The goal isn’t to reinvent your camp. It’s to make sure every summer leaves you better prepared for the next one.

This three-part series will explore how to capture lessons while they’re fresh, identify the systems behind recurring challenges, and make intentional changes that strengthen hiring, training, supervision, and leadership practices. Along the way, you’ll discover opportunities to reduce recurring frustrations, build leadership capacity, and create a camp that is easier to lead – not because camp gets easier, but because you’re no longer solving the same problems year after year.

Whether you’re a seasoned director or stepping into a new leadership role, The Camp Reset series will help you turn summer experiences into practical improvements that support both your camp’s success and your own sustainability as a leader.

Part 1 – Don’t Lose Summer 2026: Capturing the Right Lessons Before They’re Gone

Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30am ET

Every summer leaves clues. Some point to systems that worked better than expected. Others reveal recurring frustrations, unmet needs, or opportunities you don’t want to miss. This session creates space to step back from the day-to-day demands of camp life and take a thoughtful look at the season you’ve just completed – while the lessons are still close enough to be useful.

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
• Identify operational, staffing, leadership, and organizational lessons that should be captured before the season ends.
• Use a structured debrief process to distinguish isolated incidents from recurring patterns.
• Document successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in a way that supports future decision-making.
• Assess their own leadership experience by identifying bottlenecks, delegation opportunities, and factors that contributed to burnout or fatigue.

Part 2 – Make It Mean Something: Finding the Systems Behind the Stress

Tuesday, November 17, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00am ET

Once you’ve identified the clues, the next step is making sense of them. This session focuses on the recurring challenges, frustrations, and successes that shape a camp season and asks a simple question: What might they be trying to tell us? By looking for patterns rather than isolated events, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the systems and practices that influence your staff experience, operational effectiveness, and leadership workload.

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
• Analyze recurring staffing and operational challenges to identify potential root causes.
• Differentiate between individual performance issues and system-level challenges.
• Evaluate how hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, communication, and policies contribute to recurring problems.
• Prioritize improvement opportunities using a structured framework for impact and feasibility.

Part 3 – From Insight to Action: Building a Better Next Summer

Tuesday, January 12, 2027 from 10:00 to 11:30am ET

Insight alone doesn’t create change. The real value of reflection comes when it shapes the way we hire, train, communicate, supervise, and lead. In this final session, we’ll focus on translating what you’ve learned into practical action – identifying a handful of meaningful changes that can strengthen your camp, support your staff, and make next summer a little easier to lead than the last.

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
• Identify decisions, responsibilities, and processes that can be delegated to supervisors and leadership staff.
• Apply lessons learned from the previous season to improve hiring, training, supervision, and staff support systems.
• Develop strategies to build leadership capacity and reduce organizational dependence on a single leader.
• Create a practical action plan for implementing improvements before the next camp season.

Registration

Participants can register for one individual session, or for the full three-part series bundle. If you’d like to attend two of the three sessions, please reach out to Gillian (gillian@acanewengland.org). Participation in all three parts is not required but it is recommended. This is a 200-level offering.

Part 1 Only: Member $30/non-Member $45

Part 2 Only: Member $30/non-Member $45

Part 3 Only: Member $40/non-Member $55

Series Bundle: Member $80/non-Member $125

A recording of each session will be available to registered participants for 30 days. 

If you register after Parts 1 or 2 have taken place, recaps will be available to catch you up. 

Registration is non-refundable but may be transferred to another member of your team prior to the start of the session. To transfer a registration please email gillian@acanewengland.org

Click here to register

Financial assistance is available. To request assistance, please fill out this form.

Please reach out to Kerry Salvo at kerry@acanewengland.org with questions.

About the Instructor

Donna Johns-Thomas

Donna Johns-Thomas, SHRM-CP, is the Owner and Chief Consultant of Indigo Consulting LLC, where she helps camps, youth-serving organizations, and nonprofit leaders strengthen their people practices through practical HR support, leadership development, and organizational training. With more than 30 years of experience in camps and youth development, Donna has served as a camp director, accreditation leader, trainer, and senior organizational leader, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges camp professionals face both during and between seasons.

Prior to launching Indigo Consulting, Donna spent 13 years with the American Camp Association, New England, where she led accreditation and professional development initiatives, and 7 years as Director of Learning & Development, Human Resources for Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.

She is a frequent conference presenter known for her engaging, practical approach and her ability to translate real-world camp experiences into actionable strategies. Donna is passionate about helping leaders build stronger systems, develop confident staff, and create organizations that are both effective and sustainable to lead.

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

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.