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Wednesday, December 2

-12/2/2026

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Wednesday, December 2

12/02/2026 9:00 AM
General Keynote Session: Lisa Drennan

General Session -12/2/2026

You Selected This Session

General Keynote Session: Lisa Drennan

12/02/2026 11:30 AM
Belonging is the Goal: Making Disability Inclusion Possible in Today's Day Camps. In this engaging and practical keynote, Lisa challenges participants to move beyond simply providing access and toward creating a culture of inclusion and belonging for everyone. Through stories, reflection, practical frameworks, and lessons learned from camps and recreation communities across the country, participants will explore how mindset, expectations, environment, staff practices, and opportunities for participation can either create-- or unintentionally limit --belonging. Designed for the full range of day camp settings and stages of inclusion journey, this session recognizes the realities facing today's camps, including increasingly diverse camper needs, neurodiversity, disability, behaviors that challenge us, staffing limitations, and the pressure to meet the needs of the entire camp community. Rather than offer a one-size fits all model, Lisa will demonstrate that inclusion is possible at every camp-- and it does not require having all the answers. Participants will leave with a shared framework for thinking about inclusion, practical strategies they can begin applying immediately, and a renewed understanding of the role every member of the camp community plays in creating belonging.

Lisa Drennan is the founder of MERGE Inclusion Consulting and brings more than 40 years of experience supporting people with disabilities in camp, recreation and community settings. A former YMCA Associate Director of Inclusion, Lisa let organization-wide disability inclusion efforts and helped strengthen inclusive practices across day camps and other youth programs. Today she works with camps and recreation organizations nationwide to create practical pathways to participation and belonging for campers of all abilities. Lisa serves on the ACA New England boardand is a contributing team member to the Day Camp Community, providing guidance, training and support to day camp professionals. 

How Day Camp Families Become Your Best Marketers

Lecture -12/2/2026

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How Day Camp Families Become Your Best Marketers

12/02/2026 12:50 PM
Day camp lives and dies in a five-mile radius. You are not competing with camps across the country. You are competing for parents at three local schools. The families at soccer practice. The neighbours who see your bus go by every morning. That proximity is your advantage. Local trust travels fast. One recommendation at school pickup is worth more than any ad you can run. Most day camp directors leave this to chance. They wait for parents to share. They hope word gets around. They start from scratch every spring. This session gives you a simple order for enrollment. It works with the relationships you already have. You will learn when families share most naturally. You will draft three messages to send this spring. You will leave with a plan your small team can run before registration opens. This session is about the families who already trust you. Give them a reason to talk, and they will.

Travis Allison

Travis helps camp leaders find calm inside chaotic seasons. Too many camp teams run on willpower, buried in busywork and firefighting daily. He builds tiny, practical workflows, often a single ten-minute change, that give teams back time. His TEDx talk on one moment with his Camp Kintail counsellor has reached audiences worldwide.

Neurodiversity & Sensory Processing

Lecture -12/2/2026

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Neurodiversity & Sensory Processing

12/02/2026 12:50 PM
Through the lens of lived experience as the camper, the counselor, and the parent - we'll take a thorough look at defining neurodiversity, the role of sensory processing in behavior, and the proven strategies of 20+ years to manage environments, staff, and campers. Camp is often the most challenging and the most rewarding place for neurodivergent people - and our leadership decides the access.

Lorilei Dreibelbis

Lorilei has 39 years of experience in Girl Scouting and has been on a 21 year journey of parenting in the world of autism and dyslexia. Lorilei has spent 10 years leading day camps including experience in aquatics and challenge courses. She is passionate about the day camp space and supporting campers with Neurodiversity and sensory processing needs. 

 

Staff MESH: Balancing the Many Hats of Seasonal Camp Staff

Lecture -12/2/2026

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Staff MESH: Balancing the Many Hats of Seasonal Camp Staff

12/02/2026 12:50 PM
Working in a cultural institution means camp staff rarely have just one job. They're counselors, educators, entertainers, safety experts, and representatives of their organization, all while trying to show up as their authentic selves. As leaders, we often focus on preparing staff for each responsibility, but we can overlook the challenge of balancing all of them at once. Through the Staff MESH framework, this session explores how empathy, clear expectations, and responsive leadership can help staff navigate competing demands with confidence. Participants will gain practical strategies for supporting the person behind the position and building a culture where seasonal staff can thrive.

Aaron Burd

As Camp Supervisor at Houston Zoo, I lead the training and development of large seasonal teams, cultivating cultures of belonging, engagement, and growth. My work explores and acknowledges generational leadership, staff retention, and the unique challenges facing today's camp workforce. With more than 16 years of experience in camping and youth development, I am dedicated to helping emerging leaders build confidence and helping organizations create meaningful, lasting impact for their staff and campers alike.

Think Big, Play Bigger!

Lecture -12/2/2026

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Think Big, Play Bigger!

12/02/2026 12:50 PM
What activities get 50, 100, or even 200+ campers laughing, moving, competing, & talking about camp long after the game ends? This interactive roundtable explores large-group games that become traditions and the heartbeat of camp. We’ll share favorites like Alphabet Soup, a wacky spelling showdown featuring four teams, judges, running, and acting; Banana Olympics, where terrible banana athletes need duct-tape medical care to keep competing; and Empire Flag, a four-way twist on Capture the Flag where defeated teams join their conquerors to take on remaining teams. Bring your favorite activities, creative twists, and lessons learned as we exchange ideas, spark creativity, and help camps build unforgettable experiences and lasting traditions!

Stephan Lockney 

Stephan is Associate Executive Director of Camping Services at the MetroWest YMCA, bringing 30+ years of experience in camp leadership, youth development, staff training, and nonprofit management. A longtime speaker and trainer for the American Camp Association and YMCA, he serves on the ACA New England Board and specializes in staff motivation, leadership development, mental health, and organizational culture. A LEAD Mental Health and CampWell trainer, Stephan is passionate about inclusive camp environments, empowering staff, and helping young people thrive.

Brad Stocklin

Brad is a YMCA Camp and Site Director with a lifelong passion for camping and youth development. Having grown up attending North Woods YMCA Camp in New Hampshire, he later returned to serve as a counselor and unit head before pursuing a YMCA career after college graduation. Now in his third year leading camp, Brad brings a deep appreciation for camp traditions, community, and the lasting impact of the camp experience. He specializes in family communication, building strong relationships with parents, and creating meaningful, memorable experiences that help campers thrive and keep families connected to the magic of camp.

Mission Based Hiring

Lecture -12/2/2026

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Mission Based Hiring

12/02/2026 1:50 PM
Start cultivating the team culture you want, even before camp starts! Your organization’s mission drives staff’s engagement, camaraderie, and camper approach and should be a foundational part of your staff’s 1st interaction with you, the interview. From job descriptions to the type of interview questions, learn concrete ways your camp mission should be integrated into your organization’s hiring process! Join us as we discuss learned lessons from the past hiring season and perspectives on how mission-based hiring has impacted the camper and staff experience throughout the season.

Andria Burchhardt 

Andi is the Program Manager of Camp Experiences at the Museum of Life and Science, in Durham North Carolina. There, she oversees the planning and implementation of the museum’s year-round camp programming, which serves 3000 campers each year. With a background in outdoor education and zoo program management, Andria has spent the past ten years developing various summer programs for youth that intentionally cultivate a personal connection to nature, each other, and themselves.

 

No More Suspensions!: A New Lens on Behaviors That Challenge Us

Lecture -12/2/2026

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No More Suspensions!: A New Lens on Behaviors That Challenge Us

12/02/2026 1:50 PM
When behavior challenges us at camp, the pressure to respond quickly can be enormous. Staff may feel overwhelmed, other campers may be affected, families may be frustrated, and suspension or removal can begin to feel like the only option. But what if we changed the question? Rather than asking, “How do we stop this behavior?” this session invites camp professionals to ask, “What is this behavior communicating—and what can we change to help this camper succeed?” Building upon the inclusion and belonging framework introduced in the keynote, Lisa will help participants look beneath behavior to consider communication, sensory needs, environment, expectations, transitions, skill development, connection, and other factors that may be influencing what staff are seeing. Participants will explore a practical, strengths-based approach to preventing and responding to behaviors that challenge us—without requiring camp staff to become clinicians or behavior specialists. The emphasis is on what camp professionals can do: build supportive environments, identify patterns, partner with families, respond proactively, and give both campers and staff the tools they need for success. Participants will leave with a new lens for understanding behavior and practical strategies they can apply across a wide range of day camp settings.

Lisa Drennan

Lisa is the founder of MERGE Inclusion Consulting and brings more than 40 years of experience supporting people with disabilities in camp, recreation and community settings. A former YMCA Associate Director of Inclusion, Lisa let organization-wide disability inclusion efforts and helped strengthen inclusive practices across day camps and other youth programs. Today she works with camps and recreation organizations nationwide to create practical pathways to participation and belonging for campers of all abilities. Lisa serves on the ACA New England boardand is a contributing team member to the Day Camp Community, providing guidance, training and support to day camp professionals

STEAM Bins: Building Activity Bins for Engaging Campers of All Ages

Lecture -12/2/2026

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STEAM Bins: Building Activity Bins for Engaging Campers of All Ages

12/02/2026 1:50 PM
In this session, you will learn WHAT STEAM bins are and what to put in them, WHY they work so well in a camp environment, HOW to build engaging STEAM bins and incorporate them into your camp program, WHEN to use them throughout the camp day, and HOW to train counselors and campers to get the most out of each bin. Participants will explore hands-on, low-prep activities that encourage creativity, problem-solving and collaboration while requiring minimal counselor-led instruction. You’ll leave with practical ideas and strategies you can use to create STEAM bins that engage campers of different ages and abilities.

Amy Gray

With 23 years of teaching experience, I have extensive expertise in creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences for children of all ages. I have been a camp coordinator for four years in Manatee County, Florida overseeing all aspects of the summer camp program at two locations which serve more than 300 campers each week. For the past two years, I have contributed a column to Camping Magazine, sharing creative and practical ideas for camp professionals, and my second book of children’s camp activities will be published this fall. I am passionate about helping camp staff create fun, meaningful experiences that keep campers engaged, curious, and excited to learn.

Unlocking the Codes of Connection: Five Powerful Tools to Build Stronger Camper Relationships

Lecture -12/2/2026

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Unlocking the Codes of Connection: Five Powerful Tools to Build Stronger Camper Relationships

12/02/2026 1:50 PM
Every camper arrives with a story, a personality, and a desire to belong. But how do we help children move beyond awkward introductions, one-word answers, and familiar friendship circles to build meaningful connections? In this highly interactive workshop, Camping Magazine coauthors Allison Miller and Jackie Bailey introduce the Five Codes of Conversation—simple, powerful tools that help campers and counselors build trust, strengthen friendships, and create a culture of inclusion. Through engaging demonstrations, hands-on activities, and practical camp scenarios, participants will experience how using names, meaningful eye contact, curious questions, reflective listening, and an others-first mindset can transform everyday interactions. Attendees will leave with a practical toolkit of engaging, ready-to-use activities and strategies for incorporating the Five Codes of Conversation into staff orientation, daily camp programming, and everyday interactions, helping every camper feel seen, heard, and valued.

Jackie Bailey

Jackie is an International Conversation Coach, TEDx speaker, author, and Founder and Executive Director of The Speak Feed Lead Project, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people be seen, heard, and respected through communication. She has worked with hundreds of young people, helping them develop the confidence and skills to express their ideas, build stronger connections, and share their stories. Jackie is co-creator of the SPEAKABOOM Camp Chat Card Deck, a communication resource used in summer camps across the country, and her work on communication and connection has been featured in Camping Magazine. She brings an interactive, practical approach to helping adults create environments where young people feel genuinely seen and heard.

Allison Miller

Allison Corey Miller is a lifelong camp professional with 28 years of experience as an owner and director of residential summer camps. An attorney, Board Certified Coach, and American Camp Association Standards Visitor, Allison brings extensive experience in leadership development, counselor training, and creating innovative camp programs. She is co-creator of the SPEAKABOOM Camp Chat Card Deck and co-author of an article on communication and connection featured in Camping Magazine. Allison is passionate about helping camp professionals build meaningful relationships, foster belonging, and create environments where every camper feels valued and connected.

Belonging Starts Here: Ignite an Inclusive Camp Staff Culture

Lecture -12/2/2026

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Belonging Starts Here: Ignite an Inclusive Camp Staff Culture

12/02/2026 2:50 PM
Ready to transform your camp staff into a team where everyone feels genuinely welcomed and valued? Join Dr. Tim for an energizing session that will spark your passion for creating a staff culture where authenticity thrives! We’ll explore the concept of “covering” — how people sometimes hide who they are to fit in—and the real impact this has on your camp team’s dynamics. Through fun, interactive activities and powerful examples, you’ll learn how to spot these behaviors among your staff and discover practical steps to build a sense of belonging that resonates throughout your camp. Get ready to leave this session feeling inspired and equipped to lead the charge in fostering a truly inclusive camp staff culture. Don’t miss out — this is where belonging begins for your team!

Dr. Timothy Raines

Dr. Tim (He/Him) guides everyday leaders to lead with authenticity, inclusivity, and a commitment to community growth. Driven by a passion for meaningful change, Dr. Tim empowers organizations and individuals to create brave spaces where true leadership and belonging can flourish. Ready to foster bold leadership and inclusive transformation? Let Dr. Tim support your journey toward purposeful, community-driven impact.

Camp First, Curriculum Second: Turning Academic Enrichment into a True Camp Experience

Lecture -12/2/2026

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Camp First, Curriculum Second: Turning Academic Enrichment into a True Camp Experience

12/02/2026 2:50 PM
Academic camps, STEM camps and general day camp programs can offer meaningful learning without feeling like school. This session explores practical ways to blend curriculum with camp traditions, play, movement, creativity, community-building, and fun so that campers stay engaged while still meeting program goals. Participants will leave with strategies for creating an environment where learning feels joyful, social, and unmistakably like summer camp.

Jessica Wexler

Jessica Wexler is the founder and Executive Director of Girls Rock Math, an arts-based STEM day camp she launched in 2012 to help girls build confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging in mathematics. A former classroom teacher, Jessica has grown Girls Rock Math from a small local program into a multi-site summer camp serving thousands of campers and employing a large seasonal staff. She holds graduate degrees in elementary education and educational leadership in STEM education, and her work focuses on creating joyful, inclusive environments where campers and staff can thrive.

Teach Staff to Think, Not Just Ask: Coaching Staff to Find Their Own Answers

Lecture -12/2/2026

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Teach Staff to Think, Not Just Ask: Coaching Staff to Find Their Own Answers

12/02/2026 2:50 PM
It’s the middle of a camp day, and the problems keep coming. A counselor needs help with a camper. A unit leader needs to make a decision. You’re good at finding solutions, so you answer each question and keep the day moving. But when every problem lands with you, the load gets heavier and your staff miss chances to build the judgment they need. What happens when, instead of giving the answer, you ask, “What do you think?” In this interactive session, we’ll introduce the GROW coaching model and focus on its Options stage: helping staff come up with possible ways forward before you step in with a solution. We’ll work through a realistic day camp challenge together and try to generate options before choosing one. You’ll practice questions that help staff think beyond their first idea, weigh their choices, and decide what to do next. You’ll leave with a technique you can use during the camp day and teach to your leadership team before summer begins.

Jeff Leiken

Summer Camp Coaching brings extensive experience to Coaching Professional leaders, combined with a lifetime of Summer Camp experience. Jeffrey Leiken, MA has worked with over 300 summer camps in North America and Asia as a Consultant, Trainer and Coach, presenting at many National and Regional Camp Conferences and publishing award winning articles in Camping Magazine.

Allison Miller

Erica Hruby

What's in YOUR Warning?

Lecture -12/2/2026

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What's in YOUR Warning?

12/02/2026 2:50 PM
After decades of watching TV station weather coverage on major affiliated networks, the public has been lulled into a sense of thinking the weather "Just comes out of the TV". The digital revolution has caused permanent changes in how the public consumes weather information, and most importantly, how they receive and respond to convective storm warnings. Learn how today's technology can help you minimize possible losses at your facility, and how to find credible professional resources for decision support.

Brad Huffines

Brad is Sr. Ex. VP of Risk Communications. He is a former broadcast meteorologist, and current 25+ year FEMA Advanced Public Information Training Course instructor. He is considered an SME in weather-related disaster communications.

Collaboration Hub One

Networking -12/2/2026

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Collaboration Hub One

12/02/2026 3:50 PM
Join us for virtual roundtable discussions. Participants will have several breakout room topics to choose from to have conversations, connect, and share ideas and resources with other day camp professionals!
Thursday, December 3

-12/3/2026

You Selected This Session

Thursday, December 3

12/03/2026 9:00 AM
Collaboration Hub Two

Networking -12/3/2026

You Selected This Session

Collaboration Hub Two

12/03/2026 11:30 AM
Join us for virtual roundtable discussions. Participants will have several breakout room topics to choose from to have conversations, connect, and share ideas and resources with other day camp professionals!
Behavior Rides the Bus Too

Lecture -12/3/2026

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Behavior Rides the Bus Too

12/03/2026 12:20 PM
At camp, behavior support is a team sport; on the bus, it can become a solo assignment. Selling the idea that “the bus is an extension of camp,” can’t just mean songs, spirit, and window decorations, as parents will then reasonably expect the supports that help their child succeed on site to extend to transportation systems, as well. This thought-provoking session examines how our transportation promises match transportation capacity, including staffing, supervision, continuity of camper plans, parent communication, route and seating decisions, escalation protocols, and what needs to change when a camper’s usual supports don’t ride. What should camps do when the bus genuinely can’t provide the same level of support as the camp day—and how do we communicate that honestly and plan for it intentionally? How do we keep staff from improvising alone and instead ensure they have reliable supervision and backup like they do at camp? You’ll leave this solution-focused session with answers to those questions and more!

Emily Golinsky
 

Emily Golinsky (emily@brightmoosetraining.com) is an international keynote speaker, trainer, pun nerd, and lifelong camp professional. She is the founder of Bright Moose, LLC, providing professional development and consultation to camps, schools, municipalities, and youth-serving organizations. A retired Executive Director of a therapeutically-based camp, Emily holds a BS (Health Psychology), MS (Camp Administration & Leadership), and Higher Education Teaching Certificate. She is a Special Education Advocate, certified MHFA Instructor, accreditation visitor and committee member for ACA New England, and current President of the NH state camp association. Emily is proud to be the recipient of the Peter Kerns Award for the Advancement of Professional Development as well as Camping Magazine’s Golden Quill Award. When she’s not delighting in realizing she can actually parent a pre-schooler (the amazing Hallie, now 3.5!), Emily can be found shining her collection of terribly awesome puns and re-registering her membership in the National Sarcasm Society.

The Architects-Creating the Conditions for Young People to Lead

Lecture -12/3/2026

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The Architects-Creating the Conditions for Young People to Lead

12/03/2026 12:20 PM
In camp settings , adults often design the programs, establish the expectations and make the decisions. This session invites you to rethink their role in youth leadership by shifting from creating experiences to designing experiences with them.Through interactive reflection, practical scenarios and collaborative discussion, participants will explore how adult mindsets, relationships and program structures can either create barriers or open opportunities to genuine youth leadership. Participants will leave with strategies to amplify youth voice and co-create environments where young people feel trusted, supported and empowered to lead.

Zalanka Jones

Zalanka has been a passionate youth development leader for over 20 years. Dedicated to creating and supporting spaces where youth and teens feel seen, heard and empowered to be themselves and impact the world around them. Through her work, she focuses on strengthening teen leadership, amplifying youth voices and developing meaningful experiences that are created with them instead of for them. She believes in the power of relationships, belonging, and innovation to transform the teen experiences and is committed to helping young people recognize their ability to shape their communities and the world around them.

The No Sweat Marketing Plan

Lecture -12/3/2026

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The No Sweat Marketing Plan

12/03/2026 12:20 PM
You already sweat enough at camp, let’s not add to it in the off-season! Stop overthinking and start marketing smarter. In this interactive, fast-moving session, you’ll learn how to create a clear, values-driven, actionable marketing plan in minutes, not months. Together, we’ll map out realistic goals, define your target audiences (and the people who influence them), and build a customer-centered strategy that drives enrollment and engagement. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to marketing, you’ll walk away with a practical plan you can put to work the moment you return home.

Laurie Ehrlich
 

Laurie is a seasoned marketing expert with a passion for combining a data-driven mindset with creative multi-channel marketing strategy and planning, content creation, cross-team collaboration, and digital media. She works across the camping, independent school, and mission-based nonprofit worlds, implementing integrated solutions based on focused audience research and managing brand identity and reputation. Laurie loves sharing her passion for marketing with others. She judges the annual InspiredSM Brilliance Awards, is a frequent presenter and workshop speaker, and sits on a nonprofit board.

The Worst Day of Your Summer: A Crisis Playbook for Day Camp

Lecture -12/3/2026

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The Worst Day of Your Summer: A Crisis Playbook for Day Camp

12/03/2026 12:20 PM
At a day camp, the crisis goes home every afternoon. A camper mentions something in the car at pickup, and by dinner a parent group chat knows more than you do. A counselor's post goes viral before tomorrow's buses arrive. A report about a staff member comes in at 9 p.m., and camp opens again at 8:30. This session is a practical playbook for the day camp version of the worst day. A former sex crimes prosecutor who advises camps on crisis response walks directors through the first hour and the first week: who's in charge, who calls whom, what to say to parents, staff and your host site or board, what to put in writing, when to report and to whom, how to keep a normal camp day running for everyone else, and how to take care of your team (and yourself). You'll leave with a one-page day camp crisis checklist.

Rena Paul

Rena Paul, Esq. is a former federal and state sex crimes prosecutor and the founder of The Paul Firm, where she advises camps on child safety and crisis response: allegations against staff, camper-on-camper incidents, reporting obligations, investigations, and hard conversations with parents. She helps camps prepare before summer with safety policies, staff training and SummerSafe, a child safety program she created for camps. Rena spent 13 years as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and co-authored the nation’s first trauma-informed prosecution curriculum. A lifelong camper, CIT and counselor, she knows camp from the inside.

Accreditation is Risk Management

Lecture -12/3/2026

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Accreditation is Risk Management

12/03/2026 1:20 PM
Founded on the principles of health and safety at camp, ACA Accreditation has been a champion of risk management for almost 80 years. Accreditation is an ongoing commitment that camps make to creating a culture of safety and continuous improvement. In this session, we'll talk about the various ways camps can manage risks and how those strategies are incorporated into the ACA accreditation program. This session is designed for camps that are currently accredited and those that are not.

Bekah Carmichael

Bekah volunteered with ACA for 15+ years before joining the ACA staff in  2023. As a volunteer, she served as a Visitor, Standards Instructor, Standards Chair, and was an inaugural member of the Volunteer Engagement Committee. Professionally, Bekah has held various leadership roles in disability camping, Girl Scouts, and  nonprofit HR and compliance. She holds degrees in recreation from Murray State and Indiana State Universities. Her favorite job at camp is working in the kitchen. 

Creating a Safe Space for Campers to Thrive

Lecture -12/3/2026

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Creating a Safe Space for Campers to Thrive

12/03/2026 1:20 PM
One of our most important jobs as camp professionals is to create a safe space for youth. Join us to discover inclusive best practices that facilitate personal growth at camp. We’ll explore the importance of routine, autonomy, self-regulating spaces, and more!

Kyleigh Sacco

Kyleigh Sacco (she/they) is an informal educator who aspires to create safe spaces for people to connect with nature. She has nearly 10 years of experience working in informal education settings and is currently an Education Specialist at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Throughout her time as an educator, she has worked to make her approach as inclusive as possible and hopes to spread her knowledge to help others do the same.

Mentors, Not Managers: Developing the Whole Person

Lecture -12/3/2026

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Mentors, Not Managers: Developing the Whole Person

12/03/2026 1:20 PM
Seasonal staff don't just need supervisors. They need mentors. For many day camp staff members, camp leaders are among the most influential adults in their lives during critical years of transition. While managers focus on schedules, performance, and accountability, mentors help staff navigate college decisions, interpersonal challenges, mental health concerns, career exploration, and personal growth.

Eddie Norgard

Eddie serves as the District Executive Director of Youth Development for the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, overseeing all Youth Development programs across Fort Worth including 13+ day camps, 72 before and after school sites, a 360-acre resident camp, teen programs, early education, and more. Eddie has led both day and overnight camps, serving as a national advocate for youth development. Eddie’s leadership experience spans all YMCA operations bringing a 360° view of the opportunities and challenges in elevating day camp within the Y.

Week One Every Week: Behavior Management When the Group Keeps Changing

Lecture -12/3/2026

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Week One Every Week: Behavior Management When the Group Keeps Changing

12/03/2026 1:20 PM
Overnight camp builds relationships over weeks. Day camp resets every Monday. The strategies that depend on knowing a kid do not work when you meet thirty new faces at drop-off. This session covers the moves that work before you know their names. It starts with the Ladder of Action, a hierarchy of responses that runs on structure, not relationship. The lowest levels work on day one with kids you just met. The relationship-dependent moves come later in the week, and the session covers when and how to shift into those. It also covers three types of consequences, strong voice, and how to give directions that land with a group you are still learning. All of it comes from classroom teaching, adapted for seasonal day camp staff who may not have a teaching background.

Jarod Wunneburger

Jarod is an assistant principal in Vermont and founder of Thrive Point Studio, where he consults with camps, schools, and youth programs on staff development, behavior management, and organizational systems. He has twenty years of management experience, including directing an overnight camp with more than sixty staff and serving as Director of Programs across seven camps. He appears in Boys of Summer, an NPR Studios documentary filmed at the camp he directed.

Camper Choice creates Meaningful Engagement!

Lecture -12/3/2026

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Camper Choice creates Meaningful Engagement!

12/03/2026 2:20 PM
Giving campers the ability to choose activitiesthat they connect with, allows for a more meaningful camp experience! Hear from the camps staff at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on how they inspire camper choice with a learning tool developed at Griffin MSI called The GRID. Learn how The GRID provides a structured and engaging framework for campers to ineract with, while supporting the camp staff with structure and tools to elevate each campers experience. Discover how allowing campers to engage and interact with activities and programs that they connect with, allows for a more meaningful camp experience. Griffin MSI’s learning tool, The GRID, provides an assortment of scaffolded STEAM programming for learners of all ages and has programming that fits any environment. From video game coding, origami, LEGO challenges and hula hooping, Griffin MSI’s learning tool, The GRID, is giving campers the power of choice , while providing structure and support for camp staff. Engage in a hands-on activity to learn how The GRID could work for your programs and go full STEAM ahead with giving campers the ability to choose!

Nick Joseph

Nick serves as the Camps Manager at MSI. In this role he leads the year-round camps programs, to better reach learners from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. With a background in informal education since 2012, Nick utilizes innovative and forward-thinking strategies to create fun and engaging learning environments for children as well as staff.

Aurelius Raines

 

Creating Camp Communities that Thrive: Integrating SEL into Everyday Routines

Lecture -12/3/2026

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Creating Camp Communities that Thrive: Integrating SEL into Everyday Routines

12/03/2026 2:20 PM
Summer programs are vibrant spaces where young people learn, grow, and connect, and each moment in the camp day is an opportunity to strengthen social and emotional skills. In this interactive session, participants will explore how to intentionally integrate CASEL’s five core competencies into daily camp routines and activities. Together, we’ll highlight simple, adaptable strategies, such as group meetings, games, check-ins, reflection routines, and academic connections, that build a sense of belonging and community. Participants will leave with clear, actionable ideas to make SEL a natural part of every day, not an added task.

Shira Woolf Cohen

Shira Woolf Cohen, MEd is an educator, community organizer, leader and author. Shira’s focus as founder at Innovageous is partnerships, programs and instruction, in both schools and OST programs. Before Innovageous, she served in multiple roles, including Principal of a K-8 charter school and Adjunct Instructor at multiple universities. Shira holds a Bachelors in Middle School Education and Mathematics from Lesley University, and a Masters Urban Education and Principal Certification from Temple University. Her book, Leading Future-Focused Schools: Engaging and Preparing Students for Career Success, was written to inspire school leaders and serve as a guidebook for promoting future-focused mindsets.

The Great Outdoors and Other Public Spaces: Safety Beyond the Camp Gates

Lecture -12/3/2026

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The Great Outdoors and Other Public Spaces: Safety Beyond the Camp Gates

12/03/2026 2:20 PM
Out in the world, our campers’ curiosity doesn’t stop, and neither should our safety planning. Whether your camp takes campers and staff on field trips, shares space with the public, or simply steps beyond its gates, safety in shared and public spaces brings a unique set of challenges, and new variables enter the mix: strangers, open environments, and the unexpected. This interactive session will explore real-world strategies to keep campers and staff safe when the public is part of the equation. We’ll dive into real strategies for supervision, communication, and crisis response, and together we’ll identify strategies that protect campers and empower staff to act confidently in the face of uncertainty.

Shauna Guglielmo

Shauna’s camp journey has taken her through day camps, overnight camps, agency and medical camps, outdoor and experiential education settings, and recreation. She currently serves as a board member for the American Camp Association, Illinois, and co-chairs the DEIAJ-AR Committee, supporting efforts to make camp more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for all. She also co-hosts the Uncomfortable Campfire podcast. 

Trends Shaping the Future of Day Camps: What Every Director Needs to Know

Lecture -12/3/2026

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Trends Shaping the Future of Day Camps: What Every Director Needs to Know

12/03/2026 2:20 PM
Dan will break down the most important trends influencing day camp success today, with insights from non-profit and for-profit day camps. We’ll explore shifts in enrollment patterns, approaches to programming, and what’s working in staff recruitment and retention. Whether you're looking to innovate or stay ahead, this session will leave you with practical takeaways and a broad perspective on where day camping is headed next.

Dan Weir

Having visited over 100 camps in action over the past four summers, Dan Weir is obsessed with leaders’ influence at summer camps. He is the co-founder of Day Camp Community, a support network for day camps. As the Senior Consultant for Immersive1st, he specializes in camper recruitment, executive director searches, and strategic planning. With a Master’s Degree in youth development, Dan’s work has been recognized for program innovation and research excellence.