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Sessions in Eastern Time

-10/5/2023

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Michigan Fall Gathering - All Sessions in Eastern Time

10/05/2023 8:30 AM
Registration & Networking

-10/5/2023

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Registration & Networking

10/05/2023 8:30 AM

Location: Dining Hall

Sponsor Gallery

-10/5/2023

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Sponsor Gallery

10/05/2023 8:30 AM
Welcome & Icebreakers

Networking -10/5/2023

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Welcome & Icebreakers

10/05/2023 9:30 AM
Welcome to the Michigan Fall Gathering! Join us as we connect with others and have some fun.

Location: Gazebo

Opening Keynote - The Rhythm Within

General Session -10/5/2023

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Opening Keynote - The Rhythm Within

10/05/2023 10:15 AM
Attitude reflects experience. Most people would think that having a physical disability would be a bad thing. I think differently. The amount of gifts and lessons I have received as a direct result of having a disability are far too many to count. When I speak, I use my disability to introduce this concept to others. That no matter what challenges you, it can be overcome with attitude. There is an ever-growing number of differences in our world and I speak to the celebration of those differences. The embracing and sharing of those differences. This can transform one of the biggest challenges into one of the biggest opportunities. Camp is a perfect bubble to introduce the idea to the campers and staff. To help them see the benefits of understanding and acceptance then send them back into the world to spread the joy. My presentation will inspire professionals to facilitate this culture in their programs. To use their challenges to inspire strength and develop this skill in the camp communities they serve. Strength can often be found in the weakest of places. And at the end of the day, it's not about what happens to you, it's how you deal with what happens to you that matters.

Location: Focus Hall

Jonah Berger

Jonah Berger earned an MSEd from Trinity College in Washington D.C. and is the National Youth Programs Manager and Camp Director for the Charcot Marie Tooth Association (CMTA). Jonah has CMT as does his daughter. Jonah now lives in DeWitt, Michigan. He is the author of He Walks Like a Cowboy and The Strangest of Places. Jonah grew up in camp, HIs father was a camp director for over 50 years. Jonah is a father, husband, camp director, drummer, motivational speaker, and trainer. He has spoken and trained across the country spreading his message of facing your challenges with positivity and determination. "There is an amazing amount of strength to be found in the experience of weakness."

Lunch

Meal / Break -10/5/2023

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Lunch

10/05/2023 11:45 AM

Location: Dining Hall

Breakout Session 1

-10/5/2023

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Breakout Session 1

10/05/2023 1:00 PM
Creativity & Vulnerability: Singing and Leading from the Heart

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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Creativity & Vulnerability: Singing and Leading from the Heart

10/05/2023 1:00 PM
The boundlessly creative campers and staff we encounter are well-served when we model the courage to identify and pursue our unique abilities and expressions – however imperfect and growing they may be. Join Matt in an all-abilities song-singing situation sprinkled with conversations about creative expression at camp by leaders – regardless of what form your creativity takes. Sincere discussions, but also “the best fun I’ve ever had at a camp conference.” (Beth Allison, GoCampPro)

Location: Dining Hall Deck

Matt Henry

Before coming to the USA from Australia to be a camp director, Matt Henry was an educator, youth worker, and child protection specialist. Now, as Executive Director of Skyline Camp in Michigan since 2011, Matt has been part of the Michigan LCOL and served as Standards Chair. In his family of wife, Shana (25 years!), and teenaged daughters, Matt is the best dog-walker, the second-best soccer player, and least-best singer.

Grace Under Pressure: Difficult Conversations

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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Grace Under Pressure: Difficult Conversations

10/05/2023 1:00 PM
Being a leader requires conflict management skills, critical thinking, and the courage to have difficult conversations while building relationships. Discover ways to navigate difficult conversations with grace. Learn how to minimize emotions and recognize hot buttons so you establish common ground, keep your volunteers engaged and maintain relationships. Participants will discover techniques, solutions, and methods for handling tough conversations.

Location: The Lodge

Jennifer Weichel

Jennifer Weichel is the Volunteer Specialist for Michigan State University Extension and is a Certified Volunteer Administrator. She has been with MSU Extension for 28 years and previously served as a 4-H Extension Educator, Supervisor and Coach. She is part of the Michigan Volunteer Excellence Support Team specializing in conflict resolution and volunteer screening. She served as a camp director for 10 years and specialized in training teen and adult camp counselors. Jennifer has presented at national, state, and local conferences and enjoys helping professionals and volunteers hone their skills in volunteer development and administration. She and her husband, Larry, reside in East Lansing with their son, Jack. Their oldest son, Andrew and his wife Lindsey, are in the Air Force.

Not-So-Quiet Quitting: Spotting & Responding to Staff Burnout

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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Not-So-Quiet Quitting: Spotting & Responding to Staff Burnout

10/05/2023 1:00 PM
Camp takes energy – a lot of energy. It might only be a few weeks but that doesn’t mean that factors like long days, energetic kids, near-constant problem solving, and novice self-management won’t take a toll on your team. What does early burnout look like and what steps can you take to respond once you’ve spotted it.

Location: Focus Hall

Donnie Keele

Donnie Keele III is a communicator and certified coach who specializes in helping others discover and share what makes them unique and gives them purpose. Equipped with degrees in mass communication and campus chaplaincy as well as 15+ years of experience split between summer camp administration and university student affairs and development, he now produces digital media and learning engagements for UltraCamp in Niles, MI. His current focus is helping camp professionals make sense of complex and shifting demands so they can continue growing as exceptional leaders who provide transformational experiences for campers and staff alike. 

Breakout Session 2

-10/5/2023

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Breakout Session 2

10/05/2023 2:15 PM
Developing School Partnerships: Successes and Challenges

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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Developing School Partnerships: Successes and Challenges

10/05/2023 2:15 PM
We know that the learning that happens at camp is powerful and we’d like to serve students year-round, but how do we partner with schools to serve students (and teachers) through the year? Chippewa Nature Center serves over 13,000 school students and over 1,200 campers each year. Come hear about their successes and challenges in working with local school districts while you reflect on how to connect with your regional schools no matter your organization’s size.

Location: The Lodge

Jenn Kirts

Jenn Kirts is the Director of Programs at Chippewa Nature Center. She spent a decade as Camp Director with the Nature Day Camp program and also served as the School Program Coordinator during that time. She has a Master of Science in Conservation Biology and a Masters of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management. She has presented for conferences by the National Association for Interpretation, Association for Nature Center Administrators, and the American Camp Association Mid-States Conference.

When Campers Train Staff

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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When Campers Train Staff

10/05/2023 2:15 PM
Camp Echo hosted “Session 0” during staff training for Summer 2023. A small group of campers came to camp for a weekend of staff training to help our staff prepare for summer. Campers got to experience a snapshot of camp with an AMAZING camper-staff ratio and staff had opportunities to practice for summer in every operational area: programs, health and wellness, transportation, food service, and facilities. Staff were able to lead and observe activities, with ample time and resources for facilitation de-briefing and reflection – something that can be hard to find when camp is operating at full capacity later in the summer. AND Session 0 was a fee-based program that generated additional revenue for camp. Truly a win-win. During this session, Bernard will share what Camp Echo learned from the inaugural Session 0 and tips for how to best incorporate campers into the staff training experience at your camp.

Location: Dining Hall

Bernard Rocca

Bernard Rocca loves to learn and make camp magical for ALL. He has served as Executive Director of McGaw YMCA Camp Echo for 10 years and participates in several projects to support the broader camping movement, such as the Michigan Y Camp Network and YMCA of the USA Camp Inclusion Project. 

 

ACA Accreditation Conversation

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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ACA Accreditation Conversation

10/05/2023 2:16 PM
After another summer back in the swing of Standards Visits, join Michigan's standards team to hear about some of the terrific things emerging as we look towards 2024. Bring whatever questions you have, whether you're at an accredited camp, serve as a visitor, or are curious about ACA's Standards program.

Location: Gazebo

Patrick Smith & Weldon Rutledge are the standards chairs for the Michigan Local Council of Leaders. Both are long time visitors and Instructor for ACA. Weldon is the Camp Director for Leelanua Kohahna Camps while Patrick is at North Star Reach.

Autosilificationism

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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Autosilificationism

10/05/2023 2:16 PM
To make oneself ridiculous for the mirth of others is easy power. Camp Directors can use this power to bring joy and community to their programs and the staff/campers they serve. In addition to the many serious responsibilities that a Camp Director deals with, there should be a great importance placed on how silly a Camp Director can be. To serve kids, you must connect with the kid inside of you! We will discuss and practice techniques and benefits to being the Pied Piper of ridiculous for your staff and your campers.

Location: Focus Hall

Jonah Berger

Jonah Berger earned an MSEd from Trinity College in Washington D.C. and is the National Youth Programs Manager and Camp Director for the Charcot Marie Tooth Association (CMTA). Jonah has CMT as does his daughter. Jonah now lives in DeWitt, Michigan. He is the author of “He Walks Like a Cowboy” and “The Strangest of Places”. Jonah grew up in camp. His father was a camp director for over 50 years. Jonah is a father, Husband, Camp Director, Drummer, Motivational Speaker, and Trainer. He has spoken and trained across the country spreading his message of facing your challenges with positivity and determination. “There is an amazing amount of strength to be found in the experience of weakness.”

Breakout Session 3

-10/5/2023

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Breakout Session 3

10/05/2023 3:30 PM
Conflict Management: Practices for Intentionally Inclusive Communities

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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Conflict Management: Practices for Intentionally Inclusive Communities

10/05/2023 3:30 PM
Our camp communities are rightfully becoming more and more diverse with each day. With diversity comes a wide range of perspectives and experiences that can bring conflict. Conflict is natural and should not be avoided. Join this interactive discussion that takes participants through navigating the inevitable conflict that comes with intentionally inclusive communities.

Location: Focus Hall

Ambrean Ford, LLMSW, is a proud social worker and advocate for equity in the outdoors. Ambrean has been working in the summer camp industry since 2016, when she took the brave step to be a camp counselor at a random summer camp in Michigan. Since then, Ambrean’s passion for advocating for social justice and implementing equitable practices has led her to a career in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice. Ambrean works full time for the American Youth Foundation as their Director of Community Life, Diversity & Inclusion for all of their youth & adult programs. A huge part of her role is providing support, education, and connection to AYFs staff & participants.

Do More Specialized Activities!

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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Do More Specialized Activities!

10/05/2023 3:30 PM
Don't shy away from teaching appropriate risk taking to your campers because there are too many ACA Standards involving paperwork. Learn to embrace Specialized Activities that give your campers access to progress, risk assessment, and discovery of new skills and interests. This session will offer 5 unique Specialized Activity ideas that range from $0 budget to $200,000 budget to implement.

Location: The Lodge

Weldon Rutledge

Weldon Rutledge has been in camping, adventure programming, and outdoor education for over 20 years.

Supporting and Training Your Camp Volunteers

Concurrent Session -10/5/2023

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Supporting and Training Your Camp Volunteers

10/05/2023 3:30 PM
Preparing, training, supporting, and volunteers is important in creating welcoming environments that focus on positive youth development in the camp environments. This workshop is designed to assist professionals in gaining an understanding of the importance of training and supporting volunteers for your camp program. However, this can be challenging as it is one more aspect of preparing for camp. Volunteers can come from a variety of different locations, and travel for a separate training is often not feasible. This session will allow participants to learn strategies on how to prepare volunteers for camp, activities that can be used face to face or in a virtual setting, and how to integrate support for your volunteers at camp.

Location: Dining Hall

Christine Heverly

Christine Heverly is a Michigan State University Extension Educator with Children and Youth Programming. Ms. Heverly has a master’s degree in Youth Development and has been with Extension for thirteen years. She brings experience in training youth and adult volunteers in the areas of youth development, volunteer management, social and communication skills. In her time with MSU Extension she has been found to be detail-oriented and drives projects forward. She solves problems in creative ways when challenges are presented. She’s often called on by her peers and leaders to provide leadership to important endeavors. Christine’s most significant accomplishments include publishing Ready to Go, providing leadership to the 4-H STEAM Corps grant, and designing volunteer learning modules for MSU Extension. 

Closing Drum Circle

General Session -10/5/2023

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Closing Drum Circle

10/05/2023 4:30 PM
A group interactive experience in percussion, singing and community. In order to play like a band, we begin with “Band Practice”. Learning how to use instruments and rhythm to turn a group of individuals into a unified band. And then, once we have mastered the connection, it’s time to play! We sing songs, take requests, become “Human Instruments” and much more! A high energy and fun way to finish the day as a community!

Location: Dining Hall Deck

Jonah Berger earned an MSEd from Trininty College in Washington D.C. and is the National Youth Programs Manager and Camp Director for the Charcot Marie Tooth Association (CMTA). Jonah has CMT as does his daughter. Jonah now lives in DeWitt, Michigan. He is the author of “He Walks Like a Cowboy” and “The Strangest of Places”. Jonah grew up in camp. His father was a camp director for over 50 years. Jonah is a father, Husband, Camp Director, Drummer, Motivational Speaker, and Trainer. He has spoken and trained across the country spreading his message of facing your challenges with positivity and determination. “There is an amazing amount of strength to be found in the experience of weakness.”

Camp Tour of Skyline Camp & Retreat Center

-10/5/2023

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Camp Tour of Skyline Camp & Retreat Center

10/05/2023 5:00 PM
Join a staff member from Skyline Camp & Retreat Center for a tour of their beautiful camp property.

Location: Meet and leave from Pavilion