Winnekota Leadership Summit

All Available Sessions

Winnekota Preconferences

-3/18/2025

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Winnekota Leadership Summit - Preconferences Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

03/18/2025 12:15 PM

Location: University of Wisconsin - River Falls | University Center

CampWell Training

-3/18/2025

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CampWell Training - Tuesday & Wednesday

03/18/2025 12:30 PM
CampWell is a skills-based training course that guides participants to identify, understand, cultivate, and create a community of well-being. CampWell is a collaboration between the American Camp Association (ACA) and the Alliance for Camp Health (ACH) and is supported by the H.E. Butt Foundation. The CampWell Training program aims to help all be well at camp and seeks to create consistent care across the spectrum of all summer learning spaces. As an immersive learning program CampWell is uniquely designed to help leaders shape programs that incorporate the tools, self-awareness, and understanding needed to enhance the experience and safety for all.

Separate registration required for the CampWell training

 

CampWell Check-In - TUESDAY

-3/18/2025

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CampWell Check-In - TUESDAY

03/18/2025 12:31 PM

Location: University of Wisconsin - River Falls | University Center on the University Bridge

 

CampWell Training - TUESDAY

-3/18/2025

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CampWell Training - TUESDAY

03/18/2025 1:00 PM

Location: St. Croix

CampWell Training - WEDNESDAY

-3/19/2025

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CampWell Training - WEDNESDAY

03/19/2025 8:30 AM

Location: St. Croix

Breakfast and lunch will be provided for CampWell attendees. 

Character Academy Workshops

-3/19/2025

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Character Academy Workshops - Wednesday & Thursday

03/19/2025 1:30 PM

Location: University of Wisconsin - River Falls | University Center

Character Academy Workshop Check-In - WEDNESDAY

-3/19/2025

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Character Academy Workshop Check-In - WEDNESDAY

03/19/2025 1:31 PM

Check-In Workshop #1:  1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | University Bridge

Character Academy Wednesday Workshop- Character Development at Camp: What it is and How to Get There

-3/19/2025

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Character Academy Workshop #1 - Character Development at Camp: What it is and How to Get There

03/19/2025 2:00 PM
What is character? Why does it matter? How does character development fit within a camp setting? In this session, we'll explore how your camp's culture and climate can support character development. We will define character and its link to positive youth development, discuss foundational camp practices that encourage character growth among both campers and staff, and consider how your camp's approach to character development meets the needs of both groups. Come prepared to share your ideas with fellow camp professionals and leave with actionable inspiration to build character strengths at your camp this summer. After participating in this session, you'll be able to: 1. Define what character is and why it’s important. 2. Understand the connection between youth development and character development. 3. Identify ways to ensure your camp’s character development approach is culturally responsive and sustaining. 4. Share ideas and resources with your camp peers building a culture of character.

Location: Kinnickinnic Theater

Steph Love, MS Experiential Education, has spent her career at camp, working in almost every role imaginable from CIT to camp director. In 2004, Steph co-founded her own camp, Positive Energy Outdoors, providing access to unique outdoor programming, including dog sledding and driving draft horses, kayaking, rock climbing, and her community’s first nature play-based after-school childcare program. Through camps and program partnerships, she has created safe and supportive outdoor experiences for thousands of children and adults of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Steph uses her camp expertise to design and facilitate workshops on social emotional learning, equity, character, and quality. She has coached camps and out of school time programs in 35 states and around the world through her work with the Forum for Youth Investment’s Weikart Center, and her current work with ACA and the SeriousFun Children’s Network. Steph lives in Duluth, MN with her teenage son, sled dogs, and rescue black lab. She is a volunteer adaptive alpine skiing and kayak instructor, and is slowly transforming her lawn into a pollinator garden.

Character Academy Workshop Check-in - THURSDAY

-3/20/2025

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Character Academy Workshop Check-in - THURSDAY

03/20/2025 8:00 AM

Check-In Workshop #1:  8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | University Bridge

Character Academy Thursday Workshop - Funding Character Development at Camp

-3/20/2025

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Character Academy Workshop #2 - Funding Character Development at Camp

03/20/2025 8:30 AM
The purpose of this workshop is to equip participants with the skills to successfully apply for grants to support their camp mission. With a specific focus on the Character at Camp grant program, participants will learn the steps and skills necessary for applying for basic grants, including how to find grants, how to tell if they’re aligned with your needs, components of a basic grant application, and what happens next if you do or do not receive a grant.

Location: Ballroom

Sterling Nell Leija is the Innovative Camp Company CEO, advancing camps through innovative solutions by solving problems with a focus on mission, impact, quality, and safety.  Professionally engaged in the nonprofit space for 20 years, Sterling is passionate about the impact of quality programs, equitable access, staff wellness, and education in out-of-school time.  Her expertise in nonprofit operations expands into capacity building, operational and capital budget management, fundraising, and business development.  As a consultant, educator, speaker, and writer, Sterling has extensive experience as a presenter sharing best practices, research, and tools with industry leaders. 

Winnekota Leadership Summit-Thursday

-3/20/2025

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Winnekota Leadership Summit - Thursday

03/20/2025 1:30 PM

Location: University of Wisconsin - River Falls | University Center

Check-In: 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | University Bridge

Winnekota Leadership Summit Welcome!

General Session -3/20/2025

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Winnekota Welcome

03/20/2025 2:00 PM

Location: Ballroom

Opening Keynote

General Session -3/20/2025

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Opening Keynote

03/20/2025 2:15 PM
The Most Important Story You Tell - The bad news is that hard emotions impede your character growth. The good news is, you already have the secret knowledge that will help you push through them. In this keynote, we’ll look at the difficult emotions that stall your character development. These are emotions like grief, shame, and burnout. Then, drawing on a new science of character, I’ll help you revisit your own life story to find the moments in your personal history that can help you process the emotions that hold you back so you can focus on the positive traits you want to build.

Location: Ballroom

Sarah Lagrotteria (MA, Stanford) runs the Just Bloom training program, based on Dr. Angus Fletcher’s pioneering theory of creativity, which has been called “mind-blowing” by Malcolm Gladwell, “life changing” by Brene Brown, and was awarded the 2023 Commendation Medal for groundbreaking research with US Army Special Operations.

In 2019, Sarah was honored as one of 50 women nationwide as a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow for women in business. Just Bloom’s training methods have been featured in Harvard Business Review, including in the 2024 Best of HBR: How to Lead Now. Sarah offers her narrative-based workshops privately through Just Bloom and in partnership with the Columbus Museum of Art.

Educational Breakout Sessions 1

-3/20/2025

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Educational Breakout Session #1

03/20/2025 3:20 PM
Alumni Engagement - Harnessing the Power of Your Alumni to Support Your Camp

Concurrent Session -3/20/2025

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Alumni Engagement - Harnessing the Power of Your Alumni to Support Your Camp

03/20/2025 3:21 PM
Alumni are a valuable resource that can provide your camp with resources, support and access. Are you utilizing this network of supporters to their full potential? This session will present the template for an alumni engagement plan that camps large or small can put into action.

Location: Willow River

Natalie King has has a long career in camping, starting out at a seasonal day camp staff, serving as executive director of a nonprofit camp for 13 years and now as the director of alumni philanthropy for the YMCA.
 

Beyond the Handshake: Intentional Icebreakers

Concurrent Session -3/20/2025

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Beyond the Handshake: Intentional Icebreakers

03/20/2025 3:21 PM
The primary goal of this presentation is to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere at camp. My presentation aims to achieve this through intentional ice breakers and activities that focus on learning names, breaking down initial barriers, and building a foundation for strong relationships throughout the camp sessions. Participants will also be given access to a shared drive with resources to take back to their camp!

Location: Trimbelle River

Chad Nelson, Ph.D. is an Instructional Associate Professor in the Texas A&M University Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communications. Dr. Nelson teaches graduate and undergraduate courses that include areas of experience design, youth programming, youth camp management, and leadership. He currently serves as the Camp Director for Camp Millican during his summer months away from the university. This program focuses on inspiring youth to learn, play, and grow in the spirit of healthy adventure and fun in nature.

Building Curiosity

Concurrent Session -3/20/2025

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Building Curiosity

03/20/2025 3:21 PM
In this breakout session, we’ll work on building curiosity, one of the fundamental character traits that help you create a more resilient life. Our time together will be interactive: using both art and conversation to help you sharpen your antennae for finding the exceptional in the world and the people around you. Then, we’ll practice what our research shows to be the key step in sustaining curiosity: intentionally doubling down on the uniqueness you find.

Location: Ballroom

Sarah Lagrotteria (MA, Stanford) runs the Just Bloom training program, based on Dr. Angus Fletcher’s pioneering theory of creativity, which has been called “mind-blowing” by Malcolm Gladwell, “life changing” by Brene Brown, and was awarded the 2023 Commendation Medal for groundbreaking research with US Army Special Operations.

In 2019, Sarah was honored as one of 50 women nationwide as a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow for women in business. Just Bloom’s training methods have been featured in Harvard Business Review, including in the 2024 Best of HBR: How to Lead Now. Sarah offers her narrative-based workshops privately through Just Bloom and in partnership with the Columbus Museum of Art.
 

Developing Your Leadership Style

Concurrent Session -3/20/2025

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Developing Your Leadership Style

03/20/2025 3:21 PM
Wondering how to take the skills you already possess to the next level? This skill packed session will give you opportunities to practice and develop skills in conflict resolution, decision making, and problem solving. Practice leading your team with strength, confidence and compassion. Develop the skills to coach your team to success.

Location: St. Croix

Kelly Rossebo is the Founder/Director of Camp Eagle Ridge in Northern Wisconsin.  Kelly has presented at National, Regional, and Local levels.  Kelly has appeared on Oprah, Steve Harvey, The Today Show and numerous local media outlets.

Educational Breakout Sessions 2

-3/20/2025

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Educational Breakout Sessions #2

03/20/2025 4:30 PM
Embracing Discomfort: Building Resilient Camp Staff Who Ask for Help

Concurrent Session -3/20/2025

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Embracing Discomfort: Building Resilient Camp Staff Who Ask for Help

03/20/2025 4:30 PM
Did your summer staff avoid asking for help, ghost you, or quit early? Did you perceive staff as abrasive, uncooperative, or lazy? These aren’t signs of a “bad staff,” but a need for more diverse conflict resolution skills. Learn about the 5 conflict-resolution styles, and explore the link between conflict avoidance and help-seeking. Gain tips to help summer staff embrace discomfort, seek support, and open up dialog. Engage in conversation to explore the ‘why’ and what you can do to help.

Location: Willow River

Sterling Nell Leija is the Innovative Camp Company CEO, advancing camps through innovative solutions by solving problems with a focus on mission, impact, quality, and safety.  Professionally engaged in the nonprofit space for 20 years, Sterling is passionate about the impact of quality programs, equitable access, staff wellness, and education in out-of-school time.  Her expertise in nonprofit operations expands into capacity building, operational and capital budget management, fundraising, and business development.  As a consultant, educator, speaker, and writer, Sterling has extensive experience as a presenter sharing best practices, research, and tools with industry leaders. 

The Art and Science of Comprehensive Inclusion: Strategies for Neurodivergent Success at Camp

Concurrent Session -3/20/2025

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The Art and Science of Comprehensive Inclusion: Strategies for Neurodivergent Success at Camp

03/20/2025 4:30 PM
In our presentation by Ellie Wilson of the Autism Society of Minnesota, we will review and model practical principles and tools for inclusion to consider at each step of the camp planning process. Strategies for inclusive communication, camper application and registration, staff development, on site camper support, and behavior response policies and strategies will be offered to participants as they strategize and reflect on ways to refine or introduce new strategies for improved integration of neurodivergent campers.

Location: Trimbelle River

Ellie Wilson has been working to support children, teens and adults with disabilities for two decades. After pursuing Masters study in public health administration and policy, Ellie completed two fellowships-one with Minnesota LEND (Leadership and Education in Neuro-Developmental Disabilities) and one with the National Institute of Educational Leadership. Ellie has worked to promote autism inclusion, support and celebration in settings relevant to recreation, K-12, transition and post-secondary education, clinical and therapeutic support, and community living. Her specialty is fostering energized, healthy community partnerships to promote the evolution of our inclusive societal landscape for individuals on the spectrum or with other disabilities.

Beyond the Camp Digital Detox: How to Support Digital Wellbeing for Campers and Camp Counselors

Concurrent Session -3/20/2025

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Beyond the Camp Digital Detox: How to Support Digital Wellbeing for Campers and Camp Counselors

03/20/2025 4:31 PM
In a 24/7 connected world, camp can also be a place for young people to have a break from technology. Through listening to young people, we’ve learned they do not feel that adults create brave spaces for them to discuss the impact technology and digital media have on their lives. Camps offer a unique opportunity for these brave conversations that can support youth MESH and digital wellbeing. Join us to learn more about digital wellbeing and what we learned from our camp counselor training pilot program.

Location: St. Croix

Katherine Myers (KK) is the founder and Executive Director of LiveMore ScreenLess, a pioneering Minnesota organization established in 2019 to address the impact of digital media on young people and educators. With a Master's in Education and over 25 years as a high school educator, KK brings a wealth of experience and a passion for investing in the lives of young people and fostering creative, experiential learning environments.

Rob Lubeznik-Warner is an applied researcher, evaluator, and experiential educator with 15+ years of professional experience in the human service, higher education, and youth development fields. He conducts research and evaluation studies that inform the development of evidence-based practices and decision-making for local, national, and international organizations. He earned a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Utah, M.S. in Recreation Studies from Ohio University, and a B.S. in Outdoor Education from Northland College. Rob is the Director of Research and Education for LiveMore ScreenLess, a co-founder and principal consultant for Delta Consulting Group, and serves as a postdoctoral fellow in quantitative methods for the Behavioral Health Innovation and Dissemination Center/Department of Psychology.
 

Designing Your Staff Training Around Your 2024 Successes & Failures

Concurrent Session -3/20/2025

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Designing Your Staff Training Around Your 2024 Successes & Failures

03/20/2025 4:31 PM
Each year as camp professionals we are tasked with creating a staff training that is fun and engaging while also providing staff with the important skills and knowledge to do their jobs - while also ensuring campers are not only safe but having fun. There are always “must do’s” and “training favorites” but have you taken the time to reflect on what your staff did really well last year and what didn’t go well? Have you taken that information to inform decisions about how and what you train on this summer? We’ll reflect on what they did well (keep doing a great job training on those competencies) and workshop how to intentionally train on what they could’ve done better. We’ll end with some rapid fire training activities and tools you can implement this summer.

Location: Ballroom

Kelly Schuna is the Executive Director and Co-owner of Hidden Pines Ranch Day Camp, located in Stillwater, MN. Kelly has a BA in Communication Disorders and MEd in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is passionate about creating intentional culture at camp, developing staff as future professionals (and amazing humans), learning, growing as a camp professional, meeting new camp people, driveway dance parties, and a good stick-on mustache. 
 

Winnekota Leadership Summit-Friday

-3/21/2025

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Winnekota Leadership Summit - Friday

03/21/2025 8:30 AM

Location: University of Wisconsin - River Falls | University Center

Check-In: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | University Bridge

Winnekota Leadership Summit Welcome Back Activity!

General Session -3/21/2025

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Winnekota Leadership Summit Welcome Back Activity

03/21/2025 9:00 AM
Welcome back to Day 2 of the Winnekota Leadership Summit!

Location: Ballroom

Educational Breakout Sessions 3

-3/21/2025

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Educational Breakout Sessions #3

03/21/2025 10:15 AM
See It, Hear It, Write It, and Dance It - Tips for Staff Training Retention and Engagement

Concurrent Session -3/21/2025

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See It, Hear It, Write It, and Dance It - Tips for Staff Training Retention and Engagement

03/21/2025 10:15 AM
This will be an interactive and proactive session with real-time takeaways. We will take a look at how to apply different learning styles to staff training. We will have a guided time of creating interactive educational times for your staff training so that your outcomes and policies will stick in your staff's brain resulting a more fun training experience and ultimately a smoother and safer camp experience for your campers.

Location: St. Croix

Matt Gerlach currently works at Huntington University as the Director of Academic Camping. He has worked at or overseen camps 24 of the last 25 years dating back to high school. He has a passion for soccer, photography, birds, his family and learning how we can better love each other (and ourselves).

The Kids Are Ready: Play as a Tool for Social Justice at Camp

Concurrent Session -3/21/2025

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The Kids Are Ready: Play as a Tool for Social Justice at Camp

03/21/2025 10:15 AM
How do we harness the power of play to ignite meaningful conversations about social identity and justice with our campers, paving the way for transformative change? The Kids Are Ready is a program designed to empower students to recognize and challenge social inequalities, cultivate a sense of empathy and solidarity with others, and equip them with the tools and confidence to advocate for change in their communities. In this workshop we will delve into the foundational principles and applications of The Kids Are Ready program, understand the theoretical underpinnings of play in social justice education, and receive support to implement hands-on activities to create cultures of empathy, equity and social responsibility within our camps. Our work will draw inspiration from Why Play Works, Rethinking Schools, and Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire.

Location: Ballroom

Simone Gamble (they/them) is the founder of OAAARS, a BIPOC-led consultancy dedicated to delivering social justice-focused training aimed at fostering safer and more equitable workplaces while cultivating change agents within and beyond professional spaces. A passionate community organizer and youth educator with roots in the South Bronx, Simone has collaborated with numerous youth programs to create safer spaces for marginalized identities, applying an intersectional and anti-oppressive approach. With over 20 years of camp experience, Simone’s journey spans from camper to staff roles, including counselor and assistant camp director.

Are Your Retreats Eating Your Summer Campers

Concurrent Session -3/21/2025

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Are Your Retreats Eating Your Summer Campers

03/21/2025 10:16 AM
We will look at the effect your retreat program is having on your summer camp enrollment. Does it pay to do retreats? Are they really helping us or are they causing more stress than good? We will discuss what works and what doesn't and whether or not that retreat program is hurting your summer camper enrollment.

Location: Trimbelle River

Dave Sherry is a senior consultant with The Sherry Group, LLC.  He works with camps and other nonprofits around the country to help support them in operations, strategic planning, fundraising, executive coaching and master site planning.  Dave has operated camps for over 25 years before becoming a consultant.  He is married to Kate, and they have three adult children and one grandson.

Character at YOUR Camp

Concurrent Session -3/21/2025

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Character at YOUR Camp

03/21/2025 10:16 AM
What does character look like at your camp? Let's delve into how you define character at your camp and explore ways to intentionally integrate it into your daily program. Simple resources will be shared and a discussion will be facilitated to help you develop your program plan for the upcoming summer. Bring a team member to brainstorm and leave with a concrete plan!

Location: Willow River

Karen Christopherson serves as the Director of Operations at Camp Manito-wish YMCA in Northern Wisconsin. She is joined by her husband, Brandt, and their two daughters, Anna and Everlee. Karen brings 18 years of camp experience, much of which has been dedicated to intentional character development in day and overnight programs.
 

Educational Breakout Sessions 4

-3/21/2025

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Educational Breakout Sessions #4

03/21/2025 11:30 AM
Essential Elements for Youth Program Development

Concurrent Session -3/21/2025

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Essential Elements for Youth Program Development

03/21/2025 11:30 AM
In this interactive session, participants will explore the eight essential elements of quality youth programming that foster Positive Youth Development (PYD). These elements serve as a foundation for creating programs that help young people thrive, regardless of the setting—whether it’s a youth sports league, life skills workshop, summer camp, or after-school program. Through engaging discussions and practical examples, participants will learn how to incorporate these elements to meet the developmental needs of youth, with the ultimate goal of shaping successful, contributing adults. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with actionable strategies and a renewed commitment to enhancing the quality and impact of their programs.

Location: St. Croix

Chad Nelson, Ph.D. is an Instructional Associate Professor in the Texas A&M University Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communications. Dr. Nelson teaches graduate and undergraduate courses that include areas of experience design, youth programming, youth camp management, and leadership. He currently serves as the Camp Director for Camp Millican during his summer months away from the university. This program focuses on inspiring youth to learn, play, and grow in the spirit of healthy adventure and fun in nature.
 

I Want More Feedback!

Concurrent Session -3/21/2025

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I Want More Feedback!

03/21/2025 11:30 AM
In a time when our staff are used to receiving constant feedback from social media, how do we provide staff with enough feedback at camp while coaching them on advocating for what they need and setting them up for success in their future careers. Learn how we provide and ask for feedback with our staff and meeting the expectations of a social media generation.

Location: Ballroom

Kelly Schuna is the Executive Director and Co-owner of Hidden Pines Ranch Day Camp, located in Stillwater, MN. Kelly has a BA in Communication Disorders and MEd in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is passionate about creating intentional culture at camp, developing staff as future professionals (and amazing humans), learning, growing as a camp professional, meeting new camp people, driveway dance parties, and a good stick-on mustache.