CampWire

ACA's Professional Development Manager of the Western Region,  John Beitner sits down with two experts in horticulture!  Join the conversation about the importance and value of connecting young people to the power of plants and the rewards of growing them as a key aspect of youth development.  Featuring Susan Yoder of Seed Your Future and Alex Yost of Farm Camp . Special thanks to our wonderful sp...

ACA's Professional Development Manager of the Western Region,  John Beitner sits down with Hameeda Abdul Kadir, Raegan Quattlebaum and Ronald Towns to discuss how their camps have made diversity and inclusion the cornerstone of their programs and how they discuss racism and oppression on a regular basis with their campers.  They share impactful strategies and activities to help camps integrate thi...

This episode will not give you answers, but we hope that the questions we ask ourselves are thought provoking and valuable for the culture of your camp. ACA's Professional Development Manager of the Western Region, John Beitner sits down for an honest conversation between Camp Winnarainbow Director, Yatiel Owens and Tumbleweed Day Camp Owner/Director, Liz Kimmelman .  Together, we talk about the r...

CampWire is pleased to bring you a conversation on hiring for diversity — full of value for camps and youth-serving organizations. Our expert panel covers topics around how camps can identify their diversity needs; how they can benefit from a diverse staff; how to address diversity, equity, and inclusion during staff training; and much more! As we approach a new year, we hope this episode offers r...

On this episode of CampWire, we are joined by Liz Kimmelman of Tumbleweed Day Camp in Los Angeles, CA and Andy Shlensky from North Star Camp for Boys in Hayward, WI.  We talk about how their camps safely served student communities as kids returned to their school programming in online formats amid the pandemic.  We also discuss how the Field Guide and lessons learned from summer 2020 will help cam...

On this bonus edition of CampWire - we sit down with school psychologist, adolescent and family counselor, SADD Chairman and CEO, camp director, researcher, motivational speaker, and college professor - Stephen Gray Wallace !  During this archived conversation we cover how Stephen got involved in the world of camp, his outlook on "relational vs. transactional counseling" and the critical need for...

On this episode of CampWire - Kymberly Miller facilitates a frank and candid discussion between three African American women that have created highly impactful youth development organizations. This compelling conversation covers information about the individual programs they’ve founded and what it takes to lead their organizations.  The group explores perspectives and opinions on the reality of wh...

On this episode of CampWire - Board certified attending family physician and resilience expert, Deborah Gilboa, MD, aka “Dr. G” joins John Beitner to speak to the importance of maintaining mental, emotional and social health (MESH) as a top priority at summer camp – even during a COVID-19 pandemic. Please "like" and subscribe.  As always, feel free to leave a comment on what you would like to see...

ACA's Camps on Campus Coordinator- Tim Huchton joins Youth Protection Program Directors LeeKeshia Williams from University of Austin Texas and Nate Freidman from University of Utah.  This group of leaders speak on the rise of accreditation needs on college campuses and the importance of protecting minors in those environments.  Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, CampDoc !   The views and op...

We are delighted to sit down with ACA's Director of Research, Dr. Laurie Browne to break down what it means to be a " Leading Voice for Camp in Youth Education and Development ".  We provide research updates and look to the future of the camp industry.  Catch Dr. Browne at the Research Forum  during ACA's National Conference (February 11-14) in San Diego, CA.  Want to learn more about ACA's resear...

ACA's Chief Operating Officer - Henry DeHart joins the podcast to discuss the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan .  In this episode, we cover the 4 over-arching goals of the strategic plan and how they serve as pillars of quality assurance for camp families, volunteers and staff.  Take a listen as Henry details how the strategic plan was created, how it affects you, how to get involved and what this means f...

Join the conversation with Directors Carl Wargo ( YMCA Camp Y-Noah ), Dan Reynolds ( Akron Rotary Camp ), Diana Huff ( AstroCamp ), Paul Kupferman ( Catalina Sea Camp ) and Heather Kupferman ( Guided Discoveries )!  In episode 24, we look into what camps can do during the fall and winter months to stay active with camper communities, generate revenue, and prepare for the summer ahead.  Thanks for...

Camp Marketing Directors Darby Dame and Sam Hirt join Camp Owner and Director  Larry Johnson for a round-table discussion about the advantages and concerns of using facial recognition technology at camp. Would this service benefit your campers' parents? Or does the technology cross the boundaries of childhood autonomy? Tune in to hear three unique perspectives on the topic and decide for yourself!...

Health care professionals are vital to the fundamental operations of a camp.  In this episode, we speak with Dr. Michael Ambrose , Founder and CEO of CampDoc , which serves as a resource for camps to keep track of medications and health records.  We also visit with leading voices in camp nursing, Tracey Gaslin and Linda Erceg , about health hot topics and ways to connect the best nurses with camp...

What makes for great singing experiences and song leading at summer camp? ACA's John Beitner talks with Jacki Breger and Larry Hall about the transformational power singing has at camp.   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

In the 20th episode of CampWire, ACA talks with Ian Garner of Markel Insurance and Katie Johnson of The Redwoods Group about midsummer safety training for staff as well as other issues insurance providers are seeing at camps. Markel Insurance is the mission partner of the American Camp Association. The Redwoods Group is partnering with with ACA on our research efforts, including the 5-year impact...

George Khalaf is the executive director of Empatico - a new business partner of the American Camp Association. In this episode, listen to George talk about Empatico's vision and how they can help camps connect their campers with kids around the world through experiences that spark curiosity, kindness, and empathy. Learn more about ACA's partnership with Empatico .   The views and opinions expresse...

In this special, short episode of CampWire, Sam talked with Meghan Colon who is thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to raise money for ACA's Send a Child to Camp fund. She believes in the power of camp and wants to help others experience what she's experienced. Donate to Meghan's journey!   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect th...

Listen to this incredibly informative and useful discussion about inclusion at camp with Niambi Jaha-Echols , Chad Nico Hiu , and Roberto Gil Jr . These three guests give tips on how to introduce inclusion into camp culture, and how to fuse it into staff training. Don't forget, you can stream all episodes of CampWire on Spotify !   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are t...

Listen to ACA's Director of Research update us on where we are with the 5-year Impact Study, and she discusses why this matters for the camp community. Check out the study! This episode is sponsored by  The Redwoods Group .   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

CampWire host Sam Hirt brings you with him for an entire day at National Conference. He pops into educational sessions, the keynote, and interviews conference attendees. Follow conference updates at #ACANat19   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

In the fifteenth episode of CampWire, meet the five winners of the Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence. These camps will be honored at ACA's National Conference next month in Nashville.  Learn more about ACA Awards .   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Tom Schenk has been Director of Technology at ACA for almost 25 years. On this episode, Sam spoke with him about the ways in which technology has changed in his time at ACA, and about some of the tech resources that ACA offers camp professionals and parents.   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp As...

In the 13th episode of CampWire, Sam spoke with ACA's Director of Accreditation Rhonda Mickelson about the recent update to ACA's standards program. Sam also had the help of another colleague, Western Region Director Michele Branconier, who interviewed longtime visitor and ACA volunteer, Cindy Moore. This episode is sponsored by Air O Sport .   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contr...

In the twelfth episode of CampWire, Sam interviews Paul Sheridan from Four Winds, Westward Ho! about #CampMovesMe. Learn more about the month-long fundraising campaign on the ACA website . Sam also spoke with ACA's new Chief Operating Officer, Henry DeHart, about his background and what he looks forward to in his new role.   The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their ow...