Coffee & Camp Chat 2/28
2025-02-28 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | 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!

Hot Topics w/ EPIC 3/3
2025-03-03 14:30 - 15:30 | Zoom
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.
Got Hot Topics you want to address? Questions you want to ask? Stories you want to share? Email bud@acanewengland.org and we’ll get them on the agenda.

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.

Coffee & Camp Chat 3/14
2025-03-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom

New Camp Director Workshop 3/26/25
2025-03-26 08:30 - 18:00 | DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St, Manchester, NH, 03101
Online Registration is now closed and the course has reached capacity. However, we do want to try and accommodate you if possible. If you would like to join us, email kerry@acanewengland.org and she will confirm if we can add you as a walk-in attendee.
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!
A team of experienced directors and consultants will lead workshops and provide invaluable materials and hands-on training scenarios.
Come prepared to fill your brain and notebook with lots of useful information.

Cost: $105 for members, $125 for non-members.
Where & When: DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown; March 26, 2025 from 8:30am to 6:00pm. [Check-in starts at 8 am and the course will begin promptly at 8:30 am.]
Lunch is included with registration (more details to come).
Click here to register
This is a pre-conference offering in conjunction with the 2025 New England Camp Conference
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 in the Spring.

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 3/26/25
2025-03-26 09:00 - 18:00 | Goffstown YMCA, 116 Goffstown Back Road, Goffstown, NH, 03045, United States
*Due to pre-work requirements, registration for this course is closed, but we encourage you to sign up for our Accreditation Volunteer Course in CT on April 23.*
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 March 12, 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
Where & When: Goffstown YMCA, 116 Goffstown Back Road, Goffstown, NH 03045; March 26, 2025 from 9:00am to 6:00pm

In conjunction with the New England Camp Conference, this course will be held in person as part of our pre-conference programming. To register for the NE Camp Conference, click here.

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.

2025 New England Camp Conference
2025-03-27 09:00 - 2025-03-29 15:30 | DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St, Manchester, NH, 03101
The New England Camp Conference brings over 800 attendees from 250+ camps around New England together for three days of learning and networking with dynamic speakers, established industry experts, and each other! Click here for more details and registration information.

Hot Topics w/ EPIC 4/7
2025-04-07 14:30 - 15:30 | Zoom

Coffee & Camp Chat 4/11
2025-04-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom

Accreditation Volunteer Course 4/23/25
2025-04-23 09:00 - 18:00 | Camp Hazen YMCA, 204 W Main St, Chester, CT, 06412
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 April 15, 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
Where & When: Camp Hazen, 204 W Main St, Chester, CT 06412, April 23, 2025 from 9:00am to 6:00pm
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 Volunteers Huddle
2025-04-24 14:30 - 16:00 | 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.
The first 30 minutes will cover expectations of a New England Visitor, tips/tricks/reminders for Visit prep, and common or perennial challenges/things to remember.
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.

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 4/25
2025-04-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom

Aquatics Risk Management
2025-04-28 10:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Aquatic Risk Management for Camp Pools and Waterfronts
Dr. Rachel Griffiths and Dr. Tom Griffiths of the Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC are proud to offer a unique program for ACA members. This 3-hour, fast paced seminar offers a variety of Proactive Prevention Strategies from numerous sources to make aquatic activities at campgrounds safer and more enjoyable. Suggestions for improved lifeguard surveillance as well as more efficient Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) will be offered. Safer design considerations will also be discussed. Best practices developed through hundreds of inspections of pools and waterfronts around the globe will be presented. The strategies offered will be practical, effective, and affordable.
About the Instructors

Dr. Rachel Griffiths is the director of research and education for Aquatic Safety Research Group. She is also the President of Note and Float Life Jacket Fund, which donates life jackets to aquatic facilities implementing the Note & Float program. Rachel conducts research and publishes water safety articles, teaches Aquatic Risk Management seminars, and has conducted inspections and written reports for a myriad of aquatic facility audits throughout the country. She is a recipient of the Aquatics International Power 25 Award. Rachel authored the 3rd edition of The Complete Swimming Pool Reference. She received a Doctorate Degree in Public Health from Loma Linda University

Dr. Tom Griffiths is the President and Founder of Aquatic Safety Research Group. Recognized as an international leader in water safety, he has spent 38 years teaching, coaching and managing aquatics at three major universities. Griffiths has produced videos, textbooks, articles, and presentations in various areas of aquatics focusing his efforts on safety. He has also conducted hundreds of aquatic facility and beach inspections across the nation and abroad and teaches full day Aquatic Risk Management seminars. Perhaps his most significant contributions are the Five Minute Scanning Strategy©, Griff’s Guard Stations©, Disappearing Dummies, his research on Shallow Water Blackout, and the National Note & Float program. In 2024, he released his memoir Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Chronicles and lifeguard detection app Dr. Tom’s Lifeguard Vision. He has been an aquatic safety expert for more than 40 years and shares his knowledge, expertise, and experience worldwide, including appearances on 60 Minutes Australia, Inside Edition, NPR, and many other TV and radio programs. He received his Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Maryland.
Registration Information
When: Monday, April 28 from 10:00am to 1:00pm (eastern)
Where: Online. Participants will receive a Zoom link no later than 24-hours prior to the start of the event
Cost: $85 for members; $105 for non-Members
Click here to register.
This session will be recorded. Access to the recording is included with registration.
Registration is non-refundable but may be transferred to another person from your organization.
Questions: Reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.

Introduction to MESH (+) Seal: Virtual Info Session
2025-04-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
An Introduction to the MESH (+) Seal:
During this webinar attendees will identify the challenges facing the industry. At a time when young people and adults are all longing to be seen, feel heard, and sense authentic connection, ACH is providing education to elevate care for healthier communities and the MESH (+) Seal will help your program reach that goal.
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).
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 the application portal opens in the Fall.
Join ACA, New England and the Alliance for Camp Health on April 30 at 10:00am 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
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.

Counseling Skills for a New Age
2025-05-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Summer’s Edge at Camp Thoreau, 275 Forest Ridge Road, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join veteran staff trainer, longtime camp cheerleader and friend, and 2025 New England Camp Conference Keynote Speaker Bob Ditter, who has agreed to step out of his camp retirement to lead an exciting and powerful in-person day of staff training for Directors and Head Staff.
This experiential workshop is loaded with practical tips and activities to help you prepare your staff to give your kids the best summer ever. You will walk away with basic counseling skills and how to impart them to your staff in fun, exciting, and memorable ways.
By the end of the day, you will know:

The 5 mistakes most adults make with children
How to help staff develop buy-in with their campers
The 3 levels of discipline
How to set limits and boundaries, and what the difference is
How to deal with anxiety and panic attacks
De-escalation strategies
How to help co-counselors work better together

and more!
This will be an action packed, highly informative day.
About the Presenter

Bob Ditter is a highly respected child, adolescent and family therapist in Boston who has worked nationally and internationally with people who work with children. Since 1982 Bob has conducted staff and leadership training at over 600 camps throughout the United States and Canada.
Bob Ditter has written some of the best-loved and most influential camp leadership texts on the planet, including Summer Camp Rules, Next Generation Camp Leadership, Camp Matters – By the Experts, and In the Trenches. His articles in Camping Magazine, which span from 1986 to 2021, were some of the most popular and widely read among camp professionals everywhere.
Bob has been quoted in The New York Times, The Ladies Home Journal, Parent Magazine, USA Today and The Boston Globe, to name a few. Sports Illustrated called him “camping’s most articulate spokesperson.” He has also appeared on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and the ABC Evening News. He served as consultant to America’s Camp, the camp for the children whose parents were killed in the planes and Twin Towers in 2001. Bob retired from his camp related work in 2020 to focus on his psychotherapy practice.

Bob Ditter, Lisa Fortenberry, and Chris Burke at the 2025 NECC Keynote fire-side chat
Registration Information
When: Friday, May 2, 2025. Check-in/networking opens at 9:30am. The event runs from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Lunch is provided.
Where: Summer’s Edge at Camp Thoreau, 275 Forest Ridge Road, Concord MA, 01742
Cost:
For members: $110 for your first attendee, $90 for each additional attendee
For non-members: $140 for your first attendee, $120 for each additional attendee
Click here to register.
If registration is closed, we can likely still accommodate you – please send an email to gillian@acanewengland.org
Registrations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another attendee from your camp/organization. If you need to transfer your registration, please reach out to ACA, New England at 781-541-6080.
Send multiple people from your camp to save!
Participants will earn 4.5 CECs
For more information, reach out to Gillian, Events & Logistics Coordinator at ACA, New England, 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.

Think Like an OT: Using Occupational Therapy to Support Camp Staff
2025-05-05 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Your staff need support!
Do you ever find yourself repeatedly asking your staff to set up their programming? To use common sense with their campers? To follow the protocols you so carefully explained during staff training? Do you find yourself wishing your staff would just DO something?
If so, this training is for you.
Generations Z and Alpha report higher rates of anxiety than previous generations, especially at work. They also approach their work from a different perspective than Millennials and Gen X. Both of these factors can create conflict throughout the summer. Conflict, in turn, increases staff’s anxiety and activates the stress response system.
When the stress response system is activated for too long, it can shut down parts of the brain responsible for executive functioning, creativity, and problem solving… all important skills for doing well at camp!
Of course they’re struggling to do their jobs; parts of their brains are switched off! How do we switch their brains back on?
Supervisors need to start providing support for staff’s nervous systems.
Using evidence-based occupational therapy techniques, this workshop teaches supervisors and organizational leadership how to support their staff’s nervous systems and bring out the best in them, all summer long. Participants will learn how the stress response system works, how it uniquely impacts this summer’s staff, and will begin to make an action plan for how to maintain support for their staff throughout the summer.
Meet the Instructor

Hi, I’m Haley Pogachefsky, OTD, OTR/L
As a longtime camper and staff member at Hidden Valley Camp, I am a strong believer in the powerful development that happens for kids and young adult staff in a summer camp setting. As I entered into my graduate degree in occupational therapy in 2021, I saw changes in how staff were engaging with their camp experience. I was curious to learn more.
I believe thinking like an occupational therapist is a superpower. As my OT doctoral research, I developed a series of workshops to help camp employers and supervisors think like OTs to support their young adult staff’s critical thinking, well-being, and professional development throughout the summer. This project has evolved to become Hummingbird OT Solutions, providing workshops, staff trainings, and direct one-to-one OT services.
Outside of my work as an occupational therapist, I love playing with my dog, singing, and exploring the beautiful state of Maine, where I live with my husband (who I met at camp!)
Registration Information
When: Monday, May 5, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:30pm (eastern)
Where: Online. Participants will receive a Zoom link no later than 24 hours prior to the event
Cost: $10 for Members, $15 for non-Members
Click here to register
This session WILL NOT be recorded, so please plan to join us live!
Registrations are non-refundable but may be transferred to another person from your organization.
Questions: Reach out Gillian Gold, Events & Logistics Coordinator at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.

Hot Topics w/ EPIC 5/5
2025-05-05 14:30 - 15:30 | Zoom

Coffee & Camp Chat 5/9
2025-05-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom

New Camp Director Workshop 5/13/25
2025-05-13 08:00 - 18:00 | Cedar Hill Day Camp, 265 Beaver St, Waltham, MA, 02452
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!
A team of experienced directors and consultants will lead workshops and provide invaluable materials and hands-on training scenarios.
Come prepared to fill your brain and notebook with lots of useful information.
Cost: $105 for members, $125 for non-members.
Where: Cedar Hill Day Camp – Waltham, MA
Lunch is included with registration (more details to come).
Click here to register – NOTE: online registration will close on Monday, May 12. We can likely accommodate walk-in registrations – please email Gillian Gold (gillian@acanewengland.org) if you plan to attend and register on-site.
This course meets the minimum MA DPH regulatory training requirements for a Camp Director at a recreational camp for children (when combined with attendance at one of MA DPH’s annual spring educational training session for the Massachusetts Camping Association).
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 & . held in conjunction with Massachusetts Camping Association in the Spring.
This is a live, in-person training that will not be recorded. Massachusetts law requires participants to be in attendance for the full duration of the course in order to receive their certificate.
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.

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.

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.

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.

Coffee & Camp Chat 5/23
2025-05-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom

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
2025-09-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-09-26 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!

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.
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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.

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.

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.

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.

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