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https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/power-inclusive-camp-experience
The Power of the Inclusive Camp Experience“Why can’t I go, too?” He couldn’t say the words, but the look in his eyes conveyed the message clearly as he watched his sister bound from the car to join the other children heading to day camp —...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/place-share-investing-professional-development
A Place to Share: Investing in Professional DevelopmentFor my camp, the ACA national conference (this year in Dallas, Texas) is always the highlight of our winter. Those of us who are experienced (please note that I am avoiding the word “old”) can get...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/inclusive-summer-treatment-camp-program-children-high-functioning-autism
An Inclusive Summer Treatment/Camp Program for Children with High-Functioning AutismImagine a child that hides under the table when family comes to visit. Instead of a saying “hello,” he responds by barking like a dog. He has difficulty fitting in with peers and does not seem to...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/because-i-worked-camp
Because I Worked at CampNow that the summer has come to a close, camp directors are inevitably thinking about the staff they want to invite back next season. If we as directors have created a strong camp community, one that...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/big-eight-other-culinary-menaces-camper-society
The Big Eight . . . and Other Culinary Menaces to Camper Society“The gluten-free cinnamon rolls are amazing!” Those emphatic words are emblazoned in my brain, stamped into my memory. As tears began to well in her eyes, Annalise, one of our counselors, looked...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/moving-mainstreaming-outsourcing-what-everyone-can-learn-working-different-needs
Moving from Mainstreaming to Outsourcing: What Everyone Can Learn from Working with Different NeedsI run two different camps for kids with different needs, including a resident camp for kids with autism. A concerned parent called to talk about how she wanted her son to be “mainstreamed” in the...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/out-about-creating-safe-environment-lgbtq-campers-staff
Out and About: Creating a Safe Environment for LGBTQ Campers and StaffIt was June 2006. I had been conducting staff training at a coed camp in the Northeast. I had already spoken to the entire staff about the “real work” of camp, which I see as helping campers use the...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/moments-truth-things-you-say-things-you-do
Moments of Truth: The Things You Say and the Things You DoKevin Kevin was nine years old when his parents sent him to summer camp in Minnesota. He was overweight, not athletic, not very confident — and more than anything, not wanting to be there!...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/four-simple-words-better-communication
Four Simple Words to Better CommunicationOne of the main challenges of being on staff at camp is the degree to which you suddenly have to communicate with so many people. Because you have decided to accept the awesome responsibility for the...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/wanton-words-curbing-verbal-crudeness-cruelty-camp
Wanton Words: Curbing Verbal Crudeness and Cruelty at CampI love language. The beauty of a poem, the lyricism of a novel, the passion of a political speech, the sentiment of a heartfelt toast, the humor of standup comedy, and the simplicity of a handwritten...