Check in on our progress and hold us accountable. Bring us new ideas, and tell us what you think.
If you have questions, feedback, or if you’re looking to provide us with additional resources, contact us at dei@ACAcamps.org.
DEI Steering Committee
- Roberto Gil — Deputy Director of Camping, Fresh Air Fund
- Sterling Leija — Executive Camp Director, Roundup River Ranch
- Beatrice Welters — Co- Chair of the An-Bryce Foundation and Founder of Camp Dogwood Summer Academy
- Meena Julapalli — Pediatric Dermatologist, Bluebird Dermatology
- Arthur Spriggs — Executive Director, S Carolina Camps & Retreat Ministries (UMCRM)
- Phil Liebson — Director, Bender JCC of Greater Washington
- Bev McEntarfer — Director, Camp Homeward Bound
- Andre Brewer — Director, Camp Lincoln For Boys
- Gwyneth Emigh — Director, Union League Boys and Girls Club
- Lisa Westrich — Former Program Development Director
- Les Peters — Executive Director of Youth Institute & Curriculum Development, YMCA of Greater Long Beach
- Mary Kay Park — Executive Managing Director, Far East Broadcasting Company-Korea
- Laurie Browne — Research Director, American Camp Association
- Henry DeHart — Chief Operating Officer, American Camp Association
- Tom Rosenberg — President/CEO, American Camp Association
Contact Henry DeHart if you have questions for this volunteer committee.
DEI Advisory Committee
- Jennifer Phillips — Keshet
- Andy Lilienthal — Camp Winnebago
- Brodrick Clarke — National Summer Learning Association
- Dan Davis — Camp Rockmont
- Edwin Rivera — Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission
- Eric Morin — Pine Forest Camp
- Helen Santos — Woodcraft Rangers
- Henry DeHart — American Camp Association
- Jessie Dickerson — American Camp Association
- Jorge Mendoza — Pyles Boys Camps
- Katie (PJ) Sweeney — Girl Scouts, Central Texas
- Laurie Browne — American Camp Association
- Lisa Fortenberry — Camp Harbor View
- Maggie Braun — WeHaKee Camp for Girls
- Prenicia Clifton — University of Wisconsin
- Rachelle Barrs — Milton Hershey School
- Rafael Alvarado — Keybees Camp
- Shari Sigoloff — Camp Thunderbird
- Tom Rosenberg — American Camp Association
- Vance Gilmore — Camp John Marc, retired
Contact Tom Rosenberg if you have questions for this volunteer committee.
Communications Work Group
- Gwyn Emigh, Facilitator — Union League Boys and Girls Club
- Maggie Braun — WeHaKee Camp for Girls
- Mary Kay Park — Far East Broadcasting Company-Korea
- Kelley Freridge — ACA Staff Liaison
- Kaley Amonett — ACA Support
Contact Kaley Amonett if you have questions for this volunteer work group.
Outreach and Representation Work Group
- Phil Liebson, Co-facilitator — Bender JCC of Greater Washington
- Helen Santos, Co-facilitator — Woodcraft Rangers
- Rafael Alvarado — Keybees Camp
- Lisa Fortenberry — Camp Harbor View
- Meena Julapalli — Bluebird Dermatology
- Arthur Spriggs — S Carolina Camps & Retreat Ministries
- Chet Tschetter — Diabilities Camp Professional
- Lisa Westrich — Former Program Development Director
- Vincent Irving — ACA Staff Liaison
The outreach and representation workgroup seeks to increase ACA and individual camps’ engagement with underserved communities and increase representation in camp staff, ACA staff, and volunteers. Workgroup members will serve one-year terms beginning in April ’22 with the potential to continue for additional terms. We are seeking workgroup members with knowledge of and a passion for camp and inclusion.
Contact Vincent Irving if you are interested in serving or have questions for this volunteer workgroup.
Education and Resource Work Group
- Jessie Dickerson, Facilitator — American Camp Association
- Andre Brewer — Camp Lincoln For Boys Eden Prairie
- Bev McEntarfer — Camp Homeward Bound New York
- Eric Morin — Pine Forest Camp Greeley
- Beatrice Welters — Camp Dogwood Summer Academy McLean
The purpose of ACA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Education & Resource Work Group is to increase camp professionals’ access to and engagement with diversity, equity, and inclusion education and training in order to increase expertise and implementation of DEI best practices across the field. Workgroup members will serve one year term, with the potential to continue for additional terms beginning June ’22. We are seeking members with a passion for this work. Ideally, team members will have experience in this sphere (e.g., curriculum development, equity resources), but this is not required.
Contact Jessie Dickerson if you are interested in serving or have questions for this volunteer workgroup.
Indigenous Peoples Task Force
- Les Peters, Facilitator — YMCA of Greater Long Beach
- Tim Baumann — International Music Camp
- Vance Gilmore — Camp John Marc, retired
- Andy Lilienthal — Camp Winnebago
- Shari Sigoloff — Camp Thunderbird
- Andrew Corely — Sioux YMCA
- Andrew Leary — Leave No Trace
- Henry DeHart — ACA Staff Liaison
The Indigenous Peoples Task Force will develop educational resources to support individual camps in reducing or eliminating the misappropriation of indigenous cultures in their practices. A passion for this work is necessary, and direct experience with addressing the misappropriation of indigenous culture in the camp space is preferred but not required. Taskforce members will serve one-year terms, beginning June '22, with the potential to continue for additional terms.
Contact Henry DeHart if you are interested in serving or have questions for this volunteer task force.
Other Ways to Get Involved
ACA members can join the volunteer pool for DEI volunteer opportunities through ACA Connect. Not a member of ACA? Please consider joining today!
