ACA, Northland Fall Workshop and Get-Together

Save by registering early! Early bird registration is available through September 10, 2025.

Registration Includes:

• Registration for the Fall Workshop + Camp Tour includes the full workshop program, camp tours, and meals (Tuesday lunch and snacks, Wednesday breakfast and lunch.)
• Registration for the Camp Tours only includes lunch and snacks on Tuesday.
• Registration for the Fall Workshop only includes the full workshop program and breakfast and lunch on Wednesday
• Lodging is available at Northern Pines Camp. See Northern Pines Camp tab for additional details.

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

Needing scholarship opportunities for the conference? Check out the Fall Workshop scholarship opportunities.

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 two weeks 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 registrants when possible. Registering early helps us serve everyone better!

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 - Camp Tours

• 10:00 a.m. Meet at Camp Foley
• 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tour Trout Lake Camp
• 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Lunch & Tour at Camp Olson
• 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Tour Camp Foley

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

• 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Check-In & Breakfast
• 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Welcome Activity
• 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Workshop - From Insights to Impact: Using Story for Reflection and Improvement with Steph Love

Harness the power of story! In this workshop, you'll look back on your summer programming to reflect and celebrate, and look forward to consider changes and improvements to make the camp experience even more impactful. During two hours of interactive activities with your peers, you'll experience three different storytelling frameworks to show appreciation, work through challenges, and clarify your message. By the end of the session, you'll have stories you can use to share the power of camp, as well as a way to talk about the opportunities for change and growth with campers, staff, families, boards, funders, community members, and other camp stakeholders. 

• 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
• 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Northland Networking
• 2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Educational Breakout Sessions
• 3:40 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closing Panel - Beyond the Campfire: Engaging Hearts Year-Round

What happens when the tents come down and the summer ends? Join three dynamic camp leaders in this fast-paced, story-driven session as they share innovative, heartfelt, and surprising ways they keep the spirit of camp alive all year long - for campers, staff, and alumni alike. From digital connections to real-world reunions, discover how they build community that lasts far beyond the season.

Get ready for a full day of connection, inspiration, and camp talk! From 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on October 21, the ACA, Northland Fall Camp Tour will take you on a journey through three uniquely different camps. Bring a good pair of walking shoes!

• Camp Foley: Camp Foley is a co-ed overnight camp on the shores of Lower Whitefish Lake in North-Central Minnesota, serving kids aged 7-16. Campers enjoy over 30 activities, from sailing, waterskiing, and archery to arts & crafts, overnight trips, and paintball, while building independence, character, and lifelong friendships. Stroll past cozy cabins and our swim dock, take a peek into the marina to see sailboats and canoes, and explore the winding trails leading to the iconic treehouses.

• Camp Olson YMCA: Explore Camp Olson YMCA's 1,350-acre campus, where strategic growth meets natural immersion. This tour will offer a firsthand look at our many recent capital projects from the last decade, revealing how these investments enhance our facilities and support a wide range of programs. See our extensive waterfront, trail systems, divers and multi-purpose activity zones, and updated infrastructure, providing practical takeaways for your own operations. 

• Camp Trout Lake

Steph Love, MS, Steph Love Consulting, has spent 30 years as an outdoor education and youth development professional. In 2002, she completed her Master of Science in Experiential Education at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Currently, Steph is an international coach and facilitates continuous quality improvement workshops and strategic planning for camps and youth serving organizations. Steph has facilitated high quality adult learning experiences in 35 states, Europe, and Africa. Her clients include the American Camp Association, SeriousFun Children's Network, Boys and Girls Clubs of American, Boys and Girls Clubs Alaska, and Camp Fire USA, among others. She is an avid kayaker, half marathoner and musher, and is the co-founder of Positive Energy Outdoors, a Duluth-based 501(c)3 not-for-profit outdoor education organization that runs summer and winter day camps and leadership programs for children and youth in grades K-12.

Workshop - From Insights to Impact: Using Story for Reflection and Improvement

Harness the power of story! In this workshop, you'll look back on your summer programming to reflect and celebrate, and look forward to consider changes and improvements to make the camp experience even more impactful. During two hours of interactive activities with your peers, you'll experience three different storytelling frameworks to show appreciation, work through challenges, and clarify your message. By the end of the session, you'll have stories you can use to share the power of camp, as well as a way to talk about the opportunities for change and growth with campers, staff, families, boards, funders, community members, and other camp stakeholders. 

Northern Pines Camp is a year-round camp and retreat destination located on the southeast shore of Fish Hook Lake, just North of Park Rapids, Minnesota.

Lodging

For those coming a distance or participating in the camp tours, affordable group lodging is available the night before the workshop at Northern Pines Camp in the Lodge. Nestled in the towering pine trees, the Lodge rooms each have a private bath and sleep 2-5 people per room. Participants will need to provide their own bedding and towels.

Lodging is assigned on a first come first served basis. When registering online, please select options in step 4.

Group Cabin Lodging - $45/person

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

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.

Contact Kim Fitzgerald for exhibitor questions and sponsorship packages and details.