Learnings from the Field: Operationalizing DEI at Camp Presentations
2026-05-06 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
ACA, New England has been running an ongoing resource community this year, facilitated by Simone Gamble of OAAARS, for a group of camp professionals dedicated to exploring what operationalizing DEI at their camp looks like. As part of this group, participants have been working on an ongoing project related to this work. Join us for an e-session to hear about four of the projects have been working on.
Each presenter will share about their project and then field Q&A from attendees. The presenters and topics will include:

Supporting our Staff with Improved DEI Trainings, Abby Griffith, Assistant Director of Admissions & Lilly Bianchi, Assistant Director of Leader Hiring), Overland Summers,
Discovering the True Value of Camp Empathy Interviews, Julie Bernson, Director of Learning, The Trustees
Shared Language Guide: Addressing Race-Based Harm with Care, Clarity, and Consistency, Rachel Roberts, Director of Staff Experience, Camp Starfish
Shared Language Guide: Addressing Race-Based Harm with Care, Clarity, and Consistency, Shawn Moriarty, Camp Director/ Lead Education Coordinator, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon

This offering is free for ACA members and $25 for non-members.
Please plan to join us live for these sessions! If you cannot join live, please register and email kerry@acanewengland.org to request a copy of the recording, which will be viewable for 30 days following the event.
Registration fees are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another attendee from your camp/organization by emailing kerry@acanewengland.org before the start of the program.

New Camp Director Workshop 5/13/26
2026-05-13 08:00 - 17:30 | Cedar Hill Day Camp, 265 Beaver St, Waltham, MA, 02452
ACA, New England: New Camp Director Workshop
(a 101-level offering)
ACA, New England’s New Camp Director Workshop is a fast-paced, one-day program designed to give new and aspiring camp directors greater understanding of the scope and key functions of the professional role of the camp director, including the following:

Transition to Leadership and the Camp Director Role
Knowing your Camp – mission & values, culture, your audience
The Business of Camp – finances, policies & procedures, continuous improvement
Risk Management & Emergency Planning – best practices, mandated reporting, assessing risk, emergency action plans, and crisis response
Building and Managing a Team – recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, retention
Hot Topics & things you don’t think of

Participants will also be assigned a “Resource Group” with other attendees and an instructor and can expect the opportunity to connect with them at least three times within a year of taking the course.
Ideal participants are full-time and part-time camp directors in their first three years of the role, and aspiring camp directors.
The course is taught by instructors from a variety of different camp backgrounds who have at least 7 years of experience as a camp director.
Participants will come away from the day with:

A welcome to the American Camp Association, New England, which serves camps throughout the region with programming, resources, and accreditation services;
Increased knowledge related to the topics above;
A library of handouts and resources to utilize; and
Connection with experienced instructors and a network of new colleagues to connect with for ongoing support

ACA Core Competencies covered in this workshop:

Business Management
Evaluation
Family & Connection
Health & Wellness
Human Resources
Leadership
Risk Management
Youth Development

*Please note: this course does not cover basic youth development, curriculum, or program design principles.
When: Wednesday, May 13, 2026; 8:00am to 5:30pm
Where: Camp Cedar Hill, 265 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA 02454
Member Price: $110
Non-Member Price: $140
The New Camp Director Workshop is a full-day program. Attendance for the entirety of the program is required to receive education credits and a certificate of completion.

Have questions? Reach out to Gillian, Events & Logistics Manager, at gillian@acanewengland.org, or call our office at 781-541-6080
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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)
2026-05-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
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 Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Live, virtual course from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026

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.

Dates & Rates
When: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (pre-work must be completed by Tuesday, May 12 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 (parameters of the grant funding to support this course).
*Because this course results in a certification, attendees must fully participate in the entire program.*
Click here to register!
Registration Information:
This workshop has a maximum capacity of 15 participants.
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. Pre-work should be completed by Tuesday, May 12 to ensure you are qualified to attend the in-person component of the program (some flexibility exists if you need a few extra days, just let us know).
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 Manager at gillian@acanewengland.org or 781-541-6080 ext. 106.
