Upcoming EPIC National Events
Emerging Professionals in Camping (EPIC) Preconference
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
8:30 – 12:00 am
Hilton Anatole
Join EPIC for a fast-paced and practical morning of learning at the EPIC National Pre-Conference, with featured speaker Max Claman! This interactive workshop will feature tangible tips and takeaways that emerging camp professionals can use in Summer 2025 and beyond! This action-packed morning will focus on ways that camps can consider implementing the “Universal Values” approach to their entire staffing cycle, including job descriptions, interviewing, orientation, feedback, and more! Attendees can come prepared to participate in mental exercises, working groups, and maybe even a camp game or two (or three)!

Speaker Bio: A former camp director and administrator, Max has worked in the experiential education field for close to two decades. Having previously held Director roles at both day and residential camps, working with both private and nonprofit organizations, Max now serves as a consultant, speaker, trainer, and author, facilitating workshops across the country. Max has helped support dozens of camps throughout North America, and has engaged with thousands of camp professionals and seasonal staff since 2008.
Registration includes breakfast.
Registration Fee: $99 ACA members, $139 nonmembers
National EPIC Calls
March 3, 2pm EST: Coffee & Chat
Join EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Camping) for a virtual coffee chat about the issues that you are facing at camp and share in connection to other EPICs! It’s a great opportunity to share insights, discuss our roles, and strengthen our professional network. Bring your favorite beverage and some stories to share about yourself and your camp experience.
Register here: https://acacamps.zoom.us/meeting/register/F0w5oDRXS0qU762qh7Kl5A#/registration
April 14, 2pm EST: Professional Development
Join EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Camping) for a free virtual professional development opportunity with a featured speaker who will present on a topics essential to your work at camp. Speaker and topic to be announced, stay tuned.
Register here: https://acacamps.zoom.us/meeting/register/6bnqANKoS4idUeU2329ojQ#/registration
May 12, 2pm EST: EPIC Summer Send Off
Join EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Camping) for a virtual summer send off before the camp season! We will have time to connect with each other and share about our camp plans, discuss topics important to you and share in some support as everyone heads in to the best and busiest time of year.
Register here: https://acacamps.zoom.us/meeting/register/d3M4rhGVRSyMMXHPJlg70A#/registration
What Is EPIC?
EPIC provides education, social networking opportunities, and events for emerging professionals in the camp industry.
Are you interested in a career at camp? Perhaps you are ready to make the jump from seasonal/part-time staff to full-time, year-round staff? Or maybe you are new to the camping profession or transitioning from a different career? Are you newly in your leadership position at camp and looking for support resources and to connect with peers? EPIC is for you!
EPIC connects emerging professionals from around the country and strives to provide meaningful opportunities for learning. There are no official EPIC membership requirements; anyone is welcome if the topic and conversations speak to you and can help you on your path to learning! Involvement in EPIC events such as workshops and social networking opportunities give EPICs a chance to meet, exchange ideas, and discuss previous camp successes and challenges.
What do your kindred dues pay for? When you opt to pay the $40/year EPIC kindred group dues, you are supporting the work of that kindred group to host their events (both virtual and in-person) and you are supporting the overall work of the association. There are times when the leadership of this group may determine to spend dues to fund a particular event or project related to the interests of this kindred. Anyone may attend the virtual and in-person events hosted by this group whether you have chosen to pay the elective dues or not. Some in-person events, such as events at the national conference, may have an additional cost. Read more about all the ACA kindred and affinity groups.
EPIC Related Resources
ACA has a variety of online and/or in-person trainings and learning opportunities that can help you build your resume as you follow your journey into camp!
Courses and Trainings
- New Director Orientation (NDO): Virtual training for camp directors, assistant directors, program directors, or persons that have been in other administrative positions and are considering directing a camp. This is an overview of all the aspects of the director's job with the primary focus on the summer operation. This training provides and overview of the core competencies a director needs, and then focuses on leadership, risk management, camper behavior, and staff training and supervision.
- Staff Training Certificate Courses: These intensive online courses are self-directed learning opportunities that help build the added qualifications you and your staff need in today’s world. Each certificate course covers all thirteen core competencies required to run a camp successfully and includes curriculum components suited to a variety of learning styles. Courses range from Entry-Level programs staff to Middle Managers to Camp Directors.
Connect with Other EPIC Members
If you are interested in connecting with someone in your local office or region, please contact the membership representative in your area.
- Gay Bruner — ACA, Central Region Membership
- Kristina Lee — ACA, Eastern Region Membership
- Anna Danila — ACA, Western Region Membership
- Colette Marquardt — ACA, Illinois
- Bud Copeland — ACA, New England
- Kyle Medeiros — ACA, New York/New Jersey
EPIC National Committee
View and contact the EPIC National Committee (ACA member login required).