Keynote Speakers for the 2012 National Conference

Christine Carter

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a sociologist and happiness expert at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center and is the author of Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  Dr. Carter shares ways that we can teach children skills for happiness, emotional intelligence, and resilience. She has been quoted in Working Mother, American Baby and Parenting magazines, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and dozens of other publications. Her blog is syndicated on Psychology Today, the Huffington Post, and other websites. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Rachel Ray Morning Show, and NPR, and is a regular on ABC’s View from the Bay.

Peg Smith

Peg Smith is the chief executive officer of the American Camp Association. She has over twenty-five years of career dedication to children, youth, and families.

Richard Louv

ACA's 2012 National Conference in Atlanta will feature a keynote address by Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle and Last Child in the Woods. Founding chairman of the Children & Nature Network, Louv is well-known for supporting the idea that "The future will belong to the nature-smart — those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need." The address will take place on Wednesday, February 22 and will be followed by a special conference-within-a-conference focused on children, nature, and camps.

 
Rodrick Lucero

Dr. Rodrick S. Lucero is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the School of Teacher Education and Principal Preparation in the School of Education at Colorado State University and has 10 years’ experience as a camp staff member.  He was a well-respected high school teacher and high school administrator for 21 years before moving to his current position.  His educational career has been heavily influenced by the relevance inherent in a natural environment and he continually advocates for a myriad of learning environments in order to educate every student effectively.  It is at this complex intersection that Rod has fused his passion for nature and his passion for educational opportunities for every child.

Niambi Jaha-Echols

Niambi Jaha-Echols is an author, visionary, artist, and inspirational speaker.  She wrote and self-published Project Butterfly: Supporting Young Women and Girls of African Descent through the Transitions of Life.  In 2004, she founded Camp Butterfly, which serves girls nationally and internationally using the butterfly as a wonderful model of transformation to help break the perpetual cycle of negative self-image and social outcomes. Niambi was recognized in 2005 by Essence Magazine as one of the “Women Who Are Shaping the World.”