Southwest Fall Campference
Date
Location
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Cost
Keep reading for everything you need to know: registration details, reasons to attend, and how to apply for scholarships.
CECs
6.75Welcome to the Southwest Fall Campference!
At this regional gathering, you’ll have the space to:
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Unpack your summer – Celebrate wins, reflect on challenges, and share creative solutions with peers who’ve been in the trenches with you.
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Plan for the off-season – Dive into collaborative sessions on marketing, staffing, risk management, programming, facilities, and more.
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Connect with your camp people – Build your community, swap ideas, and return home with fresh energy and real support.
This event is built for camp pros at every level—directors, leadership staff, and anyone who wants to grow in their role. Whether you're recovering from a wild summer or gearing up for the year ahead, you belong here.
What’s a “Campference”?
It’s not quite a conference. It’s not quite camp.
It’s something better.
We’re reimagining the way we gather—more connection, more creativity, and more of the camp magic we all love.
Who is this for?
Camp directors, assistant directors, year-round staff, and emerging leaders who are looking for a refreshing space to think deeply, share openly, and reconnect with why they do this work.
Call for Proposals- Now Accepting!
We’re now accepting session proposals for the ACA, Southwest Fall Campference!
The Southwest 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 Monday, September 15.
Check out the guidelines and submit your proposal using the form below. We can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to share!
Wednesday, October 22 | Campference
- 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Check in for "Unpacking the Summer"
- 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Facilitated workshop "Unpacking the Summer" Lessons Learned + The Road Ahead
Thursday, October 23 | Campference
- 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Check in + Breakfast Roundtables
- 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Welcome to the Southwest Campference!
- 9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Facilitated Educational Workshop
- 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Explore the Museum
- 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Lunch + Roundtable Discussions + LCOL Announcements
- 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Educational Breakout Sessions
- 3:00 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. Continue the conversation | Network
- 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Educational Breakout Sessions
- 4:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. Continue the conversation | Network
- 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Closing + Awards
- 6:30 p.m. - onward Dinner at a local spot! TBA
Friday, October 24 | Camp Tours
Wrap up your Campference experience with an inspiring day of exploration!
We’ll visit 2–3 local camp facilities in the Salt Lake area to see how other programs operate, spark new ideas, and deepen connections with fellow camp pros.
Meet us in the Natural History Museum parking lot between 8:45–9:00 a.m. to load up for this awesome off-site adventure. Transportation will be provided.
We’ll return to the museum by 12:30 p.m., giving you the flexibility to head home or join us for lunch nearby (location TBD).
Get ready for a morning of discovery, connection, and behind-the-scenes inspiration!
Register early to get the best deal! Early Bird pricing includes three days of programming, Thursday lunch and snacks, rich networking opportunities, a guided deep dive into your summer’s reflections and lessons learned, and CAMP TOURS—it’s a true bargain. Prices increase after September 17th, so don’t wait!
Not an ACA Member? Join today for FREE and get the best rates for this event!
| Type | Early-Bird (Ends 9/17) | Standard (Ends 10/15) | Final Wave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member | $175 | $200 | $230 |
| Nonmember | $225 | $250 | $275 |
Why Registration Costs Go Up
We encourage you to register early—not just to save money, but to help us plan the best possible event!
As we get closer to the conference, our team is busy finalizing meals, lodging, room setups, materials, and more. We’ve contracted with our host site in advance and must submit our final participant numbers well before the event begins. Late additions are always welcome when possible—but they add extra complexity during an already busy time.
Registering early helps us serve everyone better—and ensures you get the full experience without the scramble. Thanks for helping us make it all happen smoothly!
This is a bargain—and we mean it. Your Campference registration includes:
- All educational sessions, workshops, & facilitated discussions
- A delicious lunch on Thursday, October 23rd
- Coffee + snack breaks
- Community building, networking, and time to reflect with other amazing camp pros
- Camp Tours on Friday, October 24th
For the cost, it’s one of the best professional development investments you can make all year. You get time away to recharge, tools to take back to your team, and a chance to grow alongside people who get camp life.
Let this be your fall reset—you’ve earned it.
Each Local Council of Leaders (LCOL) in the ACA Western Region has set aside funds to help make our Fall 2025 events more accessible. These funds are intended to make professional development more accessible by offsetting registration costs—which, for many events, also include meals and lodging.
Scholarship Form
Eligible Applicants:
- ACA members who live or work in the Western Region (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY).
- ACA membership is required unless you are a currently enrolled student.
If you’re not yet a member, you can sign up for a free one-year membership at acacamps.org/membership/individuals. Once you receive your membership number, you can return and complete this form.
- Previous recipients of Western Region PD scholarship funds are welcome to apply, but first-time applicants may be given priority.
Application Deadlines: Scholarship applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority deadlines listed below. We encourage you to apply at least 4 weeks before your event to ensure full consideration.
- Northern California Campference (Oct. 14–16): Apply by Sept. 16
- Southwest Campference (Oct. 22–24): Apply by Sept. 23
- Cascadia Campference (Nov. 3–5): Apply by Oct. 4
- Rocky Mountain Fall Conference (Nov. 12–14): Apply by Oct. 14
Applications submitted after the priority date may still be considered if funds remain available. Applicants will be notified a week after the deadline if not before.
Application Tips:
- Please complete all questions in the application form.
- Be thoughtful and thorough in your response to why you want to attend. This answer carries the most weight in the review process.
- Scholarships are meant to support your professional growth and connection within the camp field—don’t hesitate to let us know how this experience will help you lead, learn, and thrive.
Perched in the foothills above Salt Lake City, the Natural History Museum of Utah is more than a backdrop—it’s part of the experience.
Housed in the striking Rio Tinto Center, this architectural gem offers panoramic views of the valley, immersive exhibit galleries, and a true sense of wonder. During the Southwest Campference, you’ll have time to explore the museum and spark new ideas for your own camp through nature, science, and culture.
Get ready to connect, learn, and be inspired in a setting that celebrates curiosity and creativity.
1. It’s professional development with ROI.
This isn't a fluffy retreat—it’s targeted growth. Attendees gain practical tools, strategic insights, and peer-driven solutions they can bring directly back to camp operations, staffing, risk management, programming, and more.
2. It’s incredibly cost-effective.
At just $150 for three days, registration includes high-quality workshops, a keynote, rich discussions, and guided camp tours. It’s an unbeatable value for meaningful professional development—and a smart investment for any organization.
3. It helps retain great staff.
Want to keep passionate, talented team members? Invest in their development. Giving your staff space to connect, learn, and be inspired increases loyalty, motivation, and creativity.
4. It’s a think tank, not a lecture hall.
This isn’t another conference where you just sit and listen. Campference is built for collaboration and real-time problem-solving. Your team member will return energized and ready to lead new ideas.
5. It’s time to debrief after the busiest season of the year.
Let’s be honest—summer is intense. This gives camp pros the space to reflect, recalibrate, and plan with others who understand what just happened. That kind of processing leads to better strategy, fewer burnouts, and stronger planning for the year ahead.
