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Sessions in Eastern Time

-12/12/2023

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Sessions in Eastern Time

12/12/2023 8:00 AM
Sponsor Gallery

-12/12/2023

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Sponsor Gallery

12/12/2023 8:00 AM

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Registration & Social Time

-12/12/2023

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Registration & Social Time

12/12/2023 8:30 AM
Registration will be held in the Atrium outside the Overlook Room. Follow the directional signage. A continental breakfast will be available.
Welcome

General Session -12/12/2023

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Welcome

12/12/2023 9:20 AM
Welcome to the ACA, Indiana Winter Gathering!

Location: Overlook

Opening Keynote - Beyond Recreation: The Strategic Impact of Play

General Session -12/12/2023

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Opening Keynote - Beyond Recreation: The Strategic Impact of Play

12/12/2023 9:45 AM
In a world often dominated by stress and demands, the concept of play seems to have been pushed to the background. The camp industry is designed to facilitate fun engagement for the development of our campers, but do we, the people behind the strategy and implementation of programming believe in play for ourselves? What if play could be the key to unlocking a more joyful, connected, and productive existence? In this keynote, we’ll embark on a journey to dispel myths and rediscover the essence of play and its profound impact on our lives. Together, we will explore the transformative value of play and learn how incorporating it into our lives and work can lead to better connections, enhanced leadership, and overall well-being.

Location: Overlook

Dr. Jamye Hardy-Willé offers an approach to leadership development that is grounded in her passion to help people and organizations grow to be their best by incorporating wellbeing and play into applicable learning outcomes for audiences. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker, a Doctor of Education in Leading Learning Organizations and Strategic Change, former faculty, and current higher education administrator in Student Care. A native of Nashville, TN, Jamye lectures and facilitates dialogue from her unique experience of life, leadership, and volunteerism, as well as improv and stand-up comedy. Dr. Hardy-Willé deeply values the arts, culture, and education, and currently serves on the Board of Directors at W.O. Smith Music School, the Board of Directors for Unscripted Improv, and the Advisory Board for Promise Land Heritage Association, and the Alumni Board for University School of Nashville. 


Dr. Hardy-Willé is passionate about highlighting the connections between mental health and success, and primarily facilitates dialogue and consults with leaders on elevating purpose, identifying accountability and tools, the value of a wholistic approach to wellbeing, and mindset development. Her approach to practice is grounded in the strengths perspective, positive psychology, growth mindset, and the value of play.


Dr. Hardy-Willé's first job in high school was that of a camp counselor after a childhood of summers full of Girl Scout, music, sports, cultural, and academic camps, and attributes much of her creative approach to team building leader development to the foundation that those experience developed. Equally important to Jamye as her service to others is her love sports, arts, travel, and spending time with her husband and pit-ridgeback rescue, Nala.

Educational Breakout Sessions

-12/12/2023

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Educational Breakout Session 1

12/12/2023 11:15 AM
Power Play: Leading and Learning from Improv

Concurrent Session -12/12/2023

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Power Play: Leading and Learning from Improv

12/12/2023 11:15 AM
We understand that there is value in play as “camp people”, but how often are we able to articulate its benefits and incorporate them into our leadership and development of others? This session explores the principles of improvised comedy through a lens of leadership and wellbeing to equip leaders with activities that foster constructive outcomes exist for campers, counselors, and directors alike. Participants will engage in play that cultivates communication and effective teamwork and leave with the tools to implement improv into future staff development and camper engagement activities.

Location: Overlook

Dr. Jamye Hardy-Willé offers an approach to leadership development that is grounded in her passion to help people and organizations grow to be their best by incorporating wellbeing and play into applicable learning outcomes for audiences. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker, a Doctor of Education in Leading Learning Organizations and Strategic Change, former faculty, and current higher education administrator in Student Care. A native of Nashville, TN, Jamye lectures and facilitates dialogue from her unique experience of life, leadership, and volunteerism, as well as improv and stand-up comedy. Dr. Hardy-Willé deeply values the arts, culture, and education, and currently serves on the Board of Directors at W.O. Smith Music School, the Board of Directors for Unscripted Improv, and the Advisory Board for Promise Land Heritage Association, and the Alumni Board for University School of Nashville. 

Staff Recruitment: Connecting with Colleges, Universities, and Beyond

Concurrent Session -12/12/2023

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Staff Recruitment: Connecting with Colleges, Universities, and Beyond

12/12/2023 11:15 AM
Staff recruitment is a yearlong process, and it is never too late to create a plan for hiring your summer staff. Building connections and relationships with colleges, universities, and youth serving organizations will help you to tap into new talent pools that will enhance your recruitment efforts. In this session, we will discuss the best approaches to use and explore creative ways to reach new resources within college and university settings and with outside youth serving organizations. The session will also cover the creation of internships, practicums, and other field work experiences that are required by colleges and universities.

Location: Lilly Theater

Julie Knapp, PhD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Internship Coordinator at Indiana University-Bloomington. She teaches within parks and recreation focused areas and in her role as Internship Coordinator, has worked with a variety of summer camps on facilitating internship and practicum experiences for college students. Julie currently serves as a member of ACA’s Staff Recruitment and Retention Committee.

The Future of Camp: Responding to Camper Behaviors

Concurrent Session -12/12/2023

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The Future of Camp: Responding to Camper Behaviors

12/12/2023 11:15 AM
Kids today are different – instead of expecting them to conform to “the way things were” we must meet campers where they are and evolve programming. I call this “The Future of Camp.” This session explores creating camp environments where all kids feel safe, connected, and able to take risks, grow, and explore. When campers exhibit challenges, they are communicating unmet needs. As counselors, we can support them through proactive discipline focused on: • Establishing trust and safety • Maintaining empathy, compassion, and active listening • Restoring relationships through reflection It’s all grounded in strong connections. By integrating routines, rituals, structure and restorative practices, we can continue facilitating fun, educational camp experiences where every child thrives. Let’s proactively shape “The Future of Camp” together through compassionate, relationship-centered programming. Our campers are counting on us! I look forward to sharing my child development expertise and discussing strategies to meet the needs of today’s campers. Let’s do this!

Location: Wapihani

Emily Dills has been an education for 15+ years in the areas of elementary and special education and is currently a Social Emotional Learning coach and educational consultant. She supports schools, early learning childcare centers, after school programs and camps to cultivate life skills in adults, kids, and their families including self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills. Emily also grew up as a camper and was a counselor in training in Indiana where she grew up, and also was a counselor and assistant girls camp director at Catalina Island Camps in California. She is now a mom and is so excited for her own son to experience summers, breaks, and after school opportunities in various camp settings!

Youth Program Planning: What is your Risk PREFFerence?

Concurrent Session -12/12/2023

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Youth Program Planning: What is your Risk PREFFerence?

12/12/2023 11:15 AM
Get ready for a lively and interactive session that unpacks the ins and outs of risk management in youth programming. No stuffy lectures here – we’ll be diving into real-world scenarios, sharing stories, and brainstorming creative solutions to keep our youth program both exciting and safe. Bring your experiences and questions, as we navigate the unpredictable waters of youth engagement, armed with practical tools and a dash of humor. Walk away not just with knowledge but with a toolkit of strategies to make your youth initiatives both thrilling and risk-savvy!

Location: Woodland Hall

Ruthi Hernandez serves as the Camps on Campus Membership Manager for the American Camp Association (ACA). She brings 15+ years of experience in higher education and secondary education, specializing in risk management, event/program planning, college student advising, and leadership development. Ruthi primarily supports the Camps on Campus community within ACA and helps facilitate networking and professional development opportunities for this group. She enjoys supporting campus communities as they create meaningful and impactful educational programming for youth. Ruthi is currently pursuing her doctorate in Learning Technologies and has a passion for mobile learning, instructional design, multimedia- and game-based learning, and educational psychology.

Lunch

Meal / Break -12/12/2023

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Lunch

12/12/2023 12:30 PM

Location: Woodland Hall

Roundtable Discussions

General Session -12/12/2023

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Roundtable Discussions

12/12/2023 1:30 PM
Join us in Woodland Hall to chat with other camp pros about hot topics in the camping industry.

Location: Woodland Hall

  • ACA Accreditation Q & A
  • Mental Health
  • Marketing
  • Camp Staff
  • Camp Operations
  • Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI)
  • EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Camping)
  • IYPC (Indiana Youth Programs on Campus)
Educational Breakout Sessions

-12/12/2023

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Educational Breakout Sessions

12/12/2023 2:45 PM
Equity and Belonging: Staff Practices to Promote Equity & Belonging (and how leaders can model them)

Concurrent Session -12/12/2023

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Equity and Belonging: Staff Practices to Promote Equity & Belonging (and how leaders can model them)

12/12/2023 2:45 PM
Cultivate an understanding of how equity relates to youth readiness and program quality while reflecting on what an equity lens is and what it means for camps. This workshop will set the stage for examining strategies to promote equity and belonging that managers can use in their camps and organizations.

Location: Woodland Hall

Steph Love M.S. is a trainer, facilitator, coach, and outdoor educator with over 20 years of experience leading creative and innovative youth development and outdoor education programs. She has an extensive camp background as the co-founder of the Positive Energy Outdoors, a not-for-profit outdoor education program and ACA-accredited camp based in Duluth, MN. In her current role as Senior Learning and Development Specialist at The Forum for Youth Investment’s Weikart Center, Steph has facilitated workshops and been a speaker at conferences across the US and Canada on program quality, coaching and leadership skills, and the active-participatory approach. She lives in Duluth, MN with her 15-year-old son and a team of racing Alaskan husky sled dogs.

Learning to CampWell: Tips to Take Care to the Next Level

Concurrent Session -12/12/2023

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Learning to CampWell: Tips to Take Care to the Next Level

12/12/2023 2:45 PM
For camps to be successful, we need to continually strive to improve our communication and caring skills. While we need our staff to have safety skills like CPR and first aid, more importantly, is having good relationships skills that are used every day and in every interaction at camp. This session will provide ideas and tools to drive more profound connection and support for those in our care.

Location: Lilly Theater

Tracey Gaslin, PhD, CPNP, FNP-BC, CRNI, RN-BC.  Dr. Gaslin completed her PhD in Educational and Organizational Leadership and taught for 10 years specializing in pediatric development, service leadership, and research on gratitude. Dr. Gaslin publishes the majority of her work in the areas of pediatrics, camp nursing, behavioral health, and service leadership and has co-authored several texts. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Alliance for Camp Health where she travels and trains individuals regarding health services and well-being of youth and young adults. She continues to be an active speaker, writer, and publisher representing the Leading Voice in Camp Health to promote hope and healing in youth serving programs across the US and Canada.

Moving from Surviving to Thriving at Camp: An Adult Centered Approach

Concurrent Session -12/12/2023

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Moving from Surviving to Thriving at Camp: An Adult Centered Approach

12/12/2023 2:45 PM
This session provides a cyclical adult-centered approach to supporting the outcomes for today’s youth. Camp staff need a comprehensive coaching model to support them every step of the way with observation, goal setting, modeling, co-teaching, and gradual release of responsibility and reflection. This is truly how we can move from “surviving” to “thriving” at camp by strengthening and growing the ADULTS that support our campers.

Location: Wapihani

Emily Dills has been an education for 15+ years in the areas of elementary and special education and is currently a Social Emotional Learning coach and educational consultant. She supports schools, early learning childcare centers, after school programs and camps to cultivate life skills in adults, kids, and their families including self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills. Emily also grew up as a camper and was a counselor in training in Indiana where she grew up, and also was a counselor and assistant girls camp director at Catalina Island Camps in California. She is now a mom and is so excited for her own son to experience summers, breaks, and after school opportunities in various camp settings!

Queer Camp Roundtable: How we built an inclusive LGBTQ+ camp experience and how you can too

Concurrent Session -12/12/2023

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Queer Camp Roundtable: How we built an inclusive LGBTQ+ camp experience and how you can too

12/12/2023 2:45 PM
Learn how Jameson Camp and Indiana Youth Group partnered to start Queer Camp in 2022, and the ins-and-outs of offering a week of summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-17. Whether you endeavor to create a new camp experience that is intentionally inclusive for queer campers or just to better support all campers in your community, you are invited to bring our questions, challenges, and ideas to this presentation and panel session.

Location: Overlook

Zach White currently serves as the Program and Camp Director at Jameson Camp in Indianapolis. Over the past 14 years, he has worked across all front-line and administrative aspects of day and overnight camps, from belaying on a ropes course to managing food service, to scrubbing boat docks. Zach earned his degree in Parks and Recreation Management with an emphasis in Outdoor Education and Leadership from Northern Arizona University. He is an Eagle Scout, an avid backpacker, a published author, and a Leave No Trace Master Educator. Zach serves as a member at large on the ACA, Indiana Local Council of Leaders. 

Elliott McFarland is currently a Program Coordinator at Jameson Camp in Indianapolis. He has worked in the recreation field since 2016 in various roles including as in-ratio counselor, behavior management support, challenge course manager, and has volunteered at an American Diabetes Association overnight camp in Southwest Ohio. Elliott attended Ohio University where he studied Outdoor Recreation and Education with a certificate in Diversity Studies.

Samantha Hasty, MDiv is the Director of youth Services for Indiana Youth Group. She has worked in nonprofit leadership for over 10 years and in nonprofit work for over 20 years. Samantha is committed to creating safer spaces for all youth, including and specializing in LGBTQ+ young people.

Closing Activity

General Session -12/12/2023

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Closing Activity & Drawing

12/12/2023 4:00 PM

Location: Overlook