 12:10 PM
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Educational Breakout Session 2

-10/10/2024

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Educational Breakout Session 2

10/10/2024 1:15 PM
A Preliminary Look at Character at Camp

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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A Preliminary Look at Character at Camp: Conceptualizations and Perceived Barriers from Camp Survey

10/10/2024 1:16 PM
This session explores the concept of "character" and its role in youth development, informed by a 2024 American Camp Association (ACA) survey of 2,100 camp representatives. The survey examined how camps view character, its importance in youth development, how it's implemented in programming, and barriers to expanding character development. Findings will be shared, comparing camps' perspectives to the CharacterLab.org framework (Heart, Mind, Will). The session will conclude with a Socratic discussion on character and its integration into summer camp programs.

Kevin Geoghegan, University of Utah 

Contagious Energy

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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Contagious Energy

10/10/2024 1:16 PM
Through interactive discussions, participants will reflect on their experiences with contagious energy and how it shapes their day. A hands-on activity will guide participants to identify personal obstacles and set growth goals, visually represented on a wooden board. The session will culminate in a powerful exercise where participants break through the boards, symbolizing the act of overcoming barriers. A debrief will follow, encouraging reflection on the experience and its connection to mental and emotional growth. This session aims to equip camp staff with tools for personal development and a positive camp atmosphere, training I’ve implemented with my own seasonal staff and can offer as a resource for others.

Katharine Namchek, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada and Issues Concerning Adolescents of Nevada (ICAN)  

Utilizing Brene Brown to Coach Your Staff Through Difficult Conversations Camp

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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Utilizing Brene Brown to Coach Your Staff Through Difficult Conversations Camp

10/10/2024 1:16 PM
Conflict and difficult conversations are inevitable at camp, which is why camp is the perfect place to coach our staff through these opportunities for growth.  Provide your staff with the tools, strategies and phrases to have these difficult conversations that will set them up for success in and out of camp.  This session will utilize Brene` Brown's theories on courage, bravery, empathy and vulnerability to provide tools and strategies for training your staff.

Kelly Schuna, Executive Director and CO-owner of Hidden Pines Ranch Day Camp  

Break

Meal / Break -10/10/2024

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Break

10/10/2024 2:30 PM
Educational Breakout Session 3

-10/10/2024

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Educational Breakout Session 3

10/10/2024 2:40 PM
Classroom Management at Camp?!

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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Classroom Management at Camp?!

10/10/2024 2:41 PM
In this session, participants will learn behavior management strategies adapted from classroom techniques, used successfully at Camp Timberlake. Drawing from public and charter school practices, this "Camp Behavior Management 101" session offers routines and strategies that help manage camper behavior while ensuring they still love camp. Ideal for summer staff, trainers, and those managing camper behavioral health, this session provides practical tools for creating a positive camp environment.

Jarod (W) Wunneburger, Farm and Wilderness Education 

Crafting Impactful Curricula 101

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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Crafting Impactful Curricula 101

10/10/2024 2:41 PM
Ready to elevate your curriculum writing skills? This engaging workshop empowers educators and curriculum developers to create consistent, mission-driven materials that resonate with students of all ages. Whether you're experienced or new to curriculum development, you'll gain tools and confidence to craft impactful educational content. Don't miss the chance to refine your skills and make a lasting difference in your educational practice!

AJ Woolsey, Natural History Museum of Utah  

Excel with Spreadsheets

Concurrent Session -10/10/2024

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Excel with Spreadsheets

10/10/2024 2:41 PM
Need a spreadsheet refresher or help with your existing files? This hands-on session is perfect for both Excel and Google Sheets users. We'll cover spreadsheet structure, Pivot Tables, print management, linking data, Text-to-Columns, and conditional formatting. Bring your laptop, spreadsheets, and questions, and get ready to boost your efficiency and spreadsheet skills—no formulas included!

Marcie Glad, Help My Spreadsheets 

Closing Remarks

General Session -10/10/2024

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Closing Remarks

10/10/2024 3:55 PM
Explore the Natural History Museum of Utah

Networking -10/10/2024

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Time to Explore the Natural History Museum of Utah

10/10/2024 4:00 PM
Dinner

Meal / Break -10/10/2024

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Dinner

10/10/2024 5:00 PM
Join us after the workshop at Desert Edge Brewery! We will continue the conversation, network, and gather as a camp community. This event is optional and paid for by the individual.