https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/working-children-special-needs

It is often said by people who mean well that working with children with special needs “requires the patience of a saint.” Not true. What it does require is human compassion — something more of us...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/summer-residential-camps-promoting-social-interaction-self-efficacy-among-young-adults-special

Social skills and self-efficacy are fundamental processes and necessary for individuals in everyday life. Seeking employment, living independently, making friends, and trying new activities all...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/seven-steps-cultivating-culture-appreciation

“True leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”  — Simon Sinek Imagine walking into a camp where every staff member and camper feels genuinely...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/we-need-each-other-advancing-camp-movement-together-through-five-step-multcultural-approach

In today’s world where diversity and multiculturalism are prevalent, creating inclusive environments is crucial. This is especially important for places like summer camps, where people from...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/belonging-enough-making-case-mattering-within-camps-dei-efforts

Belonging is a concept that has long been held as a solution for redressing the exclusion of diverse people. On the surface, this concept makes sense. The assumption is that if all members of a group...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/making-outdoor-wilderness-experiences-more-inclusive

An interview with nonprofit Brooklyn to Alaska.

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/empowering-camp-conversations-mastering-difficult-dialogues

As summer camp professionals, we’ve all experienced those unexpected moments when a camper or staff member raises a comment or question that catches us off guard. It could be related to a sensitive...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/8-quick-easy-tips-reviewing-updating-your-camp-songbook

Think about your camp songbook. If you don’t have one, create one! It’s the best way to formalize your song collection and to recognize songs that may have outlived their appropriateness. While...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/inclusive-camp-pathway-toward-friendship-between-campers-without-disabilities

In the summer of 2014, I was the association director of inclusion for the South Shore YMCA in Massachusetts, with oversight of the inclusive day camp sites. It was officially our first summer of...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/welcoming-international-counselors-could-boost-campership-marginalized-immigrant-communities

When I attend ACA conferences (which I do as a US Department of State Designated J-1 Sponsor for the Summer Camp Counselor Exchange Visitor Program), I make a point to attend sessions that include...