CampWell Level 2* Training

Creating a culture of wellbeing at camp

(Participation in Level 1 training IS NOT required for you to join Level 2)

The CampWell training program aims to help all be well at camp and seeks to create consistent care across the spectrum of all summer learning spaces. Made by camp people, for camp, people, CampWell is an interactive, experiential, multi-day training program that equips camp leaders to build a culture of well-being across every layer of their community. It is designed to help program directors and leaders identify, understand, cultivate, and create a community of well-being at camp by shaping trainings and programs that incorporate the tools, self-awareness, and understanding needed to enhance the experience and safety for all. CampWell delivers immersive learning, actionable tools, and a multi-tiered framework that strengthens individual, communal, and organizational wellness. The course is a collaboration between the Alliance for Camp Health (ACH) and American Camp Association, New England. Registration information and additional details are below.

To see the course outline, CLICK HERE.

Upon completion of the course, participants will have the content and resources necessary to incorporate CampWell into future staff trainings. Participants earn a CampWell Certification and receive four essential resources to level up staff training: the CampWell Level Two Curriculum (narrative form), CampWell Roadmap of cited sources, CampWell slide deck, and the ACH MESH (+) Resource Guide — a $200 value, all included with registration.

When ACA, New England offered this training in March 2024 it quickly reached capacity! This September 2025 offering may be the only time the training is offered in the region prior to summer 2026, so don’t wait too long to register!

The CampWell project definition for wellbeing at camp: Wellbeing is characterized by physical, mental, social, emotional, environmental and/or spiritual health, at the individual and organizational level. When all are well, they participate fully and contribute in the ways they choose because they are safe, supported, and connected.

The full CampWell training will include a pre-conference Zoom session and two days of in-person sessions at Camp Wingate*Kirkland in Yarmouth Port, MA.

Who is this training for? Program directors and leaders who will incorporate the concepts, skills, and tools they learn into their camp’s staff training for frontline summer staff. We highly encourage and recommend camps send two representatives so you can work together to implement what you learn at your camp!

When is the training? By registering, you agree to commit to attend the following:

• Thursday, September 11, 2025: 3 PM – 4 PM ET, virtual pre-course Zoom session
• Sunday, September 14, 3 PM – Monday, September 15, 2025, 3 PM in-person at Camp Wingate*Kirkland, 79 White Rock Rd, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
  • If you’d like to arrive around 1PM, a camp tour will be offered at 1:30 PM before CampWell officially begins at 3 PM.

Lodging:

• Shared bunks, based on gender identity, are included with the registration fees. Please bring your own linens. (If you have a special accommodation request, email us and we’ll see if we can meet your needs)
• Should you prefer to stay off-site, we have a courtesy block at the Aiden by Best Western for the night of Sunday, September 14, $139/night + tax, payable directly by the participant (booking deadline: September 13, an additional fee of $10/per person will be added to rooms with more than 2 occupants). Rooms can be booked here.

The course has a minimum requirement of 20 participants and maximum number of 40 participants to run. We highly encourage and recommend camps send two representatives.

Cost:

• 1st attendee per camp: $350 ACA member/member camp; $399 non-member
• 2^nd attendee same camp/organization: $250 ACA member/member camp; $299 non-member

Registration includes three meals (dinner, breakfast, lunch), snacks, and shared lodging in bunks. Participants need to bring their own linens unless other arrangements are made with the camp.

**Note: while most ACA, New England pricing is based on individual membership status, registration pricing for CampWell is based on CAMP MEMBERSHIP STATUS. If your camp is ACA member, please register yourself as such**

Click here to register!

Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another participant from your camp/organization.

What are the levels of CampWell Trainings?

• Level One: Frontline Summer Staff [Once you take Level Two, you’ll have the resources to provide Level One training to your own camp staff!] – When staff feel safe supported, connected, and are experiencing camp, participants have the ability to engage fully in the ways they choose.
• Level Two: Program Directors, Directors, and Camp Leaders [This training will give you the resources and skills to adapt your camp’s staff training to build a stronger culture of well-being across camp. You do not have to participate in a level one to take this Level Two training.] – When camp leaders have participated in CampWell their staff will be safe, supported, connected, and contributing.
• Level Three: Executives, Owners and Administrators – When owners and executives participate in CampWell they have the ability to foster a culture where all can be well at camp.

Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.

What people are saying about CampWell

As a pilot test site for CampWell, Sonlight Camp took away a solid set of tools to enhance the work of creating a healthy camp community. We got affirmation of practices that are rooted in our culture, and CampWell provided additional tools and language to address the growing mental, emotional and social health issues that we see in campers and staff members.  Rocky Mountain has a unique opportunity this fall to engage in the work of ACH and be intentional about creating communities of well-being.  – Mary Marugg, RN, WFR-Founding Director / Interim Director Sonlight Camp

We can prove with our 90% retention of staff that they feel well taken care of here. Our staff feel safe, supported, and connected. Without CampWell, our staff would quit. They were leaving and not coming back, and now they’re here.  – Camp Behavioral Health Specialist (LCSW)

What we liked about CampWell is that it wasn’t a reaction to the mental health challenges, it was a holistic approach to well-being. It offered a path forward where we felt like we could build skills to actually prevent challenges from happening and give our staff and participants some resilience and skills in order to help them face challenging times.  – Camp executive who has been part of the CampWell program for two years

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Why Send Two? 

CampWell invites organizations to consider sending at least two individuals to maximize potential for impact. Investing in collaborative implementation not only demonstrates your organization’s commitment to the CampWell principles, it increases knowledge retention, reduces single points of failure, and encourages collaborative problem-solving and broader acceptance of cultural change within your organization. Training more than one staff member improves the likelihood of maintaining and sustaining well-being practices if/when your program experiences changes in staffing.

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About the Instructors

John Hamilton, MA – John is a strategic leader in the camp and out-of-school time (OST) space. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer for the Alliance for Camp Health. John has a deep understanding of mental, emotional, and social health (MESH +) of youth and national program expansion. Prior to ACH he served as the national director for Camp HOPE America. John has an MA in Leadership and Cultural Justice, is the founder of the Outdoor Wellbeing Lab, and is a former executive director of a camp near Lake Tahoe.

Emo Castle is a dedicated nurse with over 30 years of experience, specializing in pediatric emergency medicine and camp health. As the Nursing Advisor for SeriousFun Children’s Network, she supports medical teams globally. Emo also serves as a board member for the Alliance for Camp Health helping to provide clinical resources for camps and youth programs. She is dedicated to youth mental well-being and is an active Mental Health First Aid instructor. When not working, Emo enjoys outdoor activities with her two teenagers, husband, and dog.

Use of Images and Audio by ACA, New England: Through my registration, I give American Camp Association, New England (ACANE) full rights and permissions with respect to any photographs, video, and audio recordings taken during the ACANE event. These images and recordings may be used by ACANE and its agents in any format or medium and for any lawful purpose.