ACA, Southeastern Fall Camp Conference

Early Bird Deadline is September 25, 2023

Full Conference Registration — Includes opening keynote on Tuesday, October 24 through closing keynote on Thursday, October 26, as well as exhibit halls, socials, luncheon, and networking events.

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

Need a hard copy of registration; email kschaefer@ACAcamps.org

Amanda Wahle

Amanda Wahle is a University of Maryland Extension faculty member with 17 years of experience in 4-H Youth Development. She serves as the 4-H Youth Development Specialist in Environmental Science. Her program work and research focus on leadership development, camping, shooting sports, diversity and Inclusion, mental health, environmental science, and community service. Amanda is a National Certified Counselor, and her prior experience includes working as a mental health counselor in Baltimore City Schools and a special education behavioral specialist in Washington, DC schools. She has a B.A. degree in Psychology and a M.S. degree in Applied Psychology. Amanda has led more than 200 interactive, hands-on presentations at regional, state, national, and international events.

Opening Keynote: Where does the Soup go? Lessons Learned From an Anxious Kid at Camp 

I was given a gift when my son attended camp for the first time, that gift came in the form of tears, fear, and overwhelming anxiety. It was a heart-wrenching experience to see my favorite place in the world be so hard for him to experience. What about camp was making it so hard? How can I fix this? His answers fundamentally changed the way that my team and I now approach the camp. Join us as we work through his anxiety and learn the answer to the question Where does the soup go?

Closing Keynote: Ruby Compton

Ruby Compton has spent over fifteen years working in the outdoor industry in summer camps and environmental education programming. Ruby focuses her work around guiding folks to foster connections with nature, design intentional staff trainings, and practice setting boundaries. She is also passionate about the Blue Ridge mountains of Western North Carolina where she resides and where there is an outdoor adventure for any weather condition. She is the Chief Exploration Officer for her company Ruby Outdoors which is an organization designed to help busy professionals be more present and confident outside. Ruby is, above all else, an educator. She believes that summer camp offers a unique opportunity to reflect, grow, and, of course, learn.

Closing Keynote:6 Things Your Staff Aren't Telling You

After several years as a program director, Ruby has returned to summer time work among your staff members. That means she is hearing conversations during the long van rides and gossip happening in the staff lounge. While there is certainly some stuff you may not want to know, there are a few critically important messages that they aren't telling you. There are also some sentiments they may be trying to tell you but their communications get lost within the noise of camp life. This keynote distills the most vital information for what is really going on with young folks right now. Ruby offers suggestions for how to make them feel heard and feel safe while also maintaining realistic expectations at camp.

We are excited to be at the  Hilton Melbourne. Located less than a mile from Orlando Melbourne Airport, near US Route 1. Work out in the fitness center, have a relaxing swim in the outdoor swimming pool, and recharge after a long summer camp season.

Room Reservation Includes:

• Check-in is 4pm & Check-out is 12 pm

ACA Room Rates:

• $149 Single/Double plus applicable sale & room tax

Reserve Your Room Today!

Reserve your room by October 2, 2023

Schedule at a Glance 

Tuesday: 

• 12:30. – 3:00 p.m.  - Registration Open

• 2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - New Comer's Orientation 

• 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Opening Keynote Session  

• 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - State Meetings 

• 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Network and Conference Social Reception 

Wednesday:

• 8:00 a.m. -9:00 a.m. - Affinity Group Breakfast Meetup: You Are Invited! Within the ACA, Southeastern local office, we are committed to fostering an environment where camp professionals from all walks of life – regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, identities, or abilities – can come together to connect, discover ACA opportunities, and build meaningful relationships within the broader ACA community. If you identify as a member of the Black, Brown, Indigenous, Person of Color communities, the LGBTQ+ community, or as an individual who is differently abled or has a disability, we extend a warm and heartfelt invitation to you. Join us for a free Affinity Group Breakfast. Your presence and unique perspectives are highly valued, and we look forward to sharing this enriching experience with you. RSVP Today!

• 9:00 a.m. -10:15 a.m. - Educational Breakout Session (5 sessions) 

• 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. - Exhibit Hall & Coffee Break 

• 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Educational Breakout Session (5 sessions) 

• 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Luncheon 

• 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - Exhibit Hall 

• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Educational Breakout Session (5 sessions) 

• 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Exhibit Hall & Snack Break 

• 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Educational Breakout Session (5 sessions) 

Thursday:

• 9:00 a.m. -10:15 a.m. - Educational Breakout Session

          9:00 a.m. -9:30 a.m. - Micro Session 1 (3 sessions) 

          9:45 a.m. -10:15 a.m. - Micro Session 2 (3 sessions) 

• 10:20 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. : Closing Keynote 

Check out the Full Conference Schedule with Session Detail! More details coming soon.

New Director Orientation

New Director Orientation (NDO) 

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 covered include:

1. leadership and supervision
2. camper and staff development and behavior
3. staff training
4. risk management
5. evaluation and assessment

In addition to building skills, this curriculum incorporates introspection, perspective-shifting, and awareness building. This course has been influenced by years of iteration, internal and external research, and feedback from new directors. NDO is designed to be offered at the local or regional level by interested ACA volunteers. Completion of this training results in seven continuing education credits (CECs) for ACA members. 

This course will begin on Monday at 1pm and finish prior to 12:00pm the following day. Just a note that meals will not be provided but you are welcome to bring your own snacks to the course.

REGISTER TODAY!

Booth Pricing:

• $675 member
• $1,055 non-member - Save money and join as a business affiliate.

Register to exhibit

Your Booth Includes:

• Two representative badges ($50 for each extra badge).  You can attend conference sessions with your badge.
• Skirted 6’ x 30” table
• 2 chairs
• wastebasket
• power by request (no fee)
• WI-FI
• Lunch for booth personnel

Certificate of Liability Insurance is required to exhibit.

Exhibit Schedule:

• Set-up: Wednesday, October 25, from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Your booth location will be assigned upon arrival
• Tear Down: Wednesday, October 25, from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sponsorships:

• Title Sponsor - $4,000
• Keynote Sponsor - $3,000
• Session Sponsor - $1,500
• Snack/break Sponsor - $800

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