New England Camp Podcast

Discover the new North Star guiding ACA New England and its role in uniting camp professionals. In this episode, we reveal the vision, introduce key leaders shaping the future, and explore how this guiding principle fosters community and growth across the region. Key Topics: The adoption of a new North Star for ACA New England The significance of a shared vision for regional growth Leadership insi...

In this episode of the New England Camp Podcast, Michele shares insights from her recent Hill Day experience, emphasizing the importance of advocacy, international programs, and engaging with policymakers to support the camping industry. Thank you to Chalmers Camp Insurance for sponsoring this episode.

Bud and John McNair, the Standards Chair for New England, talk about the accreditation process in camping. They discuss the importance of standards, the role of visitors, and how accreditation supports professional growth and program quality.

Bud and Gillian explore the upcoming New England Camp Conference, highlighting its community focus, educational opportunities, and fun activities. Conference Chairs Carly Vargas and Zach D'Arbeloff also stop by. See ya'll in Manchester! Key Topics Community and Networking at the Conference Educational Sessions and Program Highlights Expo Hall and Vendor Opportunities Chapters 00:00 Introdu...

In this episode of the New England Camp Podcast, Bud Copeland and Ayla Gudelsky discuss the importance of connections made at camp, especially around Valentine's Day. They share stories of how camp experiences have led to lasting relationships. The conversation highlights the significance of community and networking within the camp environment, encouraging listeners to share their own camp sto...

Summary In this episode of the New England Camp Podcast, Bud and Kerry Salvo discuss the importance of community in camping, Kerry's journey in the camp industry, and the upcoming New England Camp Conference. They highlight the role of the expo hall in connecting vendors and camps, and introduce the new New England Business Membership aimed at supporting local businesses and consultants in the...

Shoutout to Gillian for her work in updating the sign here at New England HQ. We're closed starting Christmas Day and will return the Monday after New Years. New England Camp Conference registration will remain open along with ACA's CampCounts survey.https://acanewengland.org for more. See you in 2026

In this episode of the New England Camp Podcast, Bud and Michele reflect on the past year in the camping industry, discussing the successful return to normalcy post-COVID, highlights from the New England Camp Conference, and the importance of community engagement and professional development. They emphasize the need for diverse leadership within the organization and the financial support available...

ACA, New England has two more Coffee & Camp Chats for 2025. Check acanewengland.org/events for the links. Friday 12/12 online at 10am and Monday 12/15 LIVE in Bridgton, ME from 11am - 2:30pm. Also, CampCounts from ACA Inc. is back. Primary Contacts for camps should've received an email Friday with the deets. Get in touch with Bud or any of your friends at ACA Inc. if you have questions.

Last week, 14 dedicated camp pros met at Camp Sunshine on Sebago Lake to complete Part II of the Accreditation Volunteer Course (formerly Associate Visitor Course). Thank you to our partners at ACA Inc. for the materials; Scott Malm and Jo-Ellen Ross for their instruction and education; Haillie, Gillian, Ayla, and Kerry in our office for putting this together and getting the word out; Michele and...

On today's Monday Message, Bud talks about Giving Tuesday goals for ACA, New England including where the money goes. He teases the latest episode of the New England Camp Podcast which features ACA, New England teammate, Gillian Gold. Gillian shares her camp story, and the two of them dive into the New England Camp Conference. What is it? Where is it? What to expect?

In this episode of the New England Camp Podcast, Bud and Gillian discuss the importance of camp experiences, share personal camp stories, and highlight the upcoming New England Camp Conference. Gillian shares her journey through various camps, emphasizing the value of diverse experiences in shaping her love for the camp community. The conversation also includes fun icebreaker questions and a detai...

1. **Investment in Education Pays Off** Katie emphasized that investing in education for both staff and campers has yielded positive results. This summer saw an increase in awareness and preparedness among staff when it came to recognizing and addressing inappropriate behaviors. For instance, when incidents arose, staff were better equipped to communicate and escalate concerns promptly to Chalmers...

In this episode of the New England Camp Podcast, Bud discusses the importance of accreditation in the camping industry, previewing the process of becoming an accredited camp through ACA New England. He explains the role of peer review, the steps involved in the accreditation process, and the significance of site visits. The episode also highlights the vital role of trained visitors in supporting c...

Jessica and Ajay from the New England Camp Conference committee talk through submitting a proposal to speak at the New England Camp Conference.

In this episode of the New England Camp Podcast, Bud and Michele answer "Who and what is ACA, New England?", they discuss the importance of community and networking among camp professionals, and the value of camp tours in fostering relationships and sharing knowledge. They emphasize the role of ACA New England in supporting its members and the camping community at large, while also sharing persona...

Bud from ACA New England speaks with Liz from DearScout about the importance of mental health support for camp staff, the dynamics of running a summer camp, and the challenges faced by camp directors. They discuss the need for effective communication with parents, the implementation of new supervision models, and the significance of employee benefits in attracting and retaining quality staff in th...

Bud and Ayla from the American Camp Association, New England introduce a show intent on sharing stories, resources, and insights related to the New England camp community. The podcast aims to engage listeners with various topics, including camp accreditation, staffing, risk management, business, leadership, and the overall camp experience. Subscribe so you don't miss a show or bonus content.