ACA, Keystone EPIC Retreat & CampWell Training

Pricing below is for the EPIC Retreat only. CampWell pricing and registration is found in the tab below.

Full registration includes: Monday dinner, Tuesday breakfast and lunch, and overnight lodging on Monday.

Group Lodging: Bunk style cabins with bathroom, sleeps up to 6. 

When registering for the full event, please note that Monday lodging is included! Just a note some lodging is group style. When registering please select if you have a roommate(s) request. 

If you would like to arrive a day early or stay through Wednesday, please select both Sunday and Tuesday lodging when registering. This cost is separate from the full registration fee.

Not an ACA Member? Join today for FREE and get the best rates for this event!

Type	Regular
Member	$150
Nonmember	$230
Lodging on Sunday	$50
Lodging on Tuesday	$50

Need a hard copy of registration or have registration questions; email [email protected]

• Develops future leaders, not just better counselors
  EPIC is designed to grow emerging professionals into confident, values-aligned leaders who can take on greater responsibility within their organizations.
• Directly supports staff retention and engagement
  Participants return feeling invested in, connected to the industry, and more likely to stay, addressing one of camps’ biggest challenges: turnover.
• Builds practical leadership skills staff can use immediately
  Sessions focus on real camp realities: communication, emotional intelligence, self-regulation, teamwork, and navigating high-pressure environments.
• Strengthens emotional resilience and burnout prevention
  The retreat equips staff with tools to manage stress, model calm, and sustain energy,  critical skills for long camp seasons and leadership longevity.
• Creates cross-camp networking and peer learning
  Staff build meaningful relationships with peers from other camps, expanding their perspective while strengthening their commitment to the profession.
• Aligns with ACA values and professional development pathways
  EPIC retreats reinforce ACA’s commitment to leadership development, ethical practice, and a strong, connected camp community.
• Provides a safe space for emerging leaders to find their voice
  Participants practice leadership in a supportive, growth-oriented environment, something many don’t yet get within their home organizations.
• Returns value back to the camp, not just the individual
  Attendees bring back ideas, tools, and renewed motivation that positively impact staff culture, camper experience, and team dynamics.
• Signals investment in staff growth and career pathways
  Sending staff communicates trust, belief, and long-term commitment, which strengthens morale and loyalty.
• Supports the future pipeline of camp leadership
  EPIC helps ensure camps are not just filling roles, but intentionally developing the next generation of directors, program leaders, and industry advocates.

April 19–20, 2026
(Pre-CampWell ZOOM Intro Meeting April 15, 2026 @ 3 p.m. ET)

Cost: $250 Training plus breakfast, snacks, and lunch on day two of training.

Register Now!

CampWell Training

Individuals who have implemented the concepts and theories of CampWell have seen the culture of their camp change in a way that has improved retention, performance, and the well-being of staff and participants. Join your fellow camp community leaders on a journey to harness the power of well-being at camp - safe, supported, connected, and contributing - as a foundation for thriving beyond the camp environment.

CampWell: Trusted by 182 Organizations and over 350 Leaders — and Counting

CampWell is a research-backed training framework, created by camp people, for camp people, for youth-serving individuals, that encourages camps to create conditions where campers and staff thrive. Developed in collaboration with the American Camp Association with support from the H.E. Butt Foundation, CampWell is your pathway to an evolving camp culture focused on whole-human and whole-community flourishing. 

CampWell equips camps in building safe programs that facilitate a supported culture of individual well-being and belonging, leading to a thriving camp ecosystem where all individuals are connected and positively contributing. Participants will leave CampWell Level Two training with an adaptable curriculum, essential educational resources, and ready-to-use activities created to assist you in elevating care at camp. 

The full CampWell training will include a pre-conference Zoom session and two days of in-person sessions. Participants will leave CampWell training with a CampWell Certification and CampWell Certified Badge and receive four essential resources to level up staff training: the CampWell Curriculum (narrative form), which is designed to be adaptable to your camp's needs, a CampWell Road Map of cited sources, pdf of the CampWell presentation, and the ACH MESH(+) Resource Guide:  an over $200 value, all included with registration.

Who Should Attend?

Camp directors, program leaders, health and risk leaders, HR and training staff, year-round and seasonal leaders, and anyone interested in improving the camp experience for all campers and staff.

• Why CampWell Invites Two
• CampWell Level 2 Outline

Monday:

• 12:30 - 1:30 — Arrival & Welcome
• 2:15 - 2:45 — Opening Circle
• 3:00 – 4:00 — Session Block 1: Seeing What We Don't See
• 4:15 – 5:15 — Session Block 2: Managing Up and Across Generations
• 5:00 – 6:00 — Get-to-Know-You Camp Games, Free Time / Reset
• 6:00 - 7:00 — Dinner
• 7:00 - 8:30 — Campfire / Evening Experience 

Tuesday:

• 8:00 – 8:45 — Breakfast
• 8:45 - 9:30 — Morning Wellness Activity
• 9:45-10:45 — Session Block 1:How to de-escalate challenging moments with campers with Dan Weir
• 10:45-11:00 — Break
• 11:15-12:15 — Session Block 2:Using mentorship as a staff management tool with Dan Weir
• 12:15-12:30 — Break 
• 12:30-1:15 — Lunch
• 1:15 - 2:15 PM — Session Block 3: No Pause Button: Safety Leadership & Real-Time Judgment
• 2:15 - 2:30 PM — Break
• 2:30 - 3:30 PM — Session Block 4: Beyond the Basics: Practical Behavior Tools & Systems for Camp
• 3:30 - 4:00 PM — Reflection and Close
• 4:00- Depart, safe travels!

More Details Coming Soon!

Monday:

3:00 – 4:00|  Session #1- Seeing What We Don't See

Bridgette Barbera-Byrne is a senior leader in youth development and a nationally recognized voice on unconscious bias and inclusion. She serves as the Senior Association Director of Camp & Youth Programming for the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, supporting 9 YMCA branches throughout Chester County and leading large-scale camp operations that impact thousands of youth annually. Bridgette is the author of “Unconscious Bias: Silent Saboteur,” published in ACA’s Camping Magazine, where she received national recognition for her work. She also serves as the JEDI Chair for the ACA Keystone Region and regularly facilitates trainings that help camp leaders translate inclusion into real-time practice.  Bridgette was also recognized as the 2024-2025 Community Partner of the Year by the Chester County LGBT Equality Alliance

Seeing What We Don't See: Unconscious bias is the automatic, unintentional assumptions we make about people based on our experiences, culture, and societal influences. In a camp environment, where relationships, safety, and belonging are critical, but the decisions have to be fast--  these biases can quietly shape how we supervise, communicate, discipline, and connect with campers and staff. This 1-hour interactive training equips camp leaders with the awareness and practical tools needed to recognize how bias shows up in real-time camp settings—and how to interrupt it. Through self reflection and discussion, participants will explore how unconscious bias can impact camper experience, staff dynamics, and decision-making, and will leave with actionable strategies to create more inclusive, equitable, and emotionally safe camp environments.

4:15-5:15| Session #2

 Managing Up and Across Generations

Jenna Dunlay (she/her) is the Director of Training and Engagement for the American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey. Her work focuses on supporting young people and staff through thoughtful education, relationship-building, and a deep commitment to fostering a sense of belonging. With a facilitation style that blends real-world tools and camp magic, Jenna creates spaces where people feel safe, energized, and ready to lead.

Managing Up and Across Generations:We know how challenging it can be to juggle your responsibilities while also managing those around you, even when it’s “not your job”. Let’s discuss how we communicate workplace challenges (like issues with our supervisor), conflict prevention and management, bridging the gap between you and your supervisor(s), and how to present new initiatives/changes.

Tuesday:

Dan Weir: Dan has been developing day and overnight camps for over 20 years. With a Master’s Degree specializing in youth development, Dan’s work has been recognized for program and research excellence. He has volunteered in multiple capacities for the American Camp Association, American Camp Foundation, and the New York State Camp Directors Association. Known for taking on the challenges facing youth-serving organizations, Dan is the Co-Founder of Day Camp Community and Senior Consultant at Immersive1st.

9:45-10:45 | Session #1 – How to de-escalate challenging moments with campers

Mentoring and working with children can create challenging moments that can quickly escalate. These challenging moments often start with a conversation or interaction that the camp staff are present for. A goal for navigating challenging moments with campers and staff is for everyone to feel heard while pivoting forward. In this session, we will review how to use these four steps in a camp setting: expressing observations, communicating feelings, articulating needs, and making requests. Utilizing these four steps, we will teach how to de-escalate challenging conversations. We will also discuss the challenges facing youth during the distinct stages of their development. Staff will enjoy this interactive workshop while being given the opportunity to practice these techniques. 

11:15-12:15 | Session #2 – Using mentorship as a staff management tool 

Featured in Camping Magazine, Dan Weir will explore how mentorship can significantly boost staff performance and build a strong camp culture. Participants will learn practical strategies to implement consistent mentorship practices, creating a safe and supportive environment where staff feel valued and motivated. We will cover how to use daily and weekly check-ins to foster trust, provide immediate feedback, and drive staff growth. Walk away with actionable tools to make mentorship a core part of your camp’s leadership approach and staff development.

1:15 - 2:15 PM| — Session #3-No Pause Button: Safety Leadership & Real-Time Judgment

Mary Boyd is the Adventure & Trips Director at Frost ValleyYMCA. She previously served as the Resident Camp Director at the YMCA of Northern Colorado, where she also oversaw teen programs. Mary is a CampWell Facilitator and active ACA volunteer. Her background in the outdoor industry includes being a W-EMT and Leave No Trace Master Educator. She’s worked as a first responder in Colorado, was a guide in Alaska, and worked for the Girl Scouts in Central California 

No Pause Button: Safety Leadership & Real-Time Judgment: Camp moves fast, and leaders constantly make decisions in real time. This session focuses on recognizing in-the-moment occurrences, safety, engagement, and group dynamics, and responding appropriately. Participants will explore how to anticipate potential risks, navigate gray areas, and determine when to step in or step back. We’ll also cover how to communicate decisions clearly and calmly, even in challenging situations. This session is designed to support leaders in making thoughtful, effective decisions that prioritize both safety and staff development.

2:30-3:30| Session #4:Beyond the Basics: Practical Behavior Tools & Systems for Camp

Erin Lacotta, M.A., BCBA, is the Senior Association Director of Behavior Support and Adaptive Programming for the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, where she provides strategic leadership in inclusive practices and behavior support for more than 5,000 children across Chester County, PA. Erin oversees a team of behavior specialists and adaptive programming coordinators to lead county-wide initiatives that promote access, inclusion, and individualized support for individuals with disabilities. A passionate advocate for DEIB, neurodiversity inclusion, and equitable program design, Erin has presented at regional and national conferences and has been invited to train audiences across the country on behavior management, supporting individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence, and addressing unconscious bias. She is a 2025 Vista Next Gen Superstar – 40 Under 40 honoree and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and special education from Chestnut Hill College and a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Ball State University.

Beyond the Basics: Practical Behavior Tools & Systems for Camp

Ready to move beyond reacting to behavior and start preventing it? In this interactive session, camp leaders will learn a simple, practical framework for understanding behavior and walk away with five powerful tools they can use immediately. Grounded in behavior science and translated for real camp environments, this session provides clear strategies, staff-ready language, and real-world applications to improve transitions, reduce escalations, and build consistent behavior systems across teams. Perfect for emerging leaders, this session will leave you with tools you can use tomorrow - and a new way to think about behavior that will transform your camp

 

Unwind and join us for a fun-filled night hosted by headliner-worthy, DJ Triple B, who'll be spinning great music and leading us through a lively Music Trivia Game. Test your knowledge, compete with friends, and enjoy some friendly competition throughout the evening.

Snacks will be provided to keep you fueled, and when you need a breath of fresh air, head outside to unwind by the fire.

Whether you're a music buff or just along for the good vibes — it's going to an EPIC night.

The Keystone EPIC Retreat will be happening at Bear Creek Camp.

Bear Creek Welcome & Inclusion Statement

Lodging is included in registration and it is group lodging.

The camp is offering lodging but if you would like to stay at a local hotel, we have a block of rooms at the Hilton DoubleTree in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Booking Code for Phone Reservations: ACA
Booking Link for Online Reservations: https://group.doubletree.com/khnpsy

Sponsorship opportunities:

• $1,200 Title Sponsor*
• $750 Keynote sponsor*
• $600 Meal sponsor*
• $350 Session sponsor
• $150 Snack/Break sponsor

All sponsorships include a table and logo recognition on signage at the event and the event's web page.

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

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