Every camp owner eventually faces the same question:
What’s next?

Maybe you’re thinking about the next generation taking over. Maybe a longtime director could become the owner. Maybe you’re considering bringing in a partner, transitioning without selling, creating a nonprofit, or selling the camp outright. Or maybe you’re not ready to do anything at all—but you know you should start thinking about it.

Your Next Chapter: When? Why? And How? is a candid, practical, one-day workshop designed specifically for privately owned summer camp owners who are considering their future. We’ll take a deep dive into the many ways a camp can transition—and the financial, familial, operational, legal, tax, and emotional considerations that come with each path.

We’ll explore:
• Passing the reins to the next generation
• Family transitions—and the pitfalls to avoid
• Transitioning ownership to an internal leader or management team
• Selling to an outside individual or organization
• Transitioning without selling
• Partial ownership and phased transitions
• Understanding what your camp is really worth
• Getting financial value out without crippling the camp
• Banks, taxes, seller financing, and alternative sources of capital
• Who is actually buying camps today
• The nonprofit route and lessons from camps that have pursued it
• Separating the value of the camp business from the value of the real estate
• What to do before you go to market
• How to prepare your camp to operate without you
• And perhaps most importantly—what happens after the deal is done

You’ll hear from experienced camp owners and professionals who have navigated these decisions themselves.

This isn’t simply a seminar about selling your camp. It’s about understanding your choices.

Because the best time to think about your next chapter isn’t when you’re forced to. It’s while you still have options.

Come prepared to ask difficult questions, explore possibilities, and begin building a transition plan that works for you, your family, and the future of your camp while connecting with camp professionals who are in similar circumstances.

Registration Details

When: Tuesday, December 8, 2026; 10am to 3:30pm (Snow date Wednesday, December 9 – let’s hope we don’t need it!)

Where: ACA, New England Office, 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA 02421

Cost: Members $85/non-Members $115

Note: this workshop is designed specifically for privately owned summer camps. If you are unsure if this workshop is right for you, please email gillian@acanewengland.org, or call our office at 781-541-6080 before registering. 

Registrations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another eligible member of your team prior to the start of the event. 

We never want cost to be a barrier to attending ACANE programs, and financial assistance is available. Please use this form to request aid, and reach out to Kerry Salvo (kerry@acanewengland.org) with questions.

Click here to register!

About the Instructors

Andy Lilienthal is a 3rd generation owner of Camp Winnebago, a residential boys camp in Maine. He was raised at Winnebago; was a camper for 8 years and a counselor for 4 years. In the 1990’s, he ventured into experiences that would inform his value of the simple, yet profound experience of camping. Prior to his transition into leading camp, Andy led sustainable development projects in Central America and the Caribbean, and domestically as an AmeriCorps staff member.

In 2000, he began a three-year transition with his father, and became the Camp Director in 2003. Andy has chaired a national committee for the American Camp Association, served as a board member to the Association of Independent camps (AIC) and is the former president of the Maine Youth Camp Foundation (MYCF).

For the past 20+ years, Andy has been part of a network of multi-generational camp owners from across the country that originally met as the children of camp owners who were griping about their parents. Now coming full circle, Andy is in the midst of transitioning his camp to the next Winnebago Director. The first and most important lesson he learned was it is never too early to begin planning!

Fritz Seving is the former owner of Camp Fernwood and Fernwood Cove in Maine, with over 40 years of experience in the summer camp industry. He’s now a partner at Camp Wildwood in Maine and plays an active role on the boards of organizations like Global Camps Africa, Maine Camp Experience, and Maine Summer Camps. Fritz also volunteers as the treasurer for the Maine Youth Camp Association, demonstrating his deep commitment to the camp industry.

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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.