National Conference
Accreditation Process Workshop at the 2022 ACA National Conference
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Note: Registration for the Accreditation Process Workshop must be completed separately from the conference. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis so be sure to pre-register.
Accreditation Process Workshop
Who: This workshop is designed for camp representatives who are preparing for accreditation visits in 2021 and beyond. The course is appropriate for those who are new to the accreditation process AND those who have been part of an accreditation visit or completed standards training in the past. Every camp being visited must have at least one person who completes the workshop on behalf of the camp; that person must actively assist in preparation for the accreditation visit, be on site a significant amount of time during the camp season and participate fully in the on-site accreditation visit.
Date: February 7, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Oregon Convention Center
CECs: 4.0
Cost: No charge, but pre-registration is required.
Date: February 8, 2022
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Oregon Convention Center
CECs: 4.0
Cost: No charge, but pre-registration is required.
Schedule at a Glance: 2024 National Conference
As of 1/7/2024. Subject to Change
ACA reserves the right to make any and all adjustments to the program.
Additional event details will be added as they are finalized.
NOTE: Many events listed require pre-registration and some have limited space. For more information on kindred and pre-conference events, please visit the Kindred and Other Events page.
ACA Conference Name Badge Holders and Tote Bags Sponsored by UltraCamp
ACA Resource Center Sponsored by CIRCUITREE.
Sunday, February 4 |
|
| 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | DECA International Diabetes Camping Conference Begins |
| Evening | Camp Owners and Directors Association (CODA) Preconference Begins |
Monday, February 5 |
|
| 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Indiana Youth Programs on Campus Preconference — By Invitation |
| 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | DECA International Diabetes Camping Conference Continues |
| 8:00 a.m. – Evening | Camp Owners and Directors Association (CODA) Preconference Continues |
| 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Medical and Disability Camp (MDK) Kindred Preconference |
| 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | New Director Orientation (NDO) Training |
| 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Camp Professionals Kindred Meeting Begins |
| 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Quality Programs Level 1 Training |
| 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | ACA Board Meeting |
| 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | YMCA Kindred Gathering Begins |
| 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration open |
| 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training |
| 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Accreditation Volunteer Course |
| 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Camps on Campus (COC) Preconference Begins — Sponsored by CampDoc |
| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | SeriousFun Children's Network Gathering — By Invitation |
Tuesday, February 6 |
|
| 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Registration, Resource Center, and Bookstore Open — Resource Center Sponsored by CIRCUITREE |
| Time TBA | Camp Owners and Directors Association (CODA) Preconference Continues |
| 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | 4-H Camps Kindred Meeting |
| 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Camp Fire National Network Kindred Meeting |
| 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Camps on Campus (COC) Preconference Continues — Sponsored by CampDoc |
| 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | National Council of Leaders (NCOL) Meeting |
| 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Emerging Professionals in Camping (EPIC) Preconference |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Camp Researchers Gathering |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Camp Professionals Kindred Meeting Continues |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | SeriousFun Children's Network Gathering — By Invitation |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | YMCA Kindred Gathering Continues |
| 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting |
| 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Gathering of Internationals and Friends |
| 11:30 a.m. | Salvation Army Camping and Outdoor Ministries Offsite Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. | First Time Conference Goers Welcome Orientation — Sponsored by Cliq |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Opening Keynote Event with Alyssa Gallagher — Sponsored by The Redwoods Group |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 1 |
| 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Field Office and Affiliate Groups Meetings |
| 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Gathering of Internationals |
| 6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. | Pride at Camp LGBTQIA+ Meeting |
| 6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | International Reception |
| 8:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. | Connect and Learn Session with Michael Brandwein |
Wednesday, February 7 |
|
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Day Camp Café with Bagels and Coffee |
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Medical and Disability Camping Café with Bagels and Coffee |
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Spanish Speaking Professionals Café with Bagels and Coffee |
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Not-for-Profit Council (NFP) Breakfast — Ticket Required |
| 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Registration, Resource Center, and Bookstore Open — Resource Center Sponsored by CIRCUITREE |
| 7:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Insurance Roundtable — By Invitation |
| 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Exhibitor Setup |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 2 |
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. |
Keynote Event with Maulian (Dana) Bryant — Sponsored by Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. |
| 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Pioneers in Camping Luncheon — By Invitation — Sponsored by iCampPro |
| 1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 3 |
| 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 4 |
| 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 5 |
| 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Grand Opening of Exhibit Hall with Reception (Ticket Required) — Sponsored by Chaco and Camp Scheduling Pro |
| 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Research Awards Recognition and Social – Open to All — Sponsored by The Redwoods Group |
Thursday, February 8 |
|
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Camp Includes Me Café with Bagels and Coffee |
| 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Faith-based Camps Café with Bagels and Coffee |
| 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Registration, Resource Center, and Bookstore Open — Resource Center Sponsored by CIRCUITREE |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 6 |
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | American Camping Foundation (ACF) Board Meeting |
| 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Exhibits Open |
| 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Unopposed Time in Exhibit Halls; Free Bagels and Coffee Available — Sponsored by Camp Scheduling Pro |
| 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Research Poster Sessions — Sponsored by The Redwoods Group |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 7 |
| 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch in the Exhibit Hall for Attendees and Exhibitors (unopposed time in exhibits) — Ticket Required |
| 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Education/Professional Development Chairs Meeting |
| 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Commerce Sessions |
| 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | EPIC Check-in |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 8 |
| 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Unopposed Time in Exhibit Hall; Afternoon Coffee and Dessert |
| 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Exhibitor Teardown |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Accreditation Volunteers Gathering — Sponsored by Camp Scheduling Pro |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Camps on Campus (COC) Social — Sponsored by CampDoc |
| Evening | Night on Your Own to Explore New Orleans |
| 6:00 p.m. through evening | Acorn Society Dinner — By Invitation — sponsored by iCampPro |
Friday, February 9 |
|
| 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Registration, Resource Center, and Bookstore Open — Resource Center Sponsored by CIRCUITREE |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 9 |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 10 |
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Closing General Session & Lunch with Karen VanAusdal and Mawi Asgedom — Ticket Required — Sponsored by Milton Hershey School |
| Afternoon | Group Departures |
Program Preview: 2024 National Conference
NOTE: The Program - Session Grid shows the educational sessions that are offered. For a full listing of other conference events, view the Schedule at a Glance.
2024 Program - Session Grid (Sessions Listed by Date & Time)
View the educational sessions being offered at the conference.
Subject to Change.
2024 Conference Program Preview Brochure (12-page brochure)
Learn about session tracks, the conference schedule, educational sessions, general sessions, informal and formal networking, and more.
ACA reserves the right to make any and all adjustments to the program.
Beware Pirate Housing!
ACA National Conference and Exhibits
We would like to make you aware of a situation that has been brought to our attention. There are companies using various names who have been contacting our exhibitors to "assist" with hotel reservations. They sometimes disguise themselves as the American Camping Association (ACA) Housing Bureau or claim to represent the conference hotel. They may claim they can get better rates, that rooms are limited, or use other sales pitch methods. They are NOT the official housing bureau and are NOT affiliated with the ACA in any way.
All hotel reservations should be made via the conference headquarters hotel reservations link at www.ACAcamps.org/conference/hotel. Reservations made by unaffiliated organizations may appear to have lower rates, however they may be illegitimate, not have the rooms to sell, have unreasonable cancellation or change penalties, or be completely non-refundable.
Exhibitor FAQ
When can I set up my booth?
The exhibitor set up is on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No one will be allowed to set up any earlier, with no exceptions.
What are the exhibit hall hours?
Exhibits will open on Wednesday. Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Complete schedule
When is my booth balance due?
Booth balances are due by Dec. 15, 2024. You will receive an email from ACA if you have a balance owed. No one will be permitted to set up their booth until paid in full.
What are the booth sizes?
Booths are 10 deep x 10 wide
Is the hall carpeted?
No, it is concrete.
Can I have a Tent/Canopy Display?
Our assigned Fire Marshal must approve a tent or canopy display. You will need to email Kim Fitzgerald the display's dimensions and material (cloth, plastic, fire resistant, etc.) for approval, along with a picture of the tag or a certificate from the manufacturer stating the material is fire resistant. You will be required to have a working fire extinguisher at the booth. Displays shall not be placed in such a manner as to block, shield, or interfere in any way with other exhibits. Displays and equipment over 36 inches in height must not exceed 48 inches from the booth back wall in all regular aisle locations. Your display must fit in the 10 x 10 area and not be taller than the back wall of 8'. Displays, including banners taller than 8', must be approved by ACA in advance.
What comes with my booth fee?
Your booth comes with pipe, drape, and a sign. You will need to purchase carpet, electricity, tables, chairs, waste basket, Wi-Fi, etc. See the service kit from Freeman when it arrives in the Fall.
What is the ceiling height?
The ceiling height is 17'/20'. Please plan for allowable ceiling height for displays and banners. NO DISPLAYS TALLER THAN 10' without written approval.
How many badges come with my booth?
You are provided with four name badges. Badges are for employees who are representatives of your company, with no exceptions. You may purchase additional badges for $75 up to two, max of six total badges. Any badges over six will have to purchase a daily registration ticket.
When can I start shipping my materials?
Freeman Decorators will email you a link to the service kit in the mid-fall. We will also post a link on the exhibitor page when it is available. The kit will have shipping instructions when they start accepting deliveries to the warehouse.
Can I ship directly to the Anatole Hotel?
ACA's Official Service Contractor will be Freeman. Check the Freeman Service Kit for all shipping details mid-fall. Any freight shipped to the hotel should be addressed to Freeman and scheduled to deliver during exhibitor move-in. Shipments arriving before the exhibitor move-in may be refused by the facility. Any charges incurred for early freight accepted by the facility are the responsibility of the Exhibitor.
Is the Hilton a union facility?
Union labor may be required for certain aspects of your exhibit handling. Please be sure to refer to the Union Jurisdictions page of the Freeman Service Kit, which will be available mid-fall.
Is there parking for my trailer? If so, where and what would the charges be?
If you are not a hotel guest, you will need to find and make arrangements for parking of a trailer.
Who do I contact to order Audio/Visual Equipment for my booth at the Hilton?
You will be able to order AV equipment directly through the hotel. There will be an order form in the service kit.
Am I allowed to unload my own materials?
F/T Employees of the Exhibiting Company can ‘hand carry’ (no wheels) their material through the hotel. Any materials unloaded at the dock will be handled by Freeman, and there is a charge for that.
Can I sell products at my booth?
Yes. Follow the sales tax guidelines for the state of Texas.
Can I provide food samples at my booth?
We do NOT permit any outside food or beverage without written consent from the food and beverage supplier. Please contact Kim Fitzgerald for additional details.
Is it possible to buy event/meal tickets for friends and family?
Yes, you may purchase them on-site, subject to availability. Spaces reserved in advance are guaranteed. On-site ticket availability may be limited. If you want to pre-order tickets, contact someone in business development to add to your exhibitor agreement.
Can I submit to do a session or a workshop?
Yes, Proposals will be accepted through September 16, 2024. Visit www.ACAcamps.org/conference/cfp for more details. You must be an exhibitor to present.
Should I register first or make hotel reservations first?
Exhibit space and hotel guest rooms are limited. We suggest you make hotel reservations first to secure your room at the conference hotel. For more details, visit www.ACAcamps.org/conference/hotel
Why should I stay at the conference host hotel(s)?
The success of the national conference depends on registrants and exhibitors staying at the contracted host hotel to offset the sizable costs of producing the conference and exhibits. ACA cannot meet contracted room obligations if registrants and exhibitors reserve rooms in other area hotels. The risk of incurring tens of thousands of dollars in financial penalties (attrition fees) increases with each registrant who stays outside the host hotel. If we do not meet our guarantee, we will have to pay penalties, which add to the costs of the conference and, in turn, increase registration and exhibitor fees. Sustaining a financially successful conference for ACA means ensuring that both conference registrants and exhibitors have a quality, meaningful event that will reap benefits for you and the profession for years to come.
What airport should I use?
Coming soon.
What are my ground transportation options from the airport?
Coming soon.
If I plan to drive, what is the parking fee?
Coming soon.
What dining options are available at the conference hotel?
Coming Soon.
What is the appropriate dress for the conference?
Casual! Please come in comfortable clothes for moving around, enjoying sessions, and stepping outside. Session room temperatures vary, so wear layers and plan accordingly. Bring comfortable shoes/boots for walking.