ACA, Keystone EPIC Exchange - PACA & Impact for Camp Professionals

Join us for the next ACA, Keystone EPIC Exchange! Our April call will feature Rachel Waszczak! 

Whether this is your first summer in camping or your 30th, having a seat at the table matters.

In Pennsylvania, we have seen firsthand the value of being involved with PACA (our lobby group) and staying connected to what is happening at the state level. Decisions are being made every year that can directly impact our camps, our staff, our campers, and the future of our industry. If camp professionals aren't part of those conversations, others may be making decisions without fully understanding what we do or why it matters.

But advocacy doesn't stop at the state level. Some of the most valuable relationships can be built right in our own communities. Get involved with your local Chamber of Commerce. Know your township leaders, elected officials, emergency services and other community partners. Invite them to camp! Let them walk through your property and understand the economic & community impact your camp provides.

You don't have to be an expert in government or advocacy to get involved. You simply need to show up, build relationships, tell your camp's story, and be willing to have a conversation.

Rachel Waszczak is the owner and director of Camp Oneka, an all-girls overnight camp in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, which she and her husband have owned and operated since 2019. Rachel believes strongly that the success of the camp industry depends on professionals being engaged beyond their own camp gates. She helps lead the Greater Pocono Camp Association and has served on the board of the Alliance for Camp Health and the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. She has also been actively involved with the American Camp Association and the Pennsylvania Camp Association (PACA) in a variety of roles, with a particular interest in advocacy, relationship-building, and strengthening the voice of camps at the local and state levels.

EPIC is a community created to support Emerging Professionals in Camping. We believe leadership grows not in isolation, but through belonging, mentorship, and shared experiences. This season, we’re focusing on building bridges - between generations of camp professionals, across diverse camp settings, and within ourselves as we learn to balance passion with sustainability.

Come connect, learn, and share with peers from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and beyond!

These events are not intended as a selling opportunity for businesses or consultants. Affordable sponsorships are available.  

Upcoming Conversations

• December 10th, 2026 (11:30 - 12:30 EST): Networking

Questions? Please contact Brie Feinour - ACA, Keystone Membership Chair