Conference season is an exciting and energetic time because conferences are camp for the camp professional. You reconnect with old friends and make new ones as you enjoy a carefully curated experience. You proudly wear affinity group stickers on your lanyard. You take thousands of steps through hotel hallways and slurp down countless cups of coffee.

Many of us walk in tired, feeling beat down with last summer’s problems, but leave ready to conquer the world with fresh ideas, renewed enthusiasm, and excitement for the latest technology.

We all benefit from the healing that conferences provide. Debriefing with old friends and colleagues is therapeutic. Seeing former young staff now leading sessions creates an indescribable moment of pride. Finding a bargain in the exhibit hall is invigorating. And a motivational keynote is simply good for our souls. But as singer-songwriter Sean Koch sings, “How do you keep the good times rolling?” Well, fortunately, he also has the answer: “Nobody can control them but you!” Now is the time for you to create an action plan to maximize the energy, lessons, and ideas that conferences offer.

Professional development is a tremendous opportunity for us to practice the growth mindset we teach our campers, stretch ourselves, and engage in the continuous improvement cycle in a deep and personal way.

Create an Action Plan

After the conference buzz settles, it is time to turn that energy into an action plan. Start by identifying one attainable goal for your upcoming program that aligns with your organization’s mission and annual objectives. Whether it is growing retention, enhancing program quality, or building stronger community connections, choose a realistic goal that will be impactful. Collaborate with your team to refine the goal, ensuring everyone is aligned and ready to contribute. By turning ideas into clear, actionable steps, you will be better equipped to drive meaningful short-term progress and long-term success.

Share the Love

Maximize the impact of the knowledge you gain from conferences by sharing it. Circulate notes and lessons learned to ensure valuable insights are not siloed. Introduce colleagues to resources or vendor connections that could benefit your organization. For a fun, engaging way to share industry hot topics, host a “lunch and learn” or roundtable session, where you and your coworkers exchange ideas and stay ahead of trends as a team. Additionally, this is a great way to help team members who may not have a background in camp learn about youth development trends.

Grow Your Network

Networking does not end when the conference is over. To grow your circle of colleagues and support, follow up with at least one new connection within two weeks. A simple email or message can strengthen the initial introduction and open doors for future collaboration. Perhaps introduce them to a resource or colleague who might benefit them, fostering a reciprocal relationship. Don’t hesitate to ask your new connection for advice or their opinion on a topic — it’s a great way to learn from their experience while deepening the relationship and expanding your professional circle. Many camp professionals face parallel challenges, and idea sharing is a simple way to work smarter, not harder.

Shape Long-term Vision

Conferences spark big ideas that can shape your camp’s future. Turning an aspirational goal into reality takes thoughtful intentionality. Start by choosing one big idea to focus on for long-term growth and create a budget forecast to make it achievable. Engage stakeholders in brainstorming sessions to explore integrating aspirational concepts into the strategic plan, ensuring the idea and vision align and further your mission.

As conference season wraps up and we return to our daily roles, remember Sean Koch’s advice: “Nobody can control [the good times] but you.” Conferences offer the opportunity to refresh, recharge, and reinvigorate our passion for camp leadership, and it is up to us to keep that momentum rolling.


Sterling Nell Leija is the Innovative Camp Company founder and CEO, dedicated to advancing camps with innovative, mission-focused solutions. With over 20 years of experience in camp leadership and as a camp founder, she provides expertise in operational and strategic administration, communication strategies, and risk management. She can be reached at Sterling@InnovativeCampCompany.com.

The views and opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.