Ability in Action: Creating Camp Jobs for All
2026-03-11 08:30 - 09:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Room 415
Want to take your camp’s inclusivity to the next level? This session explores how summer camps can serve as powerful platforms for vocational development and meaningful employment experiences for adults with developmental disabilities. By showcasing inclusive, strengths-based programming, the session will highlight how camp environments offer unique opportunities for skill-building. Attendees will gain practical tools for designing or enhancing vocational programs within their own camps, along with strategies for creating individualized work plans and adapting tasks. Participants will walk away with a clear framework for implementing camp-based vocational initiatives, real-life examples of success, and ideas for measuring progress and fostering long-term outcomes. This session is ideal for camp professionals looking to expand inclusive opportunities in their camps. This session will provide fresh insights into how camp can be a launchpad for lifelong vocational success.

Bringing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to Life at Camp: Lessons from the Field
2026-03-11 08:30 - 09:30 | Room 402
Creating a positive environment where everyone feels belonging and connectedness is crucial for a successful camp experience. Many elements that make or break camp – communication and interpersonal skills, civil discourse, managing parental expectations, staff and camper mental health and well-being, leadership, setting boundaries – are rooted in social-emotional learning.
In this interactive session, camp leader Andy Pritikin teams up with the School Culture and Climate Initiative to explore the five-domain SEL framework: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. You’ll get tangible examples of practical ways to support the development of these skills in camp settings that benefit staff, campers, and families.
Expect opportunity for meaningful discussion as we combine theory and practice to provide a roadmap to intentionality, helping your camp walk the talk!

Community Wellness Initiatives at Summer Camp: Creative Approaches to Support Campers and Staff
2026-03-11 08:30 - 09:30 | Room 310
A major focus of our Wellness Program at Camp Chi is providing a whole-camp framing of mental and social wellness. Our approach is guided by seven core program principles, which are rooted in: (1) a camp-first approach, (2) wellness as a continuum, (3) integration into camp, (4) empowering the community, (5) building belonging, (6) adopting a short-term, strengths-based approach, and (7) acting as guides not fixers. These principles informed camp-wide initiatives intended to elevate and reinforce the joy, meaning, and belonging that make summer camp special. Example initiatives included Wellness Wednesdays, The Magic Shop, Staff Tea Time and Conversation Hour, communal reflection opportunities on character and wellness, and team-building activities focused on promoting connection among campers. This presentation will outline our approach, from conception to implementation, and offer attendees hands-on tools to adapt and bring these activities to their camps.

SO Fun City: Importance of Improv
2026-03-11 08:30 - 09:30 | Room 410
This session, designed by a BCBA, explores the crucial role of improvisation and gamification in effective camp leadership. Attendees will learn how to adapt and engage children in real-time by creating dynamic, game-like experiences that enhance motivation, increase participation, and build essential skills. By incorporating spontaneous, game-based strategies, attendees can foster a more interactive and flexible camp environment, making camp both fun and impactful. Attendees will gain practical techniques for applying improv principles and gamification to better address the diverse needs of their campers and staff.

Fast and Furious FUN with Your Campers!
2026-03-11 08:30 - 09:30 | Room 312
Join former Physical Education Teacher of the Year and Camp4Real founder Scotty Williams and Omnikin international trainer PJ Hamel in this fast-paced, action-packed 60 minutes of FUN that will leave your campers begging for more! With everything from intense fitness games to hilarious partner tag activities to non-traditional cooperative team sports, this session will have it all! This wide range of games appeal to all types of campers and will leave them begging for more! Come get Fast and Furious today and blow your campers away!

Adaptive Recreation: All Ages, All Abilities, One Camp
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 316
Creating a truly inclusive camp doesn’t require unlimited resources—it requires creativity, compassion, and the right tools. In this training, staff will learn how to design and adapt activities so that campers of all ages and all abilities can participate together in meaningful ways. From the youngest campers to the oldest, participants will explore strategies for tailoring programs to individual strengths while maintaining a shared camp experience. Practical tips for adapting activities on any budget will be highlighted, giving staff the confidence to make inclusion not only possible, but seamless. By the end of the session, staff will leave with actionable ideas to foster a camp culture where everyone belongs, and every camper can shine.

Camp in the Palm of Your Hand: Building Systems that Keep You One Step Ahead
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 417
What if you could turn the data you already have into a simple, app-style tool that puts real-time schedules, rosters, and program info right in the palm of your hand? In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to transform your existing camper, staff, and activity data into smart spreadsheets that feed into mobile-friendly dashboards—no coding required. Whether you’re a spreadsheet skeptic or a formula fanatic, you’ll walk away with real camp examples, a practical build-it-yourself framework, and a plan to streamline operations while keeping screens out of sight for campers and staff.

Mind the Gap: Bridging the Staff Skills/Camper Needs Divide
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 302
Staff say campers aren’t listening. Campers don’t like how staff talk to them. The gap between them may be only about 10 years, but it spans two generations shaped by vastly different norms, expectations, and emotional languages. Staff assume campers “should know better,” while campers are navigating a world that’s more anxious, overstimulated, and socially complex than ever. The mismatch leaves kids frustrated and staff unsure how to connect, motivate, and redirect effectively. Join Emily to dive into what’s behind the disconnect and how to bridge it through practical, teachable skills. You may still not know what “skibidi ohio rizz” means or why kids laugh every time you say “6-7,” (this session won’t be explaining that brain rot!), but you will return to camp ready to train staff to connect more effectively, engage less reactively, and support the campers in their care with less frustration and more joy.

Creating and Executing Great "Color War" Breakouts for ALL Camps
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 316
Traditionally, the culminating end-of-summer “Color War” kicks off with “a bang”—an exciting, surprise event designed to start the week of activities. Creating and pulling off a successful Breakout is no easy task. While Breakouts can be elaborate AND expensive, they don’t have to be! This session will focus on the creative aspects and the logistical challenges, providing ideas for both more costly and inexpensive Breakouts. Expect a fun session that will leave you with ideas to bring to your camp, along with a roadmap for making your events a success.

Make It W.I.S.E.: Crafting That's More than Just Glitter and Glue
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 416
Too often, camp crafts and activities end up as “one-and-done” projects-something kids make, leave behind, or toss away. The W.I.S.E. (Wearable, Interactive/Physical, Skill, Elevated) Method offers a fresh framework to help camp professionals design projects that kids truly love and remember.
In this interactive session, participants will explore each element of the Kids in the Game W.I.S.E. Method through real examples from camp settings, practice evaluating sample projects with the framework, and brainstorm how to apply it back at their own programs. You’ll walk away with a practical tool and new ideas to raise the bar on camper art.

Don't Pop the Camp Bubble
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 313
This session will equip camp leaders with effective strategies for training staff to foster a safe, positive environment free from “hot topic” discussions such as politics, social media, religion, and relationships. We’ll begin by exploring the concept of the “camp bubble” — what it means for your camp community, how to maintain it, and how to respond if it “pops.” Participants will leave with practical training tools and techniques to help staff manage sensitive situations and preserve the fun, stress-free, and silly atmosphere that makes camp such a special place for kids.

Started from the Bottom: Building a Camp Career that Lasts
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 408/409
Many people begin their camp journey thinking it’s just a summer job, but it can become so much more. In this session, Nelson Strickland explores how to turn seasonal staff work into a sustainable, purpose-driven career that shapes communities and changes lives. Drawing on over a decade of experience building programs and leading teams from coast to coast, he shares honest lessons, practical strategies, and real-world examples that help professionals define their legacy. Attendees will walk away with tools to map their next steps, build credibility, and expand their impact far beyond a single season.

Orientation Overload: Rethinking Timing and Training through Executive Functioning
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 401
Orientation sets the tone for the whole summer—but when it’s crammed into a few exhausting days, staff forget more than they retain. That’s an executive functioning issue: too much information, not enough building blocks and scaffolding. This session shows how to structure orientation so that staff actually absorb and apply what matters. The result: more confident staff, less mid-summer chaos, and smoother camper experiences.

Why Families Choose You (and Not the Camp Down the Road)
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 309
Families don’t just choose a camp, they choose a story they believe in. When every brochure promises fun and friendship, what sets your camp apart is how clearly you communicate its identity. This session will introduce a simple, practical framework to transform everyday camp features into brand-defining meaning that families remember. You’ll leave with tools to help parents quickly see why your camp is “the one” and feel confident choosing you over the competition.

Rearview Mirror: A Look at 2025 Camp Practices, Themes, and Claims
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 310
This session will dive into insurance data and themes from 2025, including claims, incidents, and close calls, as well as common risk management questions. Case studies will be shared and discussed to highlight positive examples of crisis management, as well as common missteps and learnings regarding the incident. The world of risk management is ever-changing, as are society’s expectations of camps. Let’s talk about what is happening and how we are mitigating risk.

Creating LGBTQ+ Gender Inclusive Out-of-School Programs
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 404
Out-of-school programs can lead the way on inclusion by creating spaces where all youth feel seen, safe, and supported. This session offers practical tools to build affirming programs for LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse young people. Participants will gain confidence discussing LGBTQ+ topics, practice responding to bias, and learn how to interrupt gender stereotypes in everyday interactions. Through activities, scenarios, and real examples from programs nationwide, facilitators will model ways to create affirming environments for youth, families, and staff. Walk away with strategies, sample language, and resources to strengthen belonging across your organization.

Just Eat It: Navigating Picky, Restrictive, and Disordered Eating at Camp
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 410
Is your camper picky? Does the food just stink? Or is it possible that something more serious is going on? Atypical eating behaviors at camp are often a concern for staff, and there are so many reasons why a camper might not eat enough. In this session, social workers Chrissy and Elizabeth will explore a variety of challenging eating behaviors in campers, from pickiness and unfamiliarity to more significant disordered eating. They will examine contributing factors, mental health implications, and approaches for supporting campers and staff. Chrissy and Elizabeth will examine the importance of including family voice and, when indicated, a collaborative approach with treatment teams. They will also discuss factors to consider to ensure that staff are prepared and equipped to assess and support their campers who present with eating concerns.

Aquatic In-Service Escape Room
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 415
Dive into a unique training experience that combines problem-solving with lifesaving skills! The Aquatic In-Service Escape Room Challenge emphasizes teamwork, quick thinking, and critical decision-making as you overcome obstacles and decipher riddles to unlock the equipment needed to properly assist your VIC (Vulnerable Individual in Crisis).
Set in an aquatic environment, this dynamic and innovative challenge strengthens your lifesaving skill set while sharpening your critical eye. It’s an engaging way to reinforce essential rescue techniques, promote collaboration, and make ongoing training both educational and fun!

Best Practices and Bold Opinions: A Director Throwdown
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 303
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.

Unleash the Power of Play: Designing Summer Camp Experiences that Drive Learning
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 312
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.
Led 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.
Come ready to play, laugh, and learn, because when you do, your campers will too!

Attract, Recruit, and Retain International Staff
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 315
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.

How Creating an Environment of Hospitality Can Shape the Summer Camp Experience
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 311
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.

When Parents Push the Limits: Human-Centered Communication and Risk Management in Camp
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 314
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.

The 2026 Camp A.I. Census: How Camp Operations, Marketing, and Programming are Actually Using AI
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45
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.

Tooth Fairy Ethics: When is it OK to Lie to Kids?
2026-03-11 09:45 - 10:45 | Room 301
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.

Programming Share Out
2026-03-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Room 416
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.
Topics 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.

The Backward Plan: A Camp Staff Training Roundtable
2026-03-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Room 419
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.
This 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:
• How do you prioritize the most crucial skills staff need by Opening Day?
• What are innovative ways to integrate essential components like health/safety and camper development into engaging, hands-on activities?
• How do we ensure every piece of training content aligns deeply with our unique camp’s mission, vision, and values?
Whether 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.

The Kids Are Ready: Using Play as a Tool for Social Change
2026-03-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Room 418
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.

Alumni Development Roundtable: What Camps Can Learn from University Models and One Another
2026-03-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Room 401
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.

How to Adapt Marketing and Sales Strategies to Attract and Enroll Children from Non-Traditional Camp Families
2026-03-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Room 410
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.
