American Camp Association New England

Drop-in: Day Camps Operating In-Person Programming
2020-06-11 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join ACA, New England and your New England camp colleagues to brainstorm, discuss, and get feedback on your plans for in-person day camp this summer. The conversation will be attendee-driven and we may break out into smaller discussion groups.
Unlike many of our recent web-based sessions, a recording of this drop-in will not be shared, so please plan to join us live!
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: June 11, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required

Drop-in: Camps Suspending In-Person Operations for Summer 2020
2020-06-04 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join ACA, New England and your New England camp colleagues for support and discussions around your camp suspending in-person operations during summer 2020. Are there other plans for your facilities, are you thinking ahead to 2021, what else is on your mind? The conversation will be attendee-driven and we may break out into smaller discussion groups.
Unlike many of our recent web-based sessions, a recording of this drop-in will not be shared, so please plan to join us live!
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: June 4, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required

Drop-in: Resident Camps Planning to Operate In-Person Programming
2020-06-03 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join ACA, New England and your New England camp colleagues to brainstorm, discuss, and get feedback on your plans for possible in-person programming at your resident camp this summer. The conversation will be attendee-driven and we may break out into smaller discussion groups.
Unlike many of our recent web-based sessions, a recording of this drop-in will not be shared, so please plan to join us live!
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: June 3, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required

Drop-in: Day Camps Planning to Operate In-Person Programming
2020-05-28 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join ACA, New England and your New England camp colleagues to brainstorm, discuss, and get feedback on your plans for in-person day camp programming this summer. The conversation will be attendee-driven and we may break out into smaller discussion groups.
Unlike many of our recent web-based sessions, a recording of this drop-in will not be shared, so please plan to join us live!
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: May 28, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required

Drop-in: Virtual/Remote Camp Planning
2020-05-27 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join ACA, New England and your New England camp colleagues to brainstorm, discuss, and get feedback on your plans for virtual and remote camp this summer. The conversation will be attendee-driven and we may break out into smaller discussion groups.
Unlike many of our recent sessions, a recording of this session will not be posted, so plan to join us live!
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: May 27, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required

Taking Your Camp Virtual - Learnings from the Field
2020-05-22 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Taking Your Camp Virtual – Learnings from the Field

Are you taking your camp virtual this summer?
Or considering a hybrid of in-person and virtual programming?
Or still exploring options and want to learn more?
If so, join us to hear from three camp pros who have been providing a variety of virtual programming this spring (from enrichment to vacation camps) and are working through their camps’ plans for the summer.
The following panelists will share what they have been doing and there will be time for Q&A too:

Meghan Gardner, Founder and CEO of Guard Up and Guardian Adventures
Lauren Hoops-Schmieg, Executive Director of Hill House
Kara Larochelle, Camp Director and Youth Development Director at Camp Ketcha

About the panelists:
Meghan Gardner is the CEO of Guard Up, Inc’s Guardian Adventures, which owns and operates Wizards & Warriors and Zombie Summer Camps, programs and events. These informal educational camps and events are STEM and story-based experiences where all ages play a character of their own design, battling monsters with physics, biology, chemistry, and more. Meghan is the Lead STEM Curriculum Designer for the parent company of The Princeton Review in the development of their Mission to Mars STEM Adventures in east Asia and in the USA. She is also a guest lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education and other major universities, and an international speaker on the topic of Informal Education and Learning for all ages. In her free time, Meghan volunteers for hospice and works with terminally ill patients of all ages as well as their families.
Lauren Hoops-Schmieg is the Executive Director at Hill House, an independent, nonprofit community center whose mission is to provide programs, services and activities to meet the diverse social, educational, cultural and recreational needs of individuals and families residing in Boston’s downtown neighborhoods. Prior to Hill House, Lauren served as the VP of Communications and County-Wide Services at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County as well as the organization’s Camp Director for Camp Grosvenor. Lauren earned her MBA at the MIT Sloan School of Management and her B.A. in English from UMass, Amherst. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, traveling, camping, and collecting rare books.
Kara Larochelle is the Director of Youth Development at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough, Maine. In this position she runs summer camp, school year programming, and adventure challenge programming. Along with these youth programs Camp Ketcha has a pre-school, event rentals, therapeutic programs, and operates the Portland Gear Hub and The Portland Gear Hub Bike School. Kara has worked in camping at Ketcha for 7 years and was previously a music teacher in the Portland Public Schools. In her free time Kara enjoys hiking, climbing, reading, and playing with her dog, Casco.

Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: May 22, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:15 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required
Website
Registration Information
Register here.
Make sure to share any burning topics or questions you have about virtual camp – we will do our best to address them!
If you are unable to join us live, this session will be recorded. A recording will be posted here on ACA’s COVID-19 resource page, https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/coronavirus/online-learning-events-covid-19, some time during the week of May 26, so be sure to check back!

Impactful Activities to Maximize Online Staff Training
2020-05-08 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Impactful Activities to Maximize Online Staff Training
Roz and Jed Buck, Roz and Jed Training & Consulting
“To Hear is To Forget, To See is To Remember, To Do is To Learn.” During this one-hour online training workshop, we will demonstrate a variety of activities that can be used throughout orientation for summer camp staff to maximize learning and retention and create an exceptional orientation experience! Whether our staff training takes place online or at camp, it needs to happen so that we can prepare our staff to help us deliver an amazing camp experience. All of the activities that we share and you participate in can be used for either online or in-person staff training.
About the presenters

Roz and Jed Buck have done what many married couples consider to be “the impossible” . . . They have worked together, side by side, for over 15 years. From 2004 – 2016, they Owned and Directed Meadowbrook Country Day Camp, a large private day camp in New Jersey. They sold their camp in 2016 and successfully launched Roz and Jed Training & Consulting. Now, they travel the country sharing what they have learned and experienced first-hand. Roz and Jed successfully provide Two Voices, Customized Content, and Real Experience. They are proven youth development experts and dynamic speakers who have shared their messages and experiences at conferences in 17 different states and have trained thousands of staff from coast to coast.
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: May 8, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required

Resident Camp Drop-In for Assistant Director/ Program-Level Staff
2020-05-07 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
ACA, New England Drop-Ins for Assistant Director/Program-Level Staff
Join ACA, New England and your colleagues next week (again or for the first time) for conversation, advice, and support as you sort through the hard decisions your camp is facing. This is an informal opportunity to engage in dialogue with other New England camp pros at the assistant director/program level – we will be there to facilitate, but discussion topics will be up to participants. We will use the Zoom platform, so come ready to engage with your mics and cameras on! Please note what this is not – which is a substitution for legal, medical, insurance and other advice that camps should be seeking from experts in those fields.
A recording of this session WILL NOT be posted/shared, so please plan to join us live!
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: May 7, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required

Day Camp Drop-in For Assistant Director/Program-Level Staff
2020-05-06 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
ACA, New England Drop-Ins for Assistant Director/Program-Level Staff

Join ACA, New England and your colleagues (again or for the first time) for conversation, advice, and support as you sort through the hard decisions your camp is facing. This is an informal opportunity to engage in dialogue with other New England camp pros at the assistant director/program level – we will be there to facilitate, but discussion will be led by participants. We will use the Zoom platform, so come ready to engage with your mics and cameras on!

Please note what this is not – which is a substitution for legal, medical, insurance and other advice that camps should be seeking from experts in those fields.
A recording of this session WILL NOT be posted/shared, so please plan to join us live!
Based on feedback, we will plan more time for small group discussion during this session. Please pre-select your breakout topic during registration:

Virtual camp
Health/safety precautions
Maintaining camp culture

Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: May 6, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required

Virtual Camp, Real Risk: Legal and Risk management Considerations for Online Programs
2020-05-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Virtual Camp, Real Risk: Legal and Risk Management Considerations for Online Programs
Does your camp offer year-round online activities to keep campers engaged? Are you going to run virtual programs this summer? As many camps take their programs online, their insurance policies, camper contracts, and risk management processes are still based on in-person camp.
Join ACA, New England and legal and insurance experts for a discussion of the procedures and policies you should be thinking about expanding, tweaking, or re-working as you make this shift. Believe it or not, it isn’t about recreating the wheel, but rather, making minor adjustments to existing materials to reduce your camp’s risk exposure. Topics to be covered include:

Insurance inclusions/exclusions and right-sizing your policy,
Risk management guidelines and protocols,
COPPA and children’s online privacy,
Waivers, participation agreements, and assumptions of risk, and
Intellectual property and copyright considerations.

Panelists:

Katie Johnson, The Redwoods Group
Isaac Mamaysky, Potomac Law Group
Eliza Hall, Potomac Law Group

This sessions is hosted by ACA, New England and will be recorded and posted on the ACA’s COVID-19 Online Learning & Events Page following the live program.
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: May 5, 2020 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required
Registration Information
Register here.
This sessions is hosted by ACA, New England and will be recorded and posted on the ACA’s COVID-19 Online Learning & Events Page following the live program.

Urban Camps Symposium
2020-05-02 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Philantrhopy MA, 133 Federal St, Suite 802, Boston, MA, 02110
Join ACA New England, your colleagues, and licensed clinical social worker and well-known camp consultant Bob Ditter for a morning of discussions around key topics relevant to urban camps like yours as you gear up for another awesome summer season! Space is limited, so register early.
The program for the day is:

Opening remarks from Stephen Spaloss, Senior Vice President, Team Leadership at City Year, Inc.
A panel discussion on Diverse Staffing for Diverse Campers moderated by Bob Ditter. Panelists will include: Lisa Fortenberry, Executive Director, Camp Harbor View; Alphonse Litz, Director, Boston Explorers; Bexi Perez, Operations Director, Department of Child Development, YMCA of Greater Boston.
Small group discussions on other hot topics facing urban camps, with topics to be generated by attendees.

This symposium is designed for directors and key staff working in the urban camp environment. We encourage you to register multiple members from your team and come prepared to ask questions and engage in discussion throughout the morning!

Participants will receive 3 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for attending.
Event Organizer/Sponsor: American Camp Assocation, New England
When: May 2, 2019 from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (registration and networking opens at 9:00 am) (RSVP required)
Where: Philanthropy MA
133 Federal Street, Suite 802
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Cost: $20/member; $25/non-member

Exploring Virtual Engagement (Webinar)
2020-04-23 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Many of us are looking for ways to engage our staff, campers, and families virtually – from training to programming to just plain being interactive!
Come hear what’s on the mind of some of our camp industry pros, including tips, tricks, and tools we can use as we are all figuring out how to stay connected during this time of physical facility closure and social distancing. We will be joined by:

Travis Allison, Go Camp Pro
Ruby Compton, Ruby Outdoors
Allison Klee, Hometown Stomping Ground
Jason Levasseur, Camp Timanous & The Rockstar Project

Sponsored by ACA, New England
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA New England
When: April 23, 2020 from 10:30 am – 11:30 am ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required
Website

Virtual Staff Training Activities for Camp Staff (Webinar)
2020-04-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom

Financial Contingency Planning; Protect your Cash and Explore Financial Options (Webinar)
2020-04-21 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Financial Contingency Planning; Protect your Cash and Explore Financial Options (Webinar)
Opus Consulting Group presents its approach to financial contingency planning as COVID-19 is impacting camp businesses, creating uncertainties for the coming summer. This approach aims at understanding your cashflow drivers and addressing coordination and communication with all stakeholders, accounting for the high uncertainty.
This webinar presents an emergency checklist and expands on cash flow management, stress testing, supporting discussions with key stakeholders (lenders, landlords, clients, investors) and navigating the current challenges and opportunities .
Topics discussed include:

Contingency Planning steps
Cash Management
Preparing Financials (13-Week Cash Flow Budget)
Preparing for discussion with lenders and other stakeholders
Financing options and assistance programs
Q&A to follow

About the presenters:
Jacques Santucci, MBA
Jacques has held leadership positions in the entertainment, tourism, financial services and technology industries. Prior to founding Opus Consulting Group, he began his career as an auditor for Ernst & Young and Universal Pictures in Paris, France. Since moving to Maine in 1999, Jacques has held several executive positions and engaged in an array of consulting assignments. Over the past few years, he has been instrumental in bringing alive a number of business startups and engineering corporate turnarounds. His expertise lies within business strategy and management, new business venture, due diligence, accounting, process improvement, financial systems, planning and analysis, sales and marketing strategy.
Jacques holds a degree from EDHEC School of Management in Lille, France with a concentration in Finance.
Andrew Wood, MBA
Andrew specializes in providing clients with strategic and operational support during the start-up and growth phases of a business. He supports new businesses with financial modeling, business plan writing, and ongoing project management to support a successful launch and poise companies for long term growth. In addition, he assists clients as an interim controller to improve core business practices and develop strategic action plans for future growth. Prior to joining Opus, Andrew worked for a multinational corporation selling financial products and services. Andrew is a fluent native speaker of the German language and has experience in German/English translation. He earned a double major in Economics and German with additional studies in international management from Missouri State University and a dual MBA/MSF degree from Northeastern University.

Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA New England
When: April 21, 2020 from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required
Website

Self-Care During Turbulent Times (Webinar)
2020-04-17 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Self-Care During Turbulent Times (Webinar)
Now more than ever, self-care is essential. But, if you struggled with self-care under “normal” circumstances, you might really be wondering how to start now. Camp professionals are traditionally giving, selfless, problem-solvers. Untended though, these same qualities can lead to burnout. Learn the purpose of self-care, shifting your mindset, and practical tips to apply right now to lay the foundation for future habits. Join Susan Fee for a one-hour webinar to dive into these ideas.
Here’s what you’ll learn:

Determine your personal “why”
Make the connection between self-worth and self-care
Create habits, routines, and rituals to increase mental clarity
Apply benefits of self-care to lead and serve others

About the presenter:
Susan Fee is a licensed mental health counselor, certified executive coach and national speaker. In 2016, she delivered a TEDxWWU talk on relational aggression and is a speaker coach for TEDxSeattle. Susan is passionate about the use of storytelling in mental health and is the director of “The Brainpower Chronicles,” a storytelling show for NAMI of Washington State. She’s a regular Seattle MOTH StorySLAM winner and has been featured on The Moth Radio Hour. Learn more by visiting www.susanfee.com.
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: April 17, 2020 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET (RSVP required)
Where: Via Zoom
Cost: FREE, but registration is required
Website
Registration Information
Register here.

EPIC, New England - Friendly Forum (with state-specific breakouts)
2020-04-16 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
One of the key takeaways from the New England Camp Conference is that many EPICs are juggling new responsibilities amidst the currently, evolving environment. Piecemealing information from a myriad of sources and trying to make sense of it can be especially difficult, specifically when you may not have final decision-making abilities. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be a valuable resource throughout this process.
Do you want to talk things through?
Wonder how your state implications relate to others and the greater picture?
Wanna just vent?
On Thursday, April 16th at 3pm EPIC, New England is hosting a Zoom, in part as a follow up to the great discussion facilitated at the ACA, New England Conference Lunch & Learn. If you didn’t attend, no worries! Taking it to the next level, there will be dedicated “Breakout” time to discuss implications with people in your own state, as well as space to discuss as a full EPIC, NE community.
Event Organizer/Sponsor: EPIC, New England + ACA, New England
When: April 16, 2020 from 3PM – 4:30PM (RSVP required)
Where: Zoom
Cost: FREE

Independent Schools Auxiliary & Summer Programs workshop
2020-03-26 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | ACA New England Conference, DoubleTree Manchester Hotel, Manchester, NH, United States
The focus of this workshop is to give Aux/Summer directors an opportunity to network, learn, and share in a more focused and tailored environment. This year’s program will include: a business session, an Auxiliary Program Safety & Security session, a panel discussing best practices about construction on campus, fun style Aux networking; and round table discussions.
This workshop will be a great way to kick off your experience if you plan to attend the New England Camp Conference, which begins on Thursday! While we encourage you to consider attending the entire New England Camp Conference, it is not required in order to participate in this Auxiliary/Summer Programs Workshop.
The focus of this workshop is to give Aux/Summer directors an opportunity to network, learn, and share in a more focused and tailored environment.
This year’s program will include:

a business session delivered by David Platt, Assistant Headmaster for Finance and Operations at the Fenn School (also a former Camp Director);
an Auxiliary Program Safety & Security session lead by Chris Landosky, Director of Summer Programs & Director of Campus Safety at Berkshire School;
a panel discussing best practices about construction on campus;
an optional break-out marketing session;
fun style Aux networking; and
round table discussions.

$40/member & $50/non-nonmember for first person; $30/member & $35/non-member for additional people
Online registration is closed, but we do accept on-site registrations.
Coffee and light snacks will be served.
Lunch is on your own, but optional bag lunch options will be available for purchase ($12) during the registration process.
Registration rate is based on your individual ACA membership status.

Youth Mental Health First Aid USA (Camp Focus) - FULL
2020-03-04 09:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Camp Maude Eaton, 141 Abbot St, Andover, MA, 01810
This is an 8-hour education program (plus breaks & lunch) which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Youth Mental Health First Aid uses group activity, role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
Our March course is currently full. We have added a second course on Monday, April 27.

What will participants learn? This course teaches participants 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. Your course will be specifically geared to camp, camp counselors, and camp experiences.
Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or 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-age youth, ages 8-18.
Who should take this course? The course is designed for any adults who regularly interact with adolescents. So…YOU!
Who created the course? The National Council for Behavioral Health was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. 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.
About the Instructor
Lori Beverage is a teacher, trainer, facilitator, mother, wife, and Girl Scout of 45 years. She’s been a camper, camp counselor, camp program director, outdoor trainer and facilitator, and outdoor enthusiast. As a teen she was part of the Student Conservation Corp, she’s built hiking trails on Isle Au Haut, backpacked in the Tetons and throughout New England. She’s canoed Chesuncook above Katahdin using the Northwoods paddle of the indigenous tribes of Maine, and led trips down the Connecticut. Lori also taught children and teens living with emotional disturbance and mental health issues.
Currently, Lori designs online trainings for volunteers with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, in addition to providing in-person trainings in Medic First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Lori believes that if we can teach and train adults better, equip them with strong tools and strategies…they will have better tools for working with the children and young people they serve. She lives for this.

Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: March 4, 2020 from 9:00AM – 6:00PM (RSVP required)
Where: Camp Maude Eaton
141 Abbot Street
Andover, MA 01810
Cost: $75/Members | $100/Non-Members
Registration Information
*Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire day from 9 am – 6 pm.*
This course is full. We have added a second course on Monday, April 27. For more information and to register, visit here.

Space is limited to 30 participants, so register early! Because we need to pre-order books for participants, the deadline to register is Wednesday, February 19, 2020.
Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Snow date for this program is Thursday, March 5, 2020. Should we need to use this date, an e-Mail notifying participants as soon as we become aware of the situation.
Program registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another individual from your camp by contacting ACA, New England. We do not offer refunds for the workshop due to weather if the program runs as scheduled.

Avoid the Panic Hire: Take a Deep Breath Before Employing the Next Warm Body (Web-Based Session)
2020-02-28 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Summer is near…the pressure to fill remaining positions heightens. It is easy to convince yourself the next warm body is good enough – a decision you may regret later. Stop. Take a deep breath and reflect on the intentional framework designed to build your staff team. Develop a plan allowing for the flexibility to secure additional veteran staff and hire your next rock stars. Act in ways that will avoid panic-hiring and move you closer to your vision for staff culture long term. Join Kim Aycock and Jolly Corley for this virtual, web-based session and come away with some new tools and ideas for your camp hiring!

About the Presenters
Kim Aycock
Kim Aycock, MST, has 30+ years of experience developing young people with skills robots are unable to do. While blending the talents of a master teacher with the knowledge of a seasoned camp expert, Kim ignites the learning for varying levels of campers and staff worldwide. She has the ability to connect with and motivate learners of all ages through her interactive and innovative presentations. Kim speaks professionally at regional and national conferences, presents webinars, contributes regularly to Camping Magazine and ACA blogs, and serves as Co-Chair of ACA’s Project Real Job Committee. More information can be found at: www.kimaycock.com.
Jolly Corley
Jolly Corley, M.S. works with 130 university students each summer at Camp Robindel. She has been involved in the camping industry in the mid-west and New England for over 20 years. The past 15+ years have been spent developing emerging leaders in camping through staff development. Jolly has given workshops at the Mid-States ACA conference, ACA National Conference, camps and businesses across the USA. Her undergraduate and graduate work revolved around leadership, group dynamics, experiential learning, philosophy and theatre. Using games, theatre and life experiences Jolly prepares staff to understand that our own experiences are the most useful tools for reflection and growth toward a solid foundation to becoming leaders for life. Jolly’s work takes her around the world collaborating with organizations in providing training to develop a staff culture that promotes personal and professional growth.
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: February 28, 2020 from 10:30 am – 11:30 am (RSVP required)
Where: Virtual, via Zoom
Cost: $15/ACA-members; $35/non-members **Take advantage of this great introductory pricing on ACA, New England’s web-based learning opportunity.**
Registration Information
Register HERE
Once you register, the Zoom link will be sent to you in a separate email the week of the virtual session. The email will be sent to the email address listed on your ACA account when you register.

Virtual Book Group Discussion - Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well
2020-02-05 09:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Click here for Guiding Prompts/Questions to think of while you read.

We know that evaluation and feedback is a topic relevant to all of us at camp – how and when do we give feedback? Is the person we are talking with receiving feedback in the way we intended? How do we process feedback and does it change based on the situation, the person giving it, or even the setting?
If this resonates with you, we encourage you to pick up a copy of Thanks for the Feedback: The science and art of receiving feedback well, read it, and join us for a FREE Zoom-based discussion about the book on February 5, 2020.
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: February 5, 2020 from 9:30AM – 10:30AM (RSVP required)
Where: Virtual, via Zoom
Cost: FREE (but registration is required)
Registration Information
Click Here to Register
Once you register, the Zoom link will be sent to you in a separate email the week prior to the book group discussion.
Guiding Prompts/Questions
We are excited for our upcoming discussion about this book. The book is full of lots of great topics and we can’t possibly cover them all in an hour, so here are some guiding questions to think about as you prepare:

The book talks about three types of feedback: appreciation, coaching, and evaluation.

Had you thought about feedback in this way before? What were some “ah-has” or takeaways you had about this? How have you seen this play out in your own life? How can you separate appreciation, coaching, and evaluation in your day-to-day (and at camp)?

There are many different things that can impact how we receive (and give feedback). Some of the ones mentioned in the book include:

Triggers (truth, relationship, identity)
Not seeing your own blind spots
Switchtracking
Relationship systems
Wiring and temperament (swing/recovery combination and growth/fixed identity)

Which of these resonate with you and why?
Can you think of a time when one of these areas caused friction? Knowing what you know now, is there a different way you could have handled things?

Thinking about all of the “ah-has,” learnings, and takeaways from the book, what are one or two things that you would like to apply or take action on in your own life or with your team at camp?

E.g. figuring out a way to share this with staff so we have the same language/feedback at camp is more successful;
Asking a colleague for the “one thing you see me doing that gets in my own way;” or
Identifying a supportive mirror and an honest mirror in your life

Summer and Auxiliary Programs Workshop: Thinking About Measurement, Data Collection, and Analysis
2020-01-30 13:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Nobles and Greenough School, 10 Campus Dr, Dedham, MA, 02026
Attendees will receive 3 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for their participation.

Data matters. We all track and look at data benchmarks before, during, and post-camp. Do you ever wonder why you track some things, how to best use the data you’ve collected, if you’re missing something important, or what other summer/auxiliary programs at independent schools are analyzing? Join us for an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues (please come prepared to share the what and how of your program’s data collection), hear what other programs track, share your process and how you use the information you collect, and to ask/answer questions about each other’s practices. Georgia Hall, PhD, Director of the National Institute on Out-of-School Time, will facilitate the day’s program.

Proposed Agenda

Welcome
Why does data matter and what do we measure? – Presentation by Georgia Hall
Small group discussions on data-related questions that matter to you.
Lunch (included in cost of program)
Action mapping exercise.
Wrap-up.

Georgia Hall, Ph.D.

Georgia is Senior Research Scientist and Director of the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) and Associate Director of the Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW). Hall specializes in research and evaluation on youth development programs, settings, and learning experiences. Her work has focused extensively on strategies to improve out-of-school time program quality along with investigations of summer learning programs and STEM initiatives for girls. Hall serves as principal investigator on several multi-year research projects and is a frequent presenter at national conferences, seminars, and meetings.

Snow Date
If school at Nobles and Greenough is cancelled due to inclement weather, our event will be postponed to a scheduled snow date of February 4, 2020. If this is the case, we will also send an e-Mail notifying participants as soon as we become aware of the situation.
Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: January 30, 2020 from 10:00AM – 1:30PM (RSVP required)
Where: Nobles and Greenough School
10 Campus Drive
Dedham, MA 02026
Cost: $25/members; $30/non-members
Registration Information
Online registration has closed for this event. Please email Kerry Salvo, kerry@acanewengland.org, as limited spots may still be available.

Program registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another individual from your camp by contacting ACA, New England. We do not offer refunds for the workshop due to weather if the program runs as scheduled.

EPIC, New England: Coffee and Collaboration
2019-12-19 13:30 - 16:30 UTC | Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) Office, 300 Fore Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join fellow EPICs (Emerging Professionals in Camping) to network and discuss two of the most relevant topics facing our camps – Staffing and Mental Health. Come prepared to share and learn with other emerging professionals in camping, enjoy a coffee and bagel break midway through the afternoon, and talk through the topics that matter most to us here and now! As innovative and thought leaders in our industry, come learn in these professionally facilitated sessions.
Tobie Feigenbaum, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and summer camp administrator will share her insights and guide our discussion around camper mental health.
Ryan Pelletier, CIEE’s Camp Team Manager is strategically poised to lead us through a discussion about how to welcome first time staff, integrate them into your camp’s culture, and best prepare them for the job ahead.
Brought to you by CIEE, EPIC, New England and ACA, New England! See you there!

About the Facilitators

Ryan is Manager of Camp Relations for CIEE’s Camp Exchange USA program, connecting youth workers from around the globe with American summer camps. Since 1947, CIEE’s mission is to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Ryan manages a team of Camp Consultants that work directly with camp representatives, tailor matching international counselors and ensuring positive cultural exchange experiences.
Ryan is passionate about the camp experience and it’s capacity to transform lives. He spent 5 years as the Director of Environmental Education for Kieve-Wavus Education in Nobleboro, Maine, cultivating the next generation of environmental advocates. As an ardent environmentalist Ryan stays close to nature through recreation; surfing, paddle boarding, and hiking to name a few! He lives in Portland with wife Usha and dog Kona.

Tobie has a BA in Sociology from the University of Delaware and a Masters in Social Work from UNH. She has worked in residential treatment through the Boys and Girls Clubs and for the last 15 years she has primarily worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in schools. During the summers, she is the Head Counselor at Camp Pinecliffe, where her day to day tasks include checking in with high needs campers, liaising with parents, coaching staff on how to handle camper issues, and working with therapists as needed.
During the workshop, Tobie will be discussing common themes in camper mental health, ways we can support our camper populations, and strategies for campers and staff alike. There will be time for group discussion so bring topics to discuss and ideas to share!

EPIC, New England Networking Kick-Off!
2019-11-14 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA, 02149
Looking to meet other emerging professionals in the New England area and kick off the new camp season? Come grab a drink with us and enjoy some great conversation at Night Shift Brewery in Everett, MA, for EPIC New England’s first Networking Kick-Off event on November 14th! Be one of the first 20 people to arrive and your first drink is on us! RSVP on Facebook so we know who will be joining the fun. See you there!
A big THANK YOU to our event sponsor, CIEE!
Event Organizer/Sponsor: Emerging Professionals In Camping, New England
When: November 14, 2019 from 6:00pm (RSVP required)
Where: Night Shift Brewing
87 Santilli Highway
Everett, MA 02149
Cost: FREE
Website
Contact
Anthony Pyatt
anthony@kampkohut.com

Fall Seminar - All About Staffing
2019-10-30 10:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
Join ACA, New England, Kim Aycock, Volunteer Co-Chair of ACA’s Project Real Job and owner of Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions, and researcher Daniel Shore for a day designed to dive deep into topics related to staffing! Our program will help you understand current trends and strategies in staffing , explore staffing challenges and successes at camp with your colleagues, and think about internships at camp.

Thank you
to our seminar sponsor
Vital Camps
Camp Orientation Online

Whether your camp is struggling with staffing or has been lucky in this area and wants to stay that way, this day is for you! There will be time for learning, information sharing, and networking. The agenda will include:

Keynote by Daniel Shore & Kim Aycock: Meet Staff Where They Are Rather than Where You Wish They Were – Unanswered emails. Requests (demands) for time-off. Over-involved parents. What’s the matter with young people today? Most likely nothing! We have more in common with this cohort of staff than one might think; their needs are just expressed differently. We have an opportunity to communicate that we are in touch with the times and yet have a handle on timeless wisdom. Thus, we have to demonstrate that we understand the perspectives of those we hope to recruit, hire, and retain without compromising important vision, values, and views. Throughout this keynote session, data and feedback gathered directly from staff will guide us to meeting them where they are rather than where we wish they were.

Attendee-driven interactive think tank on key staffing-related topics that matter to camps led by Kim Aycock.
Session and panel facilitated by Kim Aycock: Bringing interns to your camp – What’s the difference between internships, practicums, and independent studies for students/camp staff and how do you think about integrating this into your camp’s planning.

Who: Camp professionals involved in any aspect of staff recruitment, hiring, and retention – from directors to HR professionals and everyone in between!
When: Wednesday, October 30, 2019, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

Please note that as of 10/18/19 there has been an update to the content and speakers for our morning keynote. We apologize for the change, but are excited about this great new session we are offering!

Participants will receive 5 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for their full participation.

About the Presenters

Kim Aycock, MST, has 30+ years of experience developing young people with skills robots are unable to do. While blending the talents of a master teacher with the knowledge of a seasoned camp expert, Kim ignites the learning for varying levels of campers and staff worldwide. She has the ability to connect with and motivate learners of all ages through her interactive and innovative presentations. Kim speaks professionally at regional and national conferences, presents webinars, contributes regularly to Camping Magazine and ACA blogs, and serves as Co-Chair of ACA’s Project Real Job Committee. More information can be found at: www.kimaycock.com.

Daniel Shore is a researcher and consultant with an M.A. (and soon his PhD) in Workplace Psychology. He conducts research across numerous settings, from cybersecurity teams to summer camps, and turns data into action by (1) facilitating training experiences, (2) conducting feedback focus groups and surveys, and (3) creating professional development and training curricula. In the camp world, Daniel combines his ten summers of experience that spanned from staff member to unit supervisor to director of staff and leadership development with his research expertise to help camps strategically train staff to enhance the camp staff experience. Daniel enjoys working with camp leaders who believe what he believes: to have a great camp with happy campers, you need happy counselors, too.

Event Organizer/Sponsor: ACA, New England
When: October 30, 2019 from 10:00AM – 3:30PM (RSVP required)
Where: Camp Cedar Hill
265 Beaver St, Waltham, MA 02452
Cost: $90/Members; $120/Non-Members
Registration Information
Registration for this event has reached capacity. Thank you for your support!
Questions? Reach out to Kerry, ACA New England Director of Education and Professional Development, at kerry@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 104.
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event.
Contact
Kerry Salvo
kerry@acanewengland.org
781-541-6080
