For camp professionals with 1-4 or more years of camp director experience

(Both day and resident camp directors are welcome! As space is limited, we can only accommodate one director per camp at this time.)

Having a network of colleagues to share ideas with, to get feedback from, and to lean on for resources and supports can be so important in the camping industry. It helps us stay connected, broaden our perspectives, think innovatively, and strengthen our community. Last year’s attendees shared: “as a participant, I most valued:

• Building connections and relationships with other camp professionals
• Expanding my network, as I work alone
• Support – especially through the pandemic
• Lively conversations, open discussion, and time to share practices and ideas.”

This year, we are taking our round table series virtual! Join a group of your peers for monthly facilitated discussions in a safe and professional place where you can discuss issues of common concern and a way to build your professional network. Topics will include:

• Building Your Team: How do we hire strategically? What about dismissals? Who is invited back or promoted? How do we mentor, engage, support and grow our staff team?
• Tough Realities of the Role: Are our risk management plans safe and effective? What is the balance of tradition and change? How do we make hard decisions and have difficult conversations? How do we manage money and budgets?
• People to People: Who should be recognized as part of our camp orbit? How do we work successfully with campers, parents/guardians, agencies, donors, neighbors, and interested parties?

Topics are subject to change based upon the needs/interests of participants.

Each month, there will be time for large group discussion, presentations/guest topic experts, and small group discussion.

Emily Golinsky, Founder of Bright Moose Training, Consulting & Advocacy, former Executive Director at Camp Starfish and a member of ACA, New England’s New Camp Director Workshop faculty, will facilitate the sessions. Her role will be to provide resources to participants prior to and following discussions, guide the discussion, and provide observations and insights, all while keeping the conversation and flow of information going!

Who: Camp directors with between 1-4 years of camp administrator experience (both day and resident camp directors are welcome!) or current assistant directors who will be stepping into the director role next summer. (As space is limited, only one representative per camp can be accommodated at this time.)

When & Where:  Via Zoom on the following Tuesdays:

• Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Tuesday, November 10, 2020, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Cost: $225/ACA, New England Members – $275/Non-members.

This is an incredible value for members at under $35 per three-hour facilitated session and under $11 per CEC!

Registration is for the duration of the series – seven sessions in total. (Please note: There is no session in March because we hope you’ll join us for our annual conference!)

Registration Link

Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the series. Once the series begins, no transfers or substitutions will be permitted.

 Participants will receive 21 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for their full participation.

If you have five or more summers of experience, please consider joining our Experienced Director Round Table Series.

Please note: We do not want cost to prohibit a camp professional from joining our event. Should the price of this e-seminar be a barrier, please reach out to Kerry Salvo, kerry@acanewengland.org to discuss financial assistance options.

Questions? Reach out to Kerry, ACA New England Director of Education and Professional Development, at kerry@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 104.

About the Facilitator

Emily Golinsky is the Founder of Bright Moose, LLC, which provides training, coaching, consultation and professional development to camps, organizations and individuals guided by the motto “Help Others Shine Bright!” Her professional background includes over two decades of year-round and summer camp operations in both day and residential environments for children in crisis, special needs youth, and traditional campers, most recently for 14 years as the Executive Director at Camp Starfish. Emily is a regular presenter at conferences and is active in ACA, New England, where she is a Lead Visitor, sits on the Fund Development and Conference Planning Committees, and is a member of the Faculty for the New Camp Directors Workshop. Emily is a Board Member for the Hawkeye Campership Fund and for the NHCamps Association, where she is chair of the annual conference. She holds a BS in Health Psychology from Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and a Master of Science in Camp Administration and Leadership from Touro University Nevada. She is also an education advocate for youth with special needs and a certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Emily’s sense of humor and genuine warm connection to individuals comes through in her facilitation style. Fair warning:  she is an avid collector of terribly awesome puns.