Additional events and event details will be added as we receive them.
Current as of 10/1/24
4-H Camps Kindred Meeting
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Hilton Anatole
We’re excited to be joined by Kim Aycock, of Kimspiration! Kim is well known in the camping world and has several decades of experience equipping young people with skills robots are unable to do. Kim will guide us through discussions to gain a better understanding of today’s staffing challenges. The game has changed drastically. The good news is that there is a surprising solution to the many challenges of staffing today. Time and time again it is seen that one camp's struggle is another camp's success. YOU are a key piece to moving the needle in a positive direction.
Registration Fee: $75.
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Shawn Tiede, srt28@cornell.edu.
Accreditation Volunteer Course Part 2
Pre-registration is required; space is limited.
Monday, February 17, 2025
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Hilton Anatole
Fee: No cost
ACA is the only national accrediting body for camps of all types. Accreditation volunteers are the heart and soul of the program. Being an accreditation volunteer provides you with the experience to build your network, polish your risk management skills, and develop mentoring opportunities for both you and the camps you work with. As much as you give to this experience, you’ll gain from new ideas, perspectives, and approaches to the mission-driven work of the camp industry. More details available at https://www.acacamps.org/accreditation/volunteers/become-visitor.
For more information, contact Bekah Carmichael, bcarmichael@ACAcamps.org.
BIPOC Affinity Group Meetup
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
7:00 - 7:45 pm
Hilton Anatole
The BIPOC Affinity Group is a safe and inclusive space dedicated to fostering the success and support of Black, Brown, Indigenous, and people of color. This space is designed for those who identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, people of color. We hope this time serve as a space where people who identify as BIPOC can find support, common ground, and solidarity. Join us as we celebrate our cultures, support each other through our unique experiences, and build community.
For more information, contact Christen Peterson, cpeterson@ACAcamps.org.
Alliance for Camp Health Symposium
Monday & Tuesday, February 17-18, 2025
Hilton Anatole
The Alliance for Camp Health is the leading voice in camp health and wellness. The 2025 Symposium will address the ”Movement of Care” helping camp professionals, healthcare providers, and behavioral health staff navigate care in ways that influence the overall well-being of camp communities. Join as we address clinical care needs, new tools and resources, and methods to promote growth and flourishing. If your camp is invested in health, wellness and safety, we look forward to seeing you in Dallas! Early Bird Registration Ends December 31, 2024.
For more details and to register, visit www.allianceforcamphealth.org/conferences-and-events/.
For more information, contact Tracey Gaslin/Nikki Alvarado-Hobbs, info@allianceforcamphealth.org, 502-830-8393.
Camp Includes Me Gathering
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
11:00 - 11:45 am
Hilton Anatole
At this year's national conference, we continue our commitment to fostering community. Join us for an opportunity to learn about our affinity spaces: BIPOC, Pride at Camp, Spanish Speakers, and Women in Camping.
This meet-up is a welcoming space for anyone who identifies with any of our affinity groups and for those dedicated to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive camp environment. Connect and network with others who share similar lived experiences and have a passion for inclusive camp early in the conference, setting the stage for meaningful gatherings throughout the week.
For more information, contact Vincent Irving, virving@ACAcamps.org, 765-349-3534.
Camp Owners & Directors Association (CODACON) Preconference
February 16-18, 2025
Hilton Anatole
CODACON is a conference event run by camp professionals from all over the country. The program will offer camp owners, directors, and other summer camp pros the opportunity to share and exchange ideas with one another, while also learning from experts in the business world and beyond. We hope to see you there!
For more information, contact Cliff Lissner, cliff@chippewaranchcamp.com, 312-593-0246.
Camp Researchers' Preconference Workshop
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hilton Anatole
Practitioners, scholars, and students are invited to a pre-conference session focused on building research skills, networking, and learning. This session will include roundtable and panel discussions where specific hot topics will be discussed, then Dr. Gary Ellis, Professor and Bradbury Chair of Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications at Texas A&M University will share insights from his research focus on the quality of immediate, point-of-service experiences of tourists, youth, and park visitors. Dr. Ellis will draw on his more than 40 years of experience as an educator and extensive work with parks, recreation and camp organizations.
Registration Fee: $50 ACA members, $75 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Eddie Hill, eddiehill@weber.edu or Megan Owens, mh-owens@wiu.edu
Camps on Campus (COC) Preconference
February 17-18, 2025
Monday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm & Tuesday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hilton Anatole
Join fellow higher education and K12 professionals as we come together to learn from each other and discuss issues affecting youth camps and programming on our campuses. Learn more about this group.
Registration Fee: $100 ACA members, $140 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Ruthi Hernandez, rhernandez@ACAcamps.org or 765-349-3539.
DECA’s 2025 Diabetes Camping Conference
Sunday, February 16, 8:00 am – Tuesday, February 18, 12:00 pm
Hilton Anatole
Join us for networking and learning opportunities relevant to the administrative and operational aspects of running a thriving diabetes camp organization. Listen to inspiring and knowledgeable speakers. Share ideas, successes and challenges with others also committed to providing quality diabetes camp experiences.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.diabetescamps.org/conference/.
Questions? Contact info@diabetescamps.org or 239-984-3554.
Emerging Professionals in Camping (EPIC) Preconference
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
8:30 – 12:00 am
Hilton Anatole
Join Emerging Professionals in Camping for a fast-paced and practical morning of learning at the EPIC National Preconference. Leave this fun-packed session with fresh ideas, contagious enthusiasm, new contacts, and content to facilitate with your own staff. Registration includes breakfast.
Registration Fee: $99 ACA members, $139 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Michele Branconier, mbranconier@ACAcamps.org or 765-349-3520, or Darby Dame, darby.e.dame@gmail.com.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Camp Professionals Kindred Gathering
Monday, February 17, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Hilton Anatole
Girl Scout Council camp professionals are invited to join GSUSA’s National Camp Kindred Session on Monday, February 17, 2025. During this interactive session, attendees will engage in a robust discussion and planning sessions to develop dynamic, cost-effective, inclusive camp strategies in partnership with peers from across the country. Session topics may include national CIT program updates, how to activate the national camp director handbook, and other tactics to remove barriers to inclusion at camp. All Kindred registrants will be eligible to register for an additional, optional, second session hosted by Girl Scouts Northeast Texas on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. GSNETX, in partnership with GSUSA will host a tour of one of their camps with interactive activities for all to enjoy. Kindred Session registrants will receive an invitation from GSNETX with event information. The registration fee of $30 paid to GSNETX will include transportation, activity costs and snacks. GSUSA is pleased to host the Kindred Session and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our camp professionals.
Registration Fee: $125
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Amanda Daly at adaly@girlscouts.org or Katie Babcock, kbabcock@girlscouts.org.
International Camping Fellowship (ICF)
Join an informal dinner Monday night (meet in the conference hotel lobby at 6pm to walk to a local restaurant-pay for your own meal). On Tuesday, join a "Gathering of Internationals and Friends" from 10am-noon in the international room (check conference information for location). Stop by and visit the room during the conference! We seek to involve camp and youth development professionals from around the world in conversations. We gather to create enthusiasm, knowledge, and commitment by empowering each other. Everyone is welcome to celebrate catching the vision of our common experiences.
For more information, contact Cheryl Gans, cherylgans@hotmail.com.
Medical and Disability Camp (MDK) Kindred Preconference
Sunday & Monday, February 16-17, 2025
Camp Summit
270 Private Rd 3475
Paradise, TX 76073
We are excited to be heading to Camp Summit for the 2025 Medical and Disability Camps Kindred (MDK) preconference event on Sunday, February 16th and Monday, February 17th. The 2025 Medical and Disability Kindred will be bringing together camp professionals to share knowledge, deepen connections, and build the skills of the therapeutic camping community during an overnight camp experience at Camp Summit. Whether you have been a part of the camping profession for 10 years or 1 day, we invite you to join us as we continue to build the medical and disability camping community. Lodging, meals, and programming are all included in the registration fee. Bus transportation (also included in your MDK preconference registration), will leave the Hilton Anatole at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, and depart Camp Summit, 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17.
Registration Fee: $160 ACA members, $195 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Gay Bruner, gbruner@ACAcamps.org, or 765-349-3524.
New Director Orientation (NDO) Training
Monday, February 17, 2025
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Hilton Anatole
The ACA New Director Orientation (NDO) is a course for seasonal or newer camp directors, assistant directors, program directors, and others moving into camp leadership positions. The course includes an overview of all the aspects of the director's job with the primary focus on the summer operation. The NDO course materials have been designed to help newer directors and supervisors develop the skills they need to be effective leaders for their camp program. (Lunch is not included.) Learn more about NDO.
Limited to 40 participants. Registration available on a first come, first served basis.
Registration Fee: $150 ACA members, $200 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Erin Flores, eflores@ACAcamps.org, or 765-349-3527.
Not-for-Profit Council (NFP) Breakfast
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
7:00 am - 8:15 am
Hilton Anatole
Join others from nonprofit camps for breakfast and conversation. The NFP Council leadership will share recent and upcoming activities. Network with existing and make new friends. Learn about ACA’s ongoing research, including the Character at Camp grant opportunities. This is a ticketed event and fills ups. Learn more about ACA's Not-for-Profit Council.
Registration Fee: $45 ACA members, $65 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Grechen Throop at gthroop@ACAcamps.org, or 765-349-3517.
Pride at Camp LGBTQIA+ Gathering and Social
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
8:00 - 8:45 pm
Hilton Anatole
Please join us for the Pride at Camp LGBTQIA+ Gathering and Social, a networking event for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Held at the beginning of the conference, this event aims to foster a supportive community for participants throughout their week in Dallas. It offers a welcoming and safe environment to connect, share resources, and expand your professional network.
For more information, contact Kristina Lee, klee@ACAcamps.org or 765-349-3535.
Quality Programs Level 1 Training
Monday, February 17, 2024
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Hilton Anatole
Quality Programs Level I teaches participants what safe and supportive staff practices are, how they can promote social-emotional learning for youth, and how these practices can be incorporated into staff trainings. This training will also prepare participants to effectively use and score the Social Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment for Camp tool. It is recommended for two individuals from each organization participate in this training.
Registration Fee:
- 1st Person, $200 ACA members, $400 nonmembers
- Additional Person, $150 ACA members, $350 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Jessie Dickerson, jdickerson@ACAcamps.org, or 765-349-3516.
Quality Programs Level 2 Training
Tuesday, February 18, 2024
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Hilton Anatole
*Please note that participants must have completed Quality Programs Level I in order to register for this training.
Building on the skills learned from Quality Programs Level I*, Quality Programs Level II teaches participants what interactive and engaging staff practices are, how these practices are related to social and emotional learning for young people, how they can be incorporated into staff trainings, and how they can be assessed using the Social Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment for Camp tool.
*Registrants must have participated in Quality Programs Level I in order to be eligible for Quality Programs Level II.
Registration Fee:
- 1st Person, $160 ACA members, $320 nonmembers
- Additional Person, $140 ACA members, $280 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Jessie Dickerson, jdickerson@ACAcamps.org, or 765-349-3516.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training
Monday, February 17, 2025
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Hilton Anatole
The Youth Mental Health First Aid Course is designed to teach individuals how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. The scenarios used throughout the course are camp based.
Please note there are 2 hours of pre-course work required before arrival. The YMHFA instructor will contact all registrants in January 2024 with details on how to access the course work. (Lunch is not included.) Limited to 30 participants. Registration available on a first come, first served basis.
Registration Fee: $100 ACA members, $140 nonmembers
Preregistration closes January 27.
For more information, contact Erin Flores, eflores@ACAcamps.org, or 765-349-3527.
