https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/hitting-high-notes-camp-courageous

As a group of children with autism play the outdoor musical instruments together in harmony in the Rotary Musical Park at Camp Courageous, a lady with a visual impairment sits holding her ears,...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/commitment-how-do-we-earn-it-how-do-we-keep-it

An answer to this question of the century may seem counterintuitive, yet it is at the core of most camp communities: Relationships. More than ever, staff are looking for connection and belonging. So...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/first-contact-end-contract

We know that staff can be a challenge to find, attract, hire, engage, and retain. What makes the staff journey result in forward progress from start to completion of their camp experience? Current...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/life-autism-how-camps-can-support-campers-staff-autism-spectrum

Anton, Maya, and James march into camp on opening day with nerves and excitement, just like any other camper or staff. They have brought the items on the camp list, their eyes are wide with...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/games-activities-strengthen-positive-mental-health

“Remember this — every member of your staff and every camper in your program has been through a traumatic experience!” One of my absolute favorite ACA National Conference moments came a few years...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/recruiting-interviewing-hiring-ensure-best-best

Recruiting, interviewing, and hiring staff is the most important part of your job as a camp director. It is the single most time-consuming and, at times, tedious task you will undertake. However,...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/developing-keeping-great-counselors

It takes a great staff to make a great camp. Jack Weiner once said: "With the right counselors, camp could be held in a parking lot." When one looks at all of the possible aspects of camp in which to...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/striving-more-surviving-argument-non-inclusion-model-camps

We've heard directors say, "He survived." Parents tell us, "She got through it." As camp professionals, we know that we can do better. Often, because they love children so much and because they so...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/assessing-youth-autism-spectrum-disorders-their-fit-camp

One of the best experiences for a child is that of being a camper. The opportunity to be in a child-centered environment, a setting that uses Mother Nature to help deliver a program resulting in...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/staff-retention-recruiting-revving-season

By this point in the year, you've processed your staff evaluations, and you've been thinking about those difficult decisions: "Should I hire her back?" or "This person just didn't cut it; is it time...