Climbing Wall Facilitator
2023-06-12 | Wyonegonic Camps, 215 Wyonegonic Road, Denmark, ME, 04022
Instructor: Adventure Mas
This course meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for Ropes Facilitator Training. For more information please read this article.
All training also refers to American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation Standards, Association for Challenge Course Technology Standards (ACCT), Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA) and Maine State Licensing Regulations.
Mike and his team at Adventure Mas are also available for building and inspections.
Climbing Wall Facilitator
Purpose: Learn facilitation techniques, belaying skills and safety for climbing wall structures. Gain knowledge in risk management.
Dates: June 12, 2023
Cost: $95

Camp Rifle Instructor Training Course
2023-06-12 08:30 - 2023-06-13 16:00 (America/New_York) | William Lawrence Camp, 139 Federal Corner Rd, Center Tuftonboro, NH, 03816
CAMP RIFLE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE
Begins Monday, June 12 at 8:30 AM
Ends Tuesday, June 13 at 4 PM or at the discretion of the instructor
Instructor: George Chase
Course Fee: $200.00
*Same curriculum as former CMP instructor course.
Please mail the registration along with a check payable to William Lawrence Camp to the address at the top of the registration form. An acknowledgement, with directions and course information, will be sent upon receipt of registration. If you have any questions, please contact us at (603) 569-3698 or knoll@wlcamp.org

Please register prior to May 31, 2023. Courses that do not meet minimum enrollment are subject to cancellation.
ROOM AND BOARD: All Course Fees include room and board. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow and stay in one of our cabins. We will provide three meals a day. Participants will be responsible for their own clean-up.
Please note that we will expect guests to follow ‘generally accepted camp rules,’ such as no alcohol or tobacco. All those attending certification courses must be COVID vaccinated. We ask that all those staying with us remain in camp until the completion of their course. Our intent in providing these courses is as a service to our camping community.

Waterfront Lifeguard Training - American Red Cross
2023-06-14 08:30 - 2023-06-16 16:00 | William Lawrence Camp, 139 Federal Corner Rd, Center Tuftonboro, NH, 03816
American Red Cross WATERFRONT LIFEGUARD TRAINING
Begins Wednesday, June 14 at 8:30 AM
Ends Friday, June 16 at 4 PM or at the discretion of the instructor
Instructor: TBD
Course Fee: $400.00
*Course includes American Red Cross CPR for the Professional and American Red Cross First Aid
Please mail the registration along with a check payable to William Lawrence Camp to the address at the top of the registration form. An acknowledgement, with directions and course information, will be sent upon receipt of registration. If you have any questions, please contact us at (603) 569-3698 or knoll@wlcamp.org

Please register prior to May 31, 2023. Courses that do not meet minimum enrollment are subject to cancellation.
ROOM AND BOARD: All Course Fees include room and board. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow and stay in one of our cabins. We will provide three meals a day. Participants will be responsible for their own clean-up.
Please note that we will expect guests to follow ‘generally accepted camp rules,’ such as no alcohol or tobacco. All those attending certification courses must be COVID vaccinated. We ask that all those staying with us remain in camp until the completion of their course. Our intent in providing these courses is as a service to our camping community.

Equine First Aid
2023-06-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Wyonegonic Camps, 215 Wyonegonic Road, Denmark, ME, 04022
Instructor: Dr. Tom Judd
Purpose:
Ideal for riding instructors & stable managers. A lecture on ‘What All Horse Handlers Should Know’ to prepare your riding staff for a healthy horse summer. Dr. Tom Judd will review treatment protocols of ill or injured horses. For over 25 years Dr. Judd has been the primary vet and consultant for Sarah Seaward, former Owner and Director of Camp Nashoba North. Expertly prepared handouts will include such topics as: Allergies and Bleeding, Colic, Fever, Foreign Bodies, Lameness, Hot Packing and Ophthalmic Application. Sarah and Dr. Judd will have time allotted for Q&A. This is a hands on lecture.
Dates: June 14, 2023 9am – 12pm
Cost: $90

National Archery Association – Level I
2023-06-14 09:00 - 18:00 | Wyonegonic Camps, 215 Wyonegonic Road, Denmark, ME, 04022
ARCHERY

Instructor: Lucy Morris, New England School of Archery and Supplies
Purpose:

To improve the safety and quality of archery instruction to individuals and small groups in a camp setting
To review archery techniques
To give instructors confidence in teaching
To learn to motivate and vary daily program
To care for equipment and make repairs
To comply with ACA Accreditation Standards and state licensing regulations.

Dates:

Option 1: June 14, 2023 9am – 6pm (includes lunch)
Option 2: June 15, 2023 9am – 6pm (includes lunch)

Cost: $225
Prerequisites: The minimum age for the Level I course is 15. However, when conducting an archery class, those under the age of 18 are required to have an adult (18+) supervision.
Certification: National Archery Association – Level I. Valid for three years from date of issue.
Note: Full attendance and participation is required. Mandatory online coursework must be completed – due 2 days prior to attending the in person training. Plan for anywhere from 3-8 hours to complete the pre-course work (time varies based on prior experience or familiarity with material). We plan to release access to the online training 2 weeks prior to the in person training.

LIFEGUARD TRAINING - Blended Learning with Waterfront Module (r.17) (ARC) (Includes First Aid, CPR for PR, AED) Updated 2017
2023-06-14 10:00 - 2023-06-16 17:00 | Winona Camps, 35 Winona Rd, Bridgton, ME, 04009
LIFEGUARD TRAINING – Blended Learning with Waterfront Module (r.17) (ARC) (Includes First Aid, CPR for PR, AED) Updated 2017
Wednesday, June 14th (10:00 AM) – Friday, June 16th (5:00 PM)
This course provides instruction in the necessary skills for an individual to qualify as a lifeguard.
Requires -Minimum age: 15; excellent physical condition and endurance – Pre-course swim test will take place in the POND: distance swim; timed swim / surface dive with brick retrieval; submerged swim.
THIS COURSE REQUIRES ONLINE WORK PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
Price: $395

WINONA TRAINING CLINICS INFORMATION
Course certifications document that a candidate successfully passed the requirements set forth by the American Red Cross (ARC), American Heart Association (AHA), the State of Maine, U.S. Sailing Association or Wilderness Medical Associates.
Certification is not a guarantee at our clinics. Instructors have sole responsibility in determining a candidate’s suitability for enrolling in a course and whether or not certification will be given or withheld, according to the standards of the governing organization. Winona will abide by instructor decisions, while assisting candidates to reach their goals. Most requirements for all courses are offered prior to, after, or within each course. Each course has a minimum number of participants required to conduct the course.
NOTE: All swimming course (Lifeguard Instructor, WSI) candidates are required to bring some type of wetsuit. This is in an effort to limit the problems caused by weather and pond temperature. Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructors should also bring a mask and fins as they are a required part of the ARC Waterfront courses. All courses which have a CPR component will receive a new pocket mask as part of the course fees.

WILDERNESS FIRST AID
2023-06-15 08:00 - 2023-06-16 17:00 | Winona Camps, 35 Winona Rd, Bridgton, ME, 04009
WILDERNESS FIRST AID (Wilderness Medical Associates)
Saturday, June 15th (8:00 AM) – Sunday, June 16th (5:00 PM)
This course trains counselors, especially trip leaders, in emergency first aid in wilderness environments. Basic ideas for medicine for the field, emphasis on practical skills, and realistic simulation exercises are included. This course includes Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) Adult CPR.
Requires-Minimum age: 18 (ages 16 & 17 may participate with written parental permission). REQUIRES ONLINE REGISTRATION WITH WMA. WINONA WILL PROVIDE LINK. SPECIAL NOTES: This course meets ACA mandatory Standard: HW-1C.
Price: $225

WINONA TRAINING CLINICS INFORMATION
Course certifications document that a candidate successfully passed the requirements set forth by the American Red Cross (ARC), American Heart Association (AHA), the State of Maine, U.S. Sailing Association or Wilderness Medical Associates.
Certification is not a guarantee at our clinics. Instructors have sole responsibility in determining a candidate’s suitability for enrolling in a course and whether or not certification will be given or withheld, according to the standards of the governing organization. Winona will abide by instructor decisions, while assisting candidates to reach their goals. Most requirements for all courses are offered prior to, after, or within each course. Each course has a minimum number of participants required to conduct the course.
NOTE: All swimming course (Lifeguard Instructor, WSI) candidates are required to bring some type of wetsuit. This is in an effort to limit the problems caused by weather and pond temperature. Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructors should also bring a mask and fins as they are a required part of the ARC Waterfront courses. All courses which have a CPR component will receive a new pocket mask as part of the course fees.

Level 1 Archery Clinic
2023-06-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Camp Cedar, 112 Camp Cedar Rd, Casco, ME, 04015
The Details
Location: Camp Cedar–112 Camp Cedar Rd Casco, ME 04015
Date: Monday, June 19, 2023
Cost: $175 p/person
Time: 9am-4pm
Food: Includes lunch
Email sammy.campcedar@gmail.com to regiser.

NE New Camp Director Workshop 6/22/23
2023-06-22 09:00 - 17:00 | Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club, 15 Talbot Ave, Dorchester, MA, 02124
Are you a new camp director or planning a career in camp ?
Join us for a FAST PACED day focused on the many topics of running camp. Staff training, supervision, hiring, firing, and so many more!
Come prepared to fill your brain and notebook with lots of useful information.
A team of experienced directors and consultants will lead workshops and provide invaluable materials and hands-on training scenarios.
Members: $80
Non-members: $105
Inquire about FREE membership with bud@acanewengland.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are taking this training to fulfill the Massachusetts Camp Licensing requirements for directors, please note you ALSO need to attend the training with the Department of Public Health. This training will be held in conjunction with Massachusetts Camping Association.
DPH Spring Education Sessions for Camps
April 28 – Becket, MA (REGISTER HERE)
May 1 – Waltham, MA (REGISTER HERE)

New England Resident Camp Tours - Vermont
2023-09-11 - 2023-09-12 | Vermont Camps
ACA, New England is excited to head to Vermont for this year’s Fall Resident Camp Tours September 11 & 12! Sponsored by – Stickersandmore.com and IENA

These tours offer attendees a chance to visit seven overnight camps in two days including:

Brown Ledge Camp
Camp Kiniya
YWCA Camp Hochelaga
Songadeewin & Keewaydin Dunmore
Farm and Wilderness (Tamarack Farm and choice of Timberlake or Firefly Song)

This is a great opportunity to see a variety of camp properties, experience how other organizations run their programs and facilities, re-energize by networking with peers, discuss lessons learned and hot topics from the past summer, and gain new ideas as your off-season planning begins.
The $179/member; $199/non-member registration includes two lunches. Travel, lodging, breakfast, and dinner are not included.
Day One: We will kick off at Camp Brown Ledge around 11am on Monday, September 11th, then head over to Kiniya for lunch & a tour, and finish the day touring YWCA Camp Hochelaga by 5:15pm.
Day Two: Things kick off at 9am with tours of Keewaydin, followed by Songadeewin, and end with a farm-to-table lunch and tours of a couple of properties at Farm and Wilderness in Plymouth, Vermont (Tamarack Farm and choice of Timberlake or Firefly Song). We will be wrapping up around 3:30pm on the second day.
HOTEL INFORMATION: We have secured hotel block for the night of September 11 at the Courtyard Marriott in Middlebury for a rate of $179/night until September 1st. Call 802-388-7600 to reserve your room, make sure to mention ACA, New England to get the group booking rate. You can also choose to stay at another hotel or AirBnB in the area.
While this event highlights overnight camp properties, folks from all types of camps are welcome to attend!
(Want to see even more camps? Check out our Day Camp Tours opportunity in Massachusetts on October 2 too!)

Thank you to stickersandmore.com & IENA for their sponsorship and support!

Coffee & Camp Chat - Season 4
2023-09-15 10:00 - 11:00 | New England Camp Community
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!
Topic for 9/15: Reflecting on summer. What worked, and what needs work? We’ll chat about the challenges and opportunities that popped up throughout the 2023 camping season.
ACCESS: C&CC is open to everyone in camping. However, we host these gatherings through the New England Camp Community (ACA, New England’s members platform). If you are not currently an ACA, New England member and you’d like to join us for Coffee & Camp Chat, please reach out to bud@acanewengland.org. He’ll help you with your one-time setup, so you can join us for all future chats.
HOW TO JOIN:
How to Find and Access Events (Video with Narration)
How to Find and Access Events (Step by Step Guide)
FOR NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS: If it’s your first time logging into the New England Camp Community, and you need help, please refer to our NE Camp Community page or email bud@acanewengland.org.

Coffee & Camp Chat - Season 4
2023-09-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Tradewing
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!
Topic for 9/29: Staff Culture and Expectations
ACCESS: C&CC is open to everyone in camping. However, we host these gatherings through the New England Camp Community (ACA, New England’s members platform). If you are not currently an ACA, New England member and you’d like to join us for Coffee & Camp Chat, please reach out to bud@acanewengland.org. He’ll help you with your one-time setup, so you can join us for all future chats.
HOW TO JOIN:
How to Find and Access Events (Video with Narration)
How to Find and Access Events (Step by Step Guide)
FOR NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS: If it’s your first time logging into the New England Camp Community, and you need help, please refer to our NE Camp Community page or email bud@acanewengland.org.

New England Day Camp Tours - Massachusetts
2023-10-02 09:30 - 15:15 | Massachusetts Camps
ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. Please call ACA, New England at 781-541-6080 to see if we can accommodate you if you’d like to join this program.
ACA, New England is excited to offer a one-day Day Camp Tours program in Massachusetts on October 2!
Join us to explore the properties and facilities at:

Hale Education (Westwood, MA) and
Everwood Day Camp (Sharon, MA)

This is a great opportunity to see camps while also learning about their programming and operational strategies (e.g. transportation and drop-off/pick-up) and networking with your peers. Lunch will be included.
The $69/member; $95/non-member registration fee includes lunch. Travel is not included (camps are approximately 25 minutes from each other).
We will start at Hale Education (check-in begins at 9:30 am) with the tour beginning at 10:00 am and will finish at Everwood by 3:15 pm.
While this event highlights day camp properties, folks from all types of camps are welcome to attend!
(Want to see even more camps? Check out our Resident Camp Tours opportunity in Vermont September 11 & 12 too!)

Hot Topics w/EPIC New England
2023-10-02 14:30 - 15:30 | Tradewing
Throughout the “off season”, EPIC New England hosts monthly drop-ins for Emerging Professionals In Camping to connect and share thoughts, questions, information, etc. around the topics that currently affect them in camping.
While hosted by EPIC, these conversations are open to anyone (EPIC, full-time, seasonal, veteran, etc.) who has insights or questions around the Hot Topic of the day.
Topic for 9/29: Staff Culture: what role does it play and what role do we play in staff culture at camp?
ACCESS: “Hot Topics” is open to everyone in camping. However, we host these gatherings through the New England Camp Community (ACA, New England’s members platform). If you are not currently an ACA, New England member and you’d like to join EPIC for Hot Topics, please reach out to bud@acanewengland.org. He’ll help you with your one-time setup, so you can join us for all future chats.
HOW TO JOIN:
How to Find and Access Events (Video with Narration)
How to Find and Access Events (Step by Step Guide)
FOR NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS: If it’s your first time logging into the New England Camp Community, and you need help, please refer to our NE Camp Community page or email bud@acanewengland.org.

EPIC, New England
Emerging Professionals In Camping (EPIC) is a kindred group within the American Camp Association for counselors, staff, and other camp professionals to connect and grow their careers in camping.
In January 2019, a group of emerging professionals in New England camping gathered at the ACA, New England office in Lexington, MA. Since then, EPIC, New England has continued to provide support, connections, and opportunities for anyone making that move into a camp career or taking another step towards their goals in the industry.
If you are someone passionate about a career in camping or a current camp pro looking for more growth and development, you are EPIC.

Resource Community Series: Business of Camp
2023-10-05 10:00 - 11:30 | ACA, New England/Zoom (depending on session)
Resource Community Series:
Business of Camp (200-Level)
**While the first session has passed, we still welcome new registrations to begin with the group in November.**
Have you been in a leadership role at camp for several years (think executive director, CEO, COO, camp director), understand at least the fundamentals of “business of camp,” and are interested in digging deeper to intentionally explore these areas with colleagues? If so, this resource community is for you! Discussion topics will include:

Budgeting and finances,
Risk management,
Human resource management,
Strategic planning, and
Marketing and camper recruitment

Through a series of monthly facilitated discussions (October to May), you’ll share and get feedback from others, troubleshoot challenges, and explore new ideas and tactics in a safe and professional space. Nick Teich, PhD, LCSW, founder and former CEO of Harbor Camps and owner of Fairwinds Consulting, LLC, will moderate the group. His role will be to encourage participant-led discussions, provide resources, and offer observations and insights, while keeping the conversation and session flow going!
This series is not designed to be a how-to, but an interactive, live, discussion-based opportunity for camp leaders looking to build their network and grow their skills. Sessions will not be recorded. 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 opportunity, and five Zoom sessions. The schedule is as follows:

October 5, 2023, 10 am – 1 pm, In-Person, ACA, New England offices, 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA
November 2, 2023, 9:30 am – 11 am, Zoom
December 7, 2023, 9:30 am – 11 am, Zoom
January 4, 2024, 9:30 am – 11 am, Zoom
February 15, 2024, 9:30 am – 11 am, Zoom
March 21/22/23, 2024, In-person at ACANE conference in Manchester, NH, 90 minutes (day/time TBD)
April 11, 2024, 10 am – 1 pm, Hybrid (in-person attendance at ACA, New England in Lexington, MA highly recommended),
May 2, 2024, 9:30 am – 11 am, Zoom

Cost: $269/ACA members; $319/Non-members. (Registration is for the duration of the series – eight sessions in total.)
REGISTER HERE!
Trying to decide if this is a good fit for you? We’d say yes if your job responsibilities include overseeing several of the bullet points listed above and you can prioritize and commit to attending the full series of sessions. Day and overnight camp staff are all welcome.
As space is limited to around 20 participants to ensure meaningful interactions, we can only accommodate one staff member per camp at this time. Participants will receive 14 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for their full participation.
If you are looking for more skill-based sessions or other resource communities, please look at ACA, New England’s event calendar or reach out to ACA, New England for help identifying other opportunities to meet these needs.

About the Facilitator
Nick Teich, PhD, LCSW, runs Fairwinds Camp Consulting, where he trains and consults with camps on a myriad of issues. In 2009 Nick started Harbor Camps, and, over the next 13 years, oversaw the purchase and renovation of its own lakefront property and grew it to more than 800 campers each summer. Nick has a master’s degree in social work from Boston College and a doctorate in social policy from Brandeis University.
Nick began his overnight camping career in Maine at the age of 10, where he subsequently became a CIT, counselor, and a member of the camp leadership. Prior to overnight camp, he was a day camper in NY. Nick is a member of the ACA-New England Board of Directors and Maine Summer Camps. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and two daughters.

Learnings from the Field: MESH Supports at Camps
2023-10-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Zoom
We know that mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) continues to be a topic of discussion for many camps as they explore ways to support staff and campers. Learnings from the Field sessions are designed for YOU to hear from camps doing this work in the field.
We will be joined by several camps who will share some strategies they have been implementing, including: Employee Assistance Programs, increased staffing models (community support teams, staff coordinators, and overall staffing), journaling for campers, and a serenity cabin. You will hear from:

Lisa Carter, Executive Director of Agassiz Village, an overnight camp in Maine
Emily Courtiss, Director of Camp Vega in Maine, an overnight camp in Maine
Amy Podolsky, Director of Camp Sewataro, a day camp in Massachusetts
Liz Turnwald & Jess Smith, Co-Directors of EVkids, an overnight camp in VT (the organization also runs school-year tutoring programs)

We are not experts, but practitioners. So, come to hear and learn from others and pose questions you might have.
Please plan to join us live for these sessions! If you cannot join live, please register and email kerry@acanewengland.org to request a copy of the recording, which will be viewable for 30 days following the event.
Registration fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another attendee from your camp/organization by emailing kerry@acanewengland.org before the start of the program.

Resource Community Series: Newer Camp Directors
2023-10-10 10:00 - 2023-11-14 11:30 | ACA, New England/Zoom (depending on session)
Resource Community Series:
Newer Camp Directors (200-Level)
**While the first session has passed, we still welcome new registrations to begin with the group in November.**
For camp professionals with 1-4 summers of camp director experience
(Both day and resident camp directors are welcome! As space is limited to around 20 participants, we can only accommodate one director per camp at this time.)
We know that building community with colleagues from a variety of camps throughout New England will help you feel supported as you move forward in your camping career. 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 discussions in prior years have included:

Building & supporting your team: recruiting, hiring, compensation & benefits, retention, training, evaluation
Behind-the-scenes: risk management, budgeting, technology, marketing
Being a leader: time management, hard decisions
Mental, emotional, and social health (MESH): policies, best practices, resources, self-care
Camp culture and tradition: exploring the “why,” innovating
Parent engagement: handbooks, communication, recruitment

Emily Golinsky, Founder of Bright Moose Training, Consulting & Advocacy, former Executive Director at Camp Starfish and a member of ACA, New England’s New Camp Director Workshop faculty, will facilitate the sessions. Her role will be to encourage participant-led discussions, provide resources, offer observations and insights, all while keeping the conversation and session flow going!
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 2023-2024, there will be two sessions in-person (one local to Lexington, MA and one at the New England Camp Conference in Manchester, NH) and six Zoom sessions. Exact session dates will be confirmed soon:

October 10, 2023, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – In-person, ACA, New England offices, 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA
November 14, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
December 12, 2023, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
January 9, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
February 13, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
March 21/22/23, 2024, In-person during ACANE conference in Manchester, NH (90 minutes, exact day & time TBD)
April 9, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom
May 7, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Zoom

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 1-4 summers, and your job responsibilities include at least a few of the following: overseeing staff teams, including HR functions and training; establishing policies for your camp/organization; setting and managing a budget; creating parent handbooks; and being involved with strategic business decisions for your camp/organization.
If you are looking for more skill-based sessions or other resource communities, please look at ACA, New England’s event calendar or reach out to ACA, New England for help identifying other opportunities to meet these needs.
Cost: $269/ACA members; $319/Non-members. (Registration is for the duration of the series – eight sessions in total.)
REGISTER HERE!

About the Facilitator
Emily Golinsky is the Founder of Bright Moose, LLC, which provides training, coaching, consultation and professional development to camps, organizations and individuals guided by the motto “Help Others Shine Bright!” Her professional background includes over two decades of year-round and summer camp leadership in both day and residential environments for children in crisis, special needs youth, and traditional campers, including 15 years as Executive Director at Camp Starfish (NH). Emily is a regular presenter at conferences and is active in ACA, New England, where she is a Lead Visitor, conference committee member, and member of the Faculty for the New Camp Directors Workshop. Emily is on the Board of Directors for NHCamps and is a contributor to Camping Magazine, ParentingNH, the Project Real Job Blog, and the Day Camp Pod. She holds a BS in Health Psychology and an MS in Camp Administration and Leadership. She is also an education advocate for youth with special needs and a certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Emily’s sense of humor and genuine warm connection to individuals comes through in her facilitation style. Fair warning: she is an avid collector of terribly awesome puns.

Coffee & Camp Chat - Season 4
2023-10-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Tradewing
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!
Topic for 10/13: MESH Supports at Camp – In light of our recent “Learnings from the Field”, let’s start by talking about Mental, Emotional, and Social Health for campers and staff.
ACCESS: C&CC is open to everyone in camping. However, we host these gatherings through the New England Camp Community (ACA, New England’s members platform). If you are not currently an ACA, New England member and you’d like to join us for Coffee & Camp Chat, please reach out to bud@acanewengland.org. He’ll help you with your one-time setup, so you can join us for all future chats.
HOW TO JOIN:
How to Find and Access Events (Video with Narration)
How to Find and Access Events (Step by Step Guide)
FOR NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS: If it’s your first time logging into the New England Camp Community, and you need help, please refer to our NE Camp Community page or email bud@acanewengland.org.

Resource Community Series: MESH Systems and Supports at Camp
2023-10-19 09:00 - 2023-11-16 10:30 | ACA, New England/Zoom (depending on session)
Resource Community Series:
MESH Systems and Supports at Camp (200-Level)
Have you/your camp been setting up mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) supports for your staff and campers or are you ready to take the next steps to do so? This series of monthly facilitated discussions (October to May) is designed to give camp leaders with decision-making responsibilities the space and support to dive deep into examining what your camp is already doing, identifying gaps, and setting intentions for future actions. For example:

Do you have staff dedicated to social/emotional support of campers/staff and if so, what is their role and how is it going? If not, what would it take to get you there?
What resources are in place in case of a mental health emergency or a crisis requiring urgent emotional/mental health support for your staff/campers?
What kind of MESH training does/should your leadership staff get each year? Counselors?
Have your staff expressed the need for more breaks or time off? What actions can you take?
How are your health forms/intake systems providing you with the information you need to best support campers and staff (or what needs to change)?
What innovative things do you want to try and how can colleagues help you workshop ideas?

Nick Teich, PhD, LCSW, founder and former CEO of Harbor Camps and owner of Fairwinds Consulting, LLC, will moderate the group. His role will be to encourage participant-led discussions, provide resources, offer observations and insights, all while keeping the conversation and session flow going!
Resource community participants should be in a role where they are responsible for making decisions about MESH programming and policy at their camp or have direct influence/input into that process.
This series is not designed to be a how-to, but an interactive, live, discussion-based opportunity for participants to have meaningful conversations about the MESH systems and supports at their camp. Sessions will not be recorded. 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 opportunity, and five Zoom sessions. The schedule is as follows:

October 19, 2023, 10 am – 1 pm, In-person, ACA, New England offices, 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA
November 16, 2023, Zoom, 10 am – 11:30 am
December 14, 2023, 10 am – 11:30 am, Zoom
January18, 2024, 10 am – 11:30 am, Zoom
February 15, 2024, 10 am – 11:30 am, Zoom
March 21/22/23, 2024, In-person at ACANE conference in Manchester, NH, 90 minutes (day/time TBD)
April 18, 2024, 10 am – 1 pm, Hybrid (in-person attendance at ACA, New England, Lexington, MA highly recommended)
May 9, 2024, 10 am – 11:30 am, Zoom

Trying to decide if this is a good fit for you? We’d say yes if 1) your job includes leadership responsibilities related to decision-making around mental, emotional, and social health supports to your camp community; 2) you have started this work or plan to take action by summer 2024; 3) you are excited to openly and honestly share your knowledge and perspectives with other camp in the resource community; 4) you can prioritize and commit to attending the full series of sessions.
As space is limited to around 20 participants to ensure meaningful interactions, we can accommodate one staff member per camp at this time. Participants will receive 14 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for their full participation.
Cost: $269/ACA members; $319/Non-members. (Registration is for the duration of the series – eight sessions in total.)
REGISTER HERE!
If you are looking for more skill-based sessions or other resource communities, please look at ACA, New England’s event calendar or reach out to ACA, New England for help identifying other opportunities to meet these needs.
About the Facilitator
Nick Teich, PhD, LCSW, runs Fairwinds Camp Consulting, where he trains and consults with camps on a myriad of issues. In 2009 Nick started Harbor Camps, and, over the next 13 years, oversaw the purchase and renovation of its own lakefront property and grew it to more than 800 campers each summer. Nick has a master’s degree in social work from Boston College and a doctorate in social policy from Brandeis University.
Nick began his overnight camping career in Maine at the age of 10, where he subsequently became a CIT, counselor, and a member of the camp leadership. Prior to overnight camp, he was a day camper in NY. Nick is a member of the ACA-New England Board of Directors and Maine Summer Camps. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and two daughters.

Coffee & Camp Chat - 10/27
2023-10-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Tradewing
Starting Point for 10/27: Summer Self-Care for YOU! We’ve spent a few chats talking about how we care for others. This time, let’s look at how we’re taking care of ourselves throughout the “camp season”.
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!
ACCESS: C&CC is open to everyone in camping. However, we host these gatherings through the New England Camp Community (ACA, New England’s members platform). If you are not currently an ACA, New England member and you’d like to join us for Coffee & Camp Chat, please reach out to bud@acanewengland.org. He’ll help you with your one-time setup, so you can join us for all future chats.
HOW TO JOIN:
How to Find and Access Events (Video with Narration)
How to Find and Access Events (Step by Step Guide)
FOR NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS: If it’s your first time logging into the New England Camp Community, and you need help, please refer to our NE Camp Community page or email bud@acanewengland.org.

What is EPIC, New England?
2023-10-27 14:30 - 15:00 | Tradewing
Join the leadership for Emerging Professionals in Camping, New England for an introduction and overview of the year ahead.

What is EPIC, New England? Where is it? Who is it for? How can engaging with EPIC? And why is getting involved with EPIC good for you and your camp?

The first half of this session will be recorded, so if you can’t make it, still RSVP so we can send you the recording link.

The second portion is reserved for Q&A. If none arise, we’ll host an impromptu Hot Topics to finish our Friday.

2023 ACA Staffing Summit
2023-10-30 - 2023-11-01 | Online
ACA Inc., ACA, New York and New Jersey, ACA, Illinois and ACA, New England are proud to present the 2023 Staffing Summit.
The 2023 Staffing Summit will feature critical learning, speaker panels, roundtables and engaging sessions spanning three days. The virtual delivery of the conference increases the benefits of convenience and value while preserving the great networking and timely information which are hallmarks of ACA conferences. We will share practical solutions around addressing the staffing shortage, innovative ways to recruit staff and best practices for staff retention.
The 2023 Staffing Summit will offer 45 sessions on out of the box ways to connect with staff, virtual job fairs and interviewing, recruiting specialized staff, and so much more. Session recordings will be available to attendees until December 1. Each day will have featured speakers, keynote presentations from industry thought leaders and networking opportunities to share resources and ideas. Don’t miss one of the most important events of the season!
EARLY BIRD PRICE: Members $75 / Non-members $150 (Through October 1)
REGULAR PRICES: Members $100 / Non-members $200 (After October 1)
Student and EPIC pricing available. See event page for details.
Call for Presenters
The Staffing Summit Committee is now accepting session proposals for the 2023 Staffing Summit. Proposals will be accepted through September 8. Please complete the session proposal form, linked below:
Session Proposal Form
Please send questions to Erin Flores, eflores@ACAcamps.org

Hot Topics with EPIC, New England
2023-11-06 14:30 - 15:30 | Tradewing
TOPIC FOR NOVEMBER: Staffing – on the heels of the ACA Staffing Summit, let’s dig into staffing. Do folks have takeaways from the Staffing Summit? Where do we hire? How do we hire? When do we hire? How do we onboard? How do we staff programs? What do we pay staff? How do we calculate compensation?
Throughout the “off season”, EPIC New England hosts monthly drop-ins for Emerging Professionals In Camping to connect and share thoughts, questions, information, etc. around the topics that currently affect them in camping.
While hosted by EPIC, these conversations are open to anyone (EPIC, full-time, seasonal, veteran, etc.) who has insights or questions around the Hot Topic of the day.
ACCESS: “Hot Topics” is open to everyone in camping. However, we host these gatherings through the New England Camp Community (ACA, New England’s members platform). If you are not currently an ACA, New England member and you’d like to join EPIC for Hot Topics, please reach out to bud@acanewengland.org. He’ll help you with your one-time setup, so you can join us for all future chats.
HOW TO JOIN:
How to Find and Access Events (Video with Narration)
How to Find and Access Events (Step by Step Guide)
FOR NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS: If it’s your first time logging into the New England Camp Community, and you need help, please refer to our NE Camp Community page or email bud@acanewengland.org.

EPIC, New England
Emerging Professionals In Camping (EPIC) is a kindred group within the American Camp Association for counselors, staff, and other camp professionals to connect and grow their careers in camping.
In January 2019, a group of emerging professionals in New England camping gathered at the ACA, New England office in Lexington, MA. Since then, EPIC, New England has continued to provide support, connections, and opportunities for anyone making that move into a camp career or taking another step towards their goals in the industry.
If you are someone passionate about a career in camping or a current camp pro looking for more growth and development, you are EPIC.

Fall Seminar - Preventing and Managing Abuse Allegations at Camp
2023-11-07 10:00 - 15:30 | Cedar Hill Day Camp, 265 Beaver St, Waltham, MA, 02452
Abuse allegations can and do happen everywhere and camps need to be prepared.
Join us for a day of learning as insurance specialists Katie Johnson and Meredith Bunnel from the Redwoods Group and public relations expert Janet Prensky of Aigner/Prensky Marketing Group explore:

Exploring what is abuse and how the landscape has changed over the past 20 years;
Looking at statue of limitation laws and what that means for camps;
Establishing proactive prevention strategies (from supervision to HR and personnel policies);
Learnings from abuse-related insurance claims;
Responding to allegations against your camp – including historical or current; and
Utilizing communication and PR tactics to protect your brand.

This program is designed for camp staff and board members in leadership roles who influence camp policies and procedures and want to gain a better understanding of this topic.
Check-in will start at 9:30 am, with the program kicking off at 10:00 am.
Lunch will be provided and you will earn 5 CECs for your participation in the seminar.
About Our Presenters:
Meredith Bunnel, JD, MPP, Director of Consulting, The Redwoods Group
Meredith has 15+ years of youth protection and advocacy experience, and is currently the Director of Consulting for The Redwoods Group, managing the team of consultants working nationwide to reduce risk and enhance the culture of safety in youth and community serving organizations. Prior to joining Redwoods, Meredith practiced law, specializing in domestic violence and child abuse prosecution before serving as court-appointed counsel representing youth and families in the juvenile justice and foster care systems. Meredith lives in Durham, NC, sits on the International Institutional Abuse Prevention Roundtable convened by SCAN, serves on the board executive committee and management teams for two local non-profits, and also teaches Child Advocacy for the graduate program at the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy.

Katie Johnson, Senior Consultant, The Redwoods Group
Katie Johnson has spent 20+ years as a youth development professional working with both overnight & day camp programs, including eight years with the American Camp Association. Katie’s experience as a camp director and camp executive has shaped her ability to serve the camp community. Katie joined The Redwoods Group in 2016, where she is sharing her professional experiences to help camps and youth serving organizations provide safe environments and programs for children and families.

Janet Prensky, Principal – Director of Public Relations, Aigner Prensky Marketing Group
Janet Prensky has more than 40 years of experience managing public relations and crisis PR for a wide range of clients including the American Camp Association, New England, British Airways, Simon Malls, Shaws Supermarkets, Mount Auburn Hospital, CBS Radio, the Charles Hotel, the NE Flower Show, Juvenile Diabetes, and Panera Bread. She serves on the Boards of two non-profit organizations, Operation A.B.L.E. and Birthday Wishes and was Boston’s first female sports talk host, launching WEEI Sports Radio as co-host of the Glenn and Janet Show.

NE Accreditation Process Workshop 11/9/23
2023-11-09 09:30 - 12:30 | Camp Hazen YMCA, 204 W Main St, Chester, CT, 06412
This course is designed to provide an overview of the ACA Accreditation Process.
Every camp being visited in 2024 must have at least one person who completes this course on behalf of the camp; that person must actively assist in preparation for the accreditation visit, be engaged in on-site operations during the camp season, and participate fully in the on-site accreditation visit.
*Multiple people from a camp are encouraged to take this course.
Participants feel excited, engaged, and ready to manage the accreditation process for their camp. They know where to find and how to use information, resources, and technology provided by ACA. They can navigate the Accreditation Process Guide v.2019 to understand compliance and applicability of standards, including how to maintain accreditation through the visit and non-visit years and the purpose and steps of preparing written documentation.

This course will occur In Person

Contact Us

Questions?
Contact Elizabeth Snell
elizabeth@acanewengland.org
781-541-6080

Coffee & Camp Chat - 11/9
2023-11-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Tradewing
NOTE: This C&CC is on a THURSDAY. We are closed, Friday (11/10) in observance of Veteran’s Day.
Starting Point for 11/9: Staffing – on the heels of the ACA Staffing Summit, let’s dig into staffing. Do folks have takeaways from the Staffing Summit? Where do we hire? How do we hire? When do we hire? How do we onboard? How do we staff programs? What do we pay staff? How do we calculate compensation?
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!
ACCESS: C&CC is open to everyone in camping. However, we host these gatherings through the New England Camp Community (ACA, New England’s members platform). If you are not currently an ACA, New England member and you’d like to join us for Coffee & Camp Chat, please reach out to bud@acanewengland.org. He’ll help you with your one-time setup, so you can join us for all future chats.
HOW TO JOIN:
How to Find and Access Events (Video with Narration)
How to Find and Access Events (Step by Step Guide)
FOR NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS: If it’s your first time logging into the New England Camp Community, and you need help, please refer to our NE Camp Community page or email bud@acanewengland.org.

November CCA Program- Grant Writing
2023-11-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Camp Hazen YMCA, 204 W Main St, Chester, CT, 06412
November CCA Program- Grant Writing
Join us at Camp Hazen YMCA in learning from Nora Lee about how to write effect grants. November 13 -11:30-1pm. Bring your own lunch.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER- NORA LEE
Raised in Connecticut as a summer camp kid, Nora got her start in the nonprofit world as a camp counsellor over a decade ago. Her summers at Camp Hazen ignited a passion for organizations that empower youth and connect with nature. This passion led Nora to work as a Zoo Educator, pursue a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, and eventually launch her own consulting practice: Lee Nonprofit Consulting. Throughout this, Nora has worked closely with grant-making organizations to help build review and decision capacities, giving her a deep understanding of what grant-makers are looking for. Now based in Massachusetts, Nora shares her unique perspective and expertise with nonprofits throughout New England and beyond. Through Lee Nonprofit Consulting, she works with youth and environmental organizations to help them make the most of their missions and inspire the next generation.

Associate Visitor Course Fall 2023
2023-11-15 09:00 - 18:00 | Brookwoods / Deer Run, 34 Camp Brookwoods Rd, Alton, NH, 03809
ACA New England needs YOU to join an amazing team of volunteers! Join us for our next Associate Visitor 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 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.

Additional Information

Contact Elizabeth Snell, Director of Accreditation Services, with questions.
Course will be held in person.
Preregistration for this course is required.
Lunch is provided.
Registration Deadline is November 8, 2023.
There is an online portion that must be completed prior to the in person portion of this course.

Hot Topics with EPIC, New England - December 2023
2023-12-04 14:30 - 15:30
Topic for December: TBD. Email suggestions to bud@acanewengland.org
Throughout the “off season”, EPIC New England hosts monthly drop-ins for Emerging Professionals In Camping to connect and share thoughts, questions, information, etc. around the topics that currently affect them in camping.
While hosted by EPIC, these conversations are open to anyone (EPIC, full-time, seasonal, veteran, etc.) who has insights or questions around the Hot Topic of the day.
ACCESS: “Hot Topics” is open to everyone in camping. However, we host these gatherings through the New England Camp Community (ACA, New England’s members platform). If you are not currently an ACA, New England member and you’d like to join EPIC for Hot Topics, please reach out to bud@acanewengland.org. He’ll help you with your one-time setup, so you can join us for all future chats.
HOW TO JOIN:
How to Find and Access Events (Video with Narration)
How to Find and Access Events (Step by Step Guide)
FOR NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS: If it’s your first time logging into the New England Camp Community, and you need help, please refer to our NE Camp Community page or email bud@acanewengland.org.

EPIC, New England
Emerging Professionals In Camping (EPIC) is a kindred group within the American Camp Association for counselors, staff, and other camp professionals to connect and grow their careers in camping.
In January 2019, a group of emerging professionals in New England camping gathered at the ACA, New England office in Lexington, MA. Since then, EPIC, New England has continued to provide support, connections, and opportunities for anyone making that move into a camp career or taking another step towards their goals in the industry.
If you are someone passionate about a career in camping or a current camp pro looking for more growth and development, you are EPIC.

EPIC, New England Holiday Hangout 2023 - NH
2023-12-05 11:00 - 14:00
2023 EPIC, New England Holiday Hang – NH
What – Annual Holiday Hangout
Who – EPICs, friends of EPIC, people curious about EPIC
Where – Tuckerman Brewing Company, NH
When – Mid-day on Tuesday, December 5
Why – Engage EPICs, meet other camp people, connect with old acquaintances, participate in breakout discussion groups, and walk away with new ideas, new friends, and a positive spirit heading into the holidays.
Program:

Ice Breakers
Breakout Discussion Groups
Networking Time
Holiday Gear Contest
Raffle

ACA Members: $10
Non-members: $15
Not a member? Reach out to Bud@acanewengland.org to learn about ACA’s Free Membership

EPIC, New England
Emerging Professionals In Camping (EPIC) is a kindred group within the American Camp Association for counselors, staff, and other camp professionals to connect and grow their careers in camping.
In January 2019, a group of emerging professionals in New England camping gathered at the ACA, New England office in Lexington, MA. Since then, EPIC, New England has continued to provide support, connections, and opportunities for anyone making that move into a camp career or taking another step towards their goals in the industry.
If you are someone passionate about a career in camping or a current camp pro looking for more growth and development, you are EPIC.
