CODACON25: Full Schedule

Welcome to the CODACON25 conference app! Check out exciting talks from Keynote Speakers, main stage events, specialized discussion in breakout sessions, and fun social events!

12:00pm CST

Registration Open

Sunday February 16, 2025 12:00pm - 4:00pm CST

Chantilly West

Please stop by the Welcome Table to pick up your welcome bag, name badge, and materials for the conference.

Sunday February 16, 2025 12:00pm - 4:00pm CST
Chantilly West

1:00pm CST

Fire & Rain: The Climate of Climate at Camp

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:40pm CST

Coronado A

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:40pm CST
Coronado A

Breakout

1:00pm CST

Getting Heated: The Consequence on No Consequences

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:40pm CST

Coronado C

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:40pm CST
Coronado C

Breakout

1:00pm CST

Nights & Weekends: Your Cell Phone Policy

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:40pm CST

Coronado B

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:40pm CST
Coronado B

Breakout

1:00pm CST

Up in Smoke: Where Are Our Campers Going?

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:40pm CST

Coronado D

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:00pm - 1:40pm CST
Coronado D

Breakout

1:45pm CST

Fire & Rain: The Climate of Climate at Camp

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:45pm - 2:25pm CST

Coronado A

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:45pm - 2:25pm CST
Coronado A

Breakout

1:45pm CST

Getting Heated: The Consequence on No Consequences

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:45pm - 2:25pm CST

Coronado C

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:45pm - 2:25pm CST
Coronado C

Breakout

1:45pm CST

Nights & Weekends: Your Cell Phone Policy

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:45pm - 2:25pm CST

Coronado B

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:45pm - 2:25pm CST
Coronado B

Breakout

1:45pm CST

Up in Smoke: Where Are Our Campers Going?

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:45pm - 2:25pm CST

Coronado D

Sunday February 16, 2025 1:45pm - 2:25pm CST
Coronado D

Breakout

2:30pm CST

Meet New Sponsors - Refreshments Provided

Sunday February 16, 2025 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST

Chantilly West

Sunday February 16, 2025 2:30pm - 2:50pm CST
Chantilly West

Social

2:50pm CST

The State of Play: An Update on International Staffing

Sunday February 16, 2025 2:50pm - 3:05pm CST

Keynote

3:05pm CST

Cool Card Collaboration Stations: Active Problem Solving

Sunday February 16, 2025 3:05pm - 4:05pm CST

Chantilly West

Sunday February 16, 2025 3:05pm - 4:05pm CST
Chantilly West

Breakout

4:30pm CST

How To Convince Your Staff To Put Down Their Cell Phones

Sunday February 16, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm CST

Chantilly West

In this session, social media expert Kara Alaimo, PhD will explain how to convince your staff to put away their phones while they’re at camp. She’ll start by explaining why it’s simply unsafe to be on our phones while we’re watching children. Then she’ll tell you how to make the case for why a summer with smartphones is good for staff themselves: they’ll practice the art of being fully present in their surroundings, getting comfortable with their thoughts and even experiencing boredom. Nixing phones will also allow them to invest more in relationships with the humans around them. She’ll explain why doing so will be good for their physical and mental health and even fun — leaving them with skills and relationships that will serve them throughout their lives.

Speakers

Kara Alaimo PhD

Kara Alaimo, PhD is a communication professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she created the university’s academic programs on the topic of social media. Her book, Over The Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls — and How We Take It Back, was published... Read More →

Sunday February 16, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm CST
Chantilly West

Keynote

7:00pm CST

President's Reception at The Mexican

Sunday February 16, 2025 7:00pm - 10:00pm CST

The Mexican

Join us for the President's Reception at The Mexican, just a short walk from the hotel!

Sunday February 16, 2025 7:00pm - 10:00pm CST
The Mexican 1401 Turtle Creek Blvd. Dallas, TX 75207

Social

10:00pm CST

Brewers With Brewer

Sunday February 16, 2025 10:00pm - 11:59pm CST

TBA

Let the good times roll with Andre Brewer!

Sunday February 16, 2025 10:00pm - 11:59pm CST
TBA

Social

7:30am CST

Early Bird Problem Solving Workshops

Monday February 17, 2025 7:30am - 8:00am CST

Metropolitan Ballroom

Monday February 17, 2025 7:30am - 8:00am CST
Metropolitan Ballroom

8:00am CST

Registration Opens & Lite Breakfast

Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 8:30am CST

Chantilly West

Monday February 17, 2025 8:00am - 8:30am CST
Chantilly West

Social

8:30am CST

Conference Commencement, Regional Report & Opening Keynote (Will Guidara: Unreasonable Hospitality

Monday February 17, 2025 8:30am - 10:30am CST

Chantilly West

Will Guidara, renowned hospitality expert and author of Unreasonable Hospitality, is a visionary in the world of service excellence. With a career built around creating extraordinary guest experiences, Will has led some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park. In his keynote address, Will will share insights on how the principles of exceptional hospitality can elevate the camp experience, demonstrating that, regardless of industry, we are all in the service business—focused on creating lasting, meaningful connections that go beyond expectations. His message will inspire us to embrace a culture of generosity, empathy, and thoughtful service, fostering an environment where every camper and staff member feels valued and cared for.

Speakers

Will Guidara

A native of Sleepy Hollow, New York, Will Guidara has been immersed in the restaurant industry since the age of thirteen. A graduate of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, Will began his dining room training at Spago Beverly Hills and attended culinary school... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 8:30am - 10:30am CST
Chantilly West

Keynote

10:45am CST

Camping By The Numbers

Monday February 17, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST

Monet Ballroom

Everything you wanted to know about the business of summer camping. This session is designed for directors who want to better understand the business side of their organizations. We will touch on several key issues including but not limited to Interest Rates and how they can work for and against you, Regs and Land use, Basic Financial Management, Your P and L , and how to both build and understand your cash flow, and how to manage cash. For purposes of this session some basic accounting skills are a plus along with knowledge of spreadsheets.

Speakers

Jonathan Gold

Owner & Director - Oak Crest Day Camp & President NJCAMPSJonathan received his MBA from Fordham University, and his PhD from Walden University, with a dissertation on “Quality Management Systems in Summer Camping.”He has over 40 years of experience in organized camping, beginning... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Monet Ballroom

Breakout

10:45am CST

How To Teach Your Campers To Protect And Empower Themselves On Social Media

Monday February 17, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST

Morocco Ballroom

In this session, Kara Alaimo, PhD, a communication professor and social media expert, will tell you how to run a session for campers teaching them how to protect and empower themselves on social media. She’ll address the critical kids things need to know, such as why they shouldn’t compare their lives and bodies to the glamorized pictures they see on Instagram, what to do when they or someone they know is bullied online, why they shouldn’t believe everything they see online, and how to protect themselves from dangers including catfishers and predators. She’ll also talk about how to teach kids to find healthy content and communities online and why it’s so important to seek out opportunities for offline friendships and activities. She’ll give you a script for running a rainy-day session that will be appreciated by campers (and their parents!) and for answering questions that often come up when we develop relationships with young people.

Speakers

Kara Alaimo PhD

Monday February 17, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Morocco Ballroom

Breakout

10:45am CST

Navigating Crisis: Lessons Learned From Addressing Staff-To-Camper Abuse

Monday February 17, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST

Miro Ballroom

Join Mark as he reflects on a challenging experience where he navigated a difficult situation involving staff-to-camper abuse at camp. He will share the steps he took in addressing the incident, the difficult decisions he had to make under pressure, and what he might have done differently in hindsight. Mark will also discuss the key lessons he learned throughout this experience, including how it shaped his approach to leadership, crisis management, and ensuring a safe environment for both staff and campers. Don’t miss this insightful session filled with valuable takeaways for anyone in a leadership role within youth programs.

Speakers

Mark Lipof LICSW

Co-Owner/Director of Camp MicahMark’s dream is the Camp Micah reality. With over 40 years of camping experience as a camper, counselor, head counselor and camp administrator, he is now the Co-Owner and Founding Director of Camp Micah.Mark graduated from the University of Massachusetts... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Miro Ballroom

Breakout

10:45am CST

Stop Selling, Start Interviewing

Monday February 17, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST

Metropolitan Ballroom

The staffing landscape has shifted dramatically since 2020, with the ability to effectively source and screen applicants, particularly domestic ones, becoming much more challenging than ever before. This session will aim to re-imagine the interview process, drawing from the perspectives of both camps and the staff members they’re hiring, while also examining how trends outside of the industry might be useful for camps to explore and implement. We need to re-establish the importance of interviewing as a screening tool — not as an opportunity for people to try and “sell” staff on why they should come to camp just to get them in the door. We’ll examine the Why, Who, & How we interview, what areas for improvement camps should consider, and what they can even implement right now.

Speakers

Max Claman

Educational Consultant, Speaker, Trainer, & AuthorMax is a highly sought-after speaker, trainer, facilitator, and consultant, with experience working with organizations and their leadership to transform their programs and personnel. He is a published author, engaging podcast guest... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am CST
Metropolitan Ballroom

Breakout

11:45am CST

No Host Lunch

Monday February 17, 2025 11:45am - 1:00pm CST

The hotel has a few places to grab lunch in the hotel: Media Grill & Bar, Counter Offer, Jade Waters Grill and Bar. Or you can walk across the street to the Rodeo Goat for a great burger!

Monday February 17, 2025 11:45am - 1:00pm CST

Social

1:00pm CST

Obsessed With The Weather

Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm CST

Chantilly West

Join Steve Maguire for this engaging and interactive headline address tailored for summer camp directors and owners. This session delves into the critical role of weather preparedness in camp, offering practical strategies and actionable insights to enhance safety, communication, and programming. With a mix of fun anecdotes, expert advice, and deep knowledge of meteorology, Steve brings weather science to life, ensuring camp leaders leave empowered and informed.

Speakers

Steve Maguire

Author, podcaster, professional speaker, and meteorology teacher with over 20 years of summer camp expertise.

Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm CST
Chantilly West

Keynote

2:00pm CST

I Went Off The High Dive: The Value of Action, Adventure, and Autonomy at Camp

Monday February 17, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CST

Chantilly West

Lynn Lyons, a seasoned psychotherapist based in Concord, New Hampshire, has spent over 30 years specializing in the treatment of anxiety in both adults and children. She is a renowned international speaker, trainer, and author, widely recognized for her expertise in the role anxiety plays within families and its impact on children. Through her work, Lynn emphasizes the importance of addressing anxiety preventatively at home and in schools, helping families break the generational cycle of worry. A sought-after expert, her insights have been featured in top media outlets such as The New York Times, Time, and NPR. Lynn is the author of several influential books, including Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents and Playing with Anxiety, and she is also the co-host of the popular podcast Flusterclux. In her keynote, “The Value of Action, Adventure and Autonomy at Camp,” Lynn explores how the camp environment fosters resilience, independence, and a sense of adventure, offering valuable tools for families to combat anxiety and cultivate self-confidence.

Speakers

Lynn Lyons

Lynn Lyons is psychotherapist in Concord, New Hampshire. She has been in practice for 30 years specializing in the treatment of anxiety in adults and children. Lynn travels internationally as a speaker and trainer on the subject of anxiety, its role in families, and the need for a... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CST
Chantilly West

Keynote

3:00pm CST

Coffee and Snacks Break – Complimentary Refreshments Available

Monday February 17, 2025 3:00pm - 3:30pm CST

Chantilly West

Monday February 17, 2025 3:00pm - 3:30pm CST
Chantilly West

Social

3:30pm CST

Anxiety in Our Camp Community: A Q&A with Lynn Lyons

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST

Chantilly West

Following her keynote, Lynn Lyons will host an engaging Q&A session where she will dive deeper into the practical applications of her talk. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Lynn questions about how camp experiences can help children build resilience, independence, and self-confidence, while also addressing common concerns parents face regarding anxiety. Lynn will offer expert insights and provide actionable advice on how to foster a sense of adventure and autonomy in young people, both at camp and at home. This interactive session promises to leave you with valuable tools for supporting your camp community.

Speakers

Lynn Lyons

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Chantilly West

Breakout

3:30pm CST

From Campfires to Careers: Retaining Today's Camp Counselor Tomorrow

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST

Metropolitan Ballroom

As our beloved camp counselors graduate high school and head off to college, they increasingly prioritize professional experience and career development. Camps, in turn,face a growing retention challenge with these counselors. This interactive session will explore strategies to help camp directors bridge the gap between counselors’ interest in gaining career development experience alongside their love for camp. Starting with a personal story and a spotlight on Sage Corps’ Start! program—a potential solution that offers professional experience for college students outside of June to August—we’ll dive into collaborative brainstorming and actionable ideas for counselor retention strategies centered around professional career development. We hope participants leave the session with fresh ideas, proven strategies, and a renewed commitment to retaining their best counselors while supporting their professional growth.

Speakers

Matt Meltzer

Founder & CEO of Sage CorpsMatt Meltzer is the Founder and CEO of Sage Corps, an international internship program that sends college students abroad to work with entrepreneurs at startups. The program teaches students hard and soft skills in preparation for their global internships... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Metropolitan Ballroom

Breakout

3:30pm CST

Harnessing the Power of AI for Your Camp's Marketing

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST

Morocco Ballroom

This session will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the landscape of camp marketing. We’ll discuss how AI can optimize marketing strategies for summer camps, helping organizations efficiently target the right audiences, craft personalized messaging, and measure the success of campaigns in real-time. By the end of the session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of how AI can elevate their marketing efforts and drive more meaningful connections with potential campers and their families.

Speakers

Cheryl Goldstein

Founder & Owner, Campfire Creative Marketing, Inc.With nearly three decades of experience building brands, creating impactful marketing campaigns and just plain getting the word out, Cheryl Goldstein is an accomplished marketer with a proven record of delivering on her clients... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Morocco Ballroom

Breakout

3:30pm CST

Looking In The Mirror: How to Evaluate the Physical Plant, Program and Infrastructure of Your Camp

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST

Monet Ballroom

This session will help you take a closer look at your camp's operations and provide tools for improvement in many areas. Attendees will be able to:

1. Understand the key components of a comprehensive evaluation of a camp's physical plant, program, and infrastructure.
2. Learn effective strategies and tools for evaluating the safety, functionality, and sustainability of camp facilities.
3. Gain insights into evaluating camp programs for quality, alignment with camp goals, and camper experience.
4. Identify ways to assess and improve the infrastructure that supports camp operations, including staffing, technology, and logistical systems.
5. Develop an action plan for ongoing evaluation and improvement of camp resources.

Speakers

Steve Maguire

Author, podcaster, professional speaker, and meteorology teacher with over 20 years of summer camp expertise.

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Monet Ballroom

Breakout

3:30pm CST

Navigating the Legal and Practical Issues with Camp Sales & Negotiations

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST

Miro Ballroom

To stay at the forefront of camping, owners must seek out learning beyond camping. Discover how insights from retail, fine dining, the military, strategy consulting, and big tech can revolutionize your summer camp. Learn how the best-in-the-business manage resources, create memorable experiences, build effective routines, identify valuable opportunities, and streamline operations. This session’s real-world examples will provide you with actionable strategies to improve your camp’s business efficiency and camper impact.

Speakers

Robert Lebby

Former Owner/Director of North Star Camp, Former Executive Director of CODA, Founder of RAL ConsultingRobert purchased North Star Camp in Hayward, WI in 1980. Over the years he has been incredibly influential regarding both midwest camping, and the industry as a whole. Robert was... Read More →

Brian Levy

Of Counsel with Katten & Temple, LLPBrian Levy primarily provides compliance, governance, transactional, and regulatory guidance for banks and mortgage providers. For over 15 years, Mr. Levy has also represented purchasers and sellers of summer camps and provided camp owners with... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm CST
Miro Ballroom

Breakout

4:35pm CST

Mental Health at Camp for Leadership Staff

Monday February 17, 2025 4:35pm - 5:35pm CST

Morocco Ballroom

Most leadership staff are not mental health professionals. But we can still be prepared to support staff and campers who are struggling or even suffering while they’re at camp. This session will offer a framework for approaching “mental health” at camp in a functional way, without being a therapist. We’ll explore strategies to prevent problems before they occur, as well as specific tools and techniques for supporting staff and campers when they need individual intervention.

Speakers

Dave Brown

Licensed Clinical Social Worker | Director for Mountain CampDave Brown is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15+ years in nonprofits, public schools and camps. Since 2010, Dave has been a year-round Director for Mountain Camp, a co-ed residential camp near Tahoe. He offers training... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 4:35pm - 5:35pm CST
Morocco Ballroom

Breakout

4:35pm CST

Reimagining Staff Evaluations

Monday February 17, 2025 4:35pm - 5:35pm CST

Monet Ballroom

This generation of staff members are more focused on what experiences can do for them, rather than what they can bring to an experience. With this in mind, what happens when we ask staff members to set goals for themselves based on our camp’s mission and values and their own job descriptions, and evaluate them on their success in achieving these goals, instead of using evaluations to tell them what they are doing “right and wrong”? The result is that staff members are more aware of the impact that their role at camp has on their own growth and development, feel more satisfied with their experience, feel more valued by camp leadership teams, and are more likely to return to camp the following summer.
This session will challenge participants to reimagine what staff evaluations can look like, and how evaluations that are rooted in the individual personal and professional goal setting of each of our staff members will allow both supervisors and staff to see evaluations as an opportunity to celebrate growth and skill development, and offer support where staff are lacking. This session will offer practical strategies for reimagining staff evaluations that will lead to an improved staff experience and help to increase staff retention.

Speakers

Shoshi Rothschild

Founder of in.tent Consulting & FacilitationShoshi is a consultant and facilitator who has 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit, summer camping, and arts sectors. She is passionate about helping organizations become more resilient and further the impact of their work, as... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 4:35pm - 5:35pm CST
Monet Ballroom

Breakout

4:35pm CST

Weathering the Storm: Lessons in Navigating Disaster

Monday February 17, 2025 4:35pm - 5:35pm CST

Metropolitan Ballroom

In this engaging breakout session, Cory shares the compelling story of how Camp Greenville faced the unprecedented challenges of a devastating hurricane. From navigating the immediate aftermath to working through FEMA and insurance processes, Cory will offer a transparent look at the complexities of disaster recovery for a camp operation.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into crisis management, stakeholder communication, and long-term planning for rebuilding and renewal. Through photos and first-hand accounts, Cory will highlight lessons learned, strategies that worked, and the moments that defined resilience in the face of adversity. Additionally, he will candidly discuss what he might have done differently in hindsight, offering practical takeaways for camp owners and directors to strengthen their own emergency preparedness plans.

Join this session to learn how Camp Greenville turned a storm into an opportunity for growth and reflection, ensuring the camp’s mission and community impact continue stronger than ever.

Speakers

Cory Harrison

Vice President of Overnight Camping for the YMCA of Camp GreenvilleWith more than 20 years of experience in executive-level leadership, Cory has gained invaluable knowledge by sitting on the senior leadership teams of a YNAN (network of YMCA’s largest associations), mid-Major YMCA... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 4:35pm - 5:35pm CST
Metropolitan Ballroom

Breakout

4:35pm CST

Who's In Control of Your Camp's Culture

Monday February 17, 2025 4:35pm - 5:35pm CST

Miro Ballroom

Camp culture influences every part of the camp experience – from how campers and staff interact to how they feel supported and valued. But who’s truly in control of your camp culture, and is it working for everyone? In this session, we will dive into the key elements that shape camp culture, focusing on both campers and staff.

Expect to walk away with practical strategies to assess, refine, and strengthen your camp culture to create a thriving, positive environment for everyone.

Speakers

Roger Christian

Owner & Director Camp Laurel SouthRoger and his wife Dagni each have a degree in Elementary Education. Additionally, Roger has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. He is very committed to working with children and has more than 40 years of camp experience. His camp is a... Read More →

Monday February 17, 2025 4:35pm - 5:35pm CST
Miro Ballroom

Breakout

6:45pm CST

1st Shuttle To The Rustic

Monday February 17, 2025 6:45pm - 6:55pm CST

The Rustic

We have two coach buses available to take you to The Rustic. If you miss the first shuttle, don’t worry—the second one will be back shortly!

Monday February 17, 2025 6:45pm - 6:55pm CST
The Rustic 3656 Howell Streeet, Dallas, TX 75204

Social

7:05pm CST

2nd Shuttle To The Rustic

Monday February 17, 2025 7:05pm - 7:15pm CST

The Rustic

Monday February 17, 2025 7:05pm - 7:15pm CST
The Rustic 3656 Howell Streeet, Dallas, TX 75204

Social

7:15pm CST

The Annual CODACON Gold Label Dinner at The Rustic

Monday February 17, 2025 7:15pm - 10:00pm CST

The Rustic

Buses will be provided to take our attendees to The Rustic for our annual Gold Label Dinner! If you prefer to Uber or Lyft the address of the restaurant is 3656 Howell Street, Dallas, TX.

Monday February 17, 2025 7:15pm - 10:00pm CST
The Rustic 3656 Howell Streeet, Dallas, TX 75204

Social

10:00pm CST

Brewers With Brewer

Monday February 17, 2025 10:00pm - 11:59pm CST

TBA

Monday February 17, 2025 10:00pm - 11:59pm CST
TBA

Social

7:30am CST

Early Bird Problem Solving Workshops

Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CST

Metropolitan Ballroom

Tuesday February 18, 2025 7:30am - 8:30am CST
Metropolitan Ballroom

8:30am CST

Achieve More: Insights Beyond Camping

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST

Metropolitan Ballroom

Speakers

Mario Del Cueto

Co-founded Mountain Camp Marin, a k-8 day camp, and works as its full time camp directorPreviously, Mario served as a management consultant at Bain & Company, received his MBA from Stanford, supported several ed-tech start-ups, and was a strategic analyst for the National Football... Read More →

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Metropolitan Ballroom

Breakout

8:30am CST

Building Character at Camp

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST

Miro Ballroom

Teambuilding Guru Jim Cain recently penned a new book with co-author Bob Ditter to explore valuable ways to build character at camp. In this workshop Jim and Clare-Marie will share several of their favorite ways to help you build character at your camp.

Speakers

Clare-Marie Hannon

Executive Director of LutheranchClare is an experienced Executive, with a track record in both Community Programs and Camp and Conference Center Leadership. She’s a visionary leader who grows organizations through: strategic planning, fiscal management, resource development building... Read More →

Jim Cain PhD

Dr. Jim Cain is the author of 31 team and community building texts, including the classic Teamwork & Teamplay, A Teachable Moment, Find Something To Do! and his latest books, The Adventure Trail and Print & Play. He is also the creator of the innovative T&T Training Cards.He has traveled... Read More →

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Miro Ballroom

Breakout

8:30am CST

Fair Pay, Happy Campers: The Why & How of Raising Summer Staff Salaries

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST

Monet Ballroom

Many of us have some sense that we need to increase our summer staff salaries. But there are so many things that get in our way. (So many!) We’ll spend a bit of time talking about the “why” of increasing summer staff salaries to get our motivation up, but we’ll spend most of the time talking about “how” to do it without upending your entire business, with real world examples to back it up.

Speakers

Paul Sheridan

Executive Director of Four Winds in Deer Harbor, WA | President of The Western Association of Independent Camps (WAIC)Paul is actively involved on the local and national level with the American Camp Association, the Camp Owners and Directors Association, and is currently the President... Read More →

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Monet Ballroom

Breakout

8:30am CST

Tackling Mental Health Challenges Among Staff

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST

Morocco Ballroom

This session will focus on equipping camp directors and owners with the knowledge and tools address mental wellness. You will learn to recognize early warning signs of mental health struggles among staff and campers. We will discuss why it is essential for camp leadership to be proactive in identifying and de-escalating potential mental health concerns. With anxiety, depression, and burnout becoming more prevalent, the ability to act early and offer support is crucial. The discussion will explore how proper training can empower leaders to foster a healthy, supportive camp culture and ensure that staff are mentally equipped to handle the emotional demands of camp life. We will also look at the detrimental effects that a mental health crisis occurring at camp can have and look at examples of how proper training can have a summer altering impact.

Speakers

Brenda McBride MD

Pediatrician and Former Camp Doctor For Laurel SouthDr. Brenda McBride is a dedicated physician with over 20 years of experience championing mental health and nutrition. With a career spanning pediatric oncology to pioneering mental health support for athletes, she combines compassion... Read More →

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am CST
Morocco Ballroom

Breakout

9:30am CST

Check-out is at 11 AM unless extended to 1 PM. Bags may be stored in the back of Chantilly West

Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:30am - 10:10am CST

Chantilly West

Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:30am - 10:10am CST
Chantilly West

9:30am CST

The Speedy Altman Breakfast

Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:30am - 10:10am CST

Chantilly West

Join us for breakfast as we honor Fritz Seving, this year's Speedy Altman Recipient!

Speakers

Fritz Seving

Fritz is the former owner of Camp Fernwood and Fernwood Cove in Maine, with extensive experience in the summer camp industry. He’s now a partner at Camp Wildwood in Maine and plays an active role on the boards of organizations like Global Camps Africa, Maine Camp Experience, CODA... Read More →

Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:30am - 10:10am CST
Chantilly West

Social

10:10am CST

Special Presentation - A Legislative Update

Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:10am - 10:30am CST

Chantilly West

Scott Brody's latest legislative update focuses on the evolving landscape of the camp industry in response to recent shifts in policy and regulations. As the political environment changes, camp operators are navigating new challenges and opportunities that impact everything from safety standards to environmental policies and staffing. Scott will highlight how the industry is adapting to these changes, ensuring that camps continue to provide valuable, enriching experiences for children.

Speakers

Scott Brody

Scott has been the Owner & Director of Camps Kenwood & Evergreen since 1996. As a camper, Scott discovered his strengths at K&E, making lasting friendships that continue to this day, learning how to be a good teammate, friend and leader. He returned to K&E as a Bunk Counselor and... Read More →

Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:10am - 10:30am CST
Chantilly West

Keynote

10:30am CST

10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People

Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Chantilly West

David Yeager, PhD, presents a groundbreaking keynote based on his latest book, 10 to 25: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation. Drawing from his extensive research on adolescent behavior and development, Yeager offers new insights into how short, impactful interventions can significantly shape motivation, mental health, and resilience in young people. With a focus on strategies for camp owners and directors, David explores how to effectively guide the next generation through critical life stages. His work, developed in collaboration with renowned psychologists like Carol Dweck and Angela Duckworth, has already influenced organizations like Google, Microsoft, and the World Bank. In this keynote, Yeager shares actionable tools and strategies that can inspire positive change in young minds, equipping leaders with the knowledge they need to foster engagement, well-being, and growth in adolescents today.

Speakers

David Yeager PhD

David Yeager, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and the cofounder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. He is best known for his research conducted with Carol Dweck, Angela Duckworth, and Greg Walton on short but powerful interventions... Read More →

Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Chantilly West

Keynote

11:30am CST

Speedy Award Ceremony

Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 11:40am CST

11:40am CST

Fall Tour Announcement

Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:40am - 11:50am CST

Chantilly West

David will announce the 5 camps participating in the Fall Tour this September!

Speakers

David Miller

David, a native of Newton, Massachusetts grew up as a camper in Maine, where he spent 12 summers as a camper, counselor, Hockey Specialist, and Division Head. He graduated from New York University and, prior to entering the camping industry, worked in the entertainment industry as... Read More →

Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:40am - 11:50am CST
Chantilly West

11:50am CST

Closing Remarks

Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:50am - 12:00pm CST

Chantilly West

Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:50am - 12:00pm CST
Chantilly West