ACA, Southern California/Hawaii Spring Leadership Conference

We’re now accepting session proposals for the ACA, Spring Leadership Conference!

The Planning Committee invites you to submit your ideas for engaging, relevant sessions that inspire and support fellow camp professionals. The Call for Proposals is open through Friday, December 19, 2025.

Check out the guidelines and submit your proposal using the form below. We can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to share!

Call for Proposal Form

Details Coming Soon!

We are planning our 2026 program. In the meantime, please see 2025 details below. 

Monday, April 14, 2025

• 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.   Character Academy Preconference

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

• 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Character Preconference Training
• 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.   Registration open
• 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.    New Attendee Orientation
• 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.   Welcome & Opening “Playnote”
• 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.   Welcome Reception — appetizers and cash bar 
• 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.   Dinner/time on your own (We will have some organized dinner "meet-ups")
• 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.   Trivia and connection time

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

• 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.   Registration open
• 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Educational Breakout Sessions #1
• 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.   Keynote- Bob Ditter
• 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.   Lunch on your own — get some pool time
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.   Educational Breakout Sessions #2 
• 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.   Exhibit Hall Open
• 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.     Educational Breakout Sessions #3
• 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.    Cocktail hour and snacks in the Exhibit Hall
• 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.    Included Dinner
• 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.    Dance
• 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.   Chilling at License to Chill

Thursday, April 17, 2025

• 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.    Registration Open
• 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.   Educational Breakout Session #4
• 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.   Keynote- Dr. Jamye Hardy Willé
• 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.    Lunch on your own — get some pool time
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.    Educational Breakout Session #5
• 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.      Educational Breakout Session #6
• 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.     Ice Cream Social!
• 4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.     Volunteer Open House OR Meet with your team (conference rooms available)
• 6:30 p.m. – onward       Dinner on your own / night on the town (Palm Springs Street Fair)
• 8:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. Speakeasy Fun!

Friday, April 18, 2025

• 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.    Educational Breakout Session #7
• 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.     Educational Breakout Session #8
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.    SLC Closing Campfire

Tobin Paap — Opening Playnote 

Throughout his 35 years working with young people at summer camps, in classrooms, and in after-school spaces, Tobin Paap has sought balance — balance between solidity and freedom, between learning and unlearning, between work and play. His company provides an array of research-based trainings to strengthen organizational culture by shifting the mindsets and building the skill sets of young people and those who support them. Tobin believes that shared joy and vulnerability build meaningful connection. Through song, dance, and games, his playnote will create a container of relaxed-alertness in which participants can engage in the productive struggle of reflection and planning.

Bob Ditter — Wednesday's Keynote

Bob Ditter will join us for a keynote presentation about how camps can leverage their unique ability to develop character with their participants and staff and how critically important this is right now. Bob has been a major contributor to the excellence of the Spring Leadership Conference's education over the years. He is a prolific contributor to Camping Magazine and his books have been a mainstay for staff selection, training and supervision. Bob is a thought leader on ACA's Character Initiative and we are very excited for his triumphant return to SLC! Check out Bob's books. 

Dr. Jamye Hardy Willé — Thursday's Keynote

Dr. Jamye Hardy Willé (HAR-dee-will-LAY) offers a unique approach that blends leadership, well-being, and play that inspires and equips leaders to sustainably grow to be their best. She is passionate about highlighting the connections between mental health and success, offering keynotes, workshops, and facilitated dialogue centered around mindful reflection, elevating purpose, identifying accountability and tools, the value of a holistic approach to wellbeing, belief in self, and incorporating play. Dr. Hardy Willé is a licensed master social worker and a Doctor of Education in Leading Learning Organizations and Strategic Change, a former college faculty, a current higher education administrator, and an improv and stand-up comedian.

Get Ready for Breakout Sessions!

We will start posting our 2026 schedule in March. In the meantime, here’s a preview of some of the breakout sessions offered in 2025. Stay tuned!

🧠 Leadership & Staff Development

• Superpower to Success: Leading People, Teams, and Yourself in Today’s Landscape
• Communication and Conflict Resolution for Camp Professionals
• Making Your Staff Meetings Unforgettable
• From Meh to Memorable: Making Staff Training Presentations Stick
• In the Middle of It All: The Balancing Act of Being Second-in-Command
• The Art of Tough Talks: A Leadership Playbook for Difficult Conversations
• Amplify Your Staff Training Design
• Staff Training Electives
• Your Staff Don’t Want "Feedback"
• Transitioning from Front Line to Leadership Staff
• Motivational Science and Tactical Camp Leadership
• Effectively Coaching the Defensive Gen Z!

🌿 Camper Experience & Program Design

• Act Your Age – Shaping Camper Behavior with Age Development in Mind
• Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Insights and Ideas for Your Teen Leadership Program
• Let's Get Delulu – Harnessing Mindset and Manifestation for a Summer of Joy and Ease
• Developing Character through Effective Affirmations
• Inside Out 2.0
• Playful PD: Applying Bluey’s Values to Staff Training
• Program Games & Activities

💬 Staff Well-Being & Workplace Culture

• Unplugged + Grounded: Fostering Team Unity and Well-Being at Camp
• Caring for the Whole Human: Making Employment at Your Camp Accessible and Sustainable
• Supporting Staff Through Trauma and Vicarious Trauma – Light the Fire, Fan the Flame, Carry the Torch
• Mental Health and Well-Being – The Climate and Weather of It All
• Stop Screaming in the Walk-In: Letting Go of Perfectionism as a Leader
• Office Politics: How to Survive a Multi-Generational Office Without Losing Your Cool

📢 Communication & Engagement

• It’s Our Job to Like Them! Positive and Effective Connections with Tricky People
• Effective Parent Communication
• Building Stronger Partnerships: Best Practices for Parent Communication and Camper Recruitment
• Active Listening – Break Through the Noise
• Camp Conversations that Matter: Talking About the Tough Stuff

🔍 Risk Management & Operations

• Preparing for the Worst, but Being the Best!
• Behavioral Interview Tools: Evaluating Our Model One Year Later and How Your Camp Can Benefit
• Hālau Lamakū: Integrating Western Science and Indigenous Knowledge

🔥 Community & Connection

• Suicide Prevention Skills Every Camp Leader Needs
• You Can’t Be Everything to Everybody
• Campfire Chat: Stories and Strategies for Risk Management in 2025!
• Scavenger Hunts

Welcome to Riviera Resort and Spa Palm Springs. We can't wait for you to explore this outstanding hotel, which features a state-of-the-art conference facility, stylish upscale accommodations, and lots of great spaces to relax and enjoy the perfect April weather in Palm Springs! Lounge by two sparkling pools, schedule a spa treatment, or indulge in innovative craft cocktails at the 5 o'Clock Pool Bar.

Some other exciting features of Riviera Resort & Spa Palm Springs:

• Beautiful modern hotel with two pools, hot tubs, and a poolside bar.
• Great location — one mile from downtown and four miles from Palm Springs International Airport.
• Award-winning full-service spa.

Hotel Reservation Information

Important Details: 

• Our reservation block closed on March 28th. You may reach out to Hades: [email protected] directly to see if there are any spaces remaining. 

• Call the Central Reservations Team at 760-327-8311 and ask to speak to a person if you need to modify or cancel a reservation. 

Fees:

• A resort fee of $40 will appear when booking; however, this will be reduced to $15 at check-in.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

Exhibits:

Booth cost:  Member $725 / nonmember $1,075

Register to Exhibit

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 logo recognition on signage at the event, and on the events web page.

Sponsorships with an (*) also include a booth and two- minutes to address the participants.

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