Professional Development
Professional Development Events Near You
Connect. Grow. Learn.
Connect with us where it makes the most sense for you—regionally or topically—no matter where you call home.
To view all upcoming events, including webinars and virtual networking opportunities, please check out the events calendar.
Eastern Region
Chesapeake Fall Gathering - September 25, 2025
Worton, MD at YMCA Camp Tockwogh
Join us for the Fall Gathering at YMCA Camp Tockwogh. This day event will be a time of networking and learning, a camp tour and of course some camp fun!
Keystone Fall Gathering — October 15, 2025
Halifax, PA at Camp Small Valley
Save the date and Join us at the Keystone Fall Gathering at the Camp Small Valley for a day of professional development and networking. Gain valuable insights, connect with fellow camp professionals, and a camp tour. Our Fall Gathering will focus on year-round programing and retreat and rentals, sharing successes and challenges.
Southeastern Fall Camp Conference- November 18-20, 2025
Greenville, SC at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Gold Resort & Conference Center
The Southeastern Fall Camp Conference will open with a keynote presentation by Michael Brandwein. The conference will offer a variety of educational breakout sessions on topics such as character development, programing, risk management, latest trends and more! It will also feature an exhibit hall and affinity group and kindred meetups!
Upstate New York Winter Gathering — December 11, 2025
Livonia, NY at Camp Stella Maris
Please join us for the Upstate New York Winter Gathering. A variety of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and more will be featured. Enjoy a time of inspiration, first-rate professional development, and fun at Camp Stella Maris in Livonia, NY. More information coming soon!
Ohio Camp Conference — January 15, 2026
Columbus, OH at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
The 2026 Ohio Camp Conference, located at the Ohio 4-H Center at Ohio State University, is a one-day event for camp professionals. The day will feature breakout sessions covering topics such as camp administration, programming, latest trends, and risk management, and more! Attendees have the opportunity for professional development and networking with peers and experts. Additionally, there is an exhibit hall showcasing products and services for camps.
Mid-Atlantic Camp Conference — January 27, 2026
Harrisonburg, VA at Camp Horizons
Join us at the Virginias Winter Gathering for a day of connection, inspiration, and community with local camp professionals. We are excited to welcome our featured speaker Jarod Wunneburger whose dynamic insights and passion for camp culture promise to energize, uplift and educate. Whether you're a camp director, seasonal camp staff come share ideas, swap stories, and build meaningful relationships with fellow camp folks across the Virginias.
Tri-State CAMP Conference — March 10-12, 2026
Atlantic City, NJ at the Atlantic City Convention Center
The Tri-State CAMP Conference brings together our community of over 3,300 people to learn at over 170 educational sessions, find new products and services at our booth exhibit hall, and spend time with like-minded people who are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children.
New England Camp Conference — March 26-28, 2026
Manchester, NH at the DoubleTree by Hilton
The New England Camp Conference brings over 800 attendees from 250+ camps around New England together for three days of learning and networking with dynamic speakers, established industry experts, and each other!
Central Region
Heart of the South Get-Together: Arkansas — September 25, 2025
Rogers, AR at Camp War Eagle
The Heart of the South Get-Together: Arkansas will feature a tour of Camp War Eagle's beautiful property and over 100 different activities, roundtable conversations to share and learn together, and plenty of time to network with fellow camp professionals.
Heart of the South Get-Together: Louisiana — October 3, 2025
Covington, LA at The Rivers Retreat
The Heart of the South Get-Together: Louisiana will be a great day of connecting and learning from each other. You can swap ideas during roundtable conversations, gain insights from an educational session, and enjoy a relaxing environment.
Michigan Fall Gathering — October 9-10, 2025
Midland, MI at Chippewa Nature Center
The Michigan Fall Gathering kicks off on October 8 with an interactive preconference workshop with at will be led by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore and opportunities to explore lots of activities. The Fall Gathering on October 9 will feature educational breakout sessions, a tour of the Chippewa Nature Center, and close out the day with a keynote focused on Character at Camp with ACA's Senior Director of Innovation and Learning, Laurie Pearson, PhD.
Northland Fall Workshop & Get-Together — October 21-22, 2025
Park Rapids, MN at Northern Pines Camp
The Northland Fall Workshop & Get-Together features a camp tour preconference on October 21 followed by the one-day workshop on October 22. The workshop will highlight a two-hour interactive activity led by Steph Love, MS, where you'll reflect and celebrate your summer programming through storytelling. The Fall Workshop will also feature a variety of educational breakout sessions, a thought-provoking panel session on year-round engagement, and networking activities.
Wisconsin Fall Gathering — October 29-30, 2025
Wisconsin Dells, WI at Wisconsin Easterseals
The Wisconsin Fall Gathering will open on October 29th with preconference opportunities - an EPIC workshop and lunch, camp tours, and executive director workshop. The Fall Gathering on October 30 will feature an interactive morning workshop led by Brian Kenney with a focus on developing strong team building and leadership skills, the annual pie auction, educational breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.
Indiana Camp Summit — November 13, 2025
Brookston, IN at Camp Tecumseh YMCA
The Indiana Camp Summit is a one-day conference featuring a wide variety of educational breakout sessions to choose from and opportunities for lots of networking.
Great Rivers Fall Gathering — November 19-20, 2025
Indianola, IA at Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center
The Great Rivers Fall Gathering is a two-day conference that will open with an interactive opening playnote from Tobin Paap, share a wide variety of educational breakout sessions, roundtable conversations, and fun evening networking socials. The event will also host a New Director Orientation Course on November 18.
St. Louis Winter Warm-Up — January 13, 2026
Waterloo, IL at Camp Wartburg
The St. Louis Winter Warm-Up will open with an inspiring panel discussion. Throughout the day there will be nine top-notch educational breakouts to choose from and opportunities to network with others.
Texoma Winter Conference — January 20-22, 2026
Hunt, TX at Mo-Ranch
The Texoma Winter Conference will feature two keynote speakers, 30 educational sessions, roundtable conversations, an exhibit hall, and fun evening socials.
Winnekota Leadership Summit — March 19-20, 2026
Riverfalls, WI at the University of Wisconsin
The Winnekota Leadership Summit is a 2-day conference with a focus on getting ready for staff training. It features two keynote speakers, a wide variety of educational breakout sessions, an exhibit hall, and fun networking activities.
Western Region
Northern California Campference — October 14-16, 2025
Napa, CA at Enchanted Hills Camp
This retreat-style gathering is more than just a conference—it’s a space for camp professionals to reflect, reconnect, and reenergize. Over two nights and three days, you'll unpack the summer alongside peers who understand the work, dive into collaborative sessions on everything from risk management to program strategy, and workshop your toughest challenges in a supportive, think-tank environment. With the spirit of camp woven throughout, the Campference is designed for directors, assistant directors, year-round staff, and emerging leaders who are ready to stop, evaluate, and listen—together.
Southwest Fall Campference — October 22-24, 2025
Salt Lake City, Utah at The Natural History Museum of Utah
This gathering is designed for camp professionals who crave connection, inspiration, and space to think big. Over two and a half days, you’ll reflect on lessons from the summer, explore creative solutions to real challenges, and deepen relationships with peers who get it. Expect playful sessions (including a “playnote” by Tobin Paap!), facilitated workshops, breakout discussions, museum wanderings, and camp tours—all designed to help you unpack, reset, and reimagine what’s possible.
Cascadia Camp Conference — November 3-5, 2025
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho at Camp Lutherhaven
This retreat-style gathering is your chance to slow down, reconnect, and dream forward—together. Over two and a half days, we’ll reflect on the summer, dig into the challenges and triumphs of camp leadership, and share in meaningful conversations that spark growth and collective wisdom. With cozy campfires, playful workshops, and intentional networking, this Campference blends the best of both worlds: the professional development of a conference with the soul-nourishing spirit of camp. Come ready to listen deeply, laugh loudly, and leave with fresh energy for the seasons ahead.
Rocky Mountain Fall Conference — November 12-14, 2025
Florissant, CO at the Nature Place
The Rocky Mountain Fall Conference includes meals and lodging and a dynamic keynote speaker who will challenge and inspire us to reimagine leadership in times of change. Alongside that spark, you’ll find hands-on workshops, honest conversations, and the chance to bring your real questions to the table—because here, we don’t just talk, we listen, workshop, and walk away stronger. With mountain air, meaningful connection, and the soul of camp woven through it all, this Campference is your space to pause, evaluate, and reengage with why this work matters so much.
2026 ACA National Conference — February 17-20, 2026
San Diego, CA at the Town and Country Resort
The ACA National Conference is four-plus packed days of 150+ educational sessions, three keynote presentations, social and issues-based networking, professional trade-show access, and special events designed to boost your professional development.
Spring Leadership Conference — April 14-17, 2026
Palm Springs, CA at the Rivera Resort + Spa
This is your working spring break—the perfect mix of professional reset and practical inspiration before summer begins. Over four energizing days, you’ll dive into multiple keynote presentations, choose from 40+ educational sessions, and connect with a passionate community of camp leaders who get it. From late-night brainstorms to sun-soaked strategy sessions, you’ll leave with clear action plans, a dialed-in staff training schedule, and the momentum to lead your best summer yet.
Hawaii Campference — May 2026
Details coming soon!
