ACA, Oregon Trail and Evergreen Cascadia Camp Conference

Early Bird registration is available through October 10, 2023.

• Registration includes conference program and five meals (Tuesday dinner, Wednesday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Thursday breakfast). 
• Not an ACA Member? Join today for FREE and get the best rates for this event! 

Lodging

A variety of lodging types are available including bunk style lodging with shared bathroom, semi-private lodging for 2-3 individuals with shared bathroom, semi-private lodging for 2-3 individuals with private bathroom, and single lodging with private bathroom.  A limited number of rooms are available for each style of lodging. Participants are encouraged to register and select their preferred lodging as soon as possible for the greatest selection.  Participants need to select their lodging type in step 4 of the online registration process. 

• Bunk style lodging with shared bathroom $10 per person
• Semi-private lodging for 2-3 individuals with shared bathroom $20 per person
• Semi-private lodging for 2-3 individuals with private bathroom $30 per person
• Single lodging with private bathroom $100 per person

Cascadia Camp Conference Schedule with Session Descriptions

Cascadia Camp Conference Schedule with Session Descriptions and Speaker Bios

Opening Keynote Speaker - Simone Gamble

Simone Gamble (they/them) is a community organizer who resides in NYC with roots in the South Bronx.  Simone is also an independent consultant leading workshops with a myriad of nonprofits, schools, and after-school programs centered in youth work around the issue of safer spaces for people of color with an intersectional, anti-oppressive lens. They have spoken at conferences and privately consulted with organizations around radical curriculum and facilitation. 

Simone has been active in the camping world since they were a child when their mother first enrolled them in day camp at 10 years old. At 18, they were hired as a counselor at the Fiver Children’s Foundation, where they spent over 10 years of their camping career ranging in roles from counselor to assistant camp director. They have seen all levels of camp, and this has guided their lens when consulting on creating safer and inclusive spaces for all campers.

Since leaving the camping world, Simone has stayed active by consulting with over 40 camps across the nation to support them in their push to be more aligned with their diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice goals. 

Opening Keynote-Summer Camps as a Catalyst for Change

In this keynote session, we will take a deep dive into the state of the world around us and the role of camps in this changing world. This keynote will provide valuable insights into the profound impact of summer camps as a catalyst for change. In a world marked by constant evolution, the impact of summer camps reaches far beyond the traditional notions of outdoor adventures and camaraderie and over the years have emerged as dynamic platforms that foster social awareness, inclusivity, and the development of changemakers. 

Summer camps can answer the call to action. But it starts with us, the camp leaders. We must first understand our role and our power and what that means in regards to the environment and culture we create at our camps and the impact on the larger world. 

We will explore how we as leaders have the power to create camps that can go beyond traditional programming and cultivate advocates for change and play a pivotal role in nurturing a generation that is committed to making the world a better place for all.

Closing Keynote Speaker-Chris Rehs-Dupin

Chris is the Founder of Transplaining for Camps and has found so much self-healing and joy in working with camps around the country on building belonging into their culture. With a patterned shirt collection bigger than a costume closet, Chris uses humor, storytelling, and a theater background to ignite people into action. Chris meets people where they are and educates with empathy, not shame. He brings seventeen years of combination day/overnight camp experience and a passion for helping others be their best selves & make their biggest impact. Through Transplaining for Camps, Chris has helped hundreds of camps create broader belonging for campers and staff.

Closing Keynote-Belonging Starts with Community

Sometimes it feels like the world is just more angry than it used to be- in fact a 2019 poll done by Gallup that people worldwide are sadder, angrier and more fearful than ever before.  Join Chris Rehs-Dupin where he will breakdown some of the causes for this trend, as well as how we can individually work to change it.  Rooted deeply in an understanding that connection is key, Chris will share stories of building community and belonging and challenge each of us to dig deeper and love louder.

 All Times are Pacific Time

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

• 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.--Registration & Check-in
• 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.--Welcome and Opening Keynote
• 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.--Open Space Planning
• 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.--Dinner
• 7:30 p.m. –                  Team trivia

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

• 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.--Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.--Educational Session 1
• 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.--Educational Session 2
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.--Lunch and Spotlight Award
• 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.--After lunch walk, informal conversations, free time
• 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.--Educational Session 3
• 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.--Educational Session 4
• 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.--Dinner
• 7:30 p.m. –                  Networking and Evening Activities

Thursday, November 30, 2023

• 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.--Breakfast and Check-out
• 8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.--Educational Session 5
• 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.--Closing Session
• 11:15 a.m. –                  Departure

Menucha is one of the premier conference centers in the Northwest and is known for beautiful grounds, comfortable rooms, and fabulous meals. 

Menucha is located in Corbett, Oregon, inside the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, 22 miles east of downtown Portland. 

Menucha strives to enrich lives through hospitality, learning, reflection, and renewal. 

Lodging

A variety of lodging types are available including bunk style lodging with shared bathroom, semi-private lodging for 2-3 individuals with shared bathroom, semi-private lodging for 2-3 individuals with private bathroom, and single lodging withprivate bathroom.  A limited number of rooms are available for each style of lodging. Participants are encouraged to register and select their preferred lodging as soon as possible for the greatest selection.  Participants need to select their lodging type in step 4 of the online registration process.

• Bunk style lodging with shared bathroom $10 per person
• Semi-private lodging for 2-3 individuals with shared bathroom $20 per person
• Semi-private lodging for 2-3 individuals with private bathroom $30 per person
• Single lodging with private bathroom $100 per person

Participants who select bunk style lodging need to provide bedding and towels.  Bedding and towels are provided for all other lodging types.  

For questions about lodging, contact Betsy Thamert (bthamert@ACAcamps.org , 765-342-1349).

For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities, contact Kim Bruno.