Schedule at a Glance: 2026 National Conference

Thursday, January 22

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Preconference Attendee Session — Watch the Recording

Details

Monday, February 16

8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA) Conference with New Venture Fund Camps Meeting

Details

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Medical and Disability Camp (MDK) Kindred Preconference

Details

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

4-H Camps Kindred Preconference Meeting

Details

8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Camps on Campus (COC) Preconference

Details

9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

ACA Board Meeting

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Camp Professionals Kindred Gathering

Details

10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Accreditation Volunteer Course Part 2

Details

12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Registration Open

12:00 - 6:00 p.m.

New Director Orientation (NDO) Training

Details

1:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Quality Programs Level 1 Training

Details

Tuesday, February 17

7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Registration and Bookstore Open

7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Registration Check-in

8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Resource Center Open

8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA) Conference with New Venture Fund Camps Meeting

Details

8:00 - 10:30 a.m.

National Council of Leaders (NCOL) Meeting

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Character at Camp Preconference Workshop — By Invitation

Details

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Setup

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Accreditation Visit Mini Boot Camp

Details

8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Camps on Campus (COC) Preconference

Details

8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Camp Researchers' Preconference Workshop

Details

8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Emerging Professionals in Camping (EPIC) Preconference

Details

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Quality Programs Level 2 Training

Details

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Gathering of Internationals and Friends

Details

10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Local Council of Leaders (LCOL) Chairs Meeting

11:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Camp Includes Me Gathering

Details

12:30 - 1:15 p.m.

First Time Conference Goers Welcome Orientation — Sponsored by Cliq

12:30 - 1:15 p.m.

Solo Conference Travelers’ Meet-up

Details

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Opening Keynote Event Featuring Lauren Ridloff

4:00 - 5:15 p.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 1

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Local Office and Affiliate Groups Meetings

Details

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Gathering of Internationals

6:45 - 8:00 p.m.

International Reception

7:00 - 7:45 p.m.

BIPOC Affinity Group Meet-Up

Details

8:00 - 9:15 p.m.

Connect and Learn Session with Michael Brandwein

Details

8:00 - 8:45 p.m.

Pride at Camp LGBTQIA+ Gathering and Social

Details

Wednesday, February 18

7:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Spanish Speaking Professionals Café with Bagels and Coffee

7:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Yoga

Details

7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Registration and Bookstore Open

7:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Medical and Disability Camping Café with Bagels and Coffee

7:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Exhibitor Registration Check-in

7:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Day Camp Café with Bagels and Coffee

7:30 - 9:45 a.m.

Insurance Roundtable — By Invitation

8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Exhibitor Setup

8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Resource Center Open

8:30 - 9:45 a.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 2

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Keynote Event Featuring Angus Fletcher

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Grand Opening of Exhibit Hall with Lunch (Ticket Required) — Sponsored by Camp Scheduling Pro

1:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 3

3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Education/Professional Development Chairs Meeting

3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Commerce Sessions

3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Attendee Head Shot Photo Station — Sponsored by Circuitree

Details

4:00 - 5:15 p.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 4

5:15 - 10:00 p.m.

Free Time to Informally Network and Explore San Diego

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Strengthening Camp Resilience: Shared Solutions for Emergency & Disaster Preparedness

Details

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Acorn Society Dinner (Invitation Only) — Sponsored by Gopher

Details

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Research Awards Recognition and Social — Open to All

Details

8:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Friends of Bill W.

Thursday, February 19

7:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Camp Includes Me Café with Bagels and Coffee

7:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Faith-based Camps Café with Bagels and Coffee

7:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Camp Researchers and Evaluators Meetup with Bagels and Coffee

Details

7:00 - 8:15 a.m.

Camp-School-Community Partnership Café with Bagels and Coffee

Details

7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Registration and Bookstore Open

8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Attendee Head Shot Photo Station — Sponsored by Circuitree

Details

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Resource Center Open

8:30 - 9:45 a.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 5

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

American Camping Foundation (ACF) Board Meeting

9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

9:45 - 10:30 a.m.

Research Poster Presentations

9:45 - 10:30 a.m.

Unopposed Time in the Exhibit Hall; Free Bagels and Coffee — Sponsored by Camp Scheduling Pro

10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 6

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch in the Exhibit Hall for Attendees and Exhibitors (unopposed time in exhibits) — Ticket Required

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Pioneers in Camping Luncheon — By Invitation

Details

11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Not-for-Profit Council (NFP) Luncheon — Ticket Required — Sponsored by Bowline HQ

Details

1:00 - 2:15 p.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 7

2:15 - 3:00 p.m.

Unopposed Time in the Exhibit Hall; Afternoon Coffee and Dessert

3:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Teardown

3:15 - 4:30 p.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 8

4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Camps on Campus (COC) Social

Details

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Accreditation Volunteers Gathering — Sponsored by Camp Scheduling Pro

Details

6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Free Time to Informally Network and Explore San Diego

Friday, February 20

7:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Registration and Bookstore Open

7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Resource Center Open

8:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 9

9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Educational Breakout Sessions, Group 10

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Closing General Session & Lunch with Keynote Featuring Marcus Collins — Ticket Required

2026 Schedule at a Glance

Thursday, January 22

Monday, February 16

Tuesday, February 17

Wednesday, February 18

Thursday, February 19

Friday, February 20

Thank You to Our Premier Sponsors!