American Camp Association New England

2026 New England Camp Conference
2026-03-26 08:00 - 2026-03-28 15:00 (America/New_York) | DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St, Manchester, NH, 03101
Registration for the 2026 New England Camp Conference is OPEN!
Join us in Manchester, NH for 3 days (March 26-28) of education, connection, and FUN!
Click here for registration details

People Are Your Biggest Line Item: Making Staffing Work Financially
2026-04-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Staffing is your biggest investment, and your biggest challenge.
In this session, camp consultant Hunter Gold blends finance and people strategy to help camps design sustainable staffing models that balance mission, morale, and money. Participants will explore compensation planning, seasonal structures, and creative ways to fund wellness and retention. Through hands-on exercises, you’ll experiment with staffing budgets that don’t just cut costs, they build culture.
Learning outcomes:
1. Align staffing design with financial realities and organizational priorities
2. Develop compensation strategies that enhance retention
3. Model the financial impact of staffing changes or benefits adjustments
Dates & Rates
When: Tuesday, April 7, 2026; 11:00am – 12:00pm ET
Where: Virtual on Zoom (meeting link will be sent prior to the start of the session)
Cost: Members $15 ; non-Members $25
Click here to register!

About the Instructor
Hunter Gold | Senior Consultant | Immersive1st
Hunter Gold, MBA is a Senior Consultant with Immersive1st, specializing in strengthening the financial and operational foundations of camps, retreat centers, and mission-driven organizations. With over 25 years of leadership experience in both nonprofit and for-profit camps, Hunter has led day and overnight camps as a CFO, Executive Director, and consultant. Known for making finance approachable and engaging, Hunter helps camp professionals and boards turn data into strategy and build long-term sustainability.

Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Manager at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another member of your team, prior to the start of the session.
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.

NE Spring Staff Training Workshop: Reviewing, Revising, and Reimagining Your Staff Training Schedule
2026-04-15 10:00 - 15:00 | ACA New England Office, 80 Westview St, Lexington, MA, 02421
Do you wish you had one whole day to dive into your staff training schedule and curriculum?
Dust off that very important binder and join your fellow residential camping professionals for a one-day workshop dedicated to reviewing, revising, and maybe even reimagining your staff training schedule! We all know that our big plans for staff training often get pushed to the back burner when faced with the multitude of other responsibilities that come with a new camp year. The morning will be spent evaluating with a wide lens, focusing on setting intentional progression, weaving in camp culture and values, and identifying areas for improvement. The afternoon will dive into the details of the three S’s—speakers, spaces, and seat time—and finally, content areas. Are your important content-area trainings on programming, behavior, policies, and procedures checking boxes or actually preparing your staff? This workshop will be structured around small-group work, engaging activities, and exercises to guide evaluation and spark creativity.
Note: This workshop is designed specifically for overnight camps and may not be relevant for day camp professionals. Please reach out with any questions.
Dates & Rates
When: Wednesday, April 15, 2026; 10:00am to 3:00pm ET
Where: ACA, New England Office – 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA 02421
Cost: Members $75; non-Members $100
Click here to register!
*This is an in-person workshop and will not be recorded*

About the Instructor

Becky Alford is the Camp Experience Director at Kingsley Pines, where her primary role is to support the social-emotional well-being and behavioral needs of campers and staff throughout the summer. As a member of the full-time leadership team at KP, she spends much of the winter organizing, evaluating, and streamlining pre-season training for over 75 seasonal staff. Becky is a licensed social worker who has spent ten years in residential and community-based programs in the Carolinas, working with children and families. She recognizes that supporting campers starts with equipping counselors to handle the challenges of camp and solve problems critically and confidently. Becky is an active member of the Maine Summer Camps and the Education Committee. She believes there is a special kind of magic at camp because it is one of those rare places where campers, staff, and the whole community can grow and become their best selves.

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.

Your Camp Leadership Team: Whom and What Create the Strongest On & Off-Season Management?
2026-04-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Running a camp is becoming more complicated each year, as trends change quickly.
Between business operations, program, facilities, campers, staff, parents, and more, it can be difficult for even the most seasoned directors to know what and whom they need in order to keep their camp on top. In this session, Dr. Nick Teich will dive into which year-round and summer leadership positions are becoming more (and less) common, and how to think about streamlining your team so that your camp is covering all the bases. We’ll discuss summer positions, year-round full-time positions, leveraging seasonal staff for off-season part-time positions, as well as when (and what) to outsource.
Learning outcomes:

Participants will have an exercise in thinking critically about their camps’ needs in terms of year-round operations, summer operations, and the “in-between” (e.g. how summer employees can help year-round on an hourly basis).
Participants will learn which leadership positions are most common, and which are trending to be more common or less common.
Participants will get ideas on how to bolster or change their leadership teams – and implement these changes – based on their camp’s specific needs relative to industry trends.

Dates & Rates
When: Thursday, April 16, 2026; 10:00 – 11:00am ET
Where: Virtual on Zoom (meeting link will be sent prior to the start of the session)
Cost: Members $15 ; non-Members $25
Click here to register!

About the Instructor
Nick Teich | Owner | Fairwinds Camp Consulting

Dr. Nick Teich is an executive coach and consultant for camp directors and owners, helping them with their camp’s unique needs and goals. He has been working with camps for over 25 years and was a former longtime residential camp director. Nick is a recent recipient of ACA New England’s Peter Kerns Award for the Advancement of Professional Development at camps. He is also a member of the ACA New England Board of Directors. He is a trained social worker and holds a doctorate in social policy. Nick lives in the Boston area with his wife and two kids.

Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Manager at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another member of your team, prior to the start of the session.
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.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (blended course)
2026-04-23 09:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
This is an 8-hour education program that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. Youth Mental Health First Aid uses group activity, role-playing, and simulations to demonstrate:

How to assess a mental health crisis
How to select interventions and provide initial help
How to connect young people to professional, peer, and social support, as well as self-help care.

The course covers:

Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and substance use challenges in this age group.
How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.
How to connect the youth with help.
Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying.

This course is offered in a two-part format and both components must be completed to earn your certification:

2.5 hours of pre-work, which must be completed by Thursday, April 16, 2026
Live, virtual course from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Thursday, April 23, 2026

What will participants learn?
Participants learn the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder.
Participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness, or who are in an emotional crisis by applying a core five-step action plan. The Youth Mental Health First Aid USA curriculum is primarily focused on information participants can use to help adolescents and transition-aged youth, ages 8-18.
Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling.
Who should take this course?
This course is designed for any adults who regularly interact with adolescents, and who are either ACA, New England members or who work at camps located in Western Massachusetts.
We are able to provide this course free of charge to ACA, New England members thanks to a SAMHSA grant
Who created this course?
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the United States. Mental Health First Aid USA worked with experts at the National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development to develop the youth program.

Dates & Rates
When: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (pre-work must be completed by Thursday, April 16 to qualify for the in-person portion of this course).
Where: Online. Participants will receive a Zoom link no later than 24 hours prior to the program.
Cost: This course is FREE for ACA, New England members and folks who work at camps in Western Massachusetts (parameters of the grant funding to support this course).
*Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire program.*
Click here to register!
Registration Information:
This workshop has a maximum capacity of 15 participants.
Once you register through ACA, New England, additional communication about the course will come from the course instructors/the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. You will then receive an email with additional details on how to access the pre-work through the Mental Health First Aid Portal. Please allow time to receive that email. Pre-work should be completed by Thursday, April 16 to ensure you are qualified to attend the in-person component of the program (some flexibility exists if you need a few extra days, just let us know).
Registrations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event, provided there is enough time for that individual to complete the mandatory pre-work.
Please note that this is a vacation week for Massachusetts schools.
Questions: Reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Manager at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.

Communicating with Courage: Navigating Challenging Dialogue® for Leaders
2026-04-29 10:00 - 17:00 | The Barton Center, 30 Ennis Road, North Oxford, MA, 01537, United States
Every day you witness the emotional struggles of your peers, staff, young people, and families you serve.
There are so many conversations you need to have and want to have that you may dread, avoid, or can’t quit see your way through to positive resolution,
Join Beth Wonson and Lisa Falkingham Hunt for the Navigating Challenging Dialogue Essentials workshop, where you’ll learn Navigating Challenging Dialogue® (NCD), the NCD Process, and the NCD Principles. These are proven tools for effective, fact-based dialogue, even when communication feels risky. Learn to create connections and achieve results through clear, empathetic communication.
You’ll bring your own real-world challenges to our time together, and using the 4-Stage NCD Process, you’ll learn to:
• Navigate difficult conversations with fact-based dialogue
• Improve trust, build connection
• Establish a healthier relationship with the other party
• Come to healthy resolution on the trickiest of topics
Regardless of your work or positions – this course will transform how you engage with others and handle conflicts. The NCD Process is a framework for fact-based dialogue, even when communication feels risky.
Dates & Rates
When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026; 10:00am to 3:30pm
Where: The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Fuller Hall – 30 Ennis Road, North Oxford, MA 01537
Member Cost: 1st Person, $119; 2nd & Additional Person, $99
Non-Member Cost: 1st Person, $139; 2nd & Additional Person $119
*this is an in-person session and will not be recorded*
About the Instructors

Beth Wonson is a communication expert and the creator of Navigating Challenging Dialogue®. Beth’s career and passion for youth development and the strengthening the skills of professionals working the field when she worked for Project Adventure, Inc for 13 years. Now Beth works across the US with corporations and nonprofits who seek to build positive cultures, strengthen trust and connection, and fulfill their mission in most effective ways. Beth serves on the board of High 5 Adventure Learning in Brattleboro VT.

Lisa Falkingham Hunt is the Director of Training and Team Development at High 5 Adventure Learning. She has worked in the outdoor education, camp, and training world for over 30 years. Lisa’s approach is grounded in the understanding that an activity, when well facilitated – such as her hike up Mt. Mansfield – can create life changing experiences for people. “What’s so exciting about the work that High 5 does is that we don’t need to take people on expeditions or thrilling rock climbs in order to experience the benefits of real adventure. It can happen anywhere!”. Lisa is a Certified Navigating Challenging Dialogue® Facilitator.

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.

Strengthening Your Camp Aquatics in 2026
2026-05-05 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Running a camp aquatics program in the 21st century requires more than traditional lifeguard skills
it demands adaptable leadership, modern training approaches, and critical thinking skills. It also requires honest reflection: Has your camp avoided aquatics incidents because of intentional systems and preparation, or simply because you’ve been lucky so far?
In this webinar, Katie Johnson from Chalmers Camp Insurance will facilitate a panel of camp directors, waterfront managers, and aquatics safety specialists, who will share real world lessons and up to date practices for 2026. Together, we will explore how to build and support a rescue ready team, integrate meaningful in service training throughout the season, and navigate evolving expectations around supervision, preparedness, and staff development.
Panelists include: Sarah Mackie Weeman (Smackie) from YMCA Camp Huckins; Dakota Brichetto from Camp Susan Curtis; Peter Christnacht from Copper Cannon Camp.
Whether your program includes a pool, a lakefront, or both, this session is designed for anyone responsible for creating a safe, effective, and forward thinking aquatics operation at camp.

Dates & Rates
When: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 1:00 – 2:30pm ET
Where: Zoom (meeting link to be sent prior to the start of the session)
Cost: Member 1st/2nd Person – $40/$30; Non-Member 1st/2nd Person – $55/$45
Click here to register!

About the Facilitator

Katie Johnson, M.S., is a Senior Risk Consultant at Chalmers Camp Insurance. With nearly 30 years in camps and youth-serving organizations—including 8 years with the American Camp Association—she blends risk expertise with a passion for transformative experiences. Driven by her passion for the magic of camp, she empowers leaders to create strong safety foundations, ensuring they can focus on inspiring growth, connection, and adventure in the communities they serve.

About the Panelists

Dakota Brichetto has been involved with Camp Susan Curtis for 21 years, seven of those years as a camper. As a camper Dakota knew that she wanted to be a lifeguard and worked hard to earn multiple waterfront related certifications, including LGI and WSI. Dakota worked in a leadership role at the waterfront for seven summers creating a safe environment, building programming, adapting teachings for the at-risk youth population, and mentoring and training staff to be successful. In addition to being a professional at the waterfront, Dakota has begun to work as an Occupational Therapist at Camp Susan Curtis.

Ryan Rosen has worked in camp aquatics since 1997, beginning as a lifeguard and developing a deep commitment to safety, instruction, and leadership at the pool. Since 1999, he has been certified as a Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) and Water Safety Instructor (WSI), training and mentoring lifeguards and swim instructors for more than two decades. Since 2011, Ryan has owned Camp Kinneret, a day camp outside of Los Angeles, where he oversees all aspects of camp operations, including a comprehensive aquatics program. In addition to leading his own team, he has partnered with numerous camps to strengthen their swim instruction models, lifeguard training systems, and overall aquatic risk management practices. Ryan brings a practical, camp-focused perspective centered on safety, staff development, and helping campers build confidence in the water.

Peter Christnacht enters his 22nd summer of leadership at Copper Cannon Camp in 2026, marking 38 years in camp administration. He has directed programs nationwide, driven by a deep belief in the positive impact of camp on youth. Peter holds a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from Northern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University. A lifelong aquatics professional, he has overseen pools, lakes, and pond waterfronts throughout his career and has maintained his Lifeguard Instructor certification since the late 80s, including helping to pilot the 1988–89 American Red Cross Lifeguard Course updates. His decades of experience and insight into evolving staff and lifeguard expectations give him a unique perspective on camp aquatics.

___________________________________________________________________________________
Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Manager at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.
Registration is non-refundable but may be transferred to another member of your organization prior to the start of the session.
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.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (blended course)
2026-05-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
This is an 8-hour education program that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. Youth Mental Health First Aid uses group activity, role-playing, and simulations to demonstrate:

How to assess a mental health crisis
How to select interventions and provide initial help
How to connect young people to professional, peer, and social support, as well as self-help care.

The course covers:

Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and substance use challenges in this age group.
How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.
How to connect the youth with help.
Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying.

This course is offered in a two-part format and both components must be completed to earn your certification:

2.5 hours of pre-work, which must be completed by Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Live, virtual course from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026

What will participants learn?
Participants learn the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder.
Participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness, or who are in an emotional crisis by applying a core five-step action plan. The Youth Mental Health First Aid USA curriculum is primarily focused on information participants can use to help adolescents and transition-aged youth, ages 8-18.
Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling.
Who should take this course?
This course is designed for any adults who regularly interact with adolescents, and who are either ACA, New England members or who work at camps located in Western Massachusetts.
We are able to provide this course free of charge to ACA, New England members thanks to a SAMHSA grant
Who created this course?
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the United States. Mental Health First Aid USA worked with experts at the National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development to develop the youth program.

Dates & Rates
When: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (pre-work must be completed by Tuesday, May 12 to qualify for the in-person portion of this course).
Where: Online. Participants will receive a Zoom link no later than 24 hours prior to the program.
Cost: This course is FREE for ACA, New England members and folks who work at camps in Western Massachusetts (parameters of the grant funding to support this course).
*Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire program.*
Click here to register!
Registration Information:
This workshop has a maximum capacity of 15 participants.
Once you register through ACA, New England, additional communication about the course will come from the course instructors/the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. You will then receive an email with additional details on how to access the pre-work through the Mental Health First Aid Portal. Please allow time to receive that email. Pre-work should be completed by Tuesday, May 12 to ensure you are qualified to attend the in-person component of the program (some flexibility exists if you need a few extra days, just let us know).
Registrations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event, provided there is enough time for that individual to complete the mandatory pre-work.
Questions: Reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Manager at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.
