2019 Winter Conference Takeaways - Day Camp Pod #10
Day Camp Ideas and Takeaways from the ACA National and the OCA Conference
We’re nearing the end of conference season 2019. If you’re like many other camp pros, you come back from these conferences with pages of notes and a brain full of ideas.
For those of you who weren’t able to make it to some conferences this year, first of all, get it in your budget for next year, then second, tune in to this Day Camp Pod episode!
Andy, Sam and Ehren attended the American Camp Association (ACA) National Conference and the Ontario Camps Association (OCA) provincial conference in the past couple of months. Back with some game, changing ideas, the hosts were chomping at the bit to share with all of you.
Listen in to hear more about:
Why go to these conferences? Why wouldn’t you just get this information online?
The Day Camp Cafe with Michael Brandwein
Inclusion ideas and practices
New ways to engage staff, campers and families with online survey and polling tools
Emerging medical concerns and practices in the camp world
New marketing tips, tools and strategies
More staff recruiting and retention techniques
Did you attend any other conferences this winter? What did you take away from them? Let us know in the comments!
Bonus notes! Because those of you who scroll this far deserve a high-five…and more resources! Thanks for these, Sam!
Sam’s Notes - Awesome Camp Pros to reach out to!
Things we do well:
smariebrickley@indyymca.org
Sophie does a great Accommodation Process Form
rdesmond@brightschool.com
Does wonderful camp programming for early learners, 3-8 year olds
lsomogyi@girlscoutsgchwi.org
Has great ideas for environmental and conservation stewardship efforts. Such as a Butterfly garden and a compost bin.
Laurel.zitney@ymcacharlotte.org
Has a camp songs and more resource: ultimatecampresource.com
shoule@cotesaintluc.org
Does a fun theme day every Friday instead of weekly.
hammoc@uw.edu
Chad does a lot of online training before camp starts.
drdebjohnson@gmail.com
She is with Camp Courage USA in Owasso, OK. She incorporates mental health therapy- social/emotional skills, either one on one or in groups with the campers.
Google bus services in your area or ask principals for contacts for bus options.
jpoole@secondcity.com
Runs an inner city camp, focused on drama and performing.
mgilson@girlscoutsww.org
Is willing to help first time day camp creators.
Some outside ideas for a camp on campus for nature are: Project Wild books is a resource for camps with limited space. Geocaching, a different science lab on campus each session.
YOUR HOSTS:
Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp, past president ACA NY/NJ, partner/founder Everwood Day Camp, founder/past president NJ Camps Government Affairs Project
Ehren Gluckstein, Assistant Director - Camp Robin Hood, Director - Robin Hood Leadership Centre & Corporate Rentals, Volunteer Ontario Camps Association (OCA) annual conference/accreditation visitor
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA Illinois
Sponsors:
Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
American Camp Association, NY & NJ http://www.acanynj.org/
AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/