ACA CampForward Conference
Date
Location
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Cost
See pricing below. Limited-time deal available.
Join us in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for the ACA CampForward Conference, a brand-new conference where you will build skills, strengthen community, and advance the impact of camp. Conference attendees will attend engaging educational breakout sessions, network with peers and experts, and explore the exhibit hall showcasing products and services relevant to camps. Save the date October 27–29, 2026, and plan to join us in Wisconsin!
Call for Proposals
The conference planning team is now accepting dynamic and relevant breakout sessions. Lectures, interactive presentations, and panel discussions are welcome. Submit a session today and help us build a program that educates, connects, and sparks ideas. The deadline to submit is September 12, 2026.
Save by registering early! Early bird registration is available through September 28, 2026.
Bring the Whole Crew with a Limited-Time Deal! For three weeks only, register four team members while only paying for three. This is a limited-time offer from July 17 - August 8, 2026.
How Does the Deal Work?
- For ACA members, that total comes to $859 at just $214.75 per person - a $280 savings.
- After registering three participants, email [email protected] with the contact information of the fourth team member, and we'll register them for free.
Registration Includes:
- Full Conference Registration for October 27-29, 2026 includes the full conference program, two breakfasts (Wednesday and Thursday), exhibit hall, networking and social events.
- Wednesday ONLY Registration includes breakfast that morning, educational breakout sessions throughout the day, the exhibit hall, and the evening networking event.
Hotel lodging is available at the Grand Geneva resort. See the hotel and travel tab for additional details and information on how to book your stay.
Not an ACA member? Join today for FREE and get the best rates for this event!
Consultants may not self-promote at the conference and must register under the consultant rate unless they are a confirmed speaker at the conference.
| Type | Early-Bird (Ends 9/28) | Standard (Ends 10/20) | Final Wave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member | $299 | $329 | $362 |
| Nonmember | $399 | $440 | $484 |
| Additional person from same organization - Member | $280 | $308 | $338 |
| Additional person from same organization - Nonmember | $380 | $418 | $460 |
| Speaker - Full Conference | $190 | $190 | $240 |
| Wednesday ONLY - Member | $150 | $165 | $182 |
| Wednesday ONLY - Nonmember | $185 | $204 | $224 |
| Consultant Member - Full Conference | $498 | $498 | $498 |
| Consultant Nonmember - Full Conference | $639 | $639 | $639 |
| Consultant Member - Wednesday Only | $254 | $254 | $254 |
| Consultant Nonmember - Wednesday Only | $324 | $324 | $324 |
Understanding Registration Pricing:
We encourage you to register early - not just to save money, but to help us plan the best possible event!
Early Bird: Lock in the best rate by registering early! You'll get the lowest price and the best deal.
Standard: This is our standard registration rate, available after the Early Bird period ends.
Final Wave: Begins one week before the event and includes onsite registration.
As the conference gets closer our team is finalizing all the details, including meal numbers, room setups, and materials. Our host site needs final numbers well in advance of the event. We are always happy to welcome last minute registrations when possible. Registering early helps us serve everyone better!
Monday - October 26
12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Preconference Workshop Check-In
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Executive Director Workshop
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EPIC Workshop
Tuesday - October 27
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Preconference Workshop Check-In
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Accreditation Visit Mini Bootcamp
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Local Area Camp Tour
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Conference Check-In
1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Solo Conference Attendees Meet-Up
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Opening General Session & Keynote
3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Educational Breakout Session
5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Networking Activity
5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception & Networking
Wednesday - October 28
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast & Conversations
9:15 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. Welcome to Day 2 of CampForward!
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Educational Breakout Session
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Educational Breakout Session
12:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch on your own/Break
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Educational Breakout Session
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Educational Breakout Session
3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Opens!
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Educational Breakout Session
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall & Social Reception
Thursday - October 29
7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Breakfast & Conversations
8:15 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Educational Breakout Session
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Educational Breakout Session
10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Closing General Session & Keynote
EPIC Workshop - Monday, October 26 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Join fellow EPICs (Emerging Professionals in Camping) in this half-day preconference workshop, focused on career development and creating connections.
Member: $50
Nonmember: $100
Executive Director Workshop - Monday, October 26 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This half-day workshop is for executive directors and senior management, focused on networking, two education sessions, and sharing resources.
Member: $75
Nonmember: $125
Education Session 1: Building Your Fundraising Calendar
Fundraising often gets squeezed between the dozen other hats camp directors wear — which means asks tend to happen reactively, right before a board meeting or a cash crunch. This hands-on session introduces a simple 5-part framework (Annual Appeals, Events, Grants, Major/Legacy Gifts, and Stewardship) and walks participants through building a draft 12-month fundraising calendar for their own camp. Through small-group work, peer feedback, and a personal commitment card, attendees leave with a concrete draft they can put into action immediately — not just ideas, but dates on a calendar.
Marna S. Redding serves as senior vice president, development, leading business and funds development, growing resources, relationships, and partnerships to expand the work and influence of the American Camp Association. Marna is directly responsible for the design and implementation of strategies to identify funding sources through annual giving efforts, brand alliance, corporate and foundation funding. While not a camp kid herself, Marna resides in upstate New York with her husband and they are proud camp parents of a son and daughter who attend camp in Maine.
Accreditation Visit Mini Boot Camp - Tuesday, October 27 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Get a jumpstart on your 2027 ACA accreditation visit preparations by attending the Accreditation Visit Mini Boot Camp! During this four-hour intensive workshop, we'll explore some common challenges faced by camps seeking accreditation and provide tools and resources to help you prepare for your visit. You'll learn from experienced accreditation volunteers and have dedicated time to work on your camp's specific visit preparations. This workshop is designed specifically for camps preparing for an accreditation visit in 2027.
Note: Camps must have paid fees and submitted an application for the 2027 visit season in order to attend the Accreditation Visit Mini Boot Camp. Please limit registrations to four representatives per camp. Contact us for larger group registrations. Pre-registration is required. Registration deadline is Tuesday, October 13.
Member: $0
Register for the Accreditation Mini Bootcamp
Local Area Camp Tour - Tuesday, October 27 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join in on touring camps in the local area. Each tour will highlight different programs and facilities that are unique to their site.
Member/Nonmember: $0
We are excited to be at the Grand Geneva Resort in charming Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for the CampForward Conference. Surrounded by scenic woodlands and rolling hills, Lake Geneva is the perfect setting to unwind, learn, and enjoy outdoor adventures.
The Grand Geneva Resort is located on the Illinois-Wisconsin border, just an hour south of Milwaukee and ninety minutes north of Chicago.
Book your stay at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa or Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark
Two hotels, all on one resort property, with lodging choices to meet your teams needs and budget. Guests will enjoy views of the private lake, Wi-Fi, on-property shuttle service, easy parking, a fully-equipped fitness center, and miles of scenic, wooded hiking paths.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa: Each room has been completely reimagined, creating an inviting space with new modern finishes and furnishings. Stay where the action is: conference spaces, guest rooms, dining, and amenities all seamlessly connected.
- Standard Deluxe - $179 per night: Guaranteed to accommodate up to two guests. Rooms feature a mini-refrigerator and in-room coffee maker.
- One Bedroom Villa - $179 per night: This spacious villa accommodates up to four guests and features a full kitchen and living area.
- Two Bedroom Villa - $279 per night: A multi-level villa that features two private bedrooms that can accommodate up to six guests. Also includes a full kitchen and living area.
- Three Bedroom Villa - $477 per night: Sleeps up to eight guests with three private bedrooms and features a full kitchen and living area.
Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark: It's the SUITE life at Timber Ridge Lodge! The hotel suites include a full kitchen, private bedroom(s), living area, and outdoor fire pit area. Waterpark passes are included with your hotel reservation.
- One Bedroom Suite - $159 per night: The one bedroom suite can sleep up to four people and includes four waterpark passes.
- Two Bedroom Suite - $259 per night: The two bedroom suite can sleep up to six people and includes six waterpark passes.
Book by October 5 to lock in the best conference hotel pricing.
Flying to the CampForward Conference? Here are some options of airports that are near Lake Geneva:
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (50 minutes away)
- Chicago Rockford International Airport (65 minutes away)
- Dane County Regional Airport (75 minutes away)
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (90 minutes away)
Connect with Camp Professionals from Across the Midwest
Connect with more than 200 camp professionals, leaders, and decision-makers from across the Midwest at the new ACA CampForward Conference.
CampForward brings together camp professionals for collaboration, professional development, networking, and idea-sharing. Exhibitors and sponsors have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with camp leaders while showcasing products, services, and solutions that support the camp industry.
Whether you serve camps through programming, technology, insurance, transportation, food service, facilities, staffing, fundraising, outdoor equipment, or consulting, we invite you to join us.
Exhibit Hall Schedule - Wednesday, October 28, 2026
- 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Exhibitor setup
- 3:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall open
- 7:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall closes
Booth Pricing: $450 Member / $950 Nonmember
Booth registration includes:
- One exhibit table/space
- Access to networking opportunities with attendees
- Participation in exhibit hall activities
Available Sponsorships
- Title Sponsor — $3,000*
- Keynote Sponsor — $2,000*
- Breakfast Sponsor — $1,500*
- Two available: Wednesday or Thursday
- Welcome Reception Sponsor — $1,000*
- Tuesday night trivia reception
- Social Reception Sponsor — $1,000*
- Wednesday evening social
- Session Sponsor — $850
Sponsorship Benefits
All sponsorships include:
- Exhibit booth/table
- Logo recognition on event signage
- Recognition and link on the event webpage
* Sponsorships marked with an asterisk also include two minutes to address participants during the conference.
For exhibitor questions, sponsorship packages, and additional details, contact Kim Fitzgerald.
