ACA, Great Rivers Fall Conference

Early Bird registration is available through October 8, 2025

Registration Includes:

• Registration for November 19-20, 2025 includes the full conference program, and meals (Wednesday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Thursday breakfast and lunch.)

For more information about lodging check-out the Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center tab. Participants are encouraged to register and select their preferred lodging as soon as possible for the greatest selection.

Tuesday, November 18

• 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. New Director Orientation 
• 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Conference Check-In for Early Arrivals
• 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Dinner on own / Social Activity

Wednesday, November 19

• 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Conference Check-In, Breakfast & Networking Activity
• 10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Welcome to the Great Rivers Fall Conference!
• 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Opening Playnote
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Educational Breakout Session #1
• 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
• 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Networking Activity
• 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Educational Breakout Session #3
• 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Educational Breakout Session #4
• 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Great River Awards Ceremony
• 7:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Trivia Night!

Thursday, November 20

• 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.  Roundtable Conversations
• 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Educational Breakout Session #5
• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Educational Breakout Session #6
• 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
• 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Closing Activity

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 NDO is an interactive course that includes activities, lectures, and discussions in a group problem-solving environment designed to address real-life situations at camp. This course covers five critical areas to help directors and supervisors develop the skills they need to be effective leaders. The core areas to be covered include:

1. Leadership and supervision

2. Camper and staff development and behavior

3. Staff training

4. Risk management

5. Evaluation and assessment

This NDO course will be offered in a hybrid model with participants needing to complete online pre-coursework, participate in a two-hour virtual course meeting, and attend the in-person training.

• Registration Closes: Friday, November 7 - Early registration is encouraged to allow adequate time to complete online pre-coursework. Registration includes course materials and lunch on November 18th. 
• Pre-Course Virtual Meeting: Thursday, November 13 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT
• In-Person Training: Tuesday, November 18 - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT

 $115 - Member

$175 - Non-Member

Coming soon!

More details coming soon!

Join us for the Fall Conference at Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center located in Indianola, Iowa. Wesley Woods was established in 1956, tucked away near Lake Ahquabi on 344 acres overlooking rolling hills in a woodland retreat. Wesley Woods is only 30 minutes south from the Des Moines International Airport and Downtown Des Moines. Whether you're coming in from out of town or just looking for a quick getaway, Wesley Woods is the perfect location for your next adventure. 

Lodging

Lodging is available on-site at Wesley Woods on November 18th and November 19th. Wesley Woods has a variety of lodging options for the conference. Single, double, and group lodging are available.  All rooms or cabins have twin XL beds and have heat and air conditioning. Participants will need to provide their own bedding and towels. Double occupancy rooms have bathrooms and showers either in the room or in the same building. Group lodging will have access to bathrooms and a shower house a short walk from the cabins.

Participants are encouraged to register and select their preferred lodging as soon as possible for the greatest selection. Lodging is assigned on a first come first served basis. When registering online, please select options in step 4.

Single Occupancy Lodging - $105/night

Double Occupancy Lodging - $60/night

Group Cabin Lodging - $30/night

Sponsorship opportunities:

• $3,000 Title Sponsor*
• $2,000 Keynote sponsor*
• $1,500 Meal sponsor*
• $1,000 Session sponsor
• $500 Snack/Break sponsor

All sponsorships come with a table, and logo recognition on signage at the event, and the events web page.

Sponsorships with an (*) also include two minutes to address the participants.

Please contact Kim Fitzgerald, [email protected] with any sponsorship inquiries.