The American Camp Association is seeking high-quality presenters for educational breakout sessions at our 2026 National Conference in San Diego.  The deadline to submit is Tuesday, September 16, 2025

We are looking for high-quality speakers and facilitators who can challenge us to think about the world in new ways and help us sharpen the skills essential to providing dynamic camp experiences for campers and counselors.

Presentation Tracks

Based on attendee feedback, we are especially interested in proposals in the following areas:

Business and Operations, including Camp-School Partnerships
Topics for camps, conference centers, and out-of-school time programs are welcomed addressing areas of operation like marketing, budgeting, risk management, crisis communications, site and facility, environmental issues, health services, food service, transportation, technology, board development, fundraising, and public policy. This year, we are including within this track camp-school partnerships and other innovative community-based partnerships.

Camp Includes Me
The intention of Camp Includes Me is to create a space where we can exchange ideas and increase our competence around issues of inclusion, equity, and cross-cultural agility. Join the conversation as we move beyond “representational diversity” and integrate true inclusion by expanding our awareness and cultural intelligence and by bringing together various world views, research, experiences, and subject matter experts.

Camps on Campus
Presentations will address opportunities and challenges for camps and other youth programs in higher education and K-12 settings. Topics will include issues unique to school settings, including programmatic and logistical concerns, risk management practices, safety issues, youth protection, staff training, as well as navigating institutional processes.

Emerging Issues, Tools, and Technology
Cutting-edge topics which provide new challenges and/or opportunities for camps and conference centers. May include public policy, health care, social issues, and innovative tools and resources.

Executive Leadership Forum
Consider topics targeted for seasoned professionals who have executive leadership responsibilities within their organizations including achieving missions and visions, cutting-edge leadership concepts, board development, strategic planning, finance, fund-raising, and other sessions which will help camping organizations thrive.

Innovative Programs and Activities
We’re seeking the 400-level series of programs and activities that showcase the best the camp experience has to offer presented by seasoned camp professionals and industry experts.  Keep in mind the audience will include camp owners, directors, and mid-level managers who are seeking innovation, fresh ideas, programs that enhance what they currently offer, and activities that can take the camp experience to the next level. 

Medical Camping
We are seeking proposals that address the challenges and opportunities of providing meaningful camp experiences for campers and their families living with chronic and serious illness. Camp and medical professionals working with these programs serve as the primary audience, however; all attendees are welcome. Topics may include unique staff and volunteer training issues, working effectively with the host site and personnel, medical risk management and quality assurance, serving children with higher medical acuity, adaptive programming, and helping healthcare professionals and volunteers relate and work well in a camp environment, among others. 

Staff Training and Leadership
In addition to critical areas in human resources like skillfully recruiting, selecting, managing, training, and motivating staff and volunteers, we’re seeking programs that address goal-setting, leadership, outcomes attainment, youth involvement in decision making, and developing life skills on the job. Sessions that address staff behavior, and staff health and wellness are also appropriate. Please note: an overwhelming majority of submissions are received in this track, making selections challenging for the Program Review team.

Youth Development and Behavior
Presentations should demonstrate how camp professionals can effectively use the camp experience to help prepare young people (including campers and/or counselors) for healthy and successful lives. Topics may include: participant development and behavior, health and wellness, creating a community of respect, program design to achieve youth development outcomes, and program evaluation.

Commerce Sessions
Exhibiting business affiliates may submit targeted, tactical education session proposals essential to camp operation. We value this education and welcome these submissions. Presentations must not have a commercial message for a particular organization or business, or be perceived as a "sales pitch."  Commerce sessions are 45 minutes in length (as opposed to a 75-minute educational breakout session), and are offered on Thursday. Commerce session presenters must exhibit at the 2026 National Conference to be considered.

Who You'll Be Reaching

The ACA National Conference attracts camp and youth development professionals from across the U.S. and around the world, working in camp and other out-of-school-time settings. Sessions should speak to directors, owners, executives, mid-level managers, year-round staff, and educators. While some attendees are newer to the field, most are experienced professionals seeking high-quality, advanced learning opportunities.

Session Details

  • Breakout sessions: 75 minutes (10 minutes for Q&A are encouraged)
  • Commerce sessions: 45 minutes, scheduled for Thursday
  • Formats may include lectures, panels, workshops, or facilitated discussions

Submission Guidelines

  • Deadline: September 16, 2025
  • Sales-free content: Presentations must not have a commercial message for a particular individual, organization, or business, or be perceived as a "sales pitch."
  • Review and selection process: Proposals will be reviewed by the volunteer Program Review Team, chaired by Shanelle Rauh. All applicants will be notified of the program team's decisions by late October 2025.

REVIEW INSTRUCTIONS AND SUBMIT PROPOSALS

Questions?

Process and logistical questions may be addressed to the national conference manager, Melany Irvin, at [email protected].

Questions specifically related to the program content may be directed to the national conference program team chair, Shanelle Rauh, at [email protected].

Research Forum Submissions

Interested in submitting an abstract for the research forum?

The American Camp Association reserves the right to reject any proposal and to make any and all adjustments to the program.