Since the inception of the Staffing Summit in 2021, an anchor quote/phrase has been chosen to represent the theme for the upcoming year based on the overall current staffing status in camps across the nation. 

• 2021: Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. (Helen Keller)
• 2022: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. (Proverb)
• 2023: Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. (St Francis of Assisi)
• 2024: One way out is in. (Various)

The spirit of the Staffing Summit stems from the importance of camps working together around staffing challenges as is suggested by the quotes chosen for 2021 and 2022. Considering the state of the world in those first years, collaboration among camps was crucial in order to recruit staff to work at summer camp when so many programs/organizations were unable to operate in 2020 and the landscape of being able to open in 2021 was very different. In 2022, we saw a lot of pushback with staff wanting things to go back to “normal” (no more “bubble”) in addition to staff mental health being at the forefront of many discussions. 

Going Beyond Survival Mode 

The first part of the quote for Staffing Summit #3 depicts the reality of how camps just had to do what was necessary to survive the COVID summers. Grabbing low-hanging fruit to keep staffing moving in a forward direction was about all that could be accomplished. The second part of last year’s quote suggests that camps were able to envision the possibilities in 2022–23 and attain some of them. We set our sights even higher for 2024 with a goal to amplify summer camp as the sought-after summer job opportunity with more camps having a surplus of staff vs a deficit. 

While many camps achieved a cushion of extra staff during the most recent summer, we also know that some camps were understaffed and the skeleton staff was stretched beyond their limits and/or camps had to cut back on programs/sessions just to maintain ratios. For the upcoming Staffing Summit, we are steering conversations in a direction that takes organizations out of the mindset of doing things the way they have always been done. Doing more of what isn’t working won’t push the needle in a direction to overcome staffing challenges. 

Looking Inward for Staffing Solutions

Thus with this year’s Staffing Summit theme, we are suggesting that one way out of the staffing dilemma is to take a hard and honest look at what is at the inside of your organization: culture and character. While collaboration will always be at the heart of the Staffing Summit and the work of Project Real Job, the focus this year will also include conversations around how culture and character impact our industry’s staffing challenges along with a variety of strategies and tools to get to the other side of those challenges. 

Invitation to Attend This Year’s Staffing Summit 

Regardless of the status of staffing at your camp or organization, we invite you to kick off this year’s staffing conversation by joining us at ACA’s upcoming Virtual Staffing Summit for some perspective from the experts and thought leaders both in and outside the camp field. The 2024 ACA Staffing Summit will feature critical learning, speaker panels, roundtables and engaging sessions spanning three days (October 28–30) on most things “staff.”

Register Now!

The Value of Virtual

You may be wondering why the Staffing Summit is still held in the virtual space now that most conferences and events are back to being in-person. Two of the many struggles camps have faced in recent years that have been a contributing factor to staffing challenges is the accessibility and affordability to be able to take part in quality professional development. Staffing is hard enough with adequate resources, let alone for those who are operating a one-person office and still working part- to full-time at other jobs. We are intentional about keeping this event virtual so that barriers to attending are at a minimum (just like we encourage you to do for your staff!). 

Top 5 reasons to attend this timely event: 

1. Amazing keynote presentations by Jill Lyons (Camp Tecumseh alum), a thought leader who routinely speaks on DEI, organizational design and change management, creativity and productivity; Patricia Buckner-Jackson, EdD (or Dr. PBJ and no stranger to the camp world), gives strategies for accomplishing purposeful work without burnout; and Leah Mesches (Camp Champions alum) specializes in attracting global talent and cultivating high-performing teams.
2. Over 40 educational sessions by thought leaders with practical solutions and strategies that will help move the needle with today's staffing challenges. We love that innovative camp pros are willing to share their successes!
3. Cutting-edge techniques for attracting, hiring, onboarding, engaging, and retaining great staff. Learn about untapped staff pipelines, how to use technology to save time during the hiring process, creative staff retention programs involving your alumni base, and more!
4. Opportunities to connect and discuss staffing issues with peers. Come with your favorite promising practices to share and leave with a ton of new ideas! We know some of the best conversations are the ones that happen in the “hallways” of the conference venue while standing in line for coffee, chatting with your “neighbors” attending the same breakout session as you, and heading out for a meal with long-time and/or new camp friends. At the Staffing Summit, virtual “hallways” and ways to connect from the comfort of your work or home office are part of the program!
5. View session recordings for a full 30 days following the conference. Who does this?! In-person conferences are limiting in this way as it is only possible for each person to attend one session at any given time. Not at ACA’s Staffing Summit! Queue up the recordings to listen to on your commute, while taking a stroll, or sitting at your desk. Invite your team to join you and schedule debrief discussions around various sessions/topics!

Don’t miss one of the most important events of the season! 

The Staffing Summit is a virtual conference with an in-person feel and vibe and lives on past the three days of live presentations and 30 days of recordings. We will start conversations in October and will continue them into 2025 with opportunities to reconvene virtually in January and February/March (staffing looks different as the months move closer to the upcoming summer!) and in-person at the ACA National Conference, Tri-State Camp Conference, and other regional conferences. 

What are you waiting for?!

Register now for early bird pricing (ends October 1, 2024)!

Not a member of ACA? Take advantage of the free membership special for discounted registration on the Staffing Summit and other PD events.

Not able to attend the Summit at the end of October? 

We get it — life is busy!! Registration remains open post-event so you are able to catch the recordings throughout the entire month of November should you miss attending the Staffing Summit when live!

This blog was written on behalf of ACA's Project Real Job, whose goal is to support camps in their efforts to recruit, hire, and retain staff. 

Kim Aycock, MST, has several decades of experience equipping young people with skills robots are unable to do. While blending the talents of a master teacher with the knowledge of a seasoned camp expert, Kim ignites learning for varying levels of camp pros worldwide through her interactive & innovative presentations. Kim speaks at regional & national conferences, contributes regularly to Camping Magazine, and serves as co-chair of ACA’s Staff Recruitment & Retention Committee/Staffing Summit. She can be contacted at kimdaycock@gmail.com. 

Photo courtesy of Outpost Summer Camps in San Diego, CA.