Tri-State

Health Center Staffing: Diversity in Roles and Needs
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Room 421
Camps have diverse profiles, locations, and operations. This means that there is no one particular health service model that works for everyone. This session will discuss the many variables that impact the decision of camp leadership on how to most effectively and safely staff health services.

From Interview to Arrival: Building a Strong Staff Onboarding Experience Before Day One
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Room 408/409
At Woodmont Day Camp, onboarding our staff doesn’t begin at orientation—it starts the moment they are invited to interview. In this session, we’ll walk through the systems and strategies we use to initiate communication and subsequently prepare our staff before they even arrive at camp. From interview tools to pre-season emails, and even an online introductory “course,” learn how we’ve designed our onboarding process to build excitement, confidence, and connection long before our staff ever sets foot on camp for orientation.

How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Camp Operations
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00
This session explores how emerging technologies are already reshaping the way camps operate, with examples like automated medical form processing, camper intake profiles that surface important insights, time-saving email and communication tools, and AI-assisted staff hiring processes. Attendees will see how “Efficiency AI” can streamline operations and how “Opportunity AI” can open new frontiers in safety, camper experience, and personalized parent engagement. Participants will leave with clear, actionable ideas for integrating AI into their own camp operations.

The Inside-Out Camp: How to Prioritize Your Staff
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00
What is the true engine of an unforgettable camp experience? This session explores the powerful “Inside-Out” leadership model, a framework built on one core principle: a thriving camp starts from within. Leo, a camp leader with over 15 years of field-tested experience, will demonstrate how prioritizing the staff journey—their growth, well-being, and sense of purpose—creates a powerful ripple effect across the entire camp. Discover practical strategies to build an exceptional staff experience that directly translates into higher staff retention, deeper camper engagement, and a vibrant, self-sustaining culture. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to focus on their team and unlock their camp’s true potential.

The Power of the Narrative: Using Storytelling to Transform Your Camp
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Room 322
In this session, we will move beyond treating stories as simple anecdotes and instead learn how to craft and deploy them to solve concrete challenges. Participants will learn how storytelling can transform a camp’s identity into a compelling brand, communicate a unified vision to staff and stakeholders, elevate routine training into memorable, impactful lessons, enrich program areas to foster deeper camper engagement, and build an unshakeable bond of trust with parents. Specifically, this workshop will provide staff with a practical toolkit of narrative frameworks and prompts, enabling them to tell powerful stories that inspire action, build community, and foster a deeper connection to instructional objectives and the camp’s mission. By the end of this session, attendees will not just understand the theory of storytelling; they will have a practical toolkit to immediately implement, creating a more cohesive, engaging, and successful camp community.

Responding to Racially Charged Language Among Campers using the "Speak Up Superpowers" Framework
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Room 311
“Go back to Mexico or I’ll report you to ICE” one of your counselors overheard their camper jokingly say this to a Latinx camper and is asking for your help to address it. As adults in charge of camper safety, we need tools and strategies to address racially charged language among campers. In this interactive workshop, we will begin by recognizing how unconscious beliefs can influence interactions and interpretations. Using real-life camp scenarios, we’ll then apply the “Speak Up Superpowers” framework along with an understanding of applicable frameworks, and a sense that addressing racially charged incidents is an ongoing learning process that requires active participation and continuous growth.

Painted Projects for All
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00
Paint, painting, painted can be so many different things. Come explore different uses of paints, and different types of simple paints. Join in the fun as we colorfully paint our way to making several unique crafts with string, paper, water, rocks, and paint. Participants can expect to create 2-3 crafts in a supportive, fun environment and leave with directions and ideas for many more painting projects.

From Florida Man to The Bear - Lessons Learned in the Kitchen
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Room 315
For 29 summers, Iain has lived the camp and camp kitchen life from washing dishes to running a resident camp. In this lively session, he shares lessons learned along the way: the meals that worked (and didn’t), camper feedback, silly traditions, and how his kitchen evolved into one of the highest-rated parts of camp. Discover what makes a camp dining experience truly memorable, explore your own non-negotiables, and leave inspired with a few new ideas and maybe a craving for Taco Tuesday.

Creating a Camp Culture People Want To Be A Part Of
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Room 310
The best camps intentionally build cultures where campers and staff feel seen, valued, and inspired to return year after year. This session explores practical ways to create a positive, inclusive, mission-driven camp culture through strong values, intentional onboarding, meaningful traditions, and authentic leadership. Learn how to foster belonging, promote staff ownership, and prevent burnout or culture drift. Help your camp become a community people are proud to be part of long after summer ends.

Where Does the Soup Go? Lessons Learned From an Anxious Kid... Who Grew into a Teen
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Room 417
Years ago, my son’s first camp experience came wrapped in tears, fear, and overwhelming anxiety, an experience that changed how my team approached camp. Now older, his worries have grown and shifted, offering new lessons about supporting teens. Back by popular demand, this session expands on the beloved “Where Does the Soup Go?” presentation.
Together, we’ll explore the reality of anxiety for both brain and body, the unique benefits and challenges that summer camps bring for anxious youth, and how staff can adapt their approach as campers grow.
Participants will leave with practical strategies to support anxious campers with empathy and humor, tools to help teens build belonging and resilience, and actionable steps to train and empower staff to better meet the needs of today’s campers.

From Hookup Culture to Consent Culture: How to Make the Difficult Transition
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Room 314
When camp staff arrive at the beginning of each summer, they are not blank slates. Hookup culture, the harmful sexual culture on high school and college campuses today, has far-reaching impacts on the way our staff have learned to conceptualize sex, romance, and intimacy. To foster a healthy, professional culture among staff, camps have the opportunity to address hookup culture and consent in their staff training and cultural expectations. Building a culture that celebrates consent and self-advocacy skills will also allow us to do the most important thing of all: care for our campers better. This session will allow camp leaders to understand the hookup culture their staff are entrenched in outside of camp and build the tools to take tangible steps towards building a consent culture this summer.

Getting Comfortable With Your Budget: A Crash Course in Fiscal Management
2026-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Room 301
Let’s be honest – most of us didn’t get into camping because we love spreadsheets. But budgets shape everything we do: what we can build, who we can hire, and how we show up for our campers.
This crash course is for camp leaders who want to finally feel confident talking about money. We’ll walk through what a camp budget really means, then jump into hands-on “what if” challenges. What if enrollment drops mid-season? What if we actually make more money than expected? You’ll practice adjusting, prioritizing, and explaining your decisions in ways that make sense to boards, families, and staff.
You’ll leave with simple tools, real examples, and the confidence to stop dodging the finance talk—because leading well means owning the numbers, not fearing them.

Everybody Dance Now!: A 90s Dance Party Celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ & Allies
2026-03-11 20:00 - 2026-03-12 00:00 | Byrdcage AC, 3426 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ, 08401, United States
From MTV TRL classics to dance-floor anthems, TRL: Everybody Dance Now! is a 90s throwback celebration of LGBTQIA+ joy, community, and their allies who show up. Bring your best 90s energy and dance like it’s 1999—everyone’s invited, and neon/90s attire is encouraged!
The dance floor is on the 2nd floor. DJ Triple B will begin at 9 pm. Byrdcage AC is a restaurant, so feel free to come early for dinner or mingling. There is also an outside firepit area open all night for anyone looking for a place to hang, without the music.

Camps on Campus Gathering
2026-03-11 16:30 - 18:30 | Room 405/406

Playshop: A Workshop of Play and Community
2026-03-11 16:30 - 18:00 | Room 202
This “Playshop” is an interactive introduction to Playworks’ approach—and you’re part of the fun. In 90 minutes of play and community building, participants will explore:

Inclusive games and activities for campers of all ages
Group management and facilitation techniques that promote positive engagement
Staff, equipment, and space systems that support successful programming
Additional Playworks resources to strengthen your team and camp culture

Join Playworks to get moving, connect with fellow conference attendees, and leave inspired—with practical tools and resources to make this your best camp year yet.

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit using the power of play to help children thrive. For more than 30 years, we have partnered with schools and community-based organizations to promote healthy behaviors, strengthen social-emotional learning, and create safe, inclusive environments where kids feel connected and engaged.
We believe joyful, safe play builds more than skills—it builds character. Through play, children develop compassion, cooperation, integrity, and resilience, forming an inner compass that supports lifelong growth. Grounded in fairness, respect, and teamwork, Playworks programs nurture children’s physical, social, and emotional well-being while strengthening the adults and systems that support them.
Playworks offers capacity-building trainings for educators, youth-serving staff, and families. Led by expert trainers, these interactive workshops share proven, youth-development–informed strategies to engage young people, prevent and redirect challenging behavior, strengthen group management, and expand opportunities for learning and resilience.

Outdoor Educators Meet and Greet
2026-03-11 16:30 - 17:30 | Room 419

Nonprofit Camps Meet and Greet
2026-03-11 16:30 - 17:30 | Room 403

ACA Virginias Gathering
2026-03-11 16:30 - 17:30 | Room 418

AI Playground: Hands-On Tools for Camp Professionals
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 419
Curious about AI but not sure where to start? Already experimenting but want to go deeper? Pull up a chair at the AI Playground, a roundtable session designed for camp professionals at every comfort level. Six tables, six AI tools, six real camp scenarios. Each table is hosted by a camp professional who will walk you through a live demo of an AI tool solving a problem you actually face: drafting parent emails, generating staff training materials, building a rainy day craft project from a photo of your supply closet, creating a custom camp song, and more. No tech background required. Pick a table, watch a demo, ask questions, and rotate to try a second tool. You will leave with practical skills you can use this summer and a handout with links and prompts to keep experimenting on your own.
Hosted by the Tech at Camp Affinity Group. This session is for all levels, from AI-curious beginners to experienced users. Bring a laptop or phone if you have one (but not required).

Preventing Homesickness and Promoting Adjustment
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 303
Time away from home is always challenging, for campers as well as staff, whether they are new or returning. Why let intense feelings of missing home—which 20% of young people feel—get in the way of enjoying the awesome programs you offer? With the right tools, your camp can prevent debilitating homesickness and promote positive adjustment to time away from home. Learn how to prevent “pick-up deals,” create positive expectations, and help everyone feel like camp is their home away from home!

Get Active! Vendor Make-and-Take
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15
Join us as we gather to make easy and fun projects that you can take with you when you are done. This is a great session to pick up new ideas for quick and easily implemented projects for your camp’s Arts and Crafts, STEM, Nature programs and more.

Fostering Camp Culture Through Data-Driven Program Innovation
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 322
Creating a safe, transformative camp experience requires more than supervision and policies – it demands intentional design grounded in data and continuous improvement. This session explores how Change Summer uses Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) data and strategies to drive program innovation and cultivate environments where campers thrive and are safe. We believe safety and emotional well-being are directly correlated, and ensure both are incorporated into our camp culture and our program. We’ll share how we created tailored, data-driven camper surveys, how we interpret our data insights to shape programming and culture, and how we are continuing to innovate the way we measure our impact.

“From Nit to Know-How”—The Science. The Search. The Solution to Calm and Effective Head Lice Management
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 417
Head lice can feel like a big disruption at camp, but it doesn’t have to be. In this workshop, lice professionals Laurene Plourde and Jill Bazos, will share proven strategies to keep lice from becoming a stressful memory for campers, staff, and parents. We’ll walk through the science of lice, dispel common myths, and provide a clear, step-by-step process for effective head checks and treatment procedures. Participants will learn what supplies and systems every camp should have in place, how to minimize disruptions when lice are discovered, and how to decide whether to manage checks in-house or bring in a professional. Our goal is to ensure every camp leaves equipped with confidence and actionable steps for a stress-free lice management process.

Lessons from Two Recent ACA Legends of Camping Award Winners: Recalling the Past, Assessing the Present, and Predicting the Future
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 313
Join two of ACA’s most recent Legends of Camping Award recipients as they share stories from their journeys, reflect on today’s challenges, and inspire us with a vision for the future of camp. Packed with wisdom, humor, and heart, this session will leave you energized and reminded of why camp matters yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Insanity or Genius? The Magic of Camper Choice at Day Camp
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 301
Discover how you can elevate your day camp culture by allowing campers to self-select their daily activities and how to overcome barriers for implementation. This session will discuss how SummerCollab has implemented choice activities for campers in grades 1-8, and the magic that happens when kids make their own choices. If you are looking to improve culture, decrease camper behavior, and/or enhance your staff development, the magic of camper choice might be your missing solution.

Selling Beyond Summer: How Sales Pro Certification Builds a Year-Round Camp Business
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 408/409
Stop filling your camp with groups that drain your staff and your budget. Join us for an honest look at how a few smart shifts can help you sell out your groups and conferences without burning out your team. During the “off season,” camps often end up taking whatever groups they can get. These low-paying, high-demand groups create more stress than revenue. It doesn’t have to be that way.
This session will show you how to find the groups that fit your mission, respect your staff, and make the work feel easier. We’ll dig into practical ways to streamline your off-season operations so you can run more efficient groups and walk into summer fully focused on what you do best: creating incredible experiences for your campers

One Plan, Many Scenarios: Tips for Building an All-Hazards Emergency Response Framework for Camps
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 421
Emergencies can happen at any time, from severe weather and medical incidents to missing campers or active threats. In all these situations, planning is key, but it can often feel overwhelming. Camp leaders, staff, and campers can all benefit from one clear, adaptable emergency response framework that works across a wide range of scenarios.
Join a longtime 4-H Camp Director, a Police Officer, and a Fire Lieutenant as they share practical ways to build an all-hazards emergency plan that’s simple to teach, easy to practice, and ready to use. You’ll learn how to define clear roles, set up effective communication steps, collaborate with first responders as part of your camp training, and make sure your entire team feels confident when it matters most.
Participants will leave with real-world tips, sample tools, and a solid foundation they can adapt to help everyone stay calm, coordinated, and safe.

The Business of Camp: Reading Your Financial Story
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 315
We don’t have to love the business side of camp to know it matters. This session helps you decode what your financial reports are really saying, and why understanding them empowers you to lead more strategically. You’ll learn how to read the three core financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow report) in plain language, spot red flags or opportunities, and use that knowledge to strengthen your camp’s financial sustainability and mission delivery. Perfect for camp leaders who want confidence, not confusion, when looking at the numbers.

Team Harmony in the Age of Social Muscle Atrophy: Helping Counselors Connect Beyond the Screens
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 404
Every year dozens of Counselors from different backgrounds and experiences land in one place with just days to figure out how to work and thrive together. But today’s screen-heavy culture has led to a gradual weakening of the everyday social skills that make teamwork natural. Our increasingly divided culture has only added to the challenge. In this workshop, Team Culture Specialist Peace Ike offers practical tools to rebuild those social muscles so Counselors can communicate confidently, work through differences, and create unity campers can feel.

Reimagining Staff Training Week
2026-03-11 15:15 - 16:15 | Room 402
From safety protocols to camper care, there is a lot to get through during your staff training week! But this is also your staff members’ first experience with your camp, and by prioritizing their experience, you not only ensure they feel confident and knowledgeable to successfully fulfill their responsibilities, but that they feel excited and energized to do so.
This session will guide participants through a crash course in redesigning your camp’s staff training to ensure the staff experience is at the forefront. Through a series of facilitated exercises, participants will reflect on past successes and challenges, identify priority areas for the season ahead, and build an engaging training schedule that includes a variety of sessions that speak to the needs of the camp, as well as those of your staff. Participants will leave this session with a road map to designing an engaging, educational, and fun staff training that can be implemented with their own teams.
