American Camp Association New England

Youth Mental Health First Aid
2021-02-01 10:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Online
Youth Mental Health First Aid (pre-work and live virtual course)
THIS COURSE IS FULL AND HAS REACHED CAPACITY
To be added to the WAITLIST for this course or other upcoming YMHFA courses organized by ACA, New England, complete THIS FORM.

This is an 8-hour education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Youth Mental Health First Aid uses group activity, role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
This course is offered in a two-part format and both components must be completed to earn your certification:

5 hours of pre-work must be completed by Friday, January 22
5 hour live, virtual course from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm on Monday, February 1

What will participants learn? This course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, AD/HD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorder.
Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn to support a youth developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis by applying a core five-step action plan. The Youth Mental Health First Aid USA curriculum is primarily focused on information participants can use to help adolescents and transition-age youth, ages 8-18.
Who should take this course? The course is designed for any adults who regularly interact with adolescents who are ACA, New England members.
Who created the course? The National Council for Behavioral Health was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. Mental Health First Aid USA worked with experts at the National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development to develop the youth program.
Instructors:
Karl Blumel, Residence Education Coordinator for Selection, Training, and Leadership, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Rosie McMahan, Program Manager, Mass Mentoring Partnership & Counselor/Educator, Optimistic Options
When: Monday, February 1, 2021, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm (pre-work must be completed by Friday, January 22 for participants to receive log-in information for the live portion of the course).
Where: Virtually
Cost: FREE for ACA, New England members. Registration by January 15 and pre-work completion by January 22 is required. *We are able to provide this course free of charge to ACA, New England members due to a grant.*
To register: Click here. You will register through ACA, New England, but additional communication about the course will come from the National Council for Behavioral Health/ Mental Health First Aid USA.
*Please only register if you can commit to completing both the pre-work and the full live session. Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire program.*
Space is limited to 20 participants, so register early! Because you need to be entered into the system to complete your pre-work, the deadline to register is Friday, January 15, 2021.
If the course is full or you are interested, but not available on this date, please contact Kerry Salvo, Director of Education and Professional Development, kerry@acanewengland.org, 781-541-6080 ext. 104. If there is interest, we may offer additional courses in March/April 2021.

Accreditation Info and Questions: FOR VISITORS
2021-02-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2021-03-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2021-03-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Accreditation Visits in 2021 will look different than in past summers – just as camp will look different than in past summers.
Join ACA New England for an opportunity to ask your burning questions regarding logistics for Visits in 2021.
Elizabeth Snell, members of our New England Standard Committee and New England Standards Instructors will be discuss Safe and Smart visits and answer YOUR questions.
Sessions are formatted specifically for Accreditation Visitors and Camps who are scheduled for their Accreditation site visit this summer.
Be sure to sign up for the session that fits your role. (Visitor or Camp)
One session of each focus will be recorded if you are unable to attend live.
Questions? Reach out to Elizabeth

Accreditation Info and Questions: FOR CAMPS
2021-02-24 11:15 - 12:15 | Zoom

Risk Management 101: A Refresher
2021-02-25 13:30 - 14:30 | Zoom
EPIC, New England welcomes you to join us for a conversation around risk management in the coming summer. With new Covid-related responsibilities coming our way, it’s important to not lose site of the routine, risk-management processes that we’d follow in any other year.
Thanks to ACA, New England, The Redwoods Group and Chalmers Insurance Group for facilitating this session.

EPIC NECC Download
2021-03-02 12:30 - 13:45 | Online
Come join the Emerging Professionals in Camping community as we set the stage for the first-ever Northeast Camp Conference! We will be sharing and discussing helpful tips, tools, and strategies to maximize the virtual conference experience, and highlighting ways EPICs can stay connected and support one another throughout the NECC, and beyond! If you’re excited to kick off your NECC experience, this is the best place to start!
This EPIC opportunity is only available to EPICs registered for the Northeast CAMP Conference, so make sure to register soon (before February 5th to get the early-bird rate).
What is EPIC?
Emerging Professionals In Camping connects emerging professionals from around the country and strives to provide meaningful opportunities for learning. There are no official EPIC “membership requirements”; anyone is welcome if the topic and conversations speak to you and can help you on your path to learning!
To learn more about EPIC, New England and how to get involved, email camp@acanewengland.org

EPIC NECC Debrief
2021-03-18 12:30 - 13:45 | Online
After the action-packed week of the NECC, spend time with the EPIC community as we share our favorite takeaways and highlights from the virtual conference. Attendees will have the opportunity to share and chat about their experiences, as well as have the chance to provide feedback about the conference through the EPIC lens. Join us for additional ideas, discussion, and professional development as we wrap up the NECC!
This EPIC opportunity is only available to EPICs registered for the Northeast CAMP Conference, so make sure to register soon (before February 5th to get the early-bird rate).
What is EPIC?
Emerging Professionals In Camping connects emerging professionals from around the country and strives to provide meaningful opportunities for learning. There are no official EPIC “membership requirements”; anyone is welcome if the topic and conversations speak to you and can help you on your path to learning!
To learn more about EPIC, New England and how to get involved, email camp@acanewengland.org

Accreditation Info and Questions: FOR CAMPS
2021-03-23 10:30 - 11:30

ACA, New England Annual Meeting
2021-03-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The ACA, New England Board of Directors will host the 2021 Annual Meeting on March 26 at 10AM. We invite all members to attend for any portion or all of the meeting. Below you will see a general outline of the meeting, and registrants will receive a more detailed agenda as we draw closer to the date.
Should you have any questions, information, requests, etc. regarding this year’s meeting, please contact Board President, Betsy Kelder president@acanewengland.org, and/or Executive Director, Michele Rowcliffe – michele@acanewengland.org.

Pediatric Telehealth at Camp - Why 2021 is the Summer to Get Started
2021-04-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
This FREE webinar underwritten and sponsored by PM Pediatrics will be a moderated discussion about how camps can utilize Telehealth to their advantage for summer 2021. Telemedicine is dramatically changing the practice of healthcare and this webinar will help teach you how to be at the forefront of using this technology to provide better and more convenient care to your campers and staff. Moderated by Dr. Christina Johns, Senior Medical Advisor and VP of Communications at PM Pediatrics. Dr. Johns will be joined by Dr. Sheryl Cohen, the Vice President of Clinical Operations for PM Pediatrics in the Northeast & Alaska and Director of Pediatric Urgent Care Telemedicine and is a camp doctor who helped lead her camp to open in summer 2020 and Dr. Mordechai Raskas, the Chief Medical Information Officer and Director of Telemedicine for PM Pediatrics.

New Camp Director Workshop
2021-04-12 09:00 - 2021-04-13 15:30
New Camp Director Workshop
Are you a new director, or someone planning a camp career?
In a small, supportive atmosphere, this course will provide an overview of the many tools you’ll need for running a successful day or resident camp. Learn from seasoned directors about many topics such as staff hiring, working with parents, managing youth of all ages, and handling everyday situations that are an inevitable part of your life at camp.
This course will give you an introduction to many different topics. We will provide resources, as well as opportunities to connect virtually to spend more time on several of the topics.
A team of experienced directors and consultants will lead workshops.
April Course
The Course will be held virtually over the course of 2 days. Attendance of both days is necessary to complete the course.
April 12 9:00 – 11:30 and 1:00 – 3:30
April 13 9:00 – 11:30 and 1:00 – 3:30
Price
ACA Members – $75
Non-Members – $95

ACA, New England COVID Testing Options Virtual Info Session
2021-04-14 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
ACA, New England COVID Testing Options Virtual Info Session
Who: Any camp considering its options for COVID testing in summer 2021.
What: This is NOT an educational session about testing. Instead, join this virtual session to hear information directly from the following companies on their COVID testing resources for New England summer camps:
CIC Health – Crest Diagnostics – Geosyntec Consultants
Heed Health – NOVIR
Why: We know many summer camps are being asked to test campers and/or staff this summer and are looking at their options and affordability as they make decisions about the best way to do this for their camp.
When: Wednesday, April 14, 1:00-2:30 pm ET
Where: Online, via Zoom. Registration is required and we will provide a link closer to the date.
How much? Free for ACA members; $20.00 for non-members.

Please note, information on this session will be targeted towards New England camps. If your camp is in another geographic region, please consult with individual companies about what they can offer your camp.

Periodically, the American Camp Association (ACA) makes timely and relevant information about products and services available to its members so they can make informed decisions for their camps. However, the ACA does not endorse products, services, or companies.

Supporting My Team as a New Supervisor
2021-04-29 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
About This Event…
So you’re a new supervisor! Congratulations. You clearly were great at your old job – that’s how you got promoted. However, the skills and talents required to be a great counselor or activity instructor aren’t the same as those required to be an effective supervisor. There are several specific areas of learning new supervisors should begin mastering long before they begin the actual work of mentoring and leading others.
Join Emily for a crash course in stepping up to leadership. We’ll cover the top mistakes new supervisors make (and how to avoid them, of course!), the best ways to build credibility, and the parts of the role you might not realize are now your responsibility.
To cap it off, we’ll look at some familiar scenarios from your camp counselor days through a lens of supervisory decision-making. This workshop is designed for both new supervisors and/or those responsible for onboarding/training incoming supervisory staff.
About The Speaker…
Emily Golinsky
Training, Consulting & Advocacy, Bright Moose LLC
With session feedback including “tremendously helpful,” “definitely not the same-old,” “fun and informative” and “not to be missed – a reason to come to the conference,” Emily Golinsky is the Founder of Bright Moose LLC. She provides training, coaching, consultation and professional development support to camps, schools and youth orgs, guided by the motto “Help Others Shine Bright!” Emily sits on the Board of Directors for NHCamps and is an ACA New England Visitor, Conference Committee member, New Camp Directors’ Workshop faculty member, and the Newer Camp Directors’ Roundtable facilitator. She is also an education Advocate for youth with special needs and a certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Emily spent 14 years as the Executive Director for Camp Starfish (NH), holds a BS in Health Psychology and MS in Camp Administration/Leadership, and is an avid collector of terribly awesome puns.

Who Should Attend…
This presentation is for, but not limited to, supervisors (new or seasonal), managers, directors, and owners.
Why Attend …
How will your camp benefit from you attending this program?
Attendees will boost job satisfaction for themselves and the people they oversee and help build confidence and credibility with the people you oversee which will lead to returning staff.
How does your career benefit from you attending this program?
Attending this event will help build confidence as a leader, will help increase your collective knowledge of the field and management of others, and build connections and resources with peers.
How to Register …
Make sure you’re logged into the ACA Illinois Services Portal to register. Click here to create your profile or click here to login.
Questions? Contact registration@acail.org.

Be Well, but Make it EPIC
2021-04-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Join EPICs throughout New England as we share activities, strategies, and conversations that will help you maintain wellness for yourself and encourage it for those around you this summer.
WHEN: April 29, 2PM – 3PM
WHERE: Zoom (while we’re excited to get back to in-person events soon, we’ve been encouraged by the amount of Virtual engagement this year, and we hope to see you at least once more before the summer)
WHO: EPICs (Emerging Professionals in Camp) and anyone else looking for help maintaining and sharing wellness
WHY: Whether you operated in 2020 or not, 2021 promises to be a different summer, and it’s going to be important for EPICs to balance self-care with the responsibilities already on our plates.
HOW:

Register for this FREE gathering through the button below
Block your calendar from 2PM – 3PM next Thursday
Find something to write with, something to write on, some string/something similar, and a few of each of the following colors of any type of beads: red, blue, pink, yellow, green; set a reminder for the event. (if you don’t have beads or string accessible, you can always follow along during this portion of the event, it’s an activity designed for you to take back to you camp)

Got questions? Email Stevie

Physical Distancing, The Dutchman’s Rope and Other Best Practices for Real-World In-Person Gatherings
2021-05-03 18:30 - 19:45 | Online
Join Dr. Jim Cain to hear about a collection of physically distanced activities and best practices for summer 2021 (taken from his two new ACA bookstore books) in time for staff training! We all want to create the safest environment possible for campers and staff as we move into this summer.
This engaging session is designed for all levels of staff, from counselors to directors and everyone in between, so send multiple folks from your team with our group registration rate!

When: Monday, May 3, 6:30 – 7:45 pm ET
Where: Online, via Zoom meeting (please be prepared to have your camera on and unmute yourself, as needed!)
How Much:

Members: $20/individual; $50/group (up to 4 attendees from your camp/ program)
Non-members: $30/individual; $65 group (up to 4 attendees from your camp/ program)

If you are registering a group, we will ask you for the name(s) closer to the event when we are ready to share the Zoom link.
Questions? Reach out to Kerry, ACA New England Director of Education and Professional Development, at kerry@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 104.
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event.
Participants will receive 1 Continuing Education Credit (CEC) for their full participation.
Please note: If cost may be a barrier to your participation, please reach out to Kerry Salvo, kerry@acanewengland.org to discuss financial assistance options. We want the sessions to be accessible for all!

About the Presenter
Teambuilding Guru Dr. Jim Cain is the author of 23 best-loved books filled with team and community building activities from around the world. In 2020, he wrote five new books, including his first novel. Two of those books, The Dutchman’s Rope and Connection Without Contact are ideal references for summer 2021 camps and youth development programs, with real-world in-person events.

Summer… Socially Distanced: A dynamic, interactive, and tool filled virtual training series for Camp Staff and Leaders
2021-05-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Join Eric Rowles of Leading to Change for a three-session series that will help you prepare for summer 2021. Even with in-person camp happening, there are lots of things we should probably be thinking about differently – from how to support our team to staff orientation to programming and lots of best practices as it relates to tools of the trade. Each Wednesday in May will have a different focus:

May 5: Leadership Relearned (Management focus)

There is a saying that “rising tides lift all boats”. When you think of your camp staff, team, and those you are managing, supporting, and working with through these times – what are you doing to keep their morale up? Don’t miss this highly interactive, fast paced, and FUN training that will showcase multiple team assessment tools, a wide range of strategies you can put to use today and throughout the camp season, and even a human beat box machine.

May 12: Raising Our Game (Programmatic focus)

Are you ready to bring your camp A-Game… innovatively? From interactive (and social distanced) experiences to the infusion of SEL influences in our program design, this is our chance to raise our camp experience to a brand new level. From low-touch gaming ideas to a few high-tech showcased resources, come learn a wave of innovative gaming ideas, strategies, and tools to use this summer. Designed for all levels of experience.

May 19: Tools of the Trade (Tools focus)

Get ready for a LIGHTNING round of FREE proven tools and strategies to boost your youth engagement skills. We’ll cover some of the best of technology, music, media, and even video clips in our work and even camper/family communication methods. You’ll leave with your head spinning, a handout of resources, and NEW ideas to take back to your camp.
A series registration is for one seat per date – attend all three yourself, mix-and-match and send a different one of your staff members to each session, or buy multiple seats for a group of your staff, depending on what is relevant to their role!
When: Wednesdays – May 5, 12, 19 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET
Registration is for the full series. Send the same person from your camp or a different person each week! Recordings will be made available for 30 days if you can’t attend a session live.
Where: Online, via Zoom meeting (please be prepared to have your camera on and unmute yourself, as needed!)
How Much: Members: $75; Non-members: $100 (Registration is for the thee-part series)
Questions? Reach out to Kerry, ACA New England Director of Education and Professional Development, at kerry@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 104.
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event.
Participants will receive 3 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for their full participation.

Please note: If cost may be a barrier to your participation, please reach out to Kerry Salvo, kerry@acanewengland.org to discuss financial assistance options. We want the sessions to be accessible for all!

About the Presenter
Eric Rowles is a nationally recognized trainer and speaker who has worked with over 150,000 recreation professionals, administrators, volunteers, and policymakers within the past 15 years. Eric’s previous experience includes his work as Senior Director of Training with the Youth Leadership Institute (CA), Director of Leadership Development at Rutgers Univ. (NJ), Director of International Youth Summer Abroad (CA), Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator with Riverside County Friday Night Live (CA), and ran a traveling theater company that toured for over 10 years. Eric understands the summer camp community and recently presented at the 2021 Northeast CAMP Conference.

Risk Management for Sailing Programs* at Summer Camp: Safety, Staff Training, and Curriculum
2021-05-11 14:30 - 15:30 | Zoom
Risk Management for Sailing Programs* at Summer Camp: Safety, Staff Training, and Curriculum
*Resources and Tools Can be Adapted for Paddling Programs
Sailing programming is incredibly dynamic and beneficial for positive youth development in a camp environment. Providing an equal platform for physical activity, learning, and teamwork, boating can be added to any camp program or improved at your current facility with adequate staff training, curriculum, and safety procedures.
In this session, led by Jen Guimaraes of US Sailing, participants will dive into these three areas. You will learn more about developing boating/paddling-specific emergency action plans, training your staff, and designing effective curriculum to keep campers engaged and having fun!
When: Tuesday, May 11, 2:30 – 3:30 pm ET
Where: Online, via Zoom meeting
How Much: ACA Members: FREE; Non-members: $20

Questions? Reach out to Kerry, ACA New England Director of Education and Professional Development, at kerry@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 104.
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event.
Participants will receive 1 Continuing Education Credit (CEC) for their full participation.
Please note: If cost may be a barrier to your participation, please reach out to Kerry Salvo, kerry@acanewengland.org to discuss financial assistance options. We want the sessions to be accessible for all!

About the Presenter
Jen Guimaraes is the Youth Education Manager at US Sailing. She has been directing waterfront education programs for 15+ years and has worked at a variety of summer camps and environmental centers. Her expertise is in curriculum and program design, staff training and safety. At US Sailing she supports public access waterfront programs across the country, national instructor certification courses, and the US Sailing Reach Program, a national STEM initiative using sailing as an educational platform. Jen holds a Master of Science, is a validated external assessor for program quality assessment and certified Level 3 US Sailing Instructor Trainer with First Aid, CPR, SafeSport certifications.

New Camp Director Workshop
2021-05-20 09:00 - 2021-05-21 15:00 | Zoom
New Camp Director Workshop
**The Course will be held virtually over the course of 2 days. Attendance of both days is necessary to complete the course.**
Are you a new director, or someone planning a camp career?
In a small, supportive atmosphere, this course will provide an overview of the many tools you’ll need for running a successful day or resident camp. Learn from seasoned directors about many topics such as staff hiring, working with parents, managing youth of all ages, and handling everyday situations that are an inevitable part of your life at camp.
This course will give you an introduction to many different topics. We will provide resources, as well as opportunities to connect virtually to spend more time on several of the topics.
A team of experienced directors and consultants will lead workshops.
May Course
The Course will be held virtually over the course of 2 days. Attendance of both days is necessary to complete the course.
May 20 and 21

Times – 9AM – 11:30AM & 1PM – 3PM (both days)

Wilderness First Aid
2021-05-29 - 2021-05-30 | Function Hall @ Wasserman Park, 116 Naticook Rd, Merrimack, NH, United States
Do you like to spend time outdoors? Accidents happen; if you or someone in your group got hurt, would you know what to do? People get hurt, sick, or lost. Many back country emergencies are preventable and even when bad things happen, sometimes the wrong care can make things worse.
Wilderness First Aid is the perfect course for the outdoor enthusiast or trip leader who wants more than basic level of first aid training for short trips with family, friends, and outdoor groups. The 16 hour long (two-day) program focuses on the skills of: Response and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Environmental Emergencies, Survival Skills, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Medical Emergencies.
Those who complete the course and pass the written and practical skills will receive a Wilderness First Aid certification from SOLO which is valid for 2 years. SOLO is among the leaders in Wilderness Medicine Training and certification. Coffee and snacks will be provided each day. This course will be held at Wasserman Park in Merrimack, NH.
Due to COVID 19; we are capping class sizes to no more than 16 people. Classroom space will be setup to allow for students to remain 6ft apart during didactic lessons.
For practical work, students are paired with one person, and one person only. These people will work together during practical essions/assessments and otherwise will be expected to remain separated during class. The pair will remain the same from day one through day two. We will not be teaching group scenarios and will also only discuss certain components, such as patient lifting and moving.
Participants are NOT required to hold a Valid CPR Certification Card, but if you would like to get certified in Adult CPR ; a Course will be offered on Saturday evening for an additional fee of $45.00
Schedule
Saturday 5/29 – 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Sunday 5/20 – 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Safe Kids Thrive! Tips and Tools to create safer environments to keep kids safe.
2021-06-03 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
As Massachusetts schools, daycare centers, after-school programs, summer camps, and a host of other child and youth-serving organizations (YSOs) re-open, we look forward to welcoming back the students, children, and youth whom we have not seen other than virtually for more than a year. We know that the stresses and strains of pandemic isolation on children and families have been significant for many in our communities, and thus can anticipate that some will be returning to us bearing its physical, emotional, and behavioral consequences. It is a good idea, therefore, to remind ourselves about what to look for in terms of recognizing, responding to, and reporting suspected or self-disclosed child maltreatment – as well as the tools available to help us evaluate our organizational abuse prevention policies, procedures, and protocols.

For these purposes, the Massachusetts Legislative Task Force on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse – co-chaired by the Massachusetts Children’s Trust and the Office of the Child Advocate – has worked with multiple state and local agencies and organizations to produce a website called “Safe Kids Thrive” (see safekidsthrive.org) as a platform that provides the necessary tools, resources, and guidance in a user-friendly, searchable and interactive format.

The attached agenda describes a 90-minute training session the Task Force is making available to YSOs across the state to demonstrate how the website can be used to refresh ourselves and our staffs with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure that our children are safe and protected from harm, and the steps we are required to take if we are concerned about a child’s well-being. There is also time built in for Q&A, and for direct engagement with the subject matter experts who created the site’s content.

If you would like to take advantage of this training, it will be available via Zoom on the following dates from 1:00 – 2:30PM

June 3, 2021
June 17, 2021
July 15, 2021
July 29, 2021
August 19, 2021
August 26, 2021

You can register for any of these sessions at the following link: Zoom link to register

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions by emailing us directly: Rayna Charles (rayna.charles@mass.gov), Tammy Bernardi (tammy.bernardi@mass.gov), or Tony Rizzuto (rizzutoto@aol.com).

Coffee & Camp Chat - Season 2
2021-09-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
What better way to kickoff the weekend than to grab a cup of coffee (or your AM beverage of choice) and talk shop with friends in the camp community.
WHAT: Coffee and Camp Chat is a FREE drop-in/office hours type of opportunity

WHEN: Every other Friday starting 9/10, from 10AM-11AM

WHERE: ACA, New England Zoom

WHY: For folks to ask questions, share stories/concerns, connect with peers, troubleshoot problems, or simply hear what’s going on in other camp bubbles.

HOW: This is the easy part. There’s no pre-registration necessary. Mark your calendars with the following dates and save the link: Coffee & Camp Chats (Zoom Link)

If you ever have questions, information, requests, etc. regarding Coffee & Camp Chats, please email bud@acanewengland.org

Apr 8, 2022 10:00 AM – Conference Season is Over…What’s next?
Apr 22, 2022 10:00 AM – EPIC, New England
May 6, 2022 10:00 AM
May 20, 2022 10:00 AM

So, How Was Your Summer? 9/23 - POSTPONED
2021-09-23 16:00 - 19:00 | Dexter Southfield, 20 Newton St, Brookline, MA, 02445
After the longest “summer” in recent memory, we could all use a little time to ourselves. Once you’re done with that, take this opportunity to congregate, commiserate, share and opine about the summer with other camp professionals and colleagues. What worked for you? What didn’t work? Where are you heading next, and what does that look like?
Our time together will include:

Short introduction and recap of what we heard in the New England office this summer.
Multiple blocks of guided, small group conversations with breaks for non-structured socializing or to grab a snack.
Randomized seating to encourage as many connections as possible.
Snacks and beverages.

Topics du jour will cover: staffing, programming, lessons learned, new goals realized, and of course whatever organically grows around the tables. If you have a question or topic you know you want covered, shoot an email to bud@acanewengland.org after registering.
NOTE: We plan to host this event outside, so please dress accordingly. Should we need to adjust this, we will notify registered attendees of their options in advance?
Members: $25 – Non-members: $40

So, How Was Your Summer? 9/28
2021-09-28 15:00 - 18:00 | Brookwoods / Deer Run, 34 Camp Brookwoods Rd, Alton, NH, 03809

Newer Camp Director Resource Community (October 2021 – May 2022)
2021-10-14 10:30 - 13:00
For camp professionals with 1-4 or more summers of camp director experience
(Both day and resident camp directors are welcome! As space is limited, 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 (especially after this past summer)!
Join us for a series of monthly facilitated discussions where you’ll have the opportunity to share ideas and resources, get feedback, troubleshoot challenges, and explore opportunities in a safe and professional space.
While topics are flexible based on the group’s needs/interests, discussions in prior years have included (but were not limited to) the following:

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

Each month there will be time for large group discussion, presentations/guest experts, and participant-led small group discussions.
Emily Golinsky, Founder of Bright Moose Training, Consulting & Advocacy, former Executive Director and current Interim 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!
When:
Thursdays – first session October 14, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm; then monthly
For 2021-2022, we will offer a hybrid series with three in-person sessions and five Zoom sessions on the following Thursdays:

Thursday, October 14, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm, in-person (outdoors; no virtual option) ACA, New England office, 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA
Thursday, November 18, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Zoom
Thursday, December 16, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Zoom
Thursday, January 13, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Zoom
Thursday, February 10, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm, in-person (Zoom hybrid option available) ACA, New England office, 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA
Thursday, March 10, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Zoom
Thursday, April 14, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Zoom
Thursday, May 12, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm, in-person (outdoors; no virtual option) ACA, New England office, 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA

Where: A combination of in-person and Zoom sessions (see above schedule)
How Much: ACA members: $240; non-members: $290
Registration is for the duration of the series – eight sessions in total and is based on the individual who is signed up.
Register here: https://members.acacamps.org/Events/Meeting-Home-Page?meetingid={61EBC78D-3300-EC11-94EF-002248231FE5}
Questions, reach out to Kerry Salvo, ACA, New England Director of Education and Professional Development, at kerry@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 104.
This series is not designed to be a how-to, but more an interactive discussion-based opportunity for directors looking to build their professional network and resource sharing as leaders. If you are looking for more skill-based sessions, please reach out to ACA, New England as they may be able to help you identify other opportunities to meet these needs.
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event.
Are CECs available for this? __X__ YES ____ NO
If yes, how many? 15

About the Presenter

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 operations in both day and residential environments for children in crisis, special needs youth, and traditional campers, most recently for 14 years as the Executive Director at Camp Starfish. Emily is a regular presenter at conferences and is active in ACA, New England, where she is a Lead Visitor, sits on the Fund Development and Conference Planning Committees, and is a member of the Faculty for the New Camp Directors Workshop. Emily is a Board Member for the Hawkeye Campership Fund and for the NHCamps Association, where she is chair of the annual conference. She holds a BS in Health Psychology from Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and a Master of Science in Camp Administration and Leadership from Touro University Nevada. 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.

What's the Buzz on Budgeting? A Peer Discussion Session
2021-11-02 11:30 - 12:30 | Zoom
Is your camp working on its budgeting for next year?
Would it be helpful to brainstorm ideas or ask for input from other camps also going through the process?

If so, we encourage you to join us for an open forum discussion about the budget-related issues that are on your mind. ACA, New England staff will be there to guide/facilitate, but this will be an open discussion forum led by participants.
Come prepared to have your videos on, ask questions, and engage in dialogue with your peers.
Depending on attendees, we may use breakout rooms for specific topics or camps with similar budget sizes, but that will be up to you!
Because this session is based on dialogue and attendees may share sensitive information, it will not be recorded. Please plan to join us live.
After registering, you will receive an email with a link to a survey that will help us gather more data about registered attendees as well as the Zoom link. Please complete this by Monday, November 1 at 2 pm.

When: Tuesday, November 2, 2021, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm ET
Where: Zoom
How Much: ACA members: FREE; non-members: $25

Questions, reach out to Kerry Salvo, ACA, New England Director of Education and Professional Development, at kerry@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 104.
Registrations are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another eligible individual prior to the start of the event.

Accreditation Process Workshop 11/10
2021-11-10 09:30 - 12:30 | Brookwoods / Deer Run, 34 Camp Brookwoods Rd, Alton, NH, 03809
Formerly the Standards Course, this workshop is designed for camp representatives who are preparing for accreditation visits in 2019 and beyond. The course is appropriate for those who are new to the accreditation process AND those who have been part of an accreditation visit or completed standards training in the past. Every camp being visited must have at least one person who completes the workshop on behalf of the camp; that person must actively assist in preparation for the accreditation visit, be on site a significant amount of time during the camp season and participate fully in the on-site accreditation visit.
Reminder: While APWs are free to attend, you must register so we are sufficiently prepared for the course.

ACA Staffing Summit
2021-11-16 08:00 - 2021-11-17 17:00 | Online
The 2021 Staffing Summit will feature critical learning, speaker panels, roundtables and engaging sessions spanning two full days. The virtual delivery of this year’s conference increases the benefits of convenience, safety 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.
We know you are spending a lot of time on screens, so we are designing the conference with you in mind. You will not have to endure endless hours of staring at your computer, phone or tablet. The conference will happen with shorter bursts of education and plenty of time to connect with other camp directors. Not only are breaks built in to help you keep up with home and work commitments, you will also have access to all the recorded sessions in case you miss something you are interested in or were viewing a concurrent session.
The 2021 Staffing Summit will offer 30 sessions on out of the box ways to connect with staff, virtual job fairs and interviewing, recruiting specialized staff and so much more. 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!

Supply Chain Outlook: Navigating the New "Norm" of Ordering
2021-11-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The world has been turned upside down since March 2020 and one of the many parts that we are still navigating is the change in the supply chain. Join Josh Cohen from H&H Purchasing as he updates us on where we stand currently with the supply chain and an outlook for what the coming months may bring. During the 60 minutes, we will learn how you and your camp/organization can prepare for the new normal in ordering everything from food to arts & crafts and everything in between.
For more information, please contact: Jenna Dunlay • 2123915208 • jenna@acanynj.org

Associate Visitor Course - Blended Learning (11/23 online & 12/9 live)
2021-11-23 09:00 - 12:30 | Camp Berea, 68 Berea Rd, Hebron, NH, 03241
ACA New England needs YOU as a visitor! Join us for our next Associate Visitor Course. This course is a blended learning course with the first portion completed online followed by a one day intensive hands on training.

Additional Information

The Fall Course will be a Blended Learning Course, gathering 2 times virtually and in person.
Preregistration for this course is required.
Registration Deadline is November 22, 2021
Participants MUST attend both sessions.
November 23 LIVE online from 9am – 12:30
December 9 LIVE in-person from 9:30 am – 1:30pm at Camp Berea in Hebron, NH

Contact Us

Contact Elizabeth elizabeth@acanewengland.org.
781-541-6080
ACA New England
80 Westview Street Lexington, MA 02421
