Every Hill Day, we have camp directors and camp pros show up to DC full of passion about the cause of camps and the merits of what we do every summer.

So they speak with the political staffers or the representatives themselves and are convinced that if the decision-makers, the movers and shakers, in front of them just understand the facts, know exactly how great camp is, then the right legislative action will follow.

There's always a temptation in these moments to pound the table, and everyone else will fall into line with nodding heads all around.

I get it. This seems like it should work. If people can just see what it is we are doing, then the doors will open, the funding will flow, and the policy will follow.

And most times, when they try this approach on an individual level, they walk away frustrated.

What Works and What Doesn’t

In this environment, being "right" simply isn't enough. It's not enough to have a great idea, proposal, or plan and hope that it wins the day.

Most times it doesn't — for reasons that frustrate so many people when it comes to trying to get things done in a political environment.

Are there times to rally and stand up and be loud and have conviction about something that will affect hundreds of camps and thousands of people? Of course. One of those might be rapidly approaching; more on this next time.

But there's a simple fact: Every group in Washington thinks they are right.

Let me say that again.

Every group in Washington thinks they are right.

If you did not believe you were right, you would not be in the group to begin with.

And once we all understand this, it helps to change the strategy we use for getting things moving in the right direction on The Hill.

Because clearly not everyone is right — but because they all believe they are, the people in DC hear constantly from groups who are convinced that their own ideas should be put into action simply on merit alone.

See the problem? That's not going to work because there isn't enough room for everyone's right ideas. Which is why we need to move from being right to being effective.

And being effective in Washington doesn’t start with confrontation. It looks like building relationships, increasing understanding about the issues important to camps, rallying when the time is right, and moving toward action that will help everyone.

What Effective Looks Like

On Hill Days, we see what actually works. The career staff who administer our programs are long-game allies. The real decisions sit three levels up, but these are the people who will remember you the next time something comes up. So we need to dialogue with them that way.

This means matching the ask to the room. A young staffer and a deputy assistant secretary are different conversations, and each one is useful when you shape it right.

Showing up ready to listen opens doors. The groups that move things keep lines open with both sides of the aisle. These are the rules of this political moment, and knowing them is how we get things done.

Back to the Hill

And to the camp director on Hill Day with their hand raised to pound the table. The whole caucus exists to help them put it down. We are here not to confront or yell about what camps need. We are here to produce change.

Again, there are moments where we may have to stand up and really be heard. Where all of those relationships we’ve been building will matter as we gather up support for our position.

We might need to mobilize our camps and parents and even campers to fight for something that really matters. But again, more on that in our next newsletter.

Being right is where advocacy starts. Being effective is how it finishes.

Join the movement. Get updates on the Camp Caucus and learn how you can support camp advocacy in DC.

Scott Brody is ACA’s Government Affairs co-chair and leads the association’s advocacy efforts in Washington, DC. He served as ACA National Board Chair during the COVID-19 crisis, helping guide camps nationwide through safe reopening while securing unprecedented federal support. A camp director for more than 30 years, Scott is Director Emeritus of Camps Kenwood & Evergreen and owner of Everwood Day Camp and Camp Sewataro. He has dedicated his career to advancing the life-changing impact of camp and championing its value on a national stage.