ACA, Southern California/Hawaii Spring Leadership Conference

Early Bird registration is available through March 21, 2023.

• Registration fee includes all SLC hosted keynotes, education sessions, social events, and dinner on Wednesday. Accommodations are not included.
• Not an ACA Member? Join today for FREE and get the best rates for this event!

Scholarships

ACA, Southern California/Hawaii has limited funds available to provide financial support to professionals who would like to attend the conference but aren't financially able to do so. Applications will be reviewed on a first come-first served basis. Please note that the room block with discounted rates is available through 3/27/2023.  Submit a Scholarship application.

Conference Program with Session Descriptions

Conference Program with Session Descriptions and Speaker Bios

• Tuesday April 18
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• $80 member / $130 non-member for each workshop
• To register for a pre-conference workshop, select this option in step 4 of the registration process.

Mental Health at Camp -- Dave Brown, LCSW, Mountain Camp

We are camp professionals, not mental health professionals. But anyone who serves kids (and staff!) these days knows first-hand that they all need more support around mental, emotional, and social health (MESH). Join us for a day of education around MESH at camp. We will start with a framework for understanding mental health that empowers us to support campers and staff while staying within our roles as camp pros, not mental health providers. We’ll explore strategies for preventing crises as best we can, and for 1 on 1 intervention with both campers and staff, when it’s required. You'll leave with practical, tactical tools for camp, and with increased confidence and hope for next summer.  

Dave Brown www.davebrownlcsw.com  is a licensed clinical social worker who serves as the director for Mountain Camp, a residential program near Lake Tahoe. At camp, he supports staff and camper mental health, well-being, and development. Outside of camp, he runs Fence Post Learning, an online Staff Training resource, and maintains a small telehealth therapy practice from his home in the Bay Area.  Dave’s sessions will provide participants with tools and resources to support mental health at camp.

To register for Mental Health at Camp, select this option in step 4 of the registration process.  Registration includes program.  Lunch is not included however grab-and-go options will be available.

Super Staff SuperVision: Powerful & Practical Skills for the Camp Leadership Team -- Michael Brandwein, author, speaker

Outstanding training for the camp leadership team, including supervisors, directors, site-directors, and others. This is the nationally acclaimed, skill-packed supervision training session from the author of the number one national best-selling book on camp staff supervision, Super Staff SuperVision. This is direct training for both new and advanced members of the leadership team, and directors also take this course to learn exactly how to train the leadership team. Learn and practice exactly what you need to say and do to be one of the best leaders at camp, including:

• 6 Paths—the six essential things leadership team members must do every day and how to get them done brilliantly
• Identify the exact behaviors we want to develop in our staff
• Michael’s CDOS technique to coach staff to learn and use those behaviors
• Motivating staff and preventing burnout—and supporting the mid-level and high performers who often get less attention
• Building trust and credibility and being a boss of even peers and friends
• More campers, more retention—increasing program creativity to stand out from the rest
• Handling tough staff behavior with calmness and confidence
• And more!

Michael Brandwein is an internationally acclaimed expert on camp, youth development, and education. He has presented in all 50 states and on six of the seven continents. Michael excels at training camp and youth program leadership teams and staffs. He is the number one best-selling author in the camp training and leadership field, with six books: Training Terrific Staff (Volumes 1 & 2), Super Staff SuperVision, Learning Leadership: How to Develop Outstanding Teen Leadership Training Programs at Camp, Skill of the Day: What Great Leaders of Young People Do and Say, and the latest, Growing Great Qualities in Kids: The L.A.S.E.R.B.E.A.M. Technique for Bringing Out the Best in Young People.

To register for Super Staff SuperVistion, select this option in step 4 of the registration process.  Registration includes program.  Lunch is not included however grab-and-go options will be available.

Monday, April 17, 2023

• Arrive early to enjoy this beautiful resort!

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

• 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Pre-conference Trainings

      Mental Health at Camp with Dave Brown

      Super Staff SuperVision with Michael Brandwein

• 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration open
• 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.  New Attendee Orientation
• 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Opening “ Playnote” with Kim Aycock
• 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Welcome Pool Reception-Free appetizers & cash bar
• 7:30 p.m. – Dinner/Time on your own

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

• 7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Registration open
• 8:30 a.m – 9:45 a.m.  Educational Breakout Sessions #1
• 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.  Vendor Coffee and Snack Break + RAFFLE
• 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Keynote with Michael Brandwein
• 12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.  Lunch on your own--Get some pool time (grab & go meal options available)
• 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Educational Breakout Sessions #2
• 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Vendor Snack Break + RAFFLE
• 3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Educational Breakout Sessions #3
• 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Time On Your Own
• 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour
• 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Included Dinner and evening activity
• 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dance
• 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Networking Social

Thursday, April 20, 2023

• 8:00 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 with Susana Cruz
• 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.  Lunch on your own--Get some pool time (grab & go meal options available)
• 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Educational Breakout Session #5
• 2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ice Cream Break
• 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Educational Breakout Session #6
• 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Meet with your team (conference rooms available)
• 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dinner on your own / Night on the Town (Palm Springs Street Fair)
• 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Trivia Night Social

Friday, April 21, 2023

• 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

Kim Aycock, MST, has several decades of experience equipping young people with skills robots are unable to do. While blending the talents of a master teacher with the knowledge of a seasoned camp expert, Kim ignites learning for varying levels of camp pros worldwide through her interactive and innovative presentations. Kim speaks at regional and national conferences, contributes regularly to Camping Magazine and ACA blogs, and serves as co-chair of ACA’s Staff Recruitment & Retention Committee and Staffing Summit.

Opening "Playnote"-A Training Smorgasbord: A Buffet of Ideas to Engage Your Staff in the Learning Process

You are cordially invited to a training smorgasbord guaranteed to satisfy a hearty appetite! This metaphorical buffet will offer a sample of "appetizers" (ways to get staff ready to learn), a 3-course "meal" (including brain-friendly techniques to present training topics and incorporate movement/visual aids to enhance learning), and a selection of "desserts" (ways to put a flavorful end to training sessions).

Come hungry and leave with ideas (doggie bag included) that will engage your staff in the learning process (even if attention spans are short) while indulging them with training methods that will improve retention of critical information. It’s never too early to plan for staff training - the success of your summer depends on it!

Michael Brandwein is an internationally acclaimed expert on camp, youth development, and education. He has presented in all 50 states and on six of the seven continents. Michael excels at training camp and youth program leadership teams and staffs. He is the number one best-selling author in the camp training and leadership field, with six books: Training Terrific Staff (Volumes 1 & 2), Super Staff SuperVision, Learning Leadership: How to Develop Outstanding Teen Leadership Training Programs at Camp, Skill of the Day: What Great Leaders of Young People Do and Say, and the latest, Growing Great Qualities in Kids: The L.A.S.E.R.B.E.A.M. Technique for Bringing Out the Best in Young People.

Wednesday Keynote-Solid Solutions & Techniques to Boost Professionalism & Responsibility at Camp

This session provides powerful techniques all members of the camp Leadership Team to support staff in learning how to take this fun job seriously and act professionally. Michael demonstrates how to find staff who will grow and then motivate and train them with activities that help them learn and practice the big skills they’ll need for success, including how to communicate and solve problems with others, responsibility, and confidence, handling hard work, and more. It includes Michael’s new 2023 “You’re in Charge” and “How to Show You’re a Pro” and “Three S’s” training activities.

Susana M. Cruz, also known as Chicana In Nature, grew up just south of downtown Dallas. She's ventured out into the natural world, taught outdoor education, worked and volunteered for camps, and wants others to experience the same. Her organization's mission is to create opportunities for BIPOC communities to learn about science and nature, teach and connect those who have no idea where to start, and promote enjoyment of the outdoors. Chicana In Nature partners with mutual aid groups, non-profit organizations, schools, the City of Dallas, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and companies to bring further awareness, education, and activities to help more people enjoy the outdoors! 

Thursday Keynote-Real Talk on Diversity at Camp

Do you feel your camp is creating a diverse environment? Is it safe for everyone? Ready to understand and listen to what could be happening under the surface at your camp?  Let's take a good look.

Full program with session descriptions coming soon!

Breakout sessions include:

• Transitioning Front Line Staff to Leadership-Gabby Coburn, Camp Stevens
• Late to the Party: Ideas for onboarding late hired staff-Kelly Coulthard, Spark 2 Ember Consulting
• LGBTQ+ Camper and Staff: Questions, Answers and Solutions-Jessica & Kayla Weissbuch and Charmy Marras, Brave Trails
• Building a Culture of Excellence - One Small Task at a Time-Stuart Jones, Outpost Summer Camps
• Inclusive Program Tips and Tricks-Lindsey Preovolos, YMCA of San Diego County
• Problem Solving Through Play: Enhancing Staff Training with the Science of Play-Malcolm Tunnell, AstroCamp
• “WHY DON’T YOU BEHAVE?!”—The Brandwein Key System Solution to Handling Negative Behavior in Young People While Teaching Positive Choices-Michael Brandwein, Speaker, Author
• What "IRKS" you during the summer? A solution to a smoother summer-Mike Stillson, Valley Trails Summer Camps
• Little Campers, Big Adventures: How to Adapt Your Day Camp Program for Ages 3-5-Julia “Hoops” Lewis, Cali Camp
• Relationship Based Leadership: How to Effectively Manage Gen-Z Staff-Greg Golf, Greg Golf Consulting
• HOW TO MAKE YOUR CAMP #TRENDING-Jake Young, Brave Trails
• Bite-Sized Staff Training Nuggets – Help Your Staff to Care About, Remember, and Use Their Training!-Dr. Kelly Jones, Outpost Summer Camps
• Simple Systems for Tracking Camper Incidents Where Your Staff Does (most of) The Work-Andy "Soy" Moeschberger and Alison Moeschberger, Gold Arrow Camp
• CONFLICT COMMUNICATION: How to Deal with Disagreement, Conflicts, & Hot People without Using a Weed Wacker-Michael Brandwein, Speaker, Author
• Deconstructing and Reimagining Leadership & Wellness-Ange Atkinson, Ange Atkinson Healing & Coaching
• Insight Uncovered: Developing Staff Through the Intersection of Hindsight and Foresight-Kim Aycock, MST, Speaker, Consultant
• Care and Feeding of Volunteers in Camp-Joyce Knoll, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio
• For the People Who Can't Sit Still-Susana Cruz, Chicana in Nature
• Feedback: May I Please Have Some More?!-Bob Berk and Eddie Jones, New Table Consulting, LLC
• A Human Experience-Angel Trogi, Go West Farm/Camp
• DUMPING THE DISSING: How to Train Staff to Stop Put-Downs & Other Disrespectful Behavior-Michael Brandwein, Speaker, Author
• True leadership is Giving Power Away: Preparing new leaders for the challenges of command-John "Swan" Swanwick, Guided Discoveries
• Mortar Makes Memories-Taylor Albizati, Tyler Waller, Taylor Albizati, Tyler Waller, Outpost Summer Camps
• A "Ripple" Twist on Traditional Facilitation!-Chris Weyant-Forbes, Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio
• Creating a Sense of Belonging-Payton Schoonmaker, YMCA Camp Surf
• Staffing and Hiring Panel: What do they think?-Gabby Coburn (Moderator, with panel TBD), Camp Stevens
• Everyone's Job is the Hardest-Elizabeth Ewing, Outpost Summer Camps
• Inside Out - translating emotional management-Jacqueline Howe, Catalina Sea Camp - Guided Discoveries
• Scavenger Hunts 101-Kassandra Wilsey, Cali Camp
• Caring for your Staff: Trauma-informed lessons in management-Ozzie Baron, Project:Camp
• The Not-So-Secret Mission of Working with Youth-Kim Aycock, MST, Speaker, Consultant
• Parent Phone Calls: The Good, The Bad and the Awkward-Sam Townley, Outpost Summer Camps
• Herding Kittens: Effectively Leading the Littles-Hannah Stillson, Guided Discoveries
• SAFETY-Andy "Soy" Moeschberger-Gold Arrow Camp & Tori Barnes-Church Mutual
• A Beautiful Mind- Staffing for Mental Health-Caitlyn Anderson, Kenny Funk, Marlene Urban-Funk, Kimmie Stradling, Cal-Pac Camps
• Plan B: When you need to implement backup plans for programming-Susana Cruz, Chicana in Nature
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome-Sam Townley, Outpost Summer Camps
• Sharing Power: The Social Discipline Window, Developmental Relationships and the Promise of “With”-Tobin Paap, RelationAll Consulting and Training
• Debriefing: How deep do we want to go?-Andrew Jung, Private Therapist
• Camper Case Studies-Gabrielle Howe, Catalina Sea Camp
• Come Back for Seconds: Smorgasbord Part 2-Kim Aycock, MST, Speaker, Consultant
• Stumped by Standards? Ask the Visitors!-Amy Alexander-Scripps Ranch Swim and Racquet, Gabby Coburn-Camp Stevens, Maria Horner-Catalina Island Camps
• Camp-School Partnership Demonstration Project Panel: Reflections and Resources-Bristol Posatko, American Camp Association

Welcome to Margaritaville 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 just relax and enjoy the perfect weather of April in Palm Springs!  Lounge by 2 sparkling pools, schedule a spa treatment or indulge in innovative craft cocktails at the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar.

Some other exciting features of Margaritaville Palm Springs:

• Beautiful modern hotel with two pools, hot tubs, and poolside bar.
• Hotel photo gallery.
• Great location - 1 mile from downtown and 4 miles from Palm Springs International Airport.
• Award winning full-service spa.
• Reserve your hotel room by Tuesday, MARCH 27th!
• ACA Room rates are (Guaranteed through March 27th):
  • $175 - Deluxe Double Queen
  • $175- Deluxe King

**Important Note: ACA has negotiated a reduced resort fee for our attendees, however, the hotel’s reservation system cannot be changed.  Rest assured, the resort fee will be reduced to $10/day at check-in.**

***Another Important Note:  If you are booking your room using the Reserve your room link, you may see a message that only 1 room is left.  Do not worry.  There are rooms left in our block.***

Reserve your room in the discounted room block!

Margaritaville Resort information and reservations: (760) 327-8311

Please contact Betsy Thamert (bthamert@ACAcamps.org, 765-342-1349) if you need assistance reserving a room at the discounted rate.

• The exhibit hall date is April 19, 2023. 
• Register online
• Floor plan 
• Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI) - All exhibitors must provide a COI before setting up a booth.
• For sponsorship opportunities, contact Kim Fitzgerald 
• Exhibitor Set up 8:30AM Exhibitor Teardown 3:30PM