Manchester, NH March 30th - April 1st, 2023
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Manchester, NH
March 30th - April 1st, 2023
Last Updated March 21, 2023
Table of Contents Schedule at a Glance ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Important Information and Reminders ........................................................................................................ 2 Special Events and Activities.......................................................................................................................... 3 2023 Award Presentations ............................................................................................................................. 5 All Conference Keynote and Plenary Panel................................................................................................. 6 Evening Programs ⬩ Thursday /Friday ⬩ 7:30PM - 10:00PM .................................................................. 7 Session 1 ⬩Thursday⬩ 9:00AM - 10:30AM.................................................................................................. 8 Session 2 ⬩Thursday⬩ 11:00AM - 12:15PM................................................................................................. 10 Lunch and Learn Session A ⬩Thursday⬩ 12:45PM - 1:30PM................................................................... 12 Session 3 ⬩Friday⬩ 8:45AM - 10:15AM....................................................................................................... 13 Session 4 ⬩Friday⬩ 11:15AM - 12:30PM ...................................................................................................... 15 Short Session B ⬩Friday⬩ 2:00PM - 2:45PM............................................................................................. 17 Session 5 ⬩Friday⬩ 3:15PM - 4:30PM......................................................................................................... 19 Session 6 ⬩Saturday⬩ 10:45AM - 12:00PM............................................................................................... 21 Lunch and Learn C ⬩Saturday⬩ 12:15PM - 1:00PM................................................................................... 23 Session 7 ⬩Saturday⬩ 1:30PM - 3:00PM................................................................................................... 25 Speaker Biographies ..................................................................................................................................... 27 CampEXPO ...................................................................................................................................................... 40 Vendors ............................................................................................................................................................ 41 American Camp Association, New England .............................................................................................. 49 ACA Accreditation Visitors ............................................................................................................................ 50 Hotel Map ....................................................................................................................................................... 52 Conference Sponsors .................................................................................................................................. 53 NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG
1
Schedule at a Glance
Thursday, March 30
9:00AM - 10:30AM Daily Welcome and Educational Session 1
10:00AM - 11:00AM Affinity Space: Neurodiverse
11:00AM - 12:15PM Educational Session 2 DEIB Vision at the Conference
12:15PM - 1:45PM Lunch on own
12:30PM - 1:30PM Affinity Space: LGBTQIA+ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
12:45PM - 1:30PM Lunch and Learn A (DEIB) Vision at the Conference:
1:45PM - 3:30PM Announcements, Awards, and Keynote Address Our conference is committed to promoting
3:30PM - 6:00PM CampEXPO Grand Opening with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres! inclusivity and diversity within the
4:00PM - 5:00PM Facilitated Networking Activity in EXPO
summer camp industry, fostering an
5:30PM - 6:30PM Affinity Space: BIPOC
environment where all professionals can
6:00PM - 7:00PM EPIC Happy Hour Hang
Dinner on own
come together to learn, share, and grow.
6:00PM - 7:30PM
7:30PM - 10:00PM Evening Activities (see p. 7 for details) Through our programming and
interactions, we strive to create a space
Friday, March 31
where everyone is valued and respected,
8:45AM - 10:15AM Daily Welcome and Educational Session 3
regardless of their race, gender, religion,
9:00AM - 1:00AM Affinity Space: BIPOC
9:45AM CampEXPO Opens
sexual orientation, ability, or background.
10:15AM - 11:00AM CampEXPO time: Coffee & Bagels & President's Meet & Greet By being intentional about diversity and
10:45AM - 12:45PM Affinity Space: LGBTQIA+ inclusion, you will help us create a greater
11:15AM - 12:30PM Educational Session 4 sense of belonging for historically
12:30PM - 2:00PM Lunch on own marginalized communities.
1:00PM - 3:00PM Affinity Space: Neurodiverse
1:15PM - 1:45PM Sweet Treats in EXPO with Vendors! We ask each conference participant to
2:00PM - 2:45PM Short Session B actively help us create this environment
2:30PM CampEXPO Closes of inclusion and belonging.
3:15PM - 4:30PM Educational Session 5
4:45PM - 6:15PM State Meetings and Social Time For more DEIB Resources, take a look at
6:15PM - 8:00PM Dinner on your own ACA, New England’s Resource Exchange:
8:00PM - 10:00PM Multicultural Arts Night (see p. 7 for details)
Saturday, April 1
8:00AM - 8:45AM Light breakfast available
9:00AM - 10:30AM Daily Welcome and Plenary Panel
10:45AM - 12:00PM Educational Session 6
11:00AM - 11:45AM Affinity Space: LGBTQIA+
11:45AM - 12:30PM Affinity Space: Neurodiverse
12:00PM - 1:15PM Lunch on own
12:15PM - 1:00PM Lunch and Learn C
12:15PM - 1:00PM Affinity Space: BIPOC
1:05PM - 1:15PM Final raffle drawings in Assembly area!
1:30PM - 3:00PM Conference Closing and Educational Session 7
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG
2
Important Information and Reminders
Guidebook Food and Beverages at the Conference
The 2023 ACA, New England Camp Conference is mobile! The following will be provided for all conference attendees. Other
Get access to the most up-to-date information, build meals are on your own.
your schedule, submit feedback, access speaker and Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, Thursday, 3:30PM – 6:00PM,
session information, interact and connect with vendors EXPO Hall
and conference goers, and more! Cash bar during evening activities, Thursday, 8:00PM –
Download the free Guidebook App on iOS and Android 10:00PM, Assembly
devices through your device’s mobile app store – once Coffee & bagels, Friday, 10:15AM – 11:00AM, EXPO Hall
you’ve installed the app, search for ‘2023 New England Sweet treats, Friday, 1:15AM – 1:45PM, EXPO Hall
Camp Conference’. No Smartphone? No problem. Cash bar during Multicultural Arts Night, Friday, 8:00PM –
Visit https://guidebook.com/g/necampconf23 10:00 PM, Assembly
to use the system online! Light breakfast, Saturday, 8:00AM – 8:45AM, Armory
If you pre-ordered a boxed lunch, you will receive your tickets in
Parking Validation your name badge at conference check-in and they will be
Need your parking ticket validated for a discounted available (with ticket) in the lobby of the EXPO hall during the
commuter/day rate? Stop by the registration desk in the following times: Thursday, 12:15PM – 12:45PM; Friday, 12:30PM –
Assembly area before you leave! 1:00 PM; Saturday, 12:00PM – 12:30PM
ACA, New England Annual Fund/Raffle Continuing Education Credits
When you win, they win! There are multiple ways to
The 2023 New England Camp Conference
support the ACA, New England Annual Fund while at this
is an ACA endorsed educational program!
year’s Conference! When you participate in the
You can earn up to 15 CECs for full
conference raffles, you support quality camp
participation all three days. Should you need
experiences New England. You can buy tickets
additional certification of your attendance,
throughout the conference and raffle winners will be
please complete this form:
drawn towards the end of the lunch break on Saturday!
1. General Raffle: Buy tickets and drop them into bins
in the Assembly area for chances to win!
2. 50/50 Raffle: There's no limit on how much cash
you'll win (sponsored by Amerasport)
3. You can always donate:
www.acaNewEngland.org/Donate
Let's get social!
Evaluations Stay connected! Follow us @ACANewEngland and share your
Your feedback is important to us! Be sure to fill out our experience with #NECampConf.
Overall Conference Evaluation as well as Session
Evaluations. They can be submitted through the Guidebook
app, or paper copies are available at the information area.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG
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Special Events and Activities
CampEXPO Evening Activities
Don’t miss out on meeting over 60 camp-oriented Thursday
businesses in the Expo Hall! The hall will be open: Connecting Through Drumming interactive workshop,
Thursday 3:30PM - 6:00PM with appetizers, a cash 7:30PM - 8:30PM, Armory
bar, and a facilitated networking activity. Heroes Wanted: Live Roleplaying Adventure demo
Friday 9:45AM - 2:30PM with coffee and bagels with session, 8:30PM - 9:30PM, Armory
our board leadership (10:15AM – 11:00AM) and sweet Backyard Games at the ACA Grand, 8:00PM - 10:00PM,
treats (1:15PM – 1:45PM). Four Rivers Ballroom
Three cash raffles will be held in the Expo Hall – must be Join ACA, New England staff and volunteers for a night of
present to win! Drawings are Thursday between 5:00PM – music, games, and fun hosted by Party People. Party
6:00PM and Friday between 10:15AM – 11:00AM and again People will provide a selection of jumbo lawn games,
between 1:15PM – 1:45PM. while DJ Greg will provide the tunes. We’ll have board
games, tables to sit and chat, and a cash bar. All
Kindred Groups and Affinity Spaces attendees will receive a raffle ticket to win one of our big
We know there are different definitions that different evening prizes (must be present to claim)!
groups, programs, and events use. For the purposes of the Friday
2023 New England Camp Conference, we are using the Multicultural Arts Night, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, Armory
following language and definitions. There will be time to socialize, some games for attendees
to play, a cash bar, and performances from 8:30PM –
A Kindred Group is for conversations and sharing around a 9:30PM. The evening will feature dance acts from
specific professional interest. These will primarily take place Barranquilla Flavor and youth involved with Project
during 45-minute lettered blocks (A, B, C) at this year’s S.T.O.R.Y. and pieces from spoken-word poet Marlon
conference. Carey. We look forward to seeing you there!
An Affinity Space is a gathering place for those sharing in a Daily Kick-Offs
specific personal identity. Affinity spaces will occur Don’t be late to your morning sessions on Thursday and
throughout the conference for Neurodiverse, BIPOC, and Friday! We will kick off each day with announcements and
LGBTQIA+ attendees. While allies are incredibly important, fun activities right in each workshop room.
these spaces are not for them. The schedule is as follows:
Neurodiverse (Spaulding): Thursday, 10:00AM – President's Meet & Greet
11:00AM; Friday, 1:00PM – 3:00PM; Saturday, 11:45AM – Friday, 10:15AM – 11:00AM, EXPO Hall
12:30PM ACA, New England is having a change in its Board
BIPOC (Hale/Pierce): Thursday, 5:30PM – 6:30PM (Hale); President. Stop by the CampEXPO to thank outgoing Board
Friday, 9:00AM – 11:00AM (Hale); Saturday, 12:15PM – President Betsy Kelder for her service to ACA, New
1:00PM (Pierce) England and welcome Ian Moorhouse as our new Board
LGBTQIA+ (Hale/Spaulding): Thursday, 12:30PM – President. This will be an informal time to grab coffee and
1:30PM (Hale); Friday, 10:45AM – 12:45PM (Spaulding); a bagel and meet our board leadership while also visiting
Saturday, 11:00AM – 11:45AM (Hale) the vendors in our hall.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG
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Space to Connect/Network EPIC, New England
Throughout the Conference, The Penstock Emerging Professionals In
Are you ever looking for a spot to connect with a colleague Camping (EPIC) is a Kindred
one-on-one or get a little more work done? The Penstock Group within ACA. EPIC, New
will be open during much of the conference for this. Check England focuses on connecting and supporting newer
the sign on the door to indicate if it is open for use! director and sub-director level staff and counselors as they
navigate current camp careers and potential moves in the
industry. Find EPIC at the conference during the following
State Association Meetings
days/times. #beEPIC
All state meetings/socials will take place on Friday,
Happy Hour Hang, Thursday, 6:00PM - 7:00PM, the
March 31 from 4:45PM – 6:15PM. Contact your state
Penstock.
association for more details. Locations are as follows:
Meet representatives from the EPIC, New England
Connecticut – Frost/Hawthorne
Committee and other EPIC camp folk for casual
Maine – The Penstock
conversations and networking. If you’re wondering
Massachusetts - Pemigewasset
where to be Thursday evening, add this to your agenda.
New Hampshire - Contoocook
Kindred Group Connection, Saturday, 8:00AM - 8:45AM,
Rhode Island - Dartmouth
Merrimack.
Vermont - Piscataquog
Grab some grub and join the EPIC Kindred Group
Connection. This is a great opportunity to debrief
Relaxation Station conference ideas while they’re fresh and discuss Hot
Have you ever felt like you Topics EPICs everywhere are facing heading into the
needed a break or time away from summer.
the conference to regroup or just catch your breath? If so,
check out the relaxation station in Coolidge through the First Time Conference Attendee?
conference. This room is designed for quiet activities like
coloring and meditation. We ask you to silence your
Or Coming Without a Group?
devices, turn off your voices, and find the relaxation that We want to make sure you feel connected throughout the
you’re needing amid the conference hubbub. conference. If this is your first time (or first couple of times) at
our conference or if you’re coming solo and want to meet other
attendees, we will have a few opportunities to do so. Look for
Standards or Accreditation Questions? details in the conference app.
Members of the ACA, New England Standards Committee Pre-Conference Zoom Orientation (March 23 at 12:30PM)
will have a booth in the EXPO Hall on Thursday and Friday! Connection points in Assembly and the EXPO Hall on
Stop by to say hi, ask your questions about accreditation, Thursday & Friday
or learn more about becoming an ACA Standards Visitor. Lunch & Learn A Session, Making Connections (Thursday,
March 30 at 12:45PM)
Buddy dinner at a local restaurant on Friday evening
(this is a pay your own way event)
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG
5
The American Camp Association, New
England is proud to present the
2023 Award Presentations following awards at the 2023 New
England Camp Conference. We welcome
all to join us at the presentations.
Presidential Honor
On rare occasions a member of our community exceeds our expectation in his/her commitment to the
organization. This award represents a unique opportunity to recognize an individual whose work for the benefit of
camping and ACA, New England has had a profound impact. This award honors a member who has dedicated the
majority of his/her life or career to the camping industry. The recipient’s remarkable service is acknowledged as
unusually devoted, outstanding, selfless and noteworthy in ACA, New England.
Presented to Carl E. Metzger, Esq on Thursday at Keynote Address
Bette Bussel Distinguished Service
In honor of Bette Bussel, long time Executive Director of ACA, New England, The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor
regularly given by ACA, New England. It is awarded to an individual who has given outstanding leadership and service to ACA, New
England for at least 12 years. It is easily recognized that no other award would do justice to the magnitude of this nominee’s
contributions. This volunteer has devoted time above and beyond the normal volunteer commitment.
Presented to Emily Parker on Thursday at Keynote Address
Meritorious Service
This award is for meritorious service to ACA, New England and organized camp community. This individual has made outstanding
contributions to ACA, New England in a multitude of areas.
Presented to Greg Jutkiewicz & Ellen Flight at Saturday Plenary
Community Honor
This award is given for outstanding contributions to organized camping or to ACA, New England. It Is presented to individuals,
groups or organizations that may or may not be members of ACA to recognize their support of quality camp experiences.
Presented to Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run in April at the Annual Meeting
Peter Kerns Award for the Advancement of Professional Development
This award is given to an individual, group or organization that has shown extraordinary commitment to the development of camp
professionals. This award celebrates the life of Peter Kerns who inspired and challenged us to continually enhance the camp
experience for all.
Presented to Emily Golinsky in April at the Annual Meeting
George Marcus Award for Standards Education
This award is given to Standards Volunteer who exemplifies their role as the face of ACA, New England and the ACA Accreditation
Process.
Presented to Alex Thomas in April at Annual Meeting
Leadership and Service
These awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate individuals, groups or organizations for their significant contributions
to ACA, New England in leadership roles or in service to ACA and the New England community.
Presented to Stevie Faulk in April at the Annual Meeting
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG
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All- Conference Keynote and Plenary Panel
Keynote- Thursday, 1:45PM
Genein Letford | Speaker, Author, Corporate Trainer
Intercultural Creativity: The Ace Up Your Sleeve for the Future of Camp
“Innovation!” – Everybody wants it but most people don’t know how to truly achieve it.
Innovation in the camp community rests on creativity and creativity rests on the ability
to see things from multiple perspectives, dismantling bias, having a curious open mind
and building a culture of inclusion and belonging.
We are now an integrated network causing many cultures to interconnect and produce innovative ideas. Collaborative
intercultural creativity is now the ‘new normal.’ Genein’s engaging keynote helps attendees develop intercultural competency
with creativity to build an inclusive environment for the health of all your camp staff.
This post pandemic topic is critical for the creative advancement of any organization. Lots of laughs, stories and memorable
points that will ignite your attendees to continue 2023 with hope and skills for a brighter connected future.
Following Genein’s keynote, we will have a book signing in the EXPO Hall from 3:45PM - 4:45PM where Genein will be selling
copies of The 7 Gems of Intercultural Creativity and her children’s book I Am Creative (co-authored with her kid).
Genein Letford is an award-winning speaker, best-selling author, and corporate trainer. As the 2019 LA Lakers Business Woman
and the 2015 CA Charter Teacher of the Year, Genein is a national thought leader and creator of the concept of ‘Intercultural
Creativity®’. She is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of CAFFE Strategies, LLC which is a consulting, coaching and training
company that trains C-Suite executives and employees to create sustainable organizational equity and inclusion strategies while
unleashing their innovative thinking for themselves and in their businesses.
Plenary Panel- Saturday, 9:00AM
Moderators: John Hamilton, Alliance for Camp Health & Jamal Stroud, Camp HOPE America
Youth Panelists: Dexter, Diego, Gabbie & Grace
Reimagine: A Youth-Filled Perspective for Safety and Belonging
In a world of human inquiry, where camps integrate the natural world, science, and social connection, join us for a youth-
centered conversation where we dream about a common future and gain perspective for the path forward. We say we want to
be people who are dedicated to creating spaces that will be open, understanding, accepting, and forward thinking, but how will
we acknowledge the potential for bias and prejudice to enter in, trauma and pain to be acknowledged, and hope and healing to
be found.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG
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Evening Programs
Thursday, 7:30PM - 10:00PM
Connecting Through Drumming
7:30PM - 8:30PM, Happi Price, Improv 2 Improvement, Armory
Join other conference participants in this interactive session that will bring you all together. You’ll connect, create, and
collaborate by making a choice, committing to that choice, practicing that choice, and sharing that choice with others in a
safe environment – through the art of drumming. Participants will each have their own drum and drumsticks to use as we
build community by creating rhythms.
Heroes Wanted: Live Roleplaying Adventure
8:30PM - 9:30PM (sign up for a 20 minute slot), Meghan Gardner, Guardian Adventures, Armory
Join us for an exciting, beginner level Live Action Role Playing (LARP) adventure. In this 20 minute interactive adventure for
up to 15 attendees at a time, you will have to use your wits, work as a team, and interact with characters in a live action story
where you and your team are Heroes. Come prepared to play pretend and get physically involved with hands-on problem
solving, creative negotiation, and even an option for defending your team with a NERF blaster. But pick your team carefully...
the fate of your group depends on your decisions! No LARP experience necessary. If you want to learn how to run your own
LARP adventure, attend Friday’s Running a Simple Interactive Adventure at your Summer Camp during Block B.
Backyard Games at the ACA Grand
8:00PM - 10:00PM, Four Rivers Ballroom
Join ACA, New England staff and volunteers for a night of music, games, and fun hosted by Party People. Party People will
provide a selection of jumbo lawn games, while DJ Greg will provide the tunes. We’ll have board games, tables to sit and
chat, and a cash bar. All attendees will receive a raffle ticket to win one of our big evening prizes (must be present to claim)!
Friday, 8:00PM - 10:00PM
Multicultural Arts Night, Featured Performers
Barranquilla Flavor Multicultural Dance Program is an expression of traditional culture sharing through
folkloric Dance. This program honor different cultural through music and storyteller during their
performing. Dances will include cumbia, mapale, champeta, salsa, Nepali, merengue, and garabatao.
Smarika (Nepali dance) and Clementine (Congolese Dance), 7th graders involved with Project S.T.O.R.Y.
As part of their creative arts programming, throughout the year, their young people have opportunities to
perform their talents on stage in front of an audience. Our performers practice dance, music, public
speaking, cheerleading, and various other skills. Confidence and leadership is emphasized in all
performance roles.
Marlon Carey is also known as hip hop poet, Inphynit, (Pronounced “Infinite”). Marlon was a member of
the 2010 Boston Lizard Lounge Poetry Slam Team as well as the 2013 Providence Poetry Slam team, and
is a proud member of Providence-based poetry ensemble, Brother’s Keeper, a group dedicated to
inspiring and educating young people in urban environments aspire to greatness.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG8 Session 1 ⬩ Thursday ⬩ 9:00AM - 10:30AM
15 Ideas to Increase Your Summer Staff Retention Equity and Justice at Summer Camps:
James Tresner, Wanakee Frost/Hawthorne The Kids are Ready!
Seasonal staff are the backbone of a vibrant, impactful Simone Gamble, OAAARS Merrimack
summer program, yet they are increasingly hard to find. Justice in their camp programming with young people. The
Higher education continues to push young adults to pursue conversations around these concepts have lived too long with
internships, and non-camp options are more plentiful and our camp staff and leadership alone, but it is time we start to
higher paying than ever. Retention is key to building your have these necessary and transformative conversations with
team and maintaining a positive staff culture, while our young people. The kids are ready. We live in a time where
maximizing missional achievement. With focus and our campers are asking new questions about identity, power,
intention, we were able to increase staff retention at and privilege and we need to start offering the space for them
Wanakee from 30% to over 90% from 2017 to 2022. The to grapple with these concepts in a safer space like camp.
parallel benefits of increased registrations, program Many of these conversations are becoming taboo in our
quality, camper retention, and more, are obvious. In this schools and workplaces so camp must rise to the occasion of
session, we will explore 15 specific, actionable practices, curating the environment to create, conscious, mindful, and
mindsets, and investments that you can make this year to transformative agents of change. The time is now.
retain your best people.
I Have a Waterfront - Now What?
Bringing Light to Suicide: Supporting Camp Staff to Dakota Warren, Camp Susan Curtis Stark
Understand and Address Youth Suicide Waterfronts are one of the most dangerous activity areas at
Jon Mattleman, Minding Your Mind Contoocook camp, and one of the most widely enjoyed. How do you create
Suicidal statements and suicidal ideation are scary and an environment that you know is safe AND fun? How do you
overwhelming for everyone involved. Sometimes the set up your waterfront? How do you create and implement
message is clear and sometimes there are signs of suicide programming to assist with skill development in a short
that we may miss. Join counselor Jon Mattleman for an amount of time? How do you create a staff team of lifeguards
informative and empowering workshop about youth and non-lifeguards to ensure that every camper is safe and
suicide and what you can do to support young people who enjoying all the activities your waterfront has to offer? These
are struggling. are all questions that will be answered as we discuss
expectations at your camp to ensure that your waterfront is
Commitment: How to Earn It and How to Keep It?
the best of the best.
Kim Aycock, Kimspiration, LLC & Jolly Corley,
Camp Robindel Pemigewasset Mission vs. Supervision Webster
An answer to the question of the century may seem Katie Johnson & Meredith Stewart, The Redwoods Group
counter intuitive, yet is at the core of most camp At camp, our mission and philosophy is often steeped in values
communities - relationships. Staff are looking for of free play, unstructured time, and the opportunity for
connection and belonging. How do we focus on staff needs independent growth and free choice. However, claims data is
without defaulting to program needs we think are clear – this is the most common time for incidents of bullying,
necessary to running camp? We will focus on relationship hazing, or abuse to occur. This session will explore the
development through flipping our current ideas around juxtaposition of these competing priorities at camp – living the
recruiting, hiring, and staffing. Come away with various philosophy of free play at camp while also effectively
layers of opportunities to earn and keep commitment from supervising to keep campers safe.
your staff.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG9 Session 1 ⬩ Thursday ⬩ 9:00AM - 10:30AM
Using Your Fall Season Strategically Warming-Up Unlocks the Door to Opening-Up
Dan Weir, Immersive1st Dartmouth Happi Price, Improv 2 Improvement Armory
Learning how to utilize the Fall is the key to taking a camp to Warming up is crucial to human development and allows for
the next level. Without intention, the actions taken in the Fall greater participation. Starting from moderate to vigorous gives
can feel wasted in hindsight. Every Fall should consist of the brain, body, and heart the necessary blood flow to focus
gathering information, creating a strategic plan, and executing on what is happening here and now. Join me on an
goals & objectives. We will talk about the various ways of informational and experimental journey on how to physically,
gathering information utilizing surveys, interviews, and mentally, emotionally, and socially warm up through
meetings. We will discuss how to write goals and objectives improvisational activities and games so that learning can leave
with time-tested methods. With executing the strategy, Dan the room.
will make several recommendations on best practices. Folks
will walk away with ideas of how they can best utilize a
strategic planning process to address their camp’s most critical
problems.
Relaxation Station
The Importance of Creating Wellness & Therapeutic
Spaces at Camp Piscataquog
Kailla Rowell, LICSW, Evelyn Leuders-Booth, LCSW,
Rosie Boucher, Art Therapist, Camp Harbor View
Every kid should have access to mindful spaces and support
during the summer. The workshop will introduce camp staff to
how mindfulness techniques can be adapted at summer camp
to increase children's social-emotional development. This
workshop will offer a broad overview of the theory and
research behind mindfulness-based interventions. In addition,
activities and practices to use with youth will be presented,
with the opportunity to gain skills through peer practice and
feedback from presenters. At the end of the program, Have you ever felt like you needed a
participants will be able to implement practical mindfulness break or time away from the conference
activities in both classroom and clinical settings. to regroup or just catch your breath?
Check out the Relaxation Station in
Coolidge! This room is designed for
quiet activities like coloring and
meditation.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG10 Session 2 ⬩ Thursday ⬩ 11:00AM - 12:15PM
Advocating for Change at Your Camp Inclusive Leadership Doesn't Just Happen
Chris Rehs-Dupin, Transplaining for Camps Webster Jen Clitheroe, Strength Perspective Piscataquog
As a young staff person it is fairly easy to get frustrated as Inclusive leadership takes self-awareness, diligence, and
our organizations aren’t moving at the same pace when it intentionality. Want to learn more about what it means to be
comes to JEDI work (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion). We an inclusive leader? Join us for an interactive and
know that generationally those that often make the final introspective workshop as you explore your personal areas
decisions are years removed from the experiences of of skill and challenge as well as what makes up the traits of
young people and so developing a strategy to change an inclusive leader. We will also spend some time identifying
hearts and minds takes a fierce intentionality. This session areas for personal growth and development in your role as a
will focus in on tangible strategies to advocate for change, leader (or as an aspiring leader).
and how to take care of yourself emotionally while doing
Is It Conflict or Bullying?: Creating a Culture of Includers
so.
Emily Golinsky, Bright Moose LLC Pemigewasset
Camp for Kids by Kids: Lifting Youth Voice and Choice Nobody wants to hear that a participant was “bullied” at
Krystal Pegram & Josh Waxman, camp. But…were they, actually? That particular B word gets
Camp Harbor View Frost/Hawthorne thrown around a lot, but it isn’t always an accurate
When we think about camp we recognize it is built for kids, representation of the social situation. This session will clarify
but not built by kids. This session will challenge that the specific differences between conflict (normal!) and
statement by sharing best practices, narratives, and data to bullying (not!), including an emphasis on the sneaky version:
help youth workers and facilitators center and actualize social exclusion/relational bullying. We’ll walk step-by-step
ideas for the overall betterment of programs using clearly through when and how staff should intervene (or not), and
defined concepts of youth voice and choice. We will talk about creating a culture of includers with 10 easy-to-
highlight the importance of diverse voices in youth implement ideas. Also: language you can use in your pre-
development spaces and how these concepts benefit camp materials to help parents/guardians prepare their
programs while empowerment fosters development in the campers for inevitable conflicts that will arise at camp and
youth themselves. There will be time for questions, how they can expect camp to respond.
collaboration and, of course, some fun.
Leading Trauma-Informed Groups and Activities
Excel with Spreadsheets Corey Meurer, Justice Resource Institute Armory
Marcie Glad, Tenacre Day Camp Stark Join this hands-on, interactive session to learn how to
Have you taken a spreadsheet course in the past, but need facilitate activities in a way that allows everyone to have a
a refresher? Are you frustrated at your spreadsheets and positive and successful experience, regardless of the
wish someone could answer your questions? You’re in luck! group/activity or skill level of participating individuals, all
Whether you use Excel or Google Sheets, this is the session while taking into account the impact of experiences on the
for you! Content will include practice and review of: bodies and brains of youth. Participants will develop an
Spreadsheet structure & organization, Pivot Tables, Print understanding of what makes a group/activity successful,
Management, Linking data, Text-to-Columns, and explore strategies to meet the individualized needs of
Conditional formatting. Bring a laptop, your spreadsheets, participants, and provide an opportunity for practical
and your questions. Get ready to improve your ability to application of the strategies. In addition, participants will get
handle a spreadsheet and exponentially increase your an overview of: Psychological Trauma, the human stress
efficiency! response continuum, and common behavioral and cognitive
reactions to stress and trauma.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG11 Session 2 ⬩ Thursday ⬩ 11:00AM - 12:15PM
Language Upgrade for Camps: A Cultural Appropriation Guide
Andrew Corley, YMCA Seven Council Fires
(Formerly Sioux YMCA) Dartmouth
We will take a dive into what the Sioux Y has done to upgrade
the language at camp - how a simple title change can
advance the number of applicants for positions and how a
simple schedule change can boost camper numbers. We will Consider volunteering with ACA,
look at some nationwide examples of success other camps
have done to revamp their camp language. We will look,
NewEngland
Volunteers are the hearts and soul of our
through research and with both a trauma informed lens and a
organization and ensure we meet all your
Lakota cultural lens, at how we can make a more welcoming
interests and needs!
environment and experience for our campers. Have you ever
We have lots of ways you can get involved, from
debated if your Native American camp presence is offensive
volunteering at an event, joining a committee
or enriching? Have you wanted to increase cultural
(conference planning, education, or standards) to
sensitivity? We will look at examples that the Sioux Y has
becoming a standards visitor.
done over the past 139 years of best practice.
Navigating Camp Health Services
Tracey Gaslin, Alliance for Camp Health Contoocook
Camp leaders and professionals are all invested in camp
health and safety. There are many considerations regarding
medication management, communicable disease practices,
and developing partnerships with parents. This session will
outline a variety of situations that often challenge our camp
health practices. We will outline support for significant
concerns and help identify plans to mitigate risk at camp.
Reflecting Skills and Methods
Phil Brown, High 5 Adventure Learning Center Merrimack
Reflecting and debriefing are terms used in the
Adventure/Experiential Education realm as an opportunity to
connect lessons learned in the program to the outside world.
This has most commonly been done by sitting in a circle with
the facilitator asking questions and the participants
answering. This workshop aims to give both ideas and
activities to help facilitate discussion within your group in
order to get the most out of activities and also to ensure
there is follow-up at the end of the program.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG12 Lunch and Learn A ⬩ Thursday ⬩
12:45PM - 1:30PM
BIPOC Staff Affinity Groups at Camp: Why and How? Round Table: Talking Climate Change at Camp
Mateo Tebar & Umut Dursun, Harbor Camps Dartmouth Meghan Haslam, Mass Audubon Piscataquog
This lunch and learn will feature Mateo Tebar and Umut Climate change is changing our world. Regardless of where
Dursun of Harbor Camps. Mateo took the initiative to start they learn about it, young people around the globe are
a BIPOC staff group in 2021, and it has grown and evolved standing up to demand action against climate change. You
into a wonderful resource for both staff and campers, and can be part of the solution! So how do you discuss climate
it has been helpful to camp overall. Come learn how this change with 1st graders? What is climate justice and what
was done, what the purpose is, and how you can think does it have to do with camp? What kinds of solutions can a
about ideas for your own camp. 12-year-old try to combat the world's greatest challenge? Do
you need to be an expert to teach about climate change?
Kindred Group: At-Risk Youth
Nope, you don't need to be an expert! Come ready to share
Terri Mulks, Camp Susan Curtis Merrimack and learn ways to discuss this challenging topic with staff,
Join us to share, celebrate, and strategize programs
campers and caregivers, ideas for incorporating climate
specifically for at-risk youth. Bring your hot topics for
themes into camp, plus project and curriculum ideas.
discussion, prepare to meet like-minded new friends, and
walk away with resources to strengthen programs. All are So You Have Hired International Staff... Now What?
welcome. Focus is on youth who are facing socio- Megan Lynch, Camp Aldersgate Stark
economic hardship and mental, emotional, and social So you have hired international staff but what now? Come
health challenges. and grab some tips that can help with community building
and supporting your international staff and also help bond
Round Table: Director's Topics of Our Time
your staff together before setting foot on camp.
Mark Lipof, Camp Micah Frost/Hawthorne
Join this round table where we will discuss topics The Rainbow Connection: Supporting a Gender-Creative
identified by participants at the start of the session. Camp Culture
Possible topics include: staff retention, resiliency training Chloe Briskin, Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Camp Webster
and ideas, year-round staff compensation and benefits, You’re never too young or too old to play with your gender,
and whatever else is on your mind! and camp creates the perfect safe environment to find
yourself for the first time. This session will focus on how we
Round Table: Making Connections and Broadening Your
can support and celebrate both campers and staff who are
Professional Network
trans, nonbinary, gender-creative, or just experimenting
Cheryl Oliveira, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts &
with pushing the boundaries of gender norms. Some topics
Members of the Conference Committee Pemigewasset
we will cover include how to introduce and enforce pronouns
Join like-minded professionals of all levels to talk about
with all ages, de-gendering our language as educators, and
what is on your mind. We will start our session
speaking with parents and guardians about gender issues at
brainstorming conversation topics and then participants
camp.
will choose what is most pressing to them in that moment.
This session is a great opportunity for new conference
attendees, attendees who have come without a team, or
camp professionals looking to meet others!
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG13 Session 3 ⬩ Friday ⬩ 8:45AM - 10:15AM
Connect, Create, and Collaborate Through Intentionally Designed, Large-Scale, Cheap Games:
Movement Improvisation Theory & Workshop
Happi Price, Improv 2 Improvement Armory Dave Ghidiu, YMCA Camp Cory (Alumnus) & Aaron Proietti,
Fundamental motor skills are essential to all human Today's Innovator Webster
movement. Join us for a playful exploration of intra- and This session starts with a recounting of the journey that
interpersonal interactive play focusing on different levels, transformed the programming paradigm at YMCA Camp
speeds, shapes, directions, and stillness through Cory: when budgetary constraints led to the emergence of
improvisational warm-ups, skill development, and activities high-quality all-camp games. By way of example we will
that address diverse learning styles, innate abilities, and explore the ingredients necessary to create unique camp
collaborative contributions. games that are intentionally designed. Then we will break
into small groups and workshop several large-scale games!
Developing Staff Through the Intersection of
Hindsight and Foresight Keeping Families Engaged All Year Long
Kim Aycock, Kimspiration, LLC Merrimack Dan Weir, Immersive1st Stark
Hello! My name is insight, and I am found where hindsight Communication is key in every relationship, including camp
and foresight overlap. We know that looking back is key to families. By keeping families engaged all year long, we will
moving forward. Add that to a greater understanding of the stay top of mind as a vibrant community that kids want to
bigger picture of camp and clarity begins to form. Quality return to year after year. We will discuss the importance of
staff development comes down to quality conversations that engagement and address the reasons we lose touch. We
help connect the dots between hindsight and foresight. The will talk about the benefits to repetition and what it means
insight gained from these conversations with staff will for camps. We review multiple communication tools and
uncover countless growth opportunities (and are a direct how to turn it into a 12 month plan. This 12 month plan will
benefit of working at camp)! become a road map for your organization’s engagement
with camp families. Folks will leave with a better
Establishing a DEI Rapid Response Team at Camp
understanding about how to strategically plan for year
Simone Gamble, OAARS Pemigewasset
round engagement.
In this workshop, participants will learn the tenets of
creating a DEI Rapid Response team at camp that can Peer-to-Peer Abuse: Not Just Kids Being Kids Contoocook
address incidents of harm through this lens and create Katie Johnson & Meredith Stewart, The Redwoods Group
preventive structures to create a safer space for Peer-to-Peer (P2P) reports and claims continue to be on the
marginalized identities. We will learn how to build the rise. This is a serious issue affecting the quality of the camp
infrastructure for these teams and how to troubleshoot experience and, more and more – costing camps time,
potential challenges. If you are looking for a step forward in money, and their reputation. But what is it – really? Can’t
your DEI journey, this will be a helpful workshop for you. this just be chalked up to kids being kids? Or natural
exploration? Join this deep dive into the issue of P2P abuse,
including case studies of incidents, strategies for
prevention, and how to appropriately respond.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG14 Session 3 ⬩ Friday ⬩ 8:45AM - 10:15AM
Rolling out the Welcome Mat: Actions Steps You Can Take Supporting LGBTQ+ Campers When Their Parents
NOW to Make Your Organization More Inclusive are Not Affirming
Rachel Hailey, DEI Outdoors Dartmouth Chris Rehs-Dupin, Transplaining for Camps Piscataquog
Discussions around privilege, hidden biases, and stereotypes There is a mental health crisis amongst LGBTQ+ youth in
often create uncomfortable or eek feelings. Through Rachel’s our country. Every 45 seconds an LGBTQ+ young person in
experience working with hundreds of organizations, she has America attempts to take their own life. Only 1 in 3 LGBTQ+
identified and refined key activities that are foundational to youth are affirmed in their homes, and we know that
creating a safe space where participants can engage and having access to a strong and accepting community can
explore diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through these increase their overall well-being and lower their risk of
interactive activities, Rachel will model how to create an suicide and self-harm. How can camps be the community
inclusive outdoor program culture where all members are that these vulnerable youth need in order to build
able to feel safe, increase self- and other-awareness, resilience and feel affirmed as their true selves? We will do
practice empathy, and build meaningful relationships no an overview of what laws govern parent disclosure and
matter their circumstances. There will be a focus on tangible how can camps protect themselves while protecting
results and providing a roadmap for how to create diversity, campers of all genders and sexualities.
inclusion, and access within the organization.
Spheres of Acceptable Practice: Challenge Course Operations
and Programming Check out the Conference
Phil Brown, High 5 Adventure Learning Center Pierce
It is generally recognized that there is rarely a singular “best”
Book Store
way of doing things when it comes to challenge course Be sure to visit the conference
practices. Interactively we will explore intersections between bookstore in the Assembly for great
standards, SOPS, LOPs, and instructor preferences and how camping titles including publications
these may affect the operations and programming on your from some of our presenters.
course. Come explore with other professionals the range of
acceptable practices and how program design intersects.
Support Avenue
Brandon Brichetto, Dakota Warren, & Megan LaCroix,
Camp Susan Curtis Frost/Hawthorne
Support can mean so many different things in the camp
environment. The MESH (Mental, Emotional, and Social
Health) needs of our staff are increasing and we must find
ways to adapt to make them successful in the camp
environment. Join us as we traverse down Staff Support
Avenue, where different techniques, including small groups
and continuous feedback cycles, help to get your staff ready
and keep them focused for a successful summer.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG15 Session 4 ⬩ Friday ⬩ 11:15AM - 12:30PM
Becoming a Vessel of Hope: Learning Skills to Navigate DEIB and Your Mission
Mental, Emotional, and Social Health Doug Sutherland, Doug Sutherland Consulting Dartmouth
Tracey Gaslin, Alliance for Camp Health Merrimack This session will seek to align participants' personal mission
Mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) creates ongoing with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging discussions
concerns for youth and adolescents. ACH research completed and initiatives. We will briefly define terms, have one-on-one
following summer 2022 identified the key MESH challenges conversations, and attempt to find common ground. This
camps experienced. This session will outline MESH session is about connecting where people are on this
challenges, tools to navigate these situations, and ways to personal journey and its relation to the professional journey.
promote positive staff engagement. MESH issues are more
prevalent and need our attention if we are to become vessels Finding your Gaps
of hope for those in our care. Shawn Moriarty, Mass Audubon Webster
As camps continue to increase their efforts to create
Cracking the Generation Z Code: Recruit, Train, communities where campers truly feel welcomed and to
Support, and Inspire! Contoocook redesign our programs to correct cultural appropriations, we
Donna Johns-Thomas, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston can often be limited in our efforts by our own perspectives. In
Gen Z, people born between 1995 and 2012, now comprise this workshop we will explore ways to find and address the
most of our mainline staff (and older camper) populations. gaps in our efforts. We will take a look at methods to get
They're far from "new", but we keep using the same old more eyes on the changes we want to make. The over
"tried and true" supervision and management strategies with arching question we will use is "Who are we forgetting or
them that we’ve been using for the last 20 years and are leaving out?". There will also be time to share our successes
wondering why we're not getting good results. Gen Z has a and challenges.
unique outlook on the world - and vastly different views on
work, loyalty, authority, communication, and so much more! More Large Group Activities for Building Community,
You will come away with a better understanding of what Connection, Empathy, and FUNN
motivates and inspires them and how YOU can better recruit, Jeff Frigon & Andrew Wood, The Browne Center for
train, and support them for better results. Innovative Learning Armory
Come back (or for the first time) for another 75 minutes of
Creating an Engaged, Value-Added Alumni Association large group activities! This workshop is back by popular
Aaron Proietti, Today's Innovator Pierce demand! Build your bag of tricks and skills for working with
In 2020, a New York State camp on the eve of its 100-year large groups. This active session will have folks participating
Anniversary Celebration enlisted a pair of alumni volunteers in activities that will help break the ice for staff and campers
to design and lead the celebration. Flash forward one as well as build momentum towards an empathetic and
pandemic and two years later, the camp now has a renewed caring community. Some activities will be intentional, but
and engaged Alumni Association, and it recently held a some will just be FUNN (Functional Understanding Not
successful centennial celebration on site with over 400 Necessary) and will include fun ways to make small groups
visitors. Learn about all the key decision points and lessons as well as large-scale group problem solving!
learned developing an alumni association capable of leading
the charge on camp events.
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG16 Session 4 ⬩ Friday ⬩ 11:15AM - 12:30PM Say This, Not That The Power of Effective Feedback in Preventing Employee Emily Golinsky, Bright Moose LLC Piscataquog Harassment Issues at Camp If you’ve ever found yourself lost for words, or you’ve said Helen O'Reilly & Katie Toole, The Fresh Air Fund Stark something that you realized immediately after just fanned Happy, engaged employees are the key to a successful, the flames, don’t worry (we’ve all been there)! This session joyful summer. From our perspective as a Camp Director will equip you to walk into difficult conversations and (Katie) and as an Attorney (Helen), this training will discuss complicated situations with confidence. The responses, lingo, how to prevent, spot and address workplace harassment and strategies you’ll learn and practice are simple, but challenges in a residential camp setting. We will summarize profound…you’ll find yourself reaching for them again and legal obligations to address harassment and will share again. They’re applicable to behavior management, staff strategies to empower camp managers and camp leaders to supervision, difficult parents, customer service, and even interrupt problems before they escalate. We will discuss the that family member who is driving you nuts at holidays! vital role of early, effective feedback and the value of positive Come join Emily for some fun with language – past attendees culture development to lowering the legal risk of workplace say it’s “engaging,” “entertaining,” “insightful,” and “hands disputes. We will also share ways Camp Directors and a down the best session I attended today!” General Counsel have worked together successfully. The Neuroscience of Leadership: Building a Camp Culture of Trust Genein Letford, CAFFE Strategies & Meghan Gardner, Guardian Adventures Pemigewasset The science is clear. Trust is the new driver of productivity. Getting your message across, lowering fears (both rational and irrational), and pulling out the best of your counselors requires strong leadership. Scientists have identified the brain mechanisms that support our ability to connect and communicate with others and reveal how we can activate and strengthen them. Learn how to develop team chemistry and trust by building team identity through shared goals, values, and an increase of oxytocin. What We Know: A Conversation with Department of State, Bridge USA J1 Program Experts Diane Culkin, US Department of State & Scott Brody, Camps Kenwood & Evergreen Frost/Hawthorne The Covid pandemic disrupted and changed our world, especially our camp and international cultural exchange world. Travel and visa processing became challenges not easily overcome. Expectations were not as easily expressed and understood. What did we learn? How does that impact 2023? NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORG
17 Short Session B
⬩ Friday ⬩ 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Digitizing and Sharing Camp Artifacts (A Step-by-Step Learning with Style: Interdisciplinary Collaborations Across
Guide) Content Areas
Dave Ghidiu, YMCA Camp Cory (Alumnus) Contoocook Kate Grenci, Girl Scouts Heart of NJ Pierce
This session covers the process of digitizing one hundred We frequently acknowledge that children are different, and
years of yearbooks from Camp Cory and making them we know those differences can extend to learning and
available online. The entire endeavor was virtually free understanding. How can we play to different learning styles?
(though there is a lot of work involved). Come learn from our What can we do to bridge content across program areas to
mistakes, discuss some of the challenges we encountered, entice and excite the masses? Outdoor skills meet
and plan for preserving your camp history. We will engineering! Art meets awareness! Nature meets math! What
showcase the scanning process, how to create discoverable will you combine to create?
and accessible documents, how to store them online, and
how to get the yearbooks printed and listed at Amazon. Round Table: Caregiver Communication - What has changed
and What are our strategies?
Kindred Group: LIT/CIT Programs Sarah Castro Cunningham, YMCA Camp Takodah &
Krystal Pegram, Camp Harbor View Webster Zach d'Arbeloff, Belmont Day School Stark
Camps across New England engage with young leaders We all engage with parents and caregivers – whether daily at
through Leader in Training or Counselor in Training drop-off and pick-up, through phone calls and emails during
programs. This kindred group session is an opportunity for the summer, or when sharing information during the school
camp staff who run CIT/LIT programs to meet others who year. Join this peer-led round table to discuss the changes
are leading these types of programs for teens, discuss how you have seen with caregiver expectations and
their program works, what challenges they may be facing, communication over the past several years and hear and
and share ideas and solutions. share some strategies that you have put to work.
Kindred Group: Special Needs Camps Round Table: Crisis PR — What Do You Do and Where Do You
Dawn Willard-Robinson, Pine Tree Camp Hale Start When Your Camp Faces a Crisis? Frost/Hawthorne
Join us for an informal networking and conversation Janet Prensky, Aigner Prensky Marketing Group
opportunity for camps that serve campers with disabilities, The key to crisis PR is preparation because when a crisis hits,
who provide inclusive programming, or are looking to add the one thing you don’t have is time. You must be ready
inclusive programming to their camps in the upcoming year. before the crisis arrives. Join this session to hear a couple
We’ll talk about the 2022 camp season and what challenges examples of crisis PR situations from both camp and
we might be facing along with solutions and paths that corporate settings. Then, we’ll spend much of our time
camps are taking to ensure this summer is one that sets our together discussing what to do and how to prepare for a
campers and programs up for success. crisis before it happens based on real-life crisis situations
you have experienced or are concerned about experiencing
in the future and questions you bring with you. So, please
bring scenarios and questions and be prepared to share!
NEW ENGLAND CAMP CONFERENCE 2023 WWW.ACANEWENGLAND.ORGYou can also read
