https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/holding-space-splash-zone-dealing-cultural-trauma

I will never forget the first time I stepped through the turnstiles and into an amusement park. It wasn’t Six Flags or Universal Studios. It wasn’t Disneyland, Disney World, or some other Magic...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/having-hard-day-take-mini-break

Humor me for a moment and do the following: Take a deep breath while counting to four. Imagine crisp, clean air and positive feelings spreading through your body. Hold your breath while...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/bullying-what-it-what-it-isnt-what-do-what-not

Question: What are the chances that a bully will be among the group of campers you are responsible for this summer? Answer: Zero. Sorry, this is a trick question. Bullying is a behavior, not an...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/seven-keys-making-magic-camp-summer

As a camp counselor, you have the amazing opportunity to create life-changing moments for kids this summer. But with long hours, high energy, and constantly shifting dynamics, it can be tough to...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/continuous-improvement-program-quality-lessons-learned-part-two

As established in the first “Lessons Learned” article (...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/continuous-improvement-program-quality-lessons-learned

Program quality (PQ) is essential to youth programs, and research shows that high-quality programs are directly linked to more positive outcomes. PQ refers to the environment that is created at...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/embracing-differences-forging-intentionally-inclusive-diverse-communities

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” –James Baldwin Here’s the truth: we were all raised differently — even those of us who share similar...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/time-talk-communicating-campers

When I was a young, first-year staff member at camp, two orientation speakers left me with distinct lessons that have carried me through forty more years in camping. The first was a recommendation...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/developing-social-emotional-learning-skills-camp

Welcome to summer camp, potentially the most rewarding job you’ll ever have! At camp, we are able to simultaneously help kids grow, make genuine connections with campers and fellow staff, and role...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/you-quit-how-get-most-out-your-summer-camp

I had just finished running a marathon and had flopped onto the grass to rest. I was so tired that I hadn’t registered that the tired runner sitting next to me was a former camp counselor. He had...