American Camp Association New England

Introduction to MESH(+) Seal: Virtual Info Session
2026-01-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
An Introduction to the MESH(+) Seal:
At a time when young people and adults are all longing to be seen, feel heard, and sense authentic connection, ACH is exploring the best ways to elevate care for healthier communities. Your desire to obtain the MESH(+) Seal helps us reach that goal by creating an opportunity to examine your program through a comprehensive well-being lens.
The MESH(+) Seal program recognizes camps and programs that intentionally evaluate and integrate Mental, Emotional, and Social Health(+) throughout their operations. MESH(+) Seal programs consciously incorporate practices and strategies that enhance mental health, emotional resilience, social development, and overall well-being in meaningful ways.
MESH(+) is a framework that strives to create intentional communities by integrating mental, emotional and social health into the personal and collective camp experiences. MESH(+) does this through providing resources and evidence-based models to camps for evaluation of activities (or ‘values’) in four key pillars (program, training, screening and medical).
The MESH(+) Seal application process serves as a valuable analysis and reflection framework as you develop your program’s comprehensive approach to camper and staff well-being. Join us so you can identify opportunities to become a part of the #MovementOfCare and to create and #EcosytemOfWellBeing in a meaningful way through current best practice.
This is a free virtual info session for camps who are interested in learning more about the MESH(+) Seal before applying. The submission window for applications is October 1, 2025 to March 1, 2026.
Join ACA, New England and the Alliance for Camp Health on January 9, 2026 at 12:00pm ET to explore how the MESH(+) Seal is helping leaders elevate care by weaving mental, emotional, and social health into every part of camp life.
Click Here to Register
For questions about the info session, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.
For questions about the MESH(+) Seal, reach out to Nikki Alvarado-Hobbs, Program Director at Alliance for Camp Health, at nikki@allianceforcamphealth.org
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.

Coffee & Camp Chat
2026-01-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-11-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-10-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-26 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Coffee & Camp Chat is a bi-weekly space for informal, yet purposeful, discussion among summer camp people! Sip your favorite beverage as we share insights, swap stories, and discuss trends in camping. Cozy into your Friday with fellow camp folk while we brew ideas, forge new connections, and remind each other why there’s no place like camp!
For more information or to suggest a topic for a future Chat, email bud@acanewengland.org
Coffee & Camp Chat is free and open to everyone in camping!

PechaKucha Office Hours
2025-12-18 11:00 - 12:00 | MA
Programs drive camp — and new experiences make it unforgettable. Is your camp doing something awesome you want to share with fellow camp professionals?
Welcome to Program Innovation Powered by PechaKucha!
Camp is a shared experience, join us in continuing that tradition!
ACA, New England invites you to submit your program innovations to be included in our Saturday plenary. For full details and to submit your idea, visit our submission form. From counselors to directors, all levels of staff are encouraged to submit. Submissions are due by January 6, 2026.
Have some questions? Have an idea and want to get some feedback? Pop into our “office hours” on Thursday, December 18 from 11:00am to 12:00pm (eastern) to chat with members of our Conference Committee and learn more about how you can help shape innovation at summer camp!
Learn more about PechaKucha here.
Ready to submit? Click here!
Click here to register for the 2026 New England Camp Conference.
*Note: all related expenses for conference registration and session preparation and delivery will be the responsibility of the presenter unless otherwise requested by the presenter and agreed upon with ACA, New England. We do not want cost to be a barrier for first-time speakers or camp professionals looking to share a program innovation, so please reach out if you have any questions about this.
Want to chat with someone on the ACANE team? E-mail Gillian at gillian@acanewengland.org or call our office at 781-541-6080.

Coffee & Camp Chat LIVE!
2025-12-15 11:00 - 14:30 | Queen’s Head Pub, 271 Main Street, Bridgton, ME, 04009, United States
It’s not a Friday, but it is Coffee & Camp Chat!
Join EPIC New England and friends from Maine Summer Camps as they host a LIVE! edition of C&CC. The floor will be open to questions and topics about everything happening in summer camp: staffing, enrollment, programming, inclusion, accessibility, food, fun, growth, etc.

Part I – Challenges we’re facing and talking through solutions
Part II – Innovation at camp. What’s new at your camp and what’s coming next?
Part III – What did we miss? Circling back to “parking lot” items or continuing previous unfinished business.

When: Monday, December 15, 2025; 11am – 2:30pm EDT
Where: Queens Head Pub, 271 Main Street; Bridgton, ME 04009
Cost: $15 for members of ACA or Maine Summer Camps; $20 for non-Members
(fees go directly to providing food/refreshments)

Got questions? Feel free to contact bud@acanewengland.org
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Coffee & Camp Chat: STAFFING
2025-12-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Coffee & Camp Chat is a bi-weekly space for informal, yet purposeful, discussion among summer camp people! Sip your favorite beverage as we share insights, swap stories, and discuss trends in camping. Cozy into your Friday with fellow camp folk while we brew ideas, forge new connections, and remind each other why there’s no place like camp!
This week, we’re going to lead with and lean into staffing conversations. What’s good? What’s great? What needs work? Who are you looking for? How are you finding them? What are you pitching them? What are you hearing from them? What did we miss? Don’t say it, just bring it on Friday 12/12.
Coffee & Camp Chat is free and open to everyone in camping!

Interviewing with Intention, Part 1: Winterviews that Matter - Turning Returning Staff Check-Ins into Real Leadership Conversations
2025-12-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Interviewing with Intention: A Two-Part Series for Camp Hiring Leaders
Hiring is one of the most important responsibilities a camp director has – but the interview process is often underused as a tool for growth, learning, and leadership development. In this two-part series, Donna Johns-Thomas, SHRM-CP, founder of Indigo Consulting, explores how to make every interview count.
Part One helps camp leaders turn returning-staff conversations into opportunities for leadership building, skill development, and shared ownership of camp culture.
Part Two focuses on interviewing new staff — asking better questions, reducing bias, and using what you learn to shape stronger, more intentional pre-camp training.
Whether you’re hiring your 100th counselor or your first, these sessions will help you turn interviews into meaningful conversations that strengthen your team and your summer.
Winterviews That Matter: Turning Returning Staff Check-Ins into Real Leadership Conversations
Every camp has them – those quick, casual “returner interviews” that happen over coffee, a phone call, or in between school and finals week. Too often, these meetings feel like a rubber-stamp ritual: “You coming back?” “Great, see you in June.” But what if those conversations could be one of the most powerful tools you have for shaping next summer’s staff team?
In this session, we’ll flip the script on the returning-staff interview. Participants will learn how to make these discussions both meaningful for the employee and useful for the camp. The goal isn’t just retention – it’s growth. We’ll explore how intentional questions can help identify who’s ready for a bigger role, who might shine as a unit lead or pre-camp trainer, and who needs additional coaching or redirection before stepping into new responsibility.
We’ll discuss strategies for:

Asking questions that go beyond “Are you coming back?” to uncover motivation, self-awareness, and hidden leadership potential.
Using the returning interview to co-create professional goals for the upcoming season.
Spotting patterns — both positive and concerning — from a returning staff member’s previous performance.
Giving constructive feedback during re-hire conversations without killing enthusiasm.
Inviting returning staff to play a role in pre-camp orientation or peer mentoring, turning “veterans” into teachers.

Directors will walk away with sample questions and frameworks to help evaluate staff not just for rehire, but for leadership readiness. These interviews can also serve as a form of recognition — a way to signal that staff are valued, heard, and growing. When returning staff feel seen and challenged, they don’t just come back – they come back better. And your leadership bandwidth expands before summer even begins.
Registration Info:
When: Tuesday December 9, 2025; 11:00am to 12:00pm (eastern)
Where: Zoom (link provided prior to the start of the session)
Cost: $25 for Members; $40 for non-Members
Click here to register
Registration is non-refundable but may be transferred to another member of your organization. Registration in based on individual membership status.
About the Instructor

Donna Johns-Thomas, SHRM-CP, is the founder of Indigo Consulting, providing training, strategy, and HR-informed support for camps and youth-serving organizations. An HR-certified camp professional, Donna brings over 30 years of experience in camp, human resources, and professional development. She previously served as Director of Learning & Development for Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and as Director of Professional Development for the American Camp Association, New England. Known for her humor, clarity, and real-world approach, Donna helps camp professionals turn everyday challenges into opportunities for connection, growth, and stronger workplace culture. Her sessions combine insight, practicality, and just enough edge to keep things real.
Learn more about Donna at IndigoConsultingJT.com

What’s the Buzz On: What Does It Mean to be Gender Inclusive at a Single-Gender Camp?
2025-12-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
What’s the Buzz On: What Does It Mean to be Gender Inclusive at a Single-Gender Camp?
FREE for ACA members.
Please only register for this session if you work at/represent a single-gender camp.
Whether you attended ACA, New England’s Learnings from the Field – What Does it Mean to Be Gender Inclusive at My Camp? in October and want to dig into this conversation as a single-gender camp -OR- this is a question your single-gender camp is working through, we invite you to join us for a peer discussion session. During our time together, participants will have the opportunity to:

Discuss how you define gender at your single-gender camp;
Explore how you can prepare your camp to create a safe and welcoming environment for all; and
Share challenges and best-practices with others

While ACA, New England staff will moderate the conversation, we are not experts in the topic and will aim to create a forum for open and respectful discussion, crowdsourcing, and resource-sharing.
Come prepared to have your videos on, ask questions, and engage in dialogue. This session WILL NOT be recorded so plan to join us live!
Please only register for this session if you work at/represent a single-gender camp.
When: Thursday, December 4, 1 – 2 pm ET
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Questions? Reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator 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.

Accreditation Volunteer Course
2025-11-20 09:00 - 17:00 | Camp Sunshine, Casco, ME
ACA New England needs YOU to join an amazing team of volunteers! Join us for our next Accreditation Volunteer Course (formerly known as the Associate Visitors Course).
This course is an in-person training. Participants must attend all learning sessions over the timeframe to successfully become an accreditation volunteer. This course requires active participation and engagement.
ACA’s accreditation program is the only national peer review program of its kind for the camp industry. Being an ACA accreditation volunteer (visitor) provides you with the experience to build your network, polish your skills in observation and risk management, and develop mentoring opportunities for both you and the camps you work with. As much as you give to this experience, you’ll gain from new ideas, perspectives, and approaches to the mission-driven work of the camp industry.
To become an accreditation volunteer, please complete these steps:

Submit an Accreditation Volunteer Application (online)
Register for this Accreditation Volunteer Course (formerly known as the Associate Visitors Course)

Once you are registered for the course, you’ll be enrolled in the required online pre-course work. The online pre-course work includes the Accreditation Process Workshop so you are up to date. This online pre-work must be successfully completed in order to attend the Accreditation Volunteer Course. To become an accreditation volunteer, you must fully attend and participate in ALL parts of the training.
If this course date does not work for your schedule, when you complete the Accreditation Volunteer Application, you will have other live virtual and in-person course options to select from.
Additional steps:

Review the ACA Associate Visitor/Visitor Service Description.
Review and be ready to sign the Volunteer Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct.
Be a current ACA individual member (contact us if you have questions about this. We also offer a discounted membership rate for visitors).

The registration Deadline is November 13th, 2025. Pre-registration is required for this course.
There is an online portion that must be completed prior to the in-person portion of this course.
Click here to register
Cost: Free
When: Thursday, November 20, 2025; 9:00am to 5:00pm
Where: Camp Sunshine – 35 Acadia Road, Casco, ME 04015
Questions, reach out to Haillie Mousseau, Accreditation & Volunteer Coordinator, at haillie@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 100.
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.

Learnings from the Field - What Does it Mean to Be Gender Inclusive at My Camp? (RECORDED e-session)
2025-11-14 17:00 | Zoom
This is a recording of a live event that took place on October 16, 2025. This session will be available to view until November 14, 2025.
Many of your camps are exploring ways to support campers and staff across the gender spectrum. Learnings from the Field sessions are designed for YOU to hear from camps doing this work in the field, so we are bringing some of your camp peers together to discuss the prompt “What does it mean to be gender inclusive at my camp?”
We will explore what their camps are doing (including name/pronouns, gender expansive housing, private changing areas, etc.), how and when they made those decisions, any pushback or challenges, and what’s next as it relates to gender at their camp.
You will hear from:
• Cara Bergantino, Director Camp Encore/Coda, an overnight camp in ME
• Sara Clarke, Executive Director, Episcopal Conference Center, an overnight camp also offering family camp in RI
• Hunter Hamlin, Assistant Director, Mansfield Holiday Hill Day Camp, a day camp in CT
• Keri Wood, Director of Camping Operations, West Suburban YMCA, an association with two day camps and one overnight camp in MA
We are not experts, but practitioners. So, come to hear and learn from others and pose questions you might have.
This is a recording of a live event that took place on October 16, 2025. This session will be available to view until November 14, 2025.
Cost: FREE for ACA Members; $25 for non-Members
Attendees will receive 1 CEC for their participation.
Registration fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another attendee from your camp/organization by emailing gillian@acanewengland.org before the start of the program.
Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator 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.

Fall Seminar: Finding Your Niche – Effective Camp Marketing
2025-11-12 10:00 - 15:30 | Cedar Hill Day Camp, 265 Beaver St, Waltham, MA, 02452
***Online registration for this event has closed. If you’d like to join us, we can accommodate walk-in registrations on-site. Please email gillian@acanewengland.org to let us know to expect you.***
How was your camp’s enrollment this summer? Are you aiming for more campers (new and/or returning) next year and beyond?
All of your camps are businesses, so for this one-day seminar, we are going outside our camp industry bubble to learn alongside business coaches David Olchowski and Dan Callahan. Their course, 6 Steps to Build a Better Business – and 5 Ways to Grow it, explores key areas for business growth: Mastery, Marketing, Systems, Team, Synergy, and Freedom.
We’ll spend our time together digging into one of these areas – sales and marketing. Marketing, simply defined, is the activity of creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers to satisfy their needs and wants.
Together, you’ll explore effective concepts and strategies foundational to new customer (camper) acquisition and retention that you can adapt for your camp/organization, including:

identifying your Unique Selling Proposition;
diversifying lead generation (e.g. referrals, cross-promotion, online platforms);
measuring your efforts and improving your conversion rates;
mapping out the customer journey; and
increasing your profit margins

Throughout the day, there will also be time to hear what camps have been doing successfully, explore your real-world challenges in mini consultancy sessions, and create action steps for yourselves over the coming months.
Who is this program designed for? Camp leaders and other staff who make strategic decisions about marketing and enrollment.
Check-in will start at 9:30 am, with the program kicking off at 10:00 am.
Lunch will be provided and attendees will receive 5 CECs for their participation.

About our presenters:

David Olchowski, Owner and Head Coach
David had a very successful 30-year career in Connecticut aerospace manufacturing. He spent the last 15 years of his career as an executive with full P&L ownership in president and general manager roles.
Launched in 2020, David’s firm, Acadia ActionCOACH, is a team of certified business and executive coaches. He helps driven and energetic business owners, leaders and their teams grow their top line, increase their profits and have more fun doing it. The critical element to his success has been a focus on people: developing, coaching and mentoring others to succeed.
In the past 5 years, David has helped dozens of business owners and their teams grow their businesses by helping them understand how marketing and sales truly work at a practical level. Specifically, he has worked with camps and other seasonal businesses to understand how these principles apply in their environment. These businesses saw significant top-line and bottom-line growth.
Dan Callahan, Certified Business Coach
Dan has always had a passion for business and helping business owners. After graduating from Providence College with a degree in Business Management, he started his career as a Financial Advisor where he built a book of over 200 clients from the ground up, using a variety of sales and marketing strategies, a strong referral system and customer journey. He then transitioned this knowledge to work with travel agency owners to train their teams in sales and to develop and execute marketing strategies.
Over the past 5 years he has facilitated a plethora of group coaching programs & one-to-one coaching engagements. This includes several seasonal businesses, one of whom grew 40% year-over-year and another who built the systems and management team for the business to run almost entirely without them. Other clients saw as much as 300% growth and successful business secession planning.
About Acadia ActionCOACH
ActionCOACH is the world’s largest and most successful business coaching company. Acadia ActionCOACH is a team of certified business and executive coaches who are passionate about helping business leaders thrive by growing their top line, increasing their profits, and improving their operating efficiencies. Simply put: they help business owners with challenges around TIME, TEAM and MONEY using proven tools, methodologies and systems, tested and perfected over tens of thousands of businesses worldwide over the past three decades.
Registration fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another attendee from your camp/organization by emailing gillian@acanewengland.org before the start of the program.
Thank you to our event sponsor, Anchor Industries, for their support!

Resource Community Series: Mid-Career Camp Leaders (register to join starting in November)
2025-11-07 10:00 - 13:00 | ACA, New England/Zoom (depending on session)
While the first session of the group already happened in October, we are able to accept additional registrants to the group prior to the November 7 in-person meeting, if you are still interested in joining us!
A 201, intermediate level offering
For camp professionals who have been in director/leadership roles for 3-7 years and are looking to deepen and further develop their experiences, skills, and networks in the camping industry. If you have fewer than 3 summers of leadership experience, but feel that this group fits your level, reach out and let’s chat!
Building community with colleagues from a variety of camps throughout New England is an important part of staying connected in our industry. As you take on increasing responsibilities in your role, advance your skills and expertise, and look to deepen your professional networks, we invite you to join this cohort of like-minded colleagues. Join us for a series of monthly facilitated discussions (October to May) where you’ll have the opportunity to share ideas and resources, get feedback, troubleshoot challenges, and explore opportunities in a safe and professional space.
Topics will be flexible based on the group’s needs/interests, but may include:

Your personal mission and staying invested in camp
Growing your camp
Counselor hiring and retention
Setting your camp culture
Building a team you trust with the expertise you need
Industry trends

Mark Lipof, Director/Co-Owner of Camp Micah with over 40 years of camping experience, will facilitate the sessions. His role will be to encourage participant-led discussions, provide resources, offer observations and insights, all while keeping the conversation and session flow going!
(Both day and resident camp directors are welcome! As this cohort will be limited to 24 participants, we can only accommodate one director per camp at this time.)
This series is not designed to be a how-to, but an interactive discussion-based opportunity for directors looking to build their professional network and resource sharing as leaders. Sessions will not be recorded. For 2025-26, there will be two sessions in-person (one local to Lexington, MA and one at the New England Camp Conference in Manchester, NH), one hybrid session, and six Zoom sessions.
Meeting Schedule

Friday, October 17, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
Friday, November 7, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – In-person at ACA, New England, 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA
Friday, December 5, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – In-Person preferred, ACA, New England Office, Lexington, MA – OR – Zoom
Friday, January 9, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
Friday, February 6, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
Friday, March 6, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
Friday, March 26/27, In-Person during ACA New England Camp Conference in Manchester, NH (60-minutes, exact day & time TBD)
Friday, April 10, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
Friday, May 8, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom

Participants will receive 15 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for their full participation.
Trying to decide if this is a good fit for you? We’d say yes if you can prioritize and commit to attending the full series of sessions, have been in a director-level role for 3-7 summers, and your job responsibilities include key leadership functions such as overseeing staff teams (including HR functions and training); establishing policies for your camp/organization; setting and managing a budget; and being involved with strategic business decisions for your camp/organization.
Cost: $279 for ACA members/ $329 for non-members
We never want cost to be a barrier to you getting the professional development you need. Please reach out to kerry@acanewengland.org to discuss financial assistance opportunities. We are happy to help!
REGISTER HERE!
Minimum of 10 participants, maximum of 24 participants for program to run.
Registration is for an individual, for the full series and is non-refundable. Registration may be transferred to another individual from your camp/organization before the series begins.

About the Moderator:
Mark Lipof, LICSW
With over 40 years of camping experience as a camper, counselor, head counselor and camp administrator, Mark Lipof is now the Co-Owner and Founding Director of Camp Micah.
Mark graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and earned a High School teacher certification. He then graduated from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work with an MSW and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
Mark’s experience with youth is extensive and includes evaluation and counseling of at-risk youth and residential camp experience at most administrative levels. From 1990 – 2005, Mark held many positions at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline, MA, including Synagogue Administrator, Counselor, and Youth Director. In 1995, he became the founding Director of the Ansin Religious School of Ohabei Shalom. Mark currently serves on the Board of Directors of Maine Summer Camps and is a member of Maine Camp Experience and ACA, New England. He takes pride in the culture of acceptance and the importance of building resilience in campers at Micah.

Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator 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.

Reflecting on 2025 to Prepare for 2026 (A Chalmers Camp Insurance e-session)
2025-11-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Most camps have had a chance to look back on the summer—and many are already deep into planning for 2026. But as teams settle back into the day-to-day rhythm of the off-season—staff hiring, camper registration, and marketing—some of those great reflections and ideas from 2025 can get pushed aside. This webinar is a chance to bring those insights back to the forefront. We’ll revisit key themes from the past season that camp leaders should keep top of mind as they shape the year ahead.
*This program is offered by Chalmers Camp Insurance as part of their partnership with ACA, New England.*

Building an Outstanding CIT Program!
2025-10-24 10:00 - 15:00 | ACA New England Office, 80 Westview St, Lexington, MA, 02421
This course is now FULL
If you’d like to be added to a waitlist, please email gillian@acanewengland.org

Come spend the day evaluating your CIT program!
Fall is the perfect time to give this invaluable program the attention it needs each year. This workshop will include guidance on how to evaluate and reimagine your program. We all know how important our leadership training is and how it plays a major role in hiring in the future. Bring your curriculum, program and experiences to share and let’s get to work together.
Too often, we neglect to give this program the time and consideration it deserves. It is essential that camps do not overlook the importance of building and maintaining a strong CIT Program, as our best staff is there, in camp, in the making. Most importantly, the CIT participants need to experience and feel their summer experience is one of professional and personal growth and that being a camp counselor is an important step into their future endeavors. You will walk away with a more clear direction and solid program for summer 2026.
This workshop is for the most beginner to experienced CIT Director/Camp Director/Camp Professional.
What will you go home with by the end of the day:

How to thoughtfully evaluate your own CIT Program.
How to develop specific tools to build a stronger CIT Training Program.
How to identify and retain young leaders as high performing future staff members.

Join seasoned camp professional, Whit Ryan, for a hands-on day of reflection and action!
Click here to register!
About the Instructor
Whit Ryan has more than 35 years of experience in camping. She has served as Director of Staff Recruitment and Leadership Training at Wyonegonic Camps in Maine. Previously, Whit was a senior staff member at Alford Lake Camp, ME and director of Waukeela Camp, NH. As a career educator and founder and owner of Clearview Life Coaching, Whit focuses on working with schools and individuals to build stronger citizens and communities. She has extensive experience in building leadership training programs that will produce lasting benefits for camps. Whit has presented at both ACA National and New England conferences and the ACA Staffing Summit.
Info & Details
When: Friday, October 24 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Where: ACA, New England Office – 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA 02421
Cost: $85 for Members; $115 for non-Members
Please come prepared with any and all materials you will need for the day. If you are using a laptop/tablet, please be sure to bring a charger. Dressing in light-layers is recommended as temperatures may fluctuate.
Light snacks and lunch will be provided.
Registration is non-refundable, but may be transferred to another eligible member of your organization.
Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator 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.

Resource Community Series: Operationalizing DEI at Your Camp
2025-10-21 10:00 - 2025-11-18 11:30 | ACA New England Office, 80 Westview St, Lexington, MA, 02421
Has your camp been talking about or been doing preliminary work around belonging, diversity, inclusion (and similar concepts that may go by a variety of terms)?
Are you ready to take this work to the next level? If so, join ACA, New England and OAAARS for a year-long exploration into how to more deeply operationalize DEIB at your camp. This Resource Community will be a cohort model with monthly meetings from October to May.
Simone Gamble and their colleagues from OAAARS will ask you to identify a specific project to work on and using accountable structure and intersectional lens, they will guide you through a year of reflection and action.
This series is designed to be an interactive, live, discussion-based opportunity for you to grow your camp’s skills in this area while being guided by strong facilitators. This is a 201, intermediate-level offering.
The series will consist of two in-person sessions, 6 Zoom sessions, one informal in-person meet-up at the New England Camp Conference, and a presentation opportunity during an e-session hosted by ACANE in early May. Sessions will not be recorded.
Meeting Schedule

October 21, 2025: Zoom session, 10 am – 11:30 am
November 18, 2025: In-person session, 10 am – 2 pm – ACA, New England office, Lexington, MA
December 16, 2025: Hybrid session, 10 am – 2 pm (In-Person preferred) – ACA, New England Office, Lexington, MA – OR – Zoom
January 20, 2026: Zoom session, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
February 24, 2026: Zoom session, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
March 17, 2026: Zoom session, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
March 26 or 27, 2026: In person meet-up at the ACANE Conference, Manchester, NH – exact day & time TBD
April 14, 2026: Zoom session, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Week of May 5, dates/times TBD: Project e-presentation opportunity
May 12, 2026: Zoom session, 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Participants will receive 16 CECs for their participation in this program.
Series registration comes with one hour of complimentary one-on-one coaching with an OAAARS Consultant (a $200 value).
This series has a minimum of 12 and a maximum capacity of 24 participants.
Cost: $329 for ACA members/ $379 for non-members
We never want cost to be a barrier to you getting the professional development you need. Please reach out to kerry@acanewengland.org to discuss financial assistance opportunities. We are happy to help!
REGISTER HERE!
Registration is for an individual, for the full series and is non-refundable. Registration may be transferred to another eligible individual from your camp/organization before the series begins.

About the Moderator:
Simone Gamble is a NYC-based community organizer, educator, and social impact entrepreneur with deep roots in the South Bronx. A graduate of Hunter College and the Silberman School of Social Work, Simone’s work centers on social justice, youth empowerment, and creating safer, more equitable spaces. They have led workshops and trainings across the country for nonprofits, schools, and after-school programs, focusing on intersectional, anti-oppressive practices.
With over a decade of experience in the camping world—from counselor to Assistant Camp Director —Simone now consults with camps nationwide on aligning their practices with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) values.
They are the founder of OAAARS, a growing network of 90+ BIPOC consultants who bring expertise in organizing, art, education, and advocacy to support transformative change in workplaces and communities.

About OAAARS:
OAAARS is a BIPOC consultancy that leads social justice centered trainings and education to support organizations looking to create safer and equitable workplaces while also cultivating agents of change in the workplace and beyond.

Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator 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.

Coffee & Camp Chat
2025-10-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Coffee & Camp Chat is a bi-weekly space for informal, yet purposeful, discussion among summer camp people! Sip your favorite beverage as we share insights, swap stories, and discuss trends in camping. Cozy into your Friday with fellow camp folk while we brew ideas, forge new connections, and remind each other why there’s no place like camp!
FOR FRIDAY 10/10: As always, C&CC will be open to any/all questions, topics, musings, etc. around camp. However, we’re going to start Friday with highs from the summer. I want folks to show up prepared to share a moment, person, program, night, meal, etc. from this summer that you’d consider a “high”. It’s something you can build upon, or it’s the culmination of hard work, or it’s simply the thing that will keep you coming back for more camp. See you Friday!
Coffee & Camp Chat is free and open to everyone in camping!

Camp Season Rewind & Fast Forward
2025-10-09 11:00 - 12:00 | MA

Introduction to MESH (+) Seal: Virtual Info Session
2025-10-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
An Introduction to the MESH (+) Seal:
At a time when young people and adults are all longing to be seen, feel heard, and sense authentic connection, ACH is exploring the best ways to elevate care for healthier communities. Your desire to obtain the MESH(+) Seal helps us reach that goal by creating an opportunity to examine your program through a comprehensive well-being lens.
The MESH(+) Seal program recognizes camps and programs that intentionally evaluate and integrate Mental, Emotional, and Social Health(+) throughout their operations. MESH(+) Seal programs consciously incorporate practices and strategies that enhance mental health, emotional resilience, social development, and overall well-being in meaningful ways.
MESH (+) is a framework that strives to create intentional communities by integrating mental, emotional and social health into the personal and collective camp experiences. MESH (+) does this through providing resources and evidence-based models to camps for evaluation of activities (or ‘values’) in four key pillars (program, training, screening and medical).
The MESH(+) Seal application process serves as a valuable analysis and reflection framework as you develop your program’s comprehensive approach to camper and staff well-being. Join us so you can identify opportunities to become a part of the #MovementOfCare and to create and #EcosytemOfWellBeing in a meaningful way through current best practice.
This is a free virtual info session for camps who are interested in learning more about the MESH (+) Seal before applying. The submission window for applications is October 1, 2025 to March 1, 2026.
Join ACA, New England and the Alliance for Camp Health on October 8 at 2:00pm ET to explore how the MESH (+) Seal is helping leaders elevate care by weaving mental, emotional, and social health into every part of camp life.
Click Here to Register
For questions about the info session, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.
For questions about the MESH(+) Seal, reach out to Nikki Alvarado-Hobbs, Program Director at Alliance for Camp Health, at nikki@allianceforcamphealth.org
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 Learning
2025-09-26 09:00 - 15:30 | Online
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) offers free Youth Mental Health First Aid – Blended Learning opportunities throughout the year.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
CES has invited ACA, New England to share these classes with our members. Participants will complete 2 hours of self-paced online work in advance of the class, followed by a 6.5 hour group online class that will be held live online.
There are courses planned on the following dates with the live, online class being from 9:00 am – 3:15 pm:

September 26

For more information and to sign up, visit here.
Pre-registration is required at least a week in advance to ensure you have time to complete the required pre-work before the live session.
Participants will need to be present for the full live, online course with cameras and microphones on to receive credit for the training.

New Hampshire Camp Tours 2025
2025-09-16 10:00 - 2025-09-17 15:30 | New Hampshire
Online Registration for this event is now CLOSED. Should you wish to join us, please email kerry@acanewengland.org to see if we can accommodate you.
ACA, New England is excited to offer two days of in-person camp tours in New Hampshire this Fall, 2025!
Join us for one or both days to explore the properties and facilities at:

Tuesday, September 16: Camp YJ (overnight camp) (this is a last-minute change) & YMCA Camp Sargent (day camp)
Wednesday, September 17: Overnight Camps – Camp Glen Brook & Camp Takodah

After a busy summer, this is a great opportunity to slow down, reconnect with your peers and make new connections, all while touring beautiful camp properties to learn more about their programming and operational strategies. Each day of touring will include small-group discussions about programming, facility use, sustainability and environmental impacts, or anything else that comes up throughout the day. And, join us on Tuesday evening for happy hour at Lost Cowboy Brewing to continue the networking and connection!
When & Where:
Tuesday, September 16, 10:00am – 3:45pm (20-minute drive between camps)

Camp YJ (Amherst, NH)
YMCA Camp Sargent (Merrimack, NH)
Happy Hour at Lost Cowboy Brewing, 4:00 – 5:30pm

Wednesday, September 17, 9:30am – 3:15pm (30-minute drive between camps)

Camp Glen Brook (Marlborough, NH)
Camp Takodah (Richmond, NH)

Cost, 1-day/2-day:

Member: $70/$125
Non-member: $95/$170

Lunch and happy hour snacks are included in registration. Travel is not included.
We have a block of rooms secured at the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Keene at a rate of $168/night plus tax. Click here, or call the hotel directly at 603-354-7900 and use the group name “ACA, New England,” to book one of these rooms [Cutoff date for group booking is 9/1.].
Registrations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another eligible individual from your organization prior to the start of the event.
Thank you to IENA for their generous sponsorship of this event!
Questions, reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator 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.

CampWell
2025-09-14 15:00 - 2025-09-15 15:00 | Camp Wingate*Kirkland, 79 White Rock Rd, Yarmouth Port, MA, 02675
CampWell Level 2* Training
Creating a culture of wellbeing at camp
(Participation in Level 1 training IS NOT required for you to join Level 2)

The CampWell training program aims to help all be well at camp and seeks to create consistent care across the spectrum of all summer learning spaces. Made by camp people, for camp, people, CampWell is an interactive, experiential, multi-day training program that equips camp leaders to build a culture of well-being across every layer of their community. It is designed to help program directors and leaders identify, understand, cultivate, and create a community of well-being at camp by shaping trainings and programs that incorporate the tools, self-awareness, and understanding needed to enhance the experience and safety for all. CampWell delivers immersive learning, actionable tools, and a multi-tiered framework that strengthens individual, communal, and organizational wellness. The course is a collaboration between the Alliance for Camp Health (ACH) and American Camp Association, New England. Registration information and additional details are below.
To see the course outline, CLICK HERE.
Upon completion of the course, participants will have the content and resources necessary to incorporate CampWell into future staff trainings. Participants earn a CampWell Certification and receive four essential resources to level up staff training: the CampWell Level Two Curriculum (narrative form), CampWell Roadmap of cited sources, CampWell slide deck, and the ACH MESH (+) Resource Guide — a $200 value, all included with registration.
When ACA, New England offered this training in March 2024 it quickly reached capacity! This September 2025 offering may be the only time the training is offered in the region prior to summer 2026, so don’t wait too long to register!
The CampWell project definition for wellbeing at camp: Wellbeing is characterized by physical, mental, social, emotional, environmental and/or spiritual health, at the individual and organizational level. When all are well, they participate fully and contribute in the ways they choose because they are safe, supported, and connected.
The full CampWell training will include a pre-conference Zoom session and two days of in-person sessions at Camp Wingate*Kirkland in Yarmouth Port, MA.
Who is this training for? Program directors and leaders who will incorporate the concepts, skills, and tools they learn into their camp’s staff training for frontline summer staff. We highly encourage and recommend camps send two representatives so you can work together to implement what you learn at your camp!
When is the training? By registering, you agree to commit to attend the following:

Thursday, September 11, 2025: 3 PM – 4 PM ET, virtual pre-course Zoom session
Sunday, September 14, 3 PM – Monday, September 15, 2025, 3 PM in-person at Camp Wingate*Kirkland, 79 White Rock Rd, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675

If you’d like to arrive around 1PM, a camp tour will be offered at 1:30 PM before CampWell officially begins at 3 PM.

Lodging:

Shared bunks, based on gender identity, are included with the registration fees. Please bring your own linens. (If you have a special accommodation request, email us and we’ll see if we can meet your needs)
Should you prefer to stay off-site, we have a courtesy block at the Aiden by Best Western for the night of Sunday, September 14, $139/night + tax, payable directly by the participant (booking deadline: September 13, an additional fee of $10/per person will be added to rooms with more than 2 occupants). Rooms can be booked here.

The course has a minimum requirement of 20 participants and maximum number of 40 participants to run. We highly encourage and recommend camps send two representatives.
Cost:

1st attendee per camp: $350 ACA member/member camp; $399 non-member
2nd attendee same camp/organization: $250 ACA member/member camp; $299 non-member

Registration includes three meals (dinner, breakfast, lunch), snacks, and shared lodging in bunks. Participants need to bring their own linens unless other arrangements are made with the camp.
**Note: while most ACA, New England pricing is based on individual membership status, registration pricing for CampWell is based on CAMP MEMBERSHIP STATUS. If your camp is ACA member, please register yourself as such**
Click here to register!
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another participant from your camp/organization.
What are the levels of CampWell Trainings?

Level One: Frontline Summer Staff [Once you take Level Two, you’ll have the resources to provide Level One training to your own camp staff!] – When staff feel safe supported, connected, and are experiencing camp, participants have the ability to engage fully in the ways they choose.
Level Two: Program Directors, Directors, and Camp Leaders [This training will give you the resources and skills to adapt your camp’s staff training to build a stronger culture of well-being across camp. You do not have to participate in a level one to take this Level Two training.] – When camp leaders have participated in CampWell their staff will be safe, supported, connected, and contributing.
Level Three: Executives, Owners and Administrators – When owners and executives participate in CampWell they have the ability to foster a culture where all can be well at camp.

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

What people are saying about CampWell
As a pilot test site for CampWell, Sonlight Camp took away a solid set of tools to enhance the work of creating a healthy camp community. We got affirmation of practices that are rooted in our culture, and CampWell provided additional tools and language to address the growing mental, emotional and social health issues that we see in campers and staff members. Rocky Mountain has a unique opportunity this fall to engage in the work of ACH and be intentional about creating communities of well-being. – Mary Marugg, RN, WFR-Founding Director / Interim Director Sonlight Camp
We can prove with our 90% retention of staff that they feel well taken care of here. Our staff feel safe, supported, and connected. Without CampWell, our staff would quit. They were leaving and not coming back, and now they’re here. – Camp Behavioral Health Specialist (LCSW)
What we liked about CampWell is that it wasn’t a reaction to the mental health challenges, it was a holistic approach to well-being. It offered a path forward where we felt like we could build skills to actually prevent challenges from happening and give our staff and participants some resilience and skills in order to help them face challenging times. – Camp executive who has been part of the CampWell program for two years
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Why Send Two?
CampWell invites organizations to consider sending at least two individuals to maximize potential for impact. Investing in collaborative implementation not only demonstrates your organization’s commitment to the CampWell principles, it increases knowledge retention, reduces single points of failure, and encourages collaborative problem-solving and broader acceptance of cultural change within your organization. Training more than one staff member improves the likelihood of maintaining and sustaining well-being practices if/when your program experiences changes in staffing.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About the Instructors
John Hamilton, MA – John is a strategic leader in the camp and out-of-school time (OST) space. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer for the Alliance for Camp Health. John has a deep understanding of mental, emotional, and social health (MESH +) of youth and national program expansion. Prior to ACH he served as the national director for Camp HOPE America. John has an MA in Leadership and Cultural Justice, is the founder of the Outdoor Wellbeing Lab, and is a former executive director of a camp near Lake Tahoe.

Emo Castle is a dedicated nurse with over 30 years of experience, specializing in pediatric emergency medicine and camp health. As the Nursing Advisor for SeriousFun Children’s Network, she supports medical teams globally. Emo also serves as a board member for the Alliance for Camp Health helping to provide clinical resources for camps and youth programs. She is dedicated to youth mental well-being and is an active Mental Health First Aid instructor. When not working, Emo enjoys outdoor activities with her two teenagers, husband, and dog.

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.

Accreditation Volunteers Huddle
2025-06-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
New England Accreditation Volunteer Visitors, this huddle is for you!
Circle up with fellow visitors and accreditation staff. We’ll share news and updates, plus takeaways from last year’s visits. Then, share tips and tricks with each other to make your visits smooth and effective as you work with camp teams.
Part 1 (30 minutes)

Welcome/Introduction
Expectations of a New England Visitor
Tips/tricks/reminders about the Visit (what to expect, bring, remember, etc.)
Resources available and where they are
Update to scoring options this year
Pause for questions – if they’re quick, we answer. Otherwise, parking lot until the end.

Part 2 (50 minutes)

Case studies: Using the contents from the Accreditation Volunteer Course Part II, the group will join breakout rooms to talk through situations/scenarios/cases to practice for the summer.

Part 3 (10 minutes-ish)

We’ll rejoin the main room to report out questions, revelations, reminders, etc. that came out of these breakouts.

This beginning of this session will be recorded. New England Visitors may request access to the video in preparation for summer visits.
Click here to register!
Questions, reach out to Haillie Mousseau, Accreditation & Volunteer Coordinator at haillie@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 100
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.

Coffee & Camp Chat 5/23
2025-05-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Coffee & Camp Chat is a bi-weekly discussion among summer camp people! Sip your favorite beverage as we share insights, swap stories, and discuss trends in camping. Cozy into your Friday with fellow camp folk while we brew ideas, forge connections, and remind each other why there’s no place like camp!
Send any questions you’d like to address to bud@acanewengland.org and we’ll include them in the conversation.
ACCESS: C&CC is open to everyone in camping!

Youth Mental Health First Aid (blended course)
2025-05-21 09:00 - 15:15 | Zoom
As of 4/30/25 we have reached our maximum capacity of 30 registered attendees for this course. Please email gillian@acanewengland.org if you’d like to be added to a wait list if a spot opens up.
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 Friday, May 16
Live, virtual course from 9:00am to 3:15pm on Wednesday, May 21

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.
Instructors through Mental Health First Aid:

Joanne Dreher
Jameelah Bennett

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 9:00 am – 3:15 pm (pre-work must be completed by Thursday, May 15 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.
Registration Information: As of 4/30/25 we have reached our maximum capacity of 30 registered attendees for this course. Please email kerry@acanewengland.org if you’d like to be added to a wait list if a spot opens up.
*Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire program.*
A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 registered participants is required for the program to run.
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. Registration will be open until May 7, and all pre-work must be completed by Thursday, May 15 to ensure you are qualified to attend the in-person component of the program. As of 4/30/25 we have reached our maximum capacity of 30 registered attendees for this course. Please email kerry@acanewengland.org if you’d like to be added to a wait list if a spot opens up.
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 Coordinator at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.

Accreditation Volunteers Huddle
2025-05-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
New England Accreditation Volunteer Visitors, this huddle is for you!
Circle up with fellow visitors and accreditation staff. We’ll share news and updates, plus takeaways from last year’s visits. Then, share tips and tricks with each other to make your visits smooth and effective as you work with camp teams.
New England Visitor Huddle
Part 1 (30 minutes)

Welcome/Introduction
Expectations of a New England Visitor
Tips/tricks/reminders about the Visit (what to expect, bring, remember, etc.)
Resources available and where they are
Update to scoring options this year
Pause for questions – if they’re quick, we answer. Otherwise, parking lot until the end.

Part 2 (50 minutes)

Case studies: Using the contents from the Accreditation Volunteer Course Part II, the group will join breakout rooms to talk through situations/scenarios/cases to practice for the summer.

Part 3 (10 minutes-ish)

We’ll rejoin the main room to report out questions, revelations, reminders, etc. that came out of these breakouts.

This beginning of this session will be recorded. New England Visitors may request access to the video in preparation for summer visits.
Click here to register!
Questions, reach out to Haillie Mousseau, Accreditation & Volunteer Coordinator at haillie@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 100
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.

What’s the Buzz on Supporting International Staff this Summer? (Members only e-discussion)
2025-05-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
FREE for and limited to ACA members!
As you all prepare for the arrival of your international staff coming on a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, we know there is some uncertainty about what to expect and how to best support your staff as they arrive and spend the summer at your camp.
ACA, Inc. is hosting a Webinar, Navigating Immigration Enforcement Operations (ICE) and Exchange Visitor Visas (J-1) This Summer, from 2:00 – 3:45 PM ET on May 13 (FREE for ACA members) and we encourage you to attend if this topic is of interest to you/your camp.
Following this ACA, Inc. hosted session, we want to give New England camp professionals an opportunity to come together and reflect and share on this topic as well (attendance at the 5/13 webinar is not required to attend this session). Join us from 10 am – 11 am ET on Wednesday, May 14 for an open forum discussion around how you and your camp are preparing for your international staff this summer. During this time, we hope folks will:

Reflect on anything you may have heard during ACA, Inc. Webinar on May 13 (attendance at that session NOT REQUIRED to participate in this Buzz On session);
Have an opportunity to ask each other questions and hear perspectives from other camps; and
Share examples of what you/your camp have done or are planning to do leading up to summer 2025 as it relates to your international staff.

ACA, New England staff will be there to guide/facilitate the conversation, but this will be a participant-led discussion. Please come prepared to have your videos on, ask questions, and engage in dialogue with your peers.
Because this session is based on real-time dialogue, it will not be recorded. Please plan to join us live.
Questions? Contact Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator, ACA, New England, gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080.
