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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T202331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213853Z
UID:10000320-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Accounting Strategies to Increase Profits and Reduce Taxes
DESCRIPTION:Running a camp comes with unique financial challenges and opportunities. This session provides camp professionals\, owners\, and executives with essential accounting insights tailored to the camp industry. Learn how to maximize tax deductions\, navigate new tax law changes—especially around depreciation and the employee retention credit—and manage key accounting issues for both for-profit and non-profit camps. Experts will also explore how to strengthen bank relationships and financing options\, structure the purchase or sale of a camp\, and develop a sound succession plan for long-term sustainability. Participants will leave with practical strategies to overcome financial obstacles\, improve profitability\, and ensure their camps fiscal health in changing economic times.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/accounting-strategies-to-increase-profits-and-reduce-taxes-3/
LOCATION:Room 314
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T202331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213920Z
UID:10000321-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:DEI Status Report: A Fishbowl on Inclusion in Camping
DESCRIPTION:We’ve been talking about DEI for years\, so where are we now? In this candid\, in-the-round conversation\, four practitioners drop the script and speak honestly about the state of inclusion in camps: the progress\, the fatigue\, the wins that keep us going\, and the barriers that still hold us back. No slides. No Q&A. Just real talk about what it means to keep doing this work when the world is pushing back. Attendees will leave with a new perspective on inclusion work\, renewed clarity\, and the courage and insight to advocate for inclusion in youth spaces.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/dei-status-report-a-fishbowl-on-inclusion-in-camping-2/
LOCATION:Room 312
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T202330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T174915Z
UID:10000319-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Incorporating Drumming\, Rhythm\, and Movement Into Your Camp Activities: Easy Ways to Boost Energy\, Teamwork\, and Camper Engagement
DESCRIPTION:Get inspired! This hands-on\, interactive session will expose you to the possibilities of incorporating rhythm into your offerings and activities in camp. \nFeaturing demonstrations from Adam and his team from Path To Rhythm\, participants will be a part of the high energy and connection created by rhythm making. \nAdam will break down easy ways to lead and facilitate group activities that you can take to your campers and staff. Come learn specific techniques to be able to lead activities\, be inspired to incorporate rhythm activities into your programming\, and expand upon your music program offerings.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/introducing-activities-with-rhythm-drumming-and-movement-to-your-camp-2/
LOCATION:Room 202
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T202329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214006Z
UID:10000318-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:The Complexities of Medication Management:  Understanding the Regulations and Responsibilities
DESCRIPTION:Medication management continues to be the most litigated activity that happens at camp. Understanding the many steps that medications need to take (intake\, screening\, securement\, dispensing\, documentation\, error management) is essential for the safety of your full camp population. This session will discuss the components of medication management and steps your camp can take to create a healthy protocol for care.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/the-complexities-of-medication-management-understanding-the-regulations-and-responsibilities-2/
LOCATION:Room 421
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T202329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213950Z
UID:10000317-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Balance Beam Management: A New Approach to Keeping Team and Campers Happy
DESCRIPTION:The ability to manage our team and their ability to do their jobs well is central to creating incredible camp experiences for campers and families. Balance Beam Management is a new approach to team leadership that builds trust\, fosters open conversation\, and helps staff regulate emotions in real time rather than reacting to stress. The same techniques can also be used to support campers more effectively. \nThis approach centers joy and care\, helping leaders and staff develop meaningful relationships and healthy communication. By promoting emotional regulation\, co-regulation\, and play-based techniques\, we create environments where everyone feels seen\, safe\, and supported.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/balance-beam-management-a-new-approach-to-keeping-team-and-campers-happy-2/
LOCATION:Room 415
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214018Z
UID:10000314-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Encouraging Intentional Dialogue in an Age of Division
DESCRIPTION:In an era defined by polarization and fear of saying the wrong thing\, camps have a unique opportunity to model what productive disagreement looks like. This session examines how leaning into hard conversations—rather than avoiding or canceling them—builds communities rooted in trust and empathy. Drawing from research in restorative practices\, social-emotional learning\, and self-determination theory\, participants will explore how structured dialogue and shared responsibility help young people develop resilience and perspective-taking. Through case studies and interactive reflection from Camp Stomping Ground\, we’ll analyze how adult discomfort can reinforce division\, and how intentional dialogue creates belonging across difference. Participants will leave with concrete frameworks and facilitation tools for transforming conflict into connection in today’s fractured cultural landscape.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/conflict-is-the-curriculum-courageous-dialogue-in-an-age-of-division-2/
LOCATION:Room 311
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214033Z
UID:10000315-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:The No-Sweat Marketing Plan
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/the-no-sweat-marketing-plan-2/
LOCATION:Room 418
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214049Z
UID:10000316-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Building Bus Community: The Human Approach to a Better Transportation Experience
DESCRIPTION:This presentation will explore how a focus on human connection and community-building can transform the bus experience for day campers. While logistics like efficiency and safety are paramount\, we often overlook the social dynamics that shape a child’s daily commute. By shifting our approach from simply transporting campers to fostering a sense of community on board\, we can significantly improve the overall experience of not just our campers\, but also our bus staff and drivers.\nOur focus will be centered not only on how community building makes the bus ride more enjoyable but also helps reduce behavioral issues and reinforces a sense of belonging among campers\, bus staff\, and drivers\, creating a lasting positive impact that extends far beyond the bus ride and camp season.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/building-bus-community-the-human-approach-to-a-better-transportation-experience-2/
LOCATION:Room 417
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214110Z
UID:10000312-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:The Perks\, Privileges\, and Pitfalls of Hiring and Managing Staff Parents
DESCRIPTION:Parents of current campers are valuable assets in many camp programs. However\, they also come with challenges\, including feelings of entitlement\, supervising one’s peers\, discretion\, being an ambassador of your brand inside and outside of camp\, and the inability to separate their job as a staff member from their role as a parent when their children are “at work” with them. This session will help the people who hire\, train\, and manage staff parents understand the importance of setting clear expectations from the start and recognize the value in having targeted training for staff parents during orientation. This session will focus on positive ways supervisors can convey to staff parents that they were hired to do a job\, and that while at camp\, their parental role comes second. When/if staff parents overstep that boundary\, their behaviors not only reflect poorly on the job that they do\, but can negatively impact their own children’s camp experience. Don’t let it!
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/the-perks-privileges-and-pitfalls-of-hiring-and-managing-staff-parents-2/
LOCATION:Room 310
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214127Z
UID:10000313-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:A Strengths-Based Approach to Working with Tough Boys
DESCRIPTION:The 13- and 14-year-old hotshots who are causing headaches for your instructors; the second-year counsellors who are disrupting your staff culture. These aren’t just problems to be fixed-they’re leadership opportunities waiting to be channeled. \nThis session equips camp leaders with practical strategies to work with the boys and young men who naturally emerge as influential figures within their camp culture. We will begin by exploring how precarious masculinity the constant pressure boys feel to prove their manhood drives attention-seeking\, risk-taking\, defiance\, and disconnection in camp settings. From there\, participants will learn proven strategies for aligning with\, challenging\, and empowering boys that can be implemented at the camp leadership level as well as taught to camp staff. Transform your most challenging campers into your greatest assets for building a camp culture where everyone\, not just the loudest voices\, can thrive.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/a-strengths-based-approach-to-working-with-tough-boys-2/
LOCATION:Room 404
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214145Z
UID:10000310-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:How to Do What You Said You Would Do:  Being Accountable to Yourself and Others\, with Less Stress
DESCRIPTION:Wouldn’t it be great if we were judged by our intentions instead of our actions or lack of action? Do you struggle to manage your task list\, or wish you even had a task list? Would you like to raise accountability for yourself and those you collaborate with? In this session with Diana Bloom\, we will learn actionable steps that can be implemented to achieve high productivity and efficiency and to bridge the gap between our intentions and our actions. Together\, we will discover systems and processes to prioritize\, track\, and complete tasks with less stress. We will learn techniques for better clarity in task management\, how to prevent tasks from falling through the cracks\, and how to track work to completion.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/how-to-do-what-you-said-you-would-do-being-accountable-to-yourself-and-others-with-less-stress-2/
LOCATION:Room 301
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T150000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T201224Z
UID:10000308-1773237600-1773241200@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Developing Future Camp Leaders with CIT Programs
DESCRIPTION:Finding the staff who want to work with kids and be part of your camp’s culture can be challenging. A high-quality CIT or leadership program will cultivate campers into staff. Programs must be based on providing mentorship and developing future leaders beyond just giving an opportunity to be at camp for another summer. We will explore characteristics of a successful program\, pitfalls to avoid\, and tips for transforming a program into a robust leadership pipeline. We will cover best practices and share real examples.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/developing-future-camp-leaders-with-cit-programs-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T134500
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20260127T202814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T202828Z
UID:10000416-1773232200-1773236700@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:VOCE Roundtable Discussions
DESCRIPTION:Join Fritz\, Dan Zenkel and other VOCEs as we network\, grab lunch and take part in small discussions around things that effect us\, the Veterans of the Camp Experience. More information on topics and moderators will be shared after the data from a survey is collected.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/voce-roundtable-discussions/
LOCATION:Room 411/412
CATEGORIES:VOCE
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20260127T213227Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T213121Z
UID:10000425-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:ACA Chesapeake Gathering
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/aca-chesapeake-gathering/
LOCATION:Room 413
CATEGORIES:Social Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20260127T213150Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T213151Z
UID:10000424-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:ACA Upstate Gathering
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/aca-upstate-gathering/
LOCATION:Room 202
CATEGORIES:Social Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20260127T213115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T213506Z
UID:10000423-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Parks and Rec Camps Meet and Greet
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/parks-and-rec-camps-meet-and-greet/
LOCATION:Room 405/406
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T205708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T213902Z
UID:10000399-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:4-H Camp Roundtable
DESCRIPTION:Step into a dynamic session designed for 4-H camp professionals! Whether you’re a seasoned camp director or new to the team\, this round table is your chance to connect with peers from across the region\, exchange ideas\, and spark inspiration. \nDiscover what’s working in other state 4-H camp programs\, share your own success stories\, and gather fresh programming ideas and resources to take back to your camp. Bring your staff training agendas\, emergency management plans\, program evaluations\, and any tools you use. This is a space for open sharing and collective growth. \nExpect lively discussion\, practical takeaways\, and new connections that will strengthen your camp community. Come ready to contribute\, learn\, and leave energized for the season ahead!
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/4-h-camp-roundtable-3/
LOCATION:Room 415
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T205708Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T213718Z
UID:10000400-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:EPIC Dining Hall
DESCRIPTION:Anyone who identifies as an EPIC (Emerging Professional in Camping) is invited to join this session of networking and casual conversation that is relevant to our community. Bring your challenges\, hot topics\, and lunch!
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/epic-dining-hall-2/
LOCATION:Room 402
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T205707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214224Z
UID:10000398-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:How to Adapt Marketing and Sales Strategies to Attract and Enroll Children from Non-Traditional Camp Families
DESCRIPTION:In this Dining Hall\, we will lead a conversation focused on how to market and sell camp to “non-traditional” camp families. Non-traditional camp families are made up of families with parents who did NOT attend camp\, families who come from areas in the United States or abroad that do not have camp at all\, and/or families who live in neighborhoods where it may not be the norm or part of the culture to send children to camp. We will discuss aspects of the marketing plan\, inquiry follow ups and the camp tour that must be adapted if we wish to communicate effectively with families new to the camp world.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/how-to-adapt-marketing-and-sales-strategies-to-attract-and-enroll-children-from-non-traditional-camp-families-2/
LOCATION:Room 410
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T205507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T150630Z
UID:10000394-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Alumni Development Roundtable: What Camps Can Learn from University Models and One Another
DESCRIPTION:While camps foster deep connections\, building a formal alumni association often remains a challenge. This session opens the floor for a moderated discussion on your camp’s alumni plan\, whether it’s a full-fledged association or non-existent. Be prepared to share your current strategies\, hopeful future plans\, past successes or mistakes\, and more. Cory will share some of his lessons from conversations with the CEO of the Clemson University Alumni Association to get things started. This is an opportunity to learn from peers as we discuss how to turn camper nostalgia into active\, lifelong belonging.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/cracking-the-alumni-development-code-what-camps-can-learn-from-university-alumni-models-2/
LOCATION:Room 401
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T205507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T215900Z
UID:10000395-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:The Backward Plan: A Camp Staff Training Roundtable
DESCRIPTION:Join fellow camp professionals in an interactive roundtable discussion focused on mastering the “backward planning” approach for designing dynamic and effective camp staff training schedules. \nThis session moves beyond a standard presentation\, offering a collaborative forum for you to share challenges\, swap strategies\, and brainstorm solutions with peers. We will tackle key questions in an open dialogue format:\n• How do you prioritize the most crucial skills staff need by Opening Day?\n• What are innovative ways to integrate essential components like health/safety and camper development into engaging\, hands-on activities?\n• How do we ensure every piece of training content aligns deeply with our unique camp’s mission\, vision\, and values? \nWhether you lead a resident camp or a day camp\, bring your experiences and your toughest questions. Walk away with fresh perspectives\, shared resources\, and a ready-to-implement strategy for transforming your staff training into an empowering experience that fosters a positive\, ready-to-lead team. Active participation and shared expertise are the cornerstones of this session. To get the conversation started\, come ready to share and discuss a few of your best (or worst!) ideas. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the ones you’re most excited or proudest to discuss.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/timing-is-everything-designing-your-camp-staff-training-schedule-2/
LOCATION:Room 419
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T205507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213042Z
UID:10000396-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:The Kids Are Ready: Using Play as a Tool for Social Change
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop\, participants will explore how play can be used as a powerful tool in youth programs to spark conversations about identity\, power\, and the wider world\, while fostering positive social change. They will gain strategies and practical approaches to embed these discussions into their programs\, helping young people build foundational language around social change and develop the skills to become changemakers. Finally\, participants will engage in hands-on activities that demonstrate how play can be used intentionally as a strategic method to support young people in navigating and responding to today’s sociopolitical context.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/the-kids-are-ready-using-play-as-a-tool-for-social-change-2/
LOCATION:Room 418
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T133000
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T205506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213105Z
UID:10000393-1773232200-1773235800@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Programming Share Out
DESCRIPTION:There is a ton of wisdom at this conference\, let’s take advantage of it! Share your favorite programming ideas and gain some new ones from fellow camp professionals.\nTopics may include sensory-friendly evening programs\, connecting your existing programming to your mission AND what the kiddos want\, staff bonding activities\, and so much more.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/programming-share-out-2/
LOCATION:Room 416
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T094500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T104500
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20260210T182341Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T182341Z
UID:10000436-1773222300-1773225900@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Tooth Fairy Ethics: When is it OK to Lie to Kids?
DESCRIPTION:It’s ironic—against the backdrop of lofty mission statements and core values like “honesty”—that most adults have no qualms about lying to young children about the Tooth Fairy\, the toy store being closed\, and catching a cold if you don’t wear a jacket. These may be harmless falsehoods\, but what about lies your staff tell campers? This entertaining session will help you examine camp lore\, humor traditions\, and discipline practices and decide which ones to nix because they are truly unethical.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/tooth-fairy-ethics-when-is-it-ok-to-lie-to-kids/
LOCATION:Room 301
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T094500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T104500
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20260129T210704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T211451Z
UID:10000432-1773222300-1773225900@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:The 2026 Camp A.I. Census: How Camp Operations\, Marketing\, and Programming are Actually Using AI
DESCRIPTION:Every camp leader is being flooded with AI tools promising to “revolutionize” the summer—but how do you tell the difference between a high-value asset and a generic commodity? Drawing on a specialized survey of the camp industry\, this session reveals the results of the first-ever “Camp AI Census.” We break down usage by role (Operations\, Marketing\, and Programming) to identify where AI is truly overdelivering and which is just a flavor of the day. You will learn to identify “Sticky” tools—those that integrate deeply into your camp’s unique DNA—versus “Commoditized” tools that are easily replaced by free alternatives. Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap to prioritize their tech spend and a blueprint of the 2026 “Must-Have” Camp AI Stack.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/the-2026-camp-a-i-census-how-camp-operations-marketing-and-programming-are-actually-using-ai/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T094500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T104500
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213154Z
UID:10000307-1773222300-1773225900@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:When Parents Push the Limits: Human-Centered Communication and Risk Management in Camp
DESCRIPTION:Parents today are more anxious\, vocal\, and involved than ever\, and camp leaders are often caught in the middle. In this interactive session\, an experienced camp director and trauma-informed attorney explore how to navigate challenging parent interactions with clarity\, empathy\, and professionalism. Together\, they’ll unpack the roots of heightened parent behavior\, share communication frameworks that de-escalate tension\, and outline practical risk-management strategies that protect relationships\, reputation\, and camper well-being. Participants will leave with tools to transform difficult conversations into opportunities for trust and partnership.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/when-parents-push-the-limits-human-centered-communication-and-risk-management-in-camp-2/
LOCATION:Room 314
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T094500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T104500
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T200206Z
UID:10000306-1773222300-1773225900@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:How Creating an Environment of Hospitality Can Shape the Summer Camp Experience
DESCRIPTION:In today’s competitive youth development landscape\, hospitality is far more than a customer-service buzzword is a powerful strategy that can elevate every aspect of the camp experience. As presenters\, Henry Skier\, Marc Honigfeld\, John Kiesendahl\, and Laurie Guzda\, will emphasize\, service is what people expect\, hospitality is going above and beyond. This session will explore how that distinction can profoundly shape how camps serve their communities.  Participants will dive into what hospitality truly means in the camp context and discover practical ways to infuse it into daily operations. The discussion will highlight how staff\, campers\, and parents all serve as recipients of your hospitality efforts\, and how empathy-driven practices\, what the presenters call creating a “Product of Empathy” can transform routine interactions into meaningful moments of care. The session will also uncover how well-handled mistakes can become opportunities to build stronger relationships\, deepen loyalty\, and create memorable moments of hospitality. This session aims to offer fresh perspectives\, real-world examples\, and actionable strategies for making hospitality a core cultural value that drives connection\, satisfaction\, and long-term camp success for campers\, their families\, and staff alike.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/how-creating-an-environment-of-hospitality-can-shape-the-summer-camp-experience-2/
LOCATION:Room 311
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T094500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T104500
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213239Z
UID:10000304-1773222300-1773225900@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Unleash the Power of Play: Designing Summer Camp Experiences that Drive Learning
DESCRIPTION:Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into a highly interactive professional development session where fun meets function. Through engaging games and hands-on activities\, you’ll explore how traditional camp fun can be transformed into powerful opportunities for academic and social-emotional learning. \nLed by the SummerCollab team\, this session isn’t just about ideas\, it’s about doing. You’ll actively participate in playful learning experiences that model how to spark curiosity\, build confidence\, and foster growth in young learners. Along the way\, you’ll gain practical strategies for program planning\, activity design\, and creating a camp culture that naturally weaves learning into every moment. \nCome ready to play\, laugh\, and learn\, because when you do\, your campers will too!
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/unleash-the-power-of-play-designing-summer-camp-experiences-that-drive-learning-2/
LOCATION:Room 312
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T094500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T104500
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213307Z
UID:10000305-1773222300-1773225900@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Attract\, Recruit\, and Retain International Staff
DESCRIPTION:Are you looking to step up your camp’s international staff recruitment game? Learn from former participants\, turned camp directors\, who now work with hundreds of camps each year on how best to attract\, recruit\, and retain international staff. In this session\, you’ll find out what attracts international applicants to camps based on a survey from our 2025 placed applicants. Learn the tactics and tools to best approach potential international staff members during the recruitment process. Explore unique ways that camps are minimizing staff cancellations and engaging with hired staff members prior to arrival.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/attract-recruit-and-retain-international-staff-2/
LOCATION:Room 315
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T094500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260311T104500
DTSTAMP:20260501T181147
CREATED:20251209T201024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213328Z
UID:10000303-1773222300-1773225900@tristatecampconference.com
SUMMARY:Best Practices and Bold Opinions: A Director Throwdown
DESCRIPTION:Join Justin Pritikin (Liberty Lake Day Camp\, NJ) and Andy Shlensky (North Star Camp for Boys\, WI)\, for an engaging conversation on what’s working\, and what’s changing\, in modern camp leadership. Through stories\, strategies\, and honest reflections\, Justin and Andy will explore how today’s directors can balance innovation with tradition\, maintain excellence through chaos\, and lead with both empathy and edge. This session isn’t about right answers\, it’s about shared wisdom\, practical takeaways\, and the power of evolving together.
URL:https://tristatecampconference.com/event/best-practices-and-bold-opinions-a-director-throwdown-2/
LOCATION:Room 303
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR