NORTHEAST YMCA CAMP CONFERENCE
Conference to Connect
January 27-29, 2020 at FROST VALLEY YMCA
FROST VALLEY YMCA 2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 12725 TEL 845-985-2291 FAX 845-985-0056 WEB frostvalley.org Frost Valley YMCA is a values-driven organization that fosters youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility through outdoor educational and recreational programs for all.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3...............................Conference Schedule 4...............................Welcome from the Chair 5...............................Map of Frost Valley YMCA & Workshop Locations 6...............................Frost Valley YMCA General Information & Policies 7...............................Keynote Speakers 8...............................Featured Speakers 9...............................Highlighted Speakers 9...............................Workshop Category Key 10............................Session #1 .................................MON 2:30-3:45pm 12.............................Session #2 .................................MON 4-5:15pm 14.............................Session #3 .................................TUES 9-10:15am 16............................Session #4 .................................TUES 10:30-11:45am 18.............................Session #5 .................................TUES 2:15-3:30pm 20............................Session #6 .................................TUES 3:45-5pm 22............................Session #7 (Evening Recreation) .................................TUES 5:15-6:15pm 23............................Session #8 .................................WED 9-10:15am 25............................Speaker Biographies 31.............................Sponsor Information 33............................Sponsor Ads 44............................NEYCC Awards 44............................2020 Committee Members
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE MONDAY: 10:00am........................ Registration Begins ......................................... Accommodation check in at the Welcome Center ......................................... Conference check in at the Dining Hall (DH) 12:15-1:15pm................ Lunch 1:15pm............................ Welcome & Orientation (DH) 1:30-2:15pm................. Opening Activity (DH) 2:30-3:45pm................ Session #1 4:00-5:15pm................. Session #2 5:45pm........................... Pre-Dinner Messages 6:00pm........................... Dinner 7:00pm........................... Keynote Speaker #1 ......................................... Entertainment & Social Time TUESDAY: 7:45-8:45am................. Breakfast 9:00-10:15am............... Session #3 10:30-11:45am............ Session #4 12:00pm........................ Lunch ......................................... Vendor Hall & Silent Auction 2:15-3:30pm................. Session #5 3:45-5:00pm................ Session #6 5:15-6:15pm.................. Session #7 - Recreation 5:15-6:15pm.................. Executive & Vendor Mixer (Castle) 6:30pm........................... Dinner 7:30pm........................... Awards, Silent Auction Ends ......................................... Followed by Entertainment & Social Time
WEDNESDAY: 7:45-8:45am................. Breakfast ......................................... Move out 9:00-10:15am............... Session #8 10:45-12:00pm............ Keynote Speaker #2 ......................................... Closing Remarks 12:00pm........................ Lunch
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WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR The 2020 Conference to Connect starts now and the Planning Committee and the Staff here at Frost Valley YMCA are so glad that you have chosen to spend some time with us. Let us be the first to officially welcome you to the Northeast YMCA Camp Conference (NEYCC) and please let us know if there is anything, we can do to make your time better. I recently read an article that listed the benefits of summer camp, and when I think about that article and this conference, I see so many similarities. Please indulge me if you will but, here are my 10 benefits of NEYCC (and summer camp). 1. Building Unique Interests: There are not many places where we can go to learn about waterslides, archery tag, and social emotional needs in the same day. Here at NEYCC pick a session that might not have anything to do with your current role, or something about a program that you do not yet offer. 2. Reinvent and Eliminate Categories: So often we get tied up with ‘oh that is a day camp thing,’ or ‘we don’t do that because we are an Overnight Program.’ Use your current lens but, be open to the possibility that other lessons can easily translate from one lens to the other. Connect and learn from one another. 3. Learn New Skills: NEYCC is a total immersion conference. We are disconnected from the outside (literally because there is no cell service) so take the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone. Do the things we preach to our campers, make new friends, try a new food, stay up late or go to bed early! 4. Make New Connections: Some of my closest friends are from camp and now having attended NEYCC some of my closest YMCA mentors and connections are from this conference. Asking questions, seeking advice, being a little vulnerable allows us to really grow as professionals no matter what stage of our career we find ourselves. 5. Mental Stimulation & Physical Activity: Enjoy the great surroundings Frost Valley has to offer. Take time to enjoy the beauty that we are surrounded by. Enjoy being out of our home offices for a few days and refill your mental buckets. 6. Reinforce Independence and Empowerment: NEYCC is a great place to gain knowledge but it is an even better place to share. If you did not submit a presentation this year, consider what you can bring to our conference in 2021. We are all subject matter experts with unique opinions and skills and this conference would not be what it is without you. So as you attend sessions and then head back to your respective camps, think about what you have to offer your fellow camping professionals. 7. Confidence Reinforced by Success: Each year NEYCC recognizes the best of the best with our awards. Whether it is a new program or your camps commitment to social responsibility; nominate and celebrate. We don’t forget individuals either, so from Rising Star to Legend in Camping we want to hear from you about who you think is the most deserving of our praise! 8. Judgement Free Zone: While this may fit into a few other categories we want you at NEYCC to feel open to ask questions, we want you to be vulnerable and open to suggestions and if you feel moved, present on something crazy because chances are if you are thinking it… someone else is too. 9. Instill Appreciation and Gratitude: I know that every time I leave NEYCC I am more motivated than ever to go back to my YMCA and get ready for the upcoming summer. It is true what they say about 9 months for 3 months and this Conference to Connect is just the mid-winter boost we need to propel us into the upcoming summer. 10. Fun & Entertaining: There are many reasons you may choose to come to NEYCC and hopefully amongst those listed above you come to have fun and be entertained. We hope that you take away nuggets from all our sessions. We hope that you make new connections so when you are back at your camps you have a new network of colleagues to reach out to for help and to celebrate successes. We hope that you meet and shop with our vendors and sponsors whom without their support this conference could not and would not be possible. We know that you have many options when it comes to professional development, so I just want to say thank you again for making the choice to join us at NEYCC. If there is anything the Planning Committee or Frost Valley Staff can do to make your time at NEYCC better, please do not hesitate to reach out. Yours in Camping, Courtney Hoy 2020 Northeast YMCA Camp Conference Chair Senior Program Director, YMCA Camp Cassey, YMCA of Delaware
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(GH)
WORKSHOP & CLASSROOM LOCATIONS
THOMAS DINING HALL (DH)
(WC)
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WELCOME TO FROST VALLEY Please take a moment to read through Frost Valley YMCA’s policies and general information below. Visit the Front Desk in the Welcome Center if you have any questions. The Welcome Center will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Call extension 200 if you have questions.
TELEPHONES AND INTERNET ACCESS: Incoming messages may be received in our Welcome Center at 845-985-2291 and will be delivered at the following meal. There is limited cell phone service for Verizon users only at our Welcome Center and Geyer Hall. This service is designed for quick calls and is not intended for lengthy conversations. Frost Valley YMCA provides house phones throughout our property that can be used for longer calls, and will work with a calling card, credit card, or by calling collect. A business center will be set up in Geyer Hall to make any phone calls necessary. To make an outside call, dial your calling card number, the phone number or collect number. Pre-paid phone cards are sold at the Welcome Center and the Frost Valley Store. Public Wi-Fi internet access is available in the Welcome Center, the Thomas Dining Hall, and Geyer Hall. CAMP SECURITY: For everyone’s safety, all guests must check in upon arrival at the Welcome Center with a valid government issued photo ID. Guests will then receive a wristband or name tag and must wear those at all time during their visit. Guests will also receive a Parking Permit which must be displayed inside the front windshield of their vehicle. If replacements are needed throughout your visit, please visit the Welcome Center.
ROAD RULES: There is a 15 MPH speed limit posted throughout camp. As part of our wellness initiative we encourage you to walk when possible! SMOKING: NY State law prohibits smoking in all buildings. As a courtesy to all guests, smoking is not allowed in program areas or within 50 feet of buildings; please dispose of cigarette butts properly. ALCOHOL: NY State law prohibits the consumption of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. Alcohol is not permitted in common areas of camp. LOST & FOUND: Found items may be returned to the Welcome Center or to a staff member at the Dining Hall. To inquire about lost items, contact our Housekeeping Department at ext. 315 or via email: housekeeping@frostvalley.org. ROOM CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE: Check-out is no later than breakfast the day of your departure. A late fee of $75 is charged (if prior arrangements are not made). Please help us by using this checklist:
STORE: The Frost Valley YMCA Camp Store is located in the Thomas Dining Hall and stocks toiletries, clothing and souvenirs. The Store is open during meal times. Cash, checks, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
• Place linens and towels by the front door (Lakeview/Castle leave in room) • Place garbage in the trash box located outside your lodge • Turn off all lights • Turn thermostats down to 65˚ (Lakeview Lodge, turn dial full LEFT) • Check for personal belongings
FITNESS CENTER: Our Staff Fitness Center will be made available for use during your visit. Please use code 9876 to enter. Thank you for helping us to maintain a safe and clean environment for all to enjoy!
NOTE: You will be held responsible for damaged or missing building furnishings.
RECYCLING: Help us be true to our stewardship values at Frost Valley. Recycling bins are located throughout camp and compost is accepted at the Thomas Dining Hall. Please ask a staff member if you have any questions.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: Assistance is available from any phone by dialing 200. After 10 p.m. dial ext. 328. The 24 hour EMT staff will respond and care will be provided in the Guenther Family Wellness Center. Frost Valley YMCA does not provide health or accident insurance to guests and is not responsible for injuries incurred while guests use personal sports equipment. Information on area hospitals is available at the Wellness Center (ext. 225) and the Welcome Center.
NOTE ON TRANSPORTATION: We strongly discourage driving personal vehicles on camp. For convenience and safety of all guests please park your car and walk or use the shuttles provided.
AVAILABLE MEETING SPACES BY REQUEST: The Huncosky Board Room (in the Wellness Center) and the Geyer Hall Board Room are available to be signed out for small group discussions.
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THE 2020 NEYCC KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ROZ & JED BUCK Owners, Roz and Jed Training & Consulting jed@rozandjed.com Keynote – Monday 7:00pm “Love What You Do! Using Connection to Increase Engagement for You and Your Team” Roz and Jed worked side by side as the Owners/Directors of Meadowbrook Country Day Camp in Long Valley, NJ from 2004-2016. Their work in Camp dates back to High School when they met as teenagers working at Jeff Lake Camp. After retiring from full-time Camp ownership, Roz and Jed launched Roz and Jed Training and Consulting to help other Camps make a difference. Their speaking experience includes many different American Camp Association (ACA) conferences as well as YMCA, JCCA, and Park & Recreation conferences. In 2016, they were honored as joint recipients of the prestigious ACA Thelma Hurwitz Leadership Award and both serve as Mentors for the Touro University Masters in Camping Program. They have lived in Millburn, NJ for over 25 years, which is where they raised their 2 children, Melanie and Marc.
AMANDA MESSER Co-Founder, Because I Said I Would Keynote – Wednesday 10:45am Amanda Messer is the Co-Founder of because I said I would, the international social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. At a young age, Amanda learned the effect that promises broken have on relationships. Her father struggled with addiction and was not good with keeping his commitments to his little girl. Amanda was drawn to helping start because I said I would knowing that there are other people whose lives are deeply affected by broken promises. Amanda uses her deep personal connection to promises to inspire and motivate her audiences to become better with their commitments. Since September 4th, 2012, because I said I would has: distributed over 10.3 million Promise Cards to over 153 countries, started local chapters of volunteer teams, developed free resources that have been downloaded over 1,000 times, delivered live character development programming to over 150,000 students and created awareness campaigns that have been seen by millions. Because I said I would’s work has been featured on CNN, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, the Steve Harvey Show and many other programs. Amanda is a two-time TEDx speaker and has delivered keynotes in both the United States and internationally.
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FEATURED SPEAKERS TRAVIS ALLISON President, Camp Consulting Services travis@gocamp.pro Travis Allison hates mushy fruit but loves jam. And, it’s not just fruit that Travis thinks about in great detail. His creative and conscientious persona has made him a keynote speaker at conferences across the US and Canada. Travis knows his mission: to help organizations create spaces where children and young adults can be truly noticed and appreciated.
LISA DRENNAN Founder | Trainer | Speaker, MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting
JEFF MERHIGE Executive Director / Co-Chair Joe C Davis YMCA Outdoor Center / Camp Widjiwagan / YUSA Overnight Camp Cabinet jmerhige@ymcamidtn.org In his 26th professional year with the YMCA, Jeff is the Current Executive Director of the Joe C Davis YMCA Outdoor Center/ Camp Widjiwagan and the Co-Chair to the YUSA Camp Overnight cabinet. He has been written about in two national leadership books for his focus on excellence and culture management (The Disney Way Editions 2 and 3). Jeff has raised over 10 million dollars of capital, turned three YMCA camp operations around and built the only YMCA nonprofit canopy tour In the US. He speaks at regional and national events and trains and assists camps all over the USA. He is married to Amy (whom he met at camp) and has two children Luke and Sydney who attend four different camps each summer (Camp Surf, Widjiwagan, Kern and Camp Juliet Low)
lisadrennan@mergeconsulting.org “Lisa has a long career supporting individuals with disabilities to be active and engaged within their community. Starting as a direct support staff at New England Village, a residential community for persons with developmental disabilities, she climbed the ranks and was named the Director of the Sollar Wellness Center, a first-of-it-kind facility offering aquatics, fitness, art and music specifically designed to meet the needs of persons with diverse abilities. As the Director of Inclusion for her local YMCA, she created an array of programming and a fully inclusive model at 3 Day Camp sites. She was appointed Chair of a Diverse Abilities Resource Group for the Y-USA providing support and education to YMCA staff nationally. At her company MERGE, Lisa teaches our community how to become more inclusive in their practices by providing comprehensive consultation and training to community recreation, camp, & sport program providers to help them meet their inclusion goals. Lisa graduated from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont with a Psychology degree. She lives with her family in Pembroke, Mass. and is an avid fitness enthusiast who enjoys outdoor adventure activities.
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JOANNA WARREN SMITH President, Camp Consulting Services campconsulting@roadrunner.com
Joanna has assessed hundreds of not-for-profit and private camps, acquiring a unique industry perspective of best business practices. She is passionate about the impact that the camp experience can have on a child, especially in today’s precarious world. Ongoing parent focus groups have enabled her to understand what motivates families to inquire, purchase and return. Joanna has consulted with new camps, assisted marginal operations in their efforts to survive and has been instrumental in the continuing success of premier camps and year-round conference centers.
HIGHLIGHTED SPEAKERS JERRY HUNCOSKY
KALEENA ESCALLIER
CEO, Frost Valley YMCA jhuncosky@frostvalley.org
Senior Manager, Community Strategy, YMCA of the USA kaleena.escallier@ymca.net
Jerry is the CEO of Frost Valley YMCA. He has successfully led the organization for over 17 years. Revenue has grown from 6.7 million to nearly 16 million under his tenure. Jerry is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, in his hometown. He has celebrated 35 years of professional YMCA work, beginning at Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya as an intern and summer trip leader. He is a visionary and self-taught strategic planner, leading Frost Valley through three five-year plans. Having led several strategic planning processes, he believes in getting as many staff and volunteers involved in the process as possible. Jerry has worked with camp professionals all over the world and has been most recently involved with the planning of Camp Pjetershan, the first camp in Kosovo. He has held executive positions at YMCA Camp Fuller, and Grady Spruce, but credits his time with the New York City Y Camps as the launching point for his career.
Kaleena has served the YMCA for over 10 years, providing leadership to YMCA youth, family and day and overnight camping programs before accepting a role at YMCA of the USA supporting evidence based youth development nationally. Before joining the Y, Kaleena taught 5th and 6th grade and directed experiential outdoor education and out-of-school time programs. In her current role as community strategist, Kaleena works to connect the Y’s staff and volunteers in knowledge sharing and social networking.
JOHN TILLEY CEO, YMCA Camp Coniston
ELIZABETH SNELL Director of Standards, American Camp Association, New England elizabeth@acanewengland.org In her role as Director of Accreditation Services at ACA New England, Elizabeth has the opportunity to work with accreditation visitors, trainers, and camp professionals throughout all of New England. Prior to arriving in New England, Elizabeth received degrees in English, Sport Management, and Outdoor Education. She followed her passion for camp and spent over 15 years directing and supporting various summer programs in the Girl Scouts and YMCA organizations. When she is not working with the ACANE volunteers, she can be found spending time with her three children Emmaline, Matthew, and Caroline and trying to find time for a nap.
WORKSHOP CATEGORY KEY To help you make your Session choices, the committee has designated eight different areas that the workshops may fall into. At the end of each session description there is a key:
John has been the CEO of YMCA Camp Coniston in New Hampshire for 20 years. Prior to that he was the Assistant Director at Deer Valley Family Camp of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, PA. He began working in camps in 1982 and grew up in South Carolina. He is the former co-chair of the YUSA Camping Cabinet and serves on the ACA New England Board of Directors.
Resident Camp................................ RC Outdoor Education.......................... OE Executive/CEO................................ EX Business/Operations...................... BO Day Camp........................................ DC Conferences/Retreats..................... CR Teambuilding.................................. TB Financial Development.................... FD
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MONDAY 2:30-3:45pm • SESSION #1 Room
Session Title
Category
Presenter(s)
Geyer Room 1 (GH)
Meet the YMCA Collective Marketing Initiative!
DC, BO, EX, FD, RC
Amanda Hinski & Susan Coker
Putnam Room (GH)
Superstar Interviewing: Summer Camp Audition Process
DC, TB, RC
Ashli Fragomeni
Day Room (DH)
Staff Training 101
DC, TB, RC
Benjamin Silliman
Gottscho Room (WC)
Diversity & inclusion at camp: why, how, and what it looks like
DC, EX, RC
Dan Weir & Nick Lomauro
Groel Room (GH)
One Camp’s Internal Communication Plan and How It Keeps Our Parents Happy
DC, BO, EX, RC
Elizabeth Staib-King & Patrick Gizinski
DC
Jason Gottfried & Michele Rowcliffe
Landsberger Arts & Crafts DAY CAMP, DAY CAMP, DAY CAMP. How to find the (WC) golden nugget within every conference workshop Geyer Room 5 (GH)
Communication in Crisis
DC, BO, EX, RC
Mike Obermayer
Margetts
Mirror Mirror: Assessing the Quality of Your Camp
DC, EX, RC
Patrick Connelly
Theater (WC)
Be The Brand: Your Professional Persona Positively Impacts Your Camp & Your Future Career
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Travis Allison
MEET THE YMCA COLLECTIVE MARKETING INITIATIVE! Amanda Hinski & Susan Coker Two members (and Y camp enthusiasts!) will provide an update from the YMCA Collective Marketing Initiative (YCMI), which is the steering committee for the national marketing strategy of the Y. In this session, you’ll learn about the goals of the national initiative as well as a progress report on market research, data collection, and brand valuation efforts. Additionally, you’ll be informed about the many resources available to Ys for their local marketing efforts, including free educational opportunities to strengthen your marketing acumen. Finally, this is also your chance to participate in the initiative! A generous portion of this session will be dedicated to sharing your input, feedback, and what you hope to see from YCMI, as well as time to have questions answered.
DC, BO, EX, FD, RC
SUPERSTAR INTERVIEWING: SUMMER CAMP AUDITION PROCESS Ashli Fragomeni Ensure you’re seeing and getting the best out there with introducing prospective and returning staff to the Summer Camp Audition process! The idea behind Summer Camp Auditions is get lots of interviewing done in a smaller amount of time, see how your potential staff works together, and allow the team to being the bonding process at first site! This session will walk you through the steps of introducing camp auditions to your team, help you create a process that is specific to you, and kick start/wrap up your hiring process with the most fun you’ve ever had interviewing!
DC, TB, RC
STAFF TRAINING 101 Benjamin Silliman Staff training is a never ending exercise in logistics, inclusion, preparation and refinement. Last summer, over 120 counselors were hired at YMCA Camp Ingersoll. This workshop will detail Ingersoll’s successes and challenges after modifying the schedule, delivery, content and philosophy of our existing training. We will review and discuss our strategy in creating a more personal, effective, and impactful training while sharing all of our tools, manuals, and resources. You will not only leave this workshop with new ideas, but also with all of the resources we use at Camp Ingersoll. Please join us if you are a new director looking for training resources which promote life changing experiences for your staff and in turn, your campers.
DC, TB, RC
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AT CAMP: WHY, HOW, AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE Dan Weir & Nick Lomauro For some camps, diversity and inclusion is a core philosophy of their camp’s mission. For others, diversity and inclusion is a far off goal with no road map to start this journey. This session is for the latter. It’s vital to the future of camp that every person feels welcomed at summer camp. Part of fostering a diversity & inclusive culture as a camp industry is making sure this topic is approachable for all. We’ll talk about the work the YMCA of the USA and Y camps across the country has been doing. 10 Y camps, making the “Camp Inclusion Project”, have piloted different diversity & inclusion strategies for the past two years. We’ll also cover tools to help you get started including a handbook this group created. We’ll cover takeaways that you can implement this summer. Disclaimer: while this session is led by two cisgender straight married white dudes, we are fully aware we are also on a journey to increase diversity & inclusion at own camps.
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DC, EX, RC
ONE CAMP’S INTERNAL COMMUNICATION PLAN AND HOW IT KEEPS OUR PARENTS HAPPY Elizabeth Staib-King & Patrick Gizinski Camp is for the campers, but it’s their parents who send them. With the way our society stays in touch with each other through texting, email, facetime, and social media – a parent leaving their child at camp with a stranger they’ve just met can be intimidating. This session will break down what a strong communication plan for your camp can look like and it will help with sustaining a positive relationship with parents. Learn about what a communication plan can do when your campers are feeling homesick and want to call home, methods on communicating with parents, and best practices for when you have parent complaints. Liz & Pat will help set up your camp for success!
DC, BO, EX, RC
DAY CAMP, DAY CAMP, DAY CAMP. HOW TO FIND THE GOLDEN NUGGET WITHIN EVERY CONFERENCE WORKSHOP Jason Gottfried & Michele Rowcliffe In this session we will help camp professionals translate “overnight camp operations” to the day camp world, including schedules, programs, traditions, and relationships. We will help day camp enthusiasts navigate the NEYCC program guide as well as maximize their time with the most impactful takeaway ideas. While a number of sessions may be delivered by overnight camp staff; push yourself to find ways to translate these skills and ideas to your home day camp.
DC
COMMUNICATION IN CRISIS Mike Obermayer Every camp is vulnerable to crisis. The critical period following these events is when decisions have to be made that will considerably impact your camp. It is a time of exploration requiring rapid processing of information and decisive action to attempt to minimize harm and to make the most of a potentially damaging situation. Your communication with community stakeholders; parents, campers, staff, media, and emergency responders is imperative. This session will share communication and information seeking strategies for you and your staff when facing an array of crises that can occur at your camp.
DC, BO, EX, RC
MIRROR MIRROR: ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF YOUR CAMP Patrick Connelly In some ways we all think that our camps are the “…fairest of them all.” However to make that fairytale a reality it takes turning on that unflattering light and standing in front of the mirror. The professionals from CCG will share with you the actual tools and processes that they use to assess a camp’s staff, program, facility and leadership. In addition, they will provide a few “golden eggs” (small enhancements that have immense impact). This session is intended for high level camp leaders.
DC, EX, RC
PERSONAL BRAND Travis Allison Come join Travis in this session exploring how building a strong personal brand and intentional acts of assisting other Camp Pros and camper families can help you grow your camp and career. Introverts and extroverts each have unique skills and abilities that can all be applied to building up the impact that you can have in the camp world. Leave this session with a list of actions, big & small, that all types of Camp Pros can use to build their own reputation and the reputation of their camps
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
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MONDAY 4:00-5:15pm • SESSION #2 Room Groel Room (GH)
Session Title Zombies Ate My Campers!: Incorporating RPGS and LARPing into your Camp Curriculum.
Category
Presenter(s)
DC, CR, RC
Eric Scanga
Landsberger Arts & Crafts The Beauty of Being a Naturalist (WC)
OE
Graham Gorgas
Gottscho Room (WC)
How To: Using Video in Your Camp’s Marketing
DC, BO, FD, RC
Jiné Andreozzi
Geyer Room 3 (GH)
Link: Connecting YMCA Camp Staff
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, FD, RC
Kaleena Escallier
Geyer Room 1 (GH)
The In’s and Out’s, Do’s and Dont’s of Terminations
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Linda Ludwig-Tisch & Frost Valley HR Team
Day Room (DH)
Strategies to Build A Camp Culture That Is Inclusive of Campers with Diverse Abilities
DC, OE, CR, RC
Lisa Drennan
Geyer Room 5 (GH)
Combating negative behavior by using choice
DC, EX, RC
Megan Cheney
Margetts
Advanced Rookie Mistakes: How to Avoid or Survive Them DC, RC
Patrick Connelly
Putnam Room (GH)
Deal Me In....Impactful Training Activities with Only a Deck of Cards
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC, TB
Roz & Jed Buck
Theater (WC)
The Power of One
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Travis Allison
ZOMBIES ATE MY CAMPERS!: INCORPORATING RPGS AND LARPING INTO YOUR CAMP CURRICULUM. Eric Scanga Imagine, if you will; you walk into a medieval tavern. Sitting at a fireplace is a figure in a long, hooded cloak. Around you are tables filled with strange and wonderful people; bearded dwarves, graceful elves, whimsical gnomes, a variety of humans and other magical creatures. But, this spectacle isn’t just a fantasy; it’s a reality, created at your very own camp! Join Dungeon Master Eric Scanga as we explore the fantastical realm of RPGS and LARPing! In this presentation, we will explore what RPGs (Role Playing Games) and LARPs (Live Action Role Play) are, the benefits of including them in your camp curriculum, and finally, create a character to showcase the amount of creativity that comes in such a diverse game.
DC, CR, RC
THE BEAUTY OF BEING A NATURALIST Graham Gorgas As a naturalist, your job isn’t to know all the answers, your job is to ask the questions. In this presentation I will be discussing how to incorporate naturalism into everyday activities. You don’t need to be an expert in the natural world to be a great naturalist. You start with the basics, and if you choose to, you can expand that knowledge. We’ll be talking about trees, birds, and everything in between.
OE
HOW TO: USING VIDEO IN YOUR CAMP’S MARKETING Jiné Andreozzi Video content is rapidly taking over social media and becoming a preferred method of marketing for non-profit and for-profit businesses alike. This is great news for Camps, it allows us to show off the beautiful surroundings and genuine moments that happen every day at Camp…but it can be overwhelming if you’ve never worked in this medium before! This session will teach you the basics of planning for and capturing video clips during your season and how to easily edit and share high quality videos that have a great ROI, with your audience. Bring your laptop and work on your own project in real-time or come to watch and learn about easy to use editing platforms, video best practices and watch some examples of how camps across the country are capitalizing on this marketing trend!
DC, BO, FD, RC
LINK: CONNECTING YMCA CAMP STAFF Kaleena Escallier Link is the Y’s knowledge sharing and social networking platform. Learn how you can get connected, join conversations happening across the movement, and leverage the knowledge of fellow YMCA Camp pros to support your work delivering high quality camp experiences every day. Together we’ll explore our virtual Camp Community and uncover resources that have been shared to date. Bring your phone and/or laptop for this interactive session!
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DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, FD, RC
THE IN’S AND OUT’S, DO’S AND DONT’S OF TERMINATIONS Linda Ludwig-Tisch & Frost Valley HR Team How to handle investigations and terminations in an effective and timely way.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
STRATEGIES TO BUILD A CAMP CULTURE THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF CAMPERS WITH DIVERSE ABILITIES Lisa Drennan Give your team the tools and confidence to welcome, engage and support campers with diverse abilities to be successful at camp. This session will review the principles of inclusion and provide attendees with the understanding and practice of the inclusion strategies that reach different types of learners. Strategies include use of a visual schedule, defining expectations, using a transition countdown and other self-regulation tools that are beneficial for campers with autism, ADHD or sensory processing disorders but are recommended to be used for ALL campers. Learn the relationship between the traits these campers may experience, the behaviors they may display and how our response (by using these inclusive strategies) produce more positive results for the camper, for the camp counselors and for your overall culture. Explore best practices around working with families, communication and dealing with behaviors. Work in small groups to practice and apply strategies by solving inclusion scenarios that typically occur in camp settings. Leave this session ready to implement these easy to use (and teach) strategies into your programs.
DC, OE, CR, RC
COMBATING NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR BY USING CHOICE Megan Cheney Simple ways to encourage campers to make decisions without major logistics. For the past few summers we have worked on adding more choice into our day to day camp life to try to improve camper participation and in turn help counteract negative behavior.
DC, EX, RC
ADVANCED ROOKIE MISTAKES: HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE THEM Patrick Connelly This is the leadership version of the front line training “Basic Rookie Mistakes.” Advanced Rookie Mistakes takes a look at the most common pitfalls that new camp leaders face and how to navigate them. Camps are unique, but the challenges that face camp leaders are fairly consistent. The team at CCG has worked with camp leaders all over the country to ensure that learn from their mistakes…and don’t have to make them yourself.
DC, RC
DEAL ME IN....IMPACTFUL TRAINING ACTIVITIES WITH ONLY A DECK OF CARDS Roz & Jed Buck A simple deck of cards. It is small, light, and easy to carry…And with the right set of activities, you can use this everyday prop to create meaningful icebreakers and impactful training activities for your full-time team or seasonal staff members.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC, TB
POWER OF ONE Travis Allison My life was changed because one afternoon my camp counselor said to me “Travis, you will be a great camp counselor”. We can have a life long impact on the kids in our care, as long as we take just a moment to recognize and acknowledge each child for their individual strengths. We know from research that it only takes one significant adult in a child’s life to mean the difference between thriving or suffering as a teenager. Learn how to inspire your staff to notice each child in their care. Learning Outcomes: 1) Develop the Power of ONE in yourself and your staff (Open, Notice, Engage) 2) Be able to use the IAN Formula to make a conversation with a child much more impactful 4) Teach your staff to be the One Good Adult that every kid needs to have the confidence to be successful
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
13
TUES 9:00-10:15am • SESSION #3 Room
Session Title
Category
Presenter(s)
Landsberger Arts & Crafts (WC)
Call 911: Then What?
BO, EX, RC
Bo Mitchell
Geyer Room 1 (GH)
Accreditation Process Workshop (Double Session)
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Elizabeth Snell
Gottscho Room (WC)
Fundraising: How to fundraise and its importance on your career
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Jeff Merhige
Geyer Room 3 (GH)
Marketing Summer Camp All Year Long
BO, FD
Jiné Andreozzi
Day Room (DH)
Balance Sheets & Budgeting De-Mistified
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
John Tilley
Groel Room (GH)
Setting the tone for the summer
DC, RC, TB
Kath Davies
Putnam Room (GH)
Trust, Belonging, and Conflict Resolution
DC, OE, RC, TB
Nicole Lauhon
Theater (WC)
DIG Panel
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Panelists
Margetts
Keys to Successful Customer Service
DC, OE, CR, RC
Sara Davis & Julie Thomas
Geyer Room 5 (GH)
Taking Social Responsibility into the Woods; How to Start the Conversation
OE, RC, TB
Tori Staley
CALL 911: THEN WHAT? Bo Mitchell Too many workplaces believe that when they call 911, they step back—police and fire take over —the employer’s job is done. Nothing could be further from the truth. Police, fire and EMTs are not the first responders; employees are always the first responders. Turns out that police and fire need every workplace’s support and coordination if the employer is to achieve their duty of care to keep everyone safe. Employer’s duty of care is different for every emergency—i.e. a fire versus an active shooter. Thus, procedures for all-hazards response to any emergency gets complicated not only for the employees’ initial response but for understanding and coordinating your procedures specific to that fire and police jurisdiction. Learning Objectives: 1. What’s the first thing fire and police look for when they roll up to your workplace? 2. What’s the first question fire and police ask when they roll up to your workplace? 3. What’s your PD’s Active Shooter Protocol for your workplace? 4. What is your duty of care for working with your fire and police keeping everyone safe at your workplace? 5. How should your workplace be organized to receive and work with your police and fire?
BO, EX, RC
ACCREDITATION PROCESS WORKSHOP (DOUBLE SESSION) Elizabeth Snell Formerly the Standards Course, this workshop is designed for camp representatives who are preparing for accreditation visits in 2020 and beyond. The course is appropriate for those who are new to the accreditation process AND those who have been part of an accreditation visit or completed standards training in the past. Every camp being visited must have at least one person who completes an Accreditation Process Workshop on behalf of the camp
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
FUNDRAISING: HOW TO FUNDRAISE AND ITS IMPORTANCE ON YOUR CAREER Jeff Merhige Fundraising is critical to the success of any non-profit organization and professional. We will discuss how to fundraise successfully and why it is important for you in your career.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
14
MARKETING SUMMER CAMP ALL YEAR LONG Jiné Andreozzi Marketing for your summer programs happens all year long. It starts for the next summer on the day camp ends. As Camp professionals, we often have marketing as just one piece of our workload puzzle. How can you effectively promote your programs, without adding too much stress to your life? It’s all in the planning. Figuring out the most efficient ways to market, and when to market, will make your marketing plan efficient, successful and lasting. This session will focus on how to plan out your year of marketing and help you figure out the best channels and ways to keep summer camp front of mind, all year long!
BO, FD
BALANCE SHEETS & BUDGETING DEMYSTIFIED John Tilley Budgets, Balance Sheets, Spreadsheets! They can be a scary necessity for any camp professional. Come learn from a seasoned expert to help demystify these. You will walk away with a better understanding of how they work and how you can make them work for you.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
SETTING THE TONE FOR THE SUMMER Kath Davies Get ready for your mind to be blown…in a time when mental health is a hot topic, have you ever stopped to consider that at camp we develop positive mental health every day…it’s in our mission – Body, Mind and SPIRIT. At Camp Hazen YMCA we talk about helping kids develop a Healthy Body, an Open Mind and an Awakened Spirit. However, some kids have barriers that prevent them from reaching these. During this session I’ll share a workshop taken directly from our staff orientation that includes a few activities that will help teach your staff awareness of their role in helping kids feel good about themselves and empathy, so they can assist all kids in reaching an awakened spirit. DISCLAIMER: I do not have any letters after my name. I am not a medical professional. I trained as a teacher. I like working with kids and young adults. I am a camp professional.
DC, RC, TB
TRUST, BELONGING, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION Nicole Lauhon Healthy, thriving relationships involve all of these actions: trust, belonging, and conflict, but not all kids have a chance to learn healthy ways of interacting with others in these categories. Join us in a discussion of how all of these ideas intersect, as well as participate in trust activities that can be used with groups of all ages to inspire vulnerability, belonging, and cooperation. We will take a look at the Circle System model of conflict resolution, and how to incorporate pieces of that in bite-size chunks in scenarios during summer camp, team-building, and outdoor education experiences, relying on a relationship built on trust and belonging. Come share, learn, and participate in hands-on activities that you can bring home to your organization and start using with participants to build healthy, thriving relationships.
DC, OE, RC, TB
DIG PANEL Panelists Inclusion on camp is a hot topic these days. How do you make your camp and programming accessible to everyone? Our panel of experts will do a deep dive into this topic.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE Sara Davis & Julie Thomas Every choice you make in interacting with your guests or customers has an impact on how your organization serves. Being conscious and intentional in each interaction, and balancing what your organization does well with best serving your guests can be challenging. This session we’ll delve into some key interactions, attitudes, and ultimately successes and failures of customer service.
DC, OE, CR, RC
TAKING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INTO THE WOODS; HOW TO START THE CONVERSATION Tori Staley Whether it is a one night overnight or a month-long backpacking trip, the journey of leaving our comfort zones to go outdoors has a lot of lessons for how to teach social responsibility to campers. Learn why the woods can be a great place to start conversations about gender roles, racial diversity, inclusivity, and social justice.
OE, RC, TB
15
TUESDAY 10:30-11:45am • SESSION #4 Room
Session Title
Category
Presenter(s)
Geyer Room 3 (GH)
Wilderness Trip Planning and being a Wilderness leader
DC, OE, RC
A.C. Wilson
Landsberger Arts & Crafts (WC)
In Emergency Response, Great Plans Are a Smart Thing; Training Is Everything!
BO, EX, RC
Bo Mitchell
Margetts
What the new guys experienced
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
John Gilroy & Rhino Merrick
Day Room (DH)
Is year round programming the best fix for your camp?
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
John Tilley
Putnam Room (GH)
“It’s Always a Tie at the Y” and Other Things We Should Stop Saying to Kids
DC, OE, CR, RC, TB Josh Schupack
Geyer Room 5 (GH)
Building Healthy Relationships
DC, RC
Kim Burrows
Groel Room (GH)
The Power of Us and What Matters
DC, OE, RC, TB
Tony Calcia
Gottscho Room (WC)
I Am Always Teaching - the “Grand Unified Theory” of Summer Camp
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Travis Allison
Theater (WC)
Women In Camping Panel
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Panelists
WILDERNESS TRIP PLANNING AND BEING A WILDERNESS LEADER A.C. Wilson I will be covering the ins and out that go along with planning a Wilderness trip and what it means to lead these kinds of trips. I cover training staff, meal planning, games on the trail, SHTF plans, planning for emergency, what a pre-trip checklist should look like, keeping group moral up on the trip, and the importance of an end of trip debrief/meeting. I will also chat about the different kinds of wilderness trips one can lead i.e. road bike trips, canoe trips (lake and river) , and hiking trips. Plus I will share a few funny trip stories of what the unexpected looks like.
DC, OE, RC
IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, GREAT PLANS ARE A SMART THING; TRAINING IS EVERYTHING! Bo Mitchell Smart plans are critical. But, if we don’t get the words off the paper and into people’s heads, we have failed. Sandy Hook reinforces that training is everything given that people can’t and won’t run to look at binders for response in a real emergency. What are the legal requirements for training? What are the current practices and obstacles in organizations regarding training? What are the proven ways to train for emergency response? How does your organization compare?
BO, EX, RC
WHAT THE NEW GUYS EXPERIENCED John Gilroy & Rhino Merrick Coming in to their 3rd year as Camp Directors, John Gilroy (YMCA Camp Cassey – day camp) and Rhino Merrick (YMCA Camp Tockwogh – overnight camp) will share their perspectives on the challenges & successes they experienced in their first two summers. John & Rhino will explore how they came to land in the same Association and all the great things they discovered about their camps in the first year. They will take a look at the staffing, training, cultural and curriculum changes that they implemented in the 2nd year and why these changes are key to the continued success of the camps they lead. Both John and Rhino will share why they were ready to take on a new challenge and what they wish they’d known before coming into their positions. This session is designed for attendees who are new to their job, who are thinking about changing their role at camp and for those who have been in a similar situation and want to share their wisdom.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
IS YEAR ROUND PROGRAMMING THE BEST FIX FOR YOUR CAMP? John Tilley These days it seems everyone is looking for a way to increase revenue at camp. For many the solution is to offer year round programming. Is this the right solution for your camp? We will look into year round programming during this session and find out the benefits on focusing on your #1 product, summer. This session will help you focus your attention on increasing revenue through bringing the best summer programming.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
16
“IT’S ALWAYS A TIE AT THE Y” AND OTHER THINGS WE SHOULD STOP SAYING TO KIDS Josh Schupack Throughout the entirety of youth development, there are several contradicting ideologies and philosophies on how to best work with youth to give the best possible outcome. The challenge is, which one do you listen to? In this session we will look at a few of these contradictions and ideas to debate and deconstruct. Only through talking about them will we ever find out what works for you!
DC, OE, CR, RC, TB
BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Kim Burrows One of the greatest skills people learn at camp is relationship building, yet more than 25% of your campers and staff will experience relationship abuse at some point in their lives. Are you and your staff equipped to help them navigate through those murky waters? Using the “Behind the Post” videos from One Love’s #ThatsNotLove campaign, participants will understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, and the role that technology can play in these relationships. We will also talk about how healthy and unhealthy behaviors are exhibited in campers and staff, what staff can do to help campers build healthy relationships with each other, and how you can provide this training to your own staff.
DC, RC
THE POWER OF US AND WHAT MATTERS Tony Calcia Interactive presentation on the Power of the type of work we do in human services and in particular in service of young people. A focus on what matters in life, and strong messages about the importance of relationships and storytelling. The presentation also focuses on the importance of role models and mentors, now more than ever. The value of camp is a constant throughout. I will talk about how summer camp changed my life. Audience will leave motivated and inspired and even more confident of the type of work they have chosen and its importance in today’s world.
DC, OE, RC, TB
I AM ALWAYS TEACHING - THE “GRAND UNIFIED THEORY” OF SUMMER CAMP Travis Allison In this mixed session (some lecture, some facilitated discussion) for Directors and EDs, Travis Allison will frame his over-arching theory of the great benefit of summer camp. This will lead us to an active discussion about how we can increase the impact of what we do AND manage the day-to-day struggles of a life in camp.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
WOMEN IN CAMPING PANEL Panelists Our panel of experts will talk about their experiences during their careers in the camp industry. This is a great discussion for anyone looking to find inspiration for their careers, ways to navigate barriers for women, and ways you can help women succeed.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RCS
17
TUESDAY 2:15-3:30pm • SESSION #5 Room Geyer Room 5 (GH)
Session Title
Category
How and Why You Should Manage Your Camp’s Archives BO, EX, FD
Presenter(s) Anna Morelli
Day Room (DH)
Running Successful Waterfront Programs
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, Bo Williams FD, RC, TB
Groel Room (GH)
Perfect week creation: How to create the program of your dreams and the expectations, for your staff to achieve them.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Jeff Merhige
Gottscho Room (WC)
Increasing your camp clothing sales and helping the environment at the same time along with money saving tips
DC, BO, RC
Kenn Dranoff
Margetts
A Leadership Road Map for Enhancing your Camp Inclusion Initiative (Double Session)
DC, OE, EX, RC
Lisa Drennan
Geyer Room 1 (GH)
SMAC Talk Your Staff
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, Mac Wallace FD, RC, TB
Geyer Room 3 (GH)
Conversation Starters: Gender Specific Programming
DC, BO, EX, RC
Megan Cheney & Jessie Emmons
Landsberger Arts & Crafts Mentoring First Time Supervisors (WC)
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Mike Obermayer
Theater (WC)
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Panelists
Marketing Panel
HOW AND WHY YOU SHOULD MANAGE YOUR CAMP’S ARCHIVES Anna Morelli YMCA camping in the United States has a rich history spanning over 130 years. When we preserve our camp’s history, we are providing a link from the past which helps us understand who we are, in our local communities, and as an organization. Learn how to identify and manage your historical records, as well as how to use them in ways to benefit your camp. Connecting with and honoring alumni, marking milestones, and developing unique marketing and fundraising materials are just some of the many ways your camp’s history can benefit you today.
BO, EX, FD
RUNNING SUCCESSFUL WATERFRONT PROGRAMS Bo Williams Go through topics of Safety, Staff, Equipment, Fun and Learning. Looking to solicit feedback from the crowd so we can all share best practices.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, FD, RC, TB
PERFECT WEEK CREATION: HOW TO CREATE THE PROGRAM OF YOUR DREAMS AND THE EXPECTATIONS, FOR YOUR STAFF TO ACHIEVE THEM. Jeff Merhige We all have the perfect week in our head. It is our ultimate goal every week at camp. But how do we get to that perfect week. We will go over everything you need to take into account to meet this goal. From your expectations to staff execution, we have you covered.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
INCREASING YOUR CAMP CLOTHING SALES AND HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT AT THE SAME TIME ALONG WITH MONEY SAVING TIPS Kenn Dranoff Here is your chance to see and feel new clothing items, styles, materials and eco conscious sustainable tees and inks that are available from most camp clothing suppliers. Your own personal fashion show right at your finger tips! These new products carry higher profit margins and are items your campers and staff will wear year round. Also an interactive discussion featuring many helpful insider suggestions for how to save money when ordering from your clothing vendor as well as helping you with a camp clothing catalog.
DC, BO, RC
18
A LEADERSHIP ROAD MAP FOR ENHANCING YOUR CAMP INCLUSION INITIATIVE (DOUBLE SESSION) Lisa Drennan So, your camp is technically inclusive, or offers a specialized/segregated model, but it feels like you’re just barely managing to get through the summers supporting campers with disabilities. Are you looking to move your camp to the next level, a cultural shift toward full authentic inclusion? Don’t miss this session geared toward camp directors, management and administrative staff seeking to move toward “organizational commitment” or from good to great! Take a deep dive into the 6 principles of inclusion that are a foundation for building a strong inclusive culture at your camp. Next, we’ll move along the “Road Map” of strategic best practice, touching upon staffing structure, sustainability, promotion, making community connections and getting camp-wide “buy-in”. Attendees will identify specific action points to implement back in your camp programs. We’ll end with a brainstorm session on the benefits of inclusion. No matter where you are on your inclusion journey this is the place and time to move forward toward building more inclusive communities.
DC, OE, EX, RC
SMAC TALK YOUR STAFF Mac Wallace The number one question a director, supervisor, boss, etc will forget to ask their staff is, “What can I do to support you?” A simple, yet powerful question. So easy to forget to ask, especially when things are going well. What support could your staff need when everything is fine? SMAC Talk your Staff is a four step method to creating a more positive and loving environment that will allow them to feel supported, motivated, and appreciated. With the hopes that your staff will treat the campers in the same loving way.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, FD, RC, TB
CONVERSATION STARTERS: GENDER SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING Megan Cheney & Jessie Emmons Round Table Discussions about facing challenges in Gender Specific Programs in a gender non-conforming world.
DC, BO, EX, RC
MENTORING FIRST TIME SUPERVISORS Mike Obermayer You can train a seasonal director to follow your policies, evaluate their staff, check-in regularly, communicate with parents, and do what is asked of them. But that is not leadership. Wouldn’t it be nice if all of your young seasonal leaders shared your vision, work ethic, and ownership of the program from day 1? You can hire someone to be a leader, but it is up to them to lead. This session will share training and coaching strategies that help foster and inspire leaders that set a culture among your whole staff.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
MARKETING PANEL Panelists Marketing is a part of everyone’s job at camp. Our panel of experts will talk about the latest trends, best practices, and the future of marketing.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
19
TUESDAY 3:45-5:00pm • SESSION #6 Room Day Room (DH)
Session Title
Category
Presenter(s)
Culture Shift: What You Have vs. What You Want
DC, OE, BO, RC, TB
Geyer Room 3 (GH)
Time Management in an Administrative Role
DC, OE, BO, CR, FD, Amanda Hinski RC, TB
Adam Dubois
Groel Room (GH)
Big games and camp: Share all camp theme games and camps to enhance your program and camp operation
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Geyer Room 1 (GH)
Visioning and Strategic Planning
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, Jerry Huncosky FD, RC, TB
Gottscho Room (WC)
Proactively Address the Staffing Crisis and Leverage Counselor Feedback!
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Joanna Warren Smith
Landsberger Arts & Crafts (WC)
Strong Culture, Strong Team
DC, RC, TB
Liz Kryznefski & Laura Rodriguez
Theater (WC)
Camp Leadership Programs Panel
DC, RC
Oliver Gregan
Putnam Room (GH)
Grow More Leaders
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
Roz & Jed Buck
Geyer Room 5 (GH)
Beating Burn-Out
DC, OE, CR, RC
Sara Davis & Julie Thomas
Jeff Merhige
CULTURE SHIFT: WHAT YOU HAVE VS. WHAT YOU WANT Adam Dubois What is your Camp’s Culture? Are there things that you would like to be different? Everyone director (new or old) deals with culture change at some point in their career. Learn what it takes to make the tough calls and how to implement new ideas at your camp from two directors who experienced large culture shifts first hand.
DC, OE, BO, RC, TB
TIME MANAGEMENT IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE Amanda Hinski Like many camp and outdoor professionals, at some point our careers may shift from the woods to the office, which can present new challenges. Counselors and instructors are incredible at juggling, putting out fires, and wearing a wide range of hats, but what happens when our daily duties require less “thinking on your feet” and more long-term planning, big-picture thinking, and good old fashioned time management? Session attendees will learn the common pitfalls of the transition from frontline staff to administrator, what to do about when time can’t be managed, the myths of work-life balance, principles of project management, and the key takeaways from the life-changing book: “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. As someone who went from public school educator, to environmental ed. program instructor, to marketing director, to chief marketing officer, Amanda is eager to share with you all the mistakes she’s made, so hopefully you don’t have to!
DC, OE, BO, CR, FD, RC, TB
BIG GAMES AND CAMP: SHARE ALL CAMP THEME GAMES AND CAMPS TO ENHANCE YOUR PROGRAM AND CAMP OPERATION Jeff Merhige Camp is fun. We all love doing what we do, especially through games. This session will discuss big games, their themes, and how they can enhance your camp operation.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
VISIONING AND STRATEGIC PLANNING Jerry Huncosky A Deep Dive into planning. Participants will leave with an understanding of the difference between Long Range Planning, Strategic Planning, Facility Planning, Master Planning and Financial Planning. We will explore the method Frost Valley has successfully used for 15 years. From this session, participants will gain the tools and understanding to successfully lead and formulate their own vision, long range plan and strategy to guide their camps. Planning is not rocket science. It takes dedication, time and a desire to create your future rather than letting your future create you. If you have or are planning a future in the YMCA, in camping or in any not for profit, this is a must attend session. Your future depends on it.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, FD, RC, TB
20
PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THE STAFFING CRISIS AND LEVERAGE COUNSELOR FEEDBACK! Joanna Warren Smith In a recent independent survey, 70% of 200 Camp Directors representing geographically diverse not-for-profit, private, day and resident camps indicated that staffing has become a critical issue. Beyond that, 733 staff helped to define the outcomes realized by young men and women who worked at camp. The surprising data and commentary will influence your approach to next season’s hiring process. The feedback will also impact the way you recruit counselors and your conversations to secure more applicants, encourage quality candidates to accept your offers and most important, to inspire staff to honor their commitments.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
STRONG CULTURE, STRONG TEAM Liz Kryznefski & Laura Rodriguez They say staff don’t quit their jobs, they break up with their boss. In camp, we focus on the kids - their character, their resilience, relationships and personal growth. This workshop fuses discussion, activity, and tools to hone in on staff morale, quick and authentic trust and relationship building (beyond classic ice breakers) and how to be intentional in cultivating team culture so staff can grow and learn in the same way our campers do.
DC, RC, TB
CAMP LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS PANEL Oliver Gregan A panel about Leadership Programs at YMCA Summer Camps. When and how does your program shift to being more than just fun, but intentional programming around the development of teenage campers. Listen to several camp directors talk about their programs and what makes them successful.
DC, RC
GROW MORE LEADERS Roz & Jed Buck We all know that no leader can do everything without assistance from a strong team. One of our most important roles as leaders is to shape and empower the next generation of leaders. This interactive session focuses on experiential and participant-centered activities that will give us tools to use in training young, emerging leaders within our organizations as well as strengthening our personal leadership skills.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC
BEATING BURN-OUT Sara Davis & Julie Thomas In a job where we ask staff to give everything everyday, where home and work are the same physical space, and friends, co-workers, and supervisors can be the same, beating burnout is critical for everyone’s experience. We’ll talk about common fuses for burnout, strategies that work, and hopefully gather from the whole group a variety of insights and inputs to help all of us beat burnout and help our staff beat burnout too!
DC, OE, CR, RC
21
TUESDAY 5:15-6:15pm • SESSION #7 - RECREATION AUGMENTED REALITY WATERSHED SAND MODEL Nature Room (Lower Wellness Center) Frost Valley now has an Augmented Reality Sandbox on site! This interactive “sandbox” allows students to build and manipulate landscapes in real time while learning about watersheds, landforms, contours and more.
CANDLE MAKING Candle Making Studio (Program Village) Join us in the Cathy Harvey Program Village to try your hand at making a candle.
HEALTHY SNACKS Frost Valley Teaching Kitchen In Quirk Lodge (Lower Level) Try your hand at making some healthy snacks In Frost Valley’s own Teaching Kitchen.
PROGRAM VILLAGE TOUR Meet at “The Lab” Building (Program Village) Join us in the Cathy Harvey Program Village to tour our candle making, painting, pottery, STEM lab, woodworking, and dance studios.
PUB TRIVIA Day Room (Dining Hall) If you want to stay in and demonstrate your mental prowess, please join us for a pub style trivia game. No team? No worries! We’ll help you connect with new friends to answer questions on sports, YMCA history, camp, pop culture, and more! Small prizes will be awarded to the winning team.
SNOW TUBING Tubing Hill (Geyer Hall) Weather permitting, meet at the Frost Valley Tubing Hill for some action and exercise. Put on your snow gear and join us for a great time.
STRETCH & RELAXATION/MEDITATION Dance Studio (Program Village) Join us in our dance studio and help us guide you into a serene state of meditation in a peaceful natural setting. Relax and reconnect your body, mind, and spirit.
22
WEDNESDAY 9:00-10:15am • SESSION #8 Room
Session Title
Category
Presenter(s)
Day Room (DH)
Culture of Consent
DC, OE, RC
Blake Van Horn
Geyer Room 5 (GH)
Friendly and Professional-Guest Services Your Mother Would Love
DC, OE, BO, CR, RC, TB
Carmel Dorn
Putnam Room (GH)
Prepping for Parents like a Pro
DC, RC
Kacie Lukasik
Theater (WC)
International Staffing from Placements to Post-Camp Travel: What you need to know
DC, BO, EX, RC
Kath Davies, John McNair, Jennifer Caiafa, & Morgan Cotter
Geyer Room 3 (GH)
How to Recruit & Hire the Right Staff for Your Organization
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC, TB
Michelle Duffy
Geyer Room 1 (GH)
What You Can Learn From A Paper Company
DC, OE, BO, RC
Scott Weigley & Ryan Ende
Groel Room (GH)
The Magic of Camp
DC, RC, TB
Tommy Donaldson
Margetts
Being Inclusive: Gender Diversity in Camping
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, FD, RC, TB
Tyler Katz
CULTURE OF CONSENT Blake Van Horn What does it mean to give and receive consent and what does it have to do with my camp? In this session we will break down what consent means and the different parameters to appropriately giving and receiving consent. We will discuss the effect it has on staff, campers, culture, relationships, and behavior management. We will also take some time to break down what consent looks like in different areas of your camp and how to apply a culture of consent to your 2020 Staff Training.
DC, OE, RC
FRIENDLY AND PROFESSIONAL-GUEST SERVICES YOUR MOTHER WOULD LOVE Carmel Dorn Business is relationships! It is important to keep them friendly, but professional. Your guests are your greatest asset. You want them to recommend your camp to all of their family and friends. Making them feel heard and appreciated is just one step in building long term partnerships. Learn how to get your guests on board with supporting your camp and your camp’s policies. Learn techniques to turn difficult situations into positive outcomes.
DC, OE, BO, CR, RC, TB
PREPPING FOR PARENTS LIKE A PRO Kacie Lukasik For many camp people, navigating the ins and outs of parent communication can often be one of the most stressful aspects of the job. This session aims to squash that stress by introducing tools to assist you through those difficult conversations, leaving parents impressed and you with a sense of competence and confidence. From phone conversations to follow up emails, expand your understanding and relationship with customer service to encompass not just your camper, but their parents as well.
DC, RC
INTERNATIONAL STAFFING FROM PLACEMENTS TO POST-CAMP TRAVEL: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Kath Davies, John McNair, Jennifer Caiafa, & Morgan Cotter The importance of continued advocacy of the J1 Exchange Program is crucial. How do we, as camps, agencies and sponsors advocate for the continued success of the program. The international participant’s journey and experience tell a story. What is that story? How does it impact camps, Americans and each individual? How can we all be better? This panel discussion will offer insight into what we do great and what all of us can do better, with a view toward understanding the expectations of the Department of State and the Exchange Visitor Program as a whole. Firsthand knowledge ranging from a former exchange visitor, camp, visa sponsor and staffing agency will lead this discussion, and encourage audience participation and insight.
DC, BO, EX, RC
HOW TO RECRUIT & HIRE THE RIGHT STAFF FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION Michelle Duffy We all want amazing staff to come work for us. And we know they’re out there. But how do we find them and get them to come work for us? Having spent several earlier years as a job seeker, the presenter now brings an HR perspective to this session. Topics to discuss include advertising your jobs, avoiding potentially problematic practices in hiring, interviewing, and getting “the right” people to join your staff. The information shared should be applicable to your entry-level summer staff, as well as more leadership or administrative roles, perhaps in your year-round staff.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, RC, TB
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WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM A PAPER COMPANY Scott Weigley & Ryan Ende “What do Dunder Mifflin and YMCA Camping have in common? Come check out this session to see how the pop culture hit comedy relates to managing camp. During this session we will breakdown episodes of The Office to gain insight on how to manage our camp operations. We will also take a look at the characters from the show to see how they match up to our typical camp personalities and discuss the best tactics to navigate those folks. Your Office Trivia knowledge will be tested so you can gain insight and perspective on your upcoming season.
DC, OE, BO, RC
THE MAGIC OF CAMP Tommy Donaldson Camp is a magical place. Campers create lasting memories through culture, activities, and traditions. The magic of the staff can make all the different. In this workshop you will learn magic tricks, mindfulness techniques, and ice breakers to help even the most challenge campers to become more engaged at camp and with other campers.
DC, RC, TB
BEING INCLUSIVE: GENDER DIVERSITY IN CAMPING Tyler Katz Gender has separated people for eons. And while camp can be a place that brings them together, many of our efforts to be inclusive on lines of gender can be misguided, misinformed, or just a miss overall. For us to begin talking about and acting about gender in an effectively inclusive way, we need to change how we think about gender. Join Tyler in a conversational workshop on the topics of gender, gender identity, gender expression, dysphoria, and gender inclusiveness.
DC, OE, BO, CR, EX, FD, RC, TB
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THE SPEAKERS A.C. WILSON
BENJAMIN SILLIMAN
AC has worked at the YMCA since he was 15 and that start at a simple summer day camp sparked his love of the outdoors and working with children.
Ben started as a swim instructor and lifeguard at YMCA Camp Ingersoll in 2001. After graduating from Springfield College in 2006 with a PE and Health degree, Ben took a position as Assistant Director at Ingersoll. He enjoyed the opportunity to not only create new, value driven programs but also to mentor young professionals at camp. In 2011 Ben joined the Peace Corps and traveled to Kazakhstan. After 9 months his program was suspended and he went to teach in China. Ben is now the Youth and Camp Director at Ingersoll and uses his varied experiences to continue to learn and positively influence the community he works in.
SACC Coordinator, YMCA of CNY awilson@ymcacny.org
ADAM DUBOIS
Outdoor Center Director, YMCA Camp Mataucha adubois@waterburyymca.org After spending most of his life in the camping field, Adam became the Outdoor Center Director for YMCA Camp Mataucha (A program area of the Greater Waterbury YMCA) located in Watertown, CT. Together with Justin Hubeny, he owns Camp 365 Consulting.
AMANDA HINSKI
Chief Brand Experience Officer, Frost Valley YMCA ahinski@frostvalley.org As Frost Valley’s chief brand experience officer, Amanda is responsible for the internal and external image of Frost Valley YMCA. With an MBA from Temple University and two bachelors degrees from Rowan University, Amanda leads the marketing team, as well as playing a vital role in human resources, service delivery, and other pertinent aspects of the organization. Previously, a writer for an AOL news site, a legal marketing firm, and an environmental blog, Amanda currently contributes to Forbes.com on topics such as marketing, communications, and leadership. As of 2019, Amanda is honored to serve on the YMCA Collective Marketing Initiative, which is the national steering committee on marketing for the Y.
ANNA MORELLI
Frost Valley Historian, Frost Valley YMCA, AMorelli@FrostValley.org Anna Morelli has worked at Frost Valley YMCA since 2008, and started managing Frost Valley’s archives as a side project in 2013. As the camp’s full time Historian, she is excited to share her story of managing Frost Valley’s archives. She believes that all YMCA camps have unique origins that contribute to the rich culture of their organizations, and that preserving camp history is an important factor in a camp’s growth.
Camp Ingersoll Director, YMCA Camp Ingersoll, bsilliman@midymca.org
BLAKE VAN HORN
Program Director, YMCA Camp Cory blake.vanhorn@rochesterymca.org Blake has been working for the YMCA since 2007 at various branches and camps. She has worked in the Y’s Before and After School Programs, Aquatics, and Camping (Day, Resident, and Outdoor Education). Currently, Blake is the Program Director for YMCA Camp Cory and a member of the DIG in Camping group.
BO MITCHELL
President, 911 Consulting BoMitchell@911consulting.net Bo Mitchell was Police Commissioner of Wilton, CT for 16 years. He retired in February 2001 to found 911 Consulting which creates emergency, disaster recovery, business continuity, crisis communications and pandemic plans, plus training and exercises for organizations like GE HQ, Hyatt HQ, MasterCard HQ, four colleges and universities plus 25 secondary schools. He serves clients headquartered from Boston to LA working in their facilities from London to San Francisco. Bo has earned 22 certifications in homeland security, emergency management, disaster recovery, business continuity, safety and security. He also serves as an expert in landmark court cases nationally. Certifications: CEM, CPP, CHS-V, CBCP, CSI-ML, HSEEP, CNTA, IAC, MOAB, CHSP, CHEP, CSHM, CESCO, CHCM, CFC, CSSM, CSC, CAS, TFCT3, CERT, CHSEMR, CMC
BO WILLIAMS
Sales Manager, Zim Sailing bo@zimsailing.com
ASHLI FRAGOMENI
Growing up I was a camper at YMCA Camp Burgess and a Sailing School Student. I then was Head Instructor/Program Director at CBCNB for 8 years.
Ashli Fragomeni is a Childcare Executive that began her career as a Camp Counselor for the Capital District YMCA in Albany, NY. She began to truly develop her love of team building, staff development and summer camp when she accepted a position with the YMCA of Greater New Orleans. She has also held Executive Level positions with the Family YMCA of The Glens Falls Area, and again with the Capital District YMCA before joining the team with the Saratoga Regional YMCA. She enjoys creating space for campers and counselors to build impactful relationships, hiking, concert-going and spending time with her family!
CARMEL DORN
Childcare Executive, Saratoga Regional YMCA, ashli.fragomeni@srymca.org
Business Development Specialist, Frost Valley YMCA cdorn@frostvalley.org Carmel has worked at Frost Valley since 1996 in a number of guests services roles including Guest Services Coordinator, Reservations and Front Desk Manager, and Business Development Specialist. She has spoken to thousands of customers over her tenure, built decades long relationships, handled countless difficult guest services concerns, and coordinated numerous groups that return year after year.
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DAN WEIR
GRAHAM GORGAS
Dan Weir has over 20 years working in summer camp under his belt. At the YMCA of Long Island, Dan develops day camp programs across Long Island, NY. Dan previously cut his teeth at Frost Valley YMCA doing everything from being an overnight cabin counselor to the camp director. His work has been recognized for program and research excellence by the American Camp Association. Dan holds a Master’s Degree from Stony Brook University specializing in youth development and a Bachelor’s Degree from The George Washington University in Psychology. In addition to his experience in camping, Dan has volunteered in multiple capacities to further youth development. He serves on the board for the American Camp Association NY-NJ. Dan was the Chair of the 2017-2019 ACA NY-NJ Tri-State Camp Conference. Dan also serves as President for the New York State Camp Directors Association Board. Dan has spoken at numerous conferences on youth development. Follow him at @danlovescamp & the CampHacker Podcast!
My name is Graham Gorgas, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I am currently a Program Instructor at Frost Valley. I graduated in 2017 from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. From there I worked several field work jobs, and ended up back at Penn State working for their environmental center. Once there I fell in love with environmental education. After another summer of field work, I ended up here at Frost Valley to continue growing as an environmental educator.
Sr Director, Program Development, YMCA of Long Island dan.weir@ymcali.org
ELIZABETH STAIB-KING
Executive Director & Assistance Director, YMCA Camp Tockwogh, EStaib-King@ymcade.org Elizabeth Staib-King began her camping career in 1993. You could say once she started in camping, she never really left it! She began working full time at YMCA Camp Tockwogh in 2000. In 2003 Elizabeth took on the role of Senior Program Director at YMCA Camp Erdman which is part of the YMCA of Honolulu. A few years later, she was promoted to Associate Executive Director. In 2007 Elizabeth took on the role of Guest Services Director at the YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch. Elizabeth returned to her beloved YMCA Camp Tockwogh in 2008 to fill the role as their Executive Director. Elizabeth loves spending time with her family -daughters Isabel (8yrs) and Clover (5yrs) and husband Dr. Regan H. King.
ERIC SCANGA
Program Instructor, Frost Valley YMCA escanga@frostvalley.org Eric Scanga has been working in Outdoor Education for the past 10 years; ever since he was old enough to volunteer at local county parks. He has been playing Dungeons and Dragons nearly as long. He has been involved in, and run, several Live Action Role Playing events as well, during college and after graduation. These experiences have reinforced the idea that RPGs and LARPs belong in a camp setting more than ever. In his own mind, Eric is a Ranger/ Monk.
ERICA KASKEL
Director of Stewardship and Alumni Relations, Frost Valley YMCA, ekaskel@frostvalley.org As for many fellow alumni, Frost Valley is considered a second home to Erica. Wanting others to have a life changing experience, she returned back to the Catskills to work for the organization which influenced her life tremendously. Since 2014, she has been working with the Development Department. Only appropriately, she is responsible for overseeing alumni as the Director of Stewardship and Alumni Relations.
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Program Instructor, Frost Valley YMCA ggorgas@frostvalley.org
JASON GOTTFRIED
Associate Executive Director, YMCA of Greater Rochester jasong@rochesterymca.org Jason Gottfried began his career in the YMCA as a counselor at Camp Arrowhead in 2001. He worked his way up through the YMCA in different positions such as Facilitator, Administrative Assistant, Lead Camp Staff and Sports Director that all had a camp responsibility attached. He came back to take on the role of Center Director at Arrowhead in 2013 before recently taking on a new role as Associate Executive Director for the YMCA of Greater Rochester – Schottland Family Branch . Jason loves camp and the experience it can provide for children. He believes his extensive experience at the Y plays a major role in the success of camp. He is a passionate Y professional and is excited to meet and present to other camp professionals at this conference!
JENNIFER CAIAFA
CHI Camp Leaders Operations Manager, Cultural Homestays International, chijenny@chinet.org Jenny is no stranger to the YMCA and its mission. Jenny was born into camp life which began as an infant at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce in Texas where her father, John Snowden (Vice-President of the YMCA of Greater New York, Retired), started his YMCA career as a waterfront director at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce. From 7 years old on, not only were summers spent at the New York YMCA camp, but all year long. A lifetime of knowledge of YMCA Camping as a whole was gained in 44 years of being a part of the New York YMCA Camp. The highlight of all those years will always be the benefit camp brings to youth and young adults and much of that magic is attributed to what cultural exchange brings to camp. Jenny began working for Cultural Homestay International in the Camp Leaders office in Austin, Texas in July of 2016. The role and responsibilities of working for the primary visa sponsor for the Camp Leaders program is one that she takes very seriously. The journey of the exchange visitor from placement to return home is always first for Jenny and drives her mission-based heart.
JESSIE EMMONS
Director of Youth Development & Innovation, Frost Valley YMCA, jemmons@frostvalley.org As Frost Valley YMCA’s Director of Youth Development & Innovation, Jessie Emmons, oversees Day Camp, all summer camp activities, and our co-ed overnight Equestrian programs. Jessie grew up in Indiana and started going to overnight camp at 7 years old. She has lived the camp life, working 6 summers and three full years in Outdoor Education, at a YMCA camp in Michigan. After graduating from Indiana University in 2011, she became the Director of Youth Development overseeing all youth programs at the YMCA of Michiana in South Bend, IN. She came to Frost Valley YMCA in 2018 as the Day Camp Director for our traditional day camp programs, and quickly took on a larger role in our summer camp operation. Jessie believes that camp is a place for all people to feel like they belong, it’s family.
JINÉ ANDREOZZI
JOSH SCHUPACK
Jiné is currently the Summer Camp Director at YMCA Camp Chingachgook on Lake George, NY. Jiné is originally from Albany, NY and a graduate of Ithaca College and her love of the outdoors all started with her experience as a camper in the Adventure Camp program at Camp Chingachgook. Having been a camper and former seasonal staff member at Chingachgook, Jiné took this full time position in April 2015. Prior to this, she spent two years living in Boston and working for the American Camp Association, New England as the Communications & Marketing Coordinator, which gave her a valuable, big picture perspective of the camping industry as a whole, and ways to integrate technology and marketing to inform others of the value of camp. Jiné has worked in the outdoor recreation industry seasonally for the past 10 years and full time for the past five years and loves being able to work in a field where she can bridge her passion for camp and the outdoors with her educational background in photography, graphic design, social media and marketing.
Since 1999, Josh has not missed a summer at camp. For the past 21 summers, Josh as been involved with programs ranging from the rustic outdoors, to the basement of an inner city middle school. With a masters in psychology, Josh loves being a commanding force by being a change agent in a child’s life. He believes that there is no better way to have a positive impact on a child than to give them the opportunity to go to camp. If from sessions and conferences, it one of us can be made better, it makes us all better.
Summer Camp Director, YMCA Camp Chingachgook jandreozzi@cdymca.org
JOHN GILROY
Camp Director, YMCA Camp Cassey jgilroy@ymcade.org John Gilroy is the Camp Director at YMCA Camp Cassey, part of the YMCA of Delaware. John’s first camp experience was with the Cub Scouts in Manchester England, and he knew camp was a very special place and decided he wanted to experience a camp in America. In 2005 he went to work for Camp Arrowhead in Lewes, Delaware as a Day Camp Counselor. Of course, he did not know where DE was exactly, but packed his bags and off he went! He enjoyed it so much that he went back the next two summers and met his now wife, the first summer. In January of 2012 after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in Sports Management, he moved to Delaware full time and went to work for Soccer Shots as the Assistant Director and Lead Coach. There he assisted with programming at the day care centers and schools, park programs and summer camps. His YMCA career begin in 2016, when he took on the role as Sports Director and Drivers Education Coordinator at the Dover YMCA in DE. He moved to his current position as Camp and Sports Director in 2018.
JOHN MCNAIR
Summer Camp & Operations Director, YMCA Camp Coniston jmcnair@consiton.org John is preparing for his 25th summer at YMCA Camp Coniston. He has a long history with the organization from camper, CIT and joining the staff in 2002. He has served in many capacities at Coniston from Cabin Counselor, Division Leader, CIT Director, Boys Camp Director, Maintenance, and Senior Program Director. John currently oversees Adventure Camp, Service Trips and all Coniston travel programs. In addition, he focuses on facilities management, capital improvement, health and food service, as well as, the day to day oversight of Coniston’s summer camp program. John grew up in New Hampshire and is a graduate of Keene State College where he received a B.S. degree in Occupational Safety and Health. John serves on the ACA New England Standards Committee and is currently the Vice Chair of the Northeast YMCA Camp Conference.
Executive Director of Camping Services, YMCA of Greater Nashua jschupack@nmymca.org
JULIE THOMAS
Summer Camp Program Director, YMCA Camp Mason Julie@campmason.org Julie claimed as a camper that she would learn to play guitar and be a camp counselor. Unlike becoming a Power Ranger, she followed through on this childhood goal and has continued working with youth in outdoor settings in Indiana, Colorado, New Hampshire and New Jersey. When not at work, Julie enjoys traveling, hiking, and playing guitar.
JUSTIN HUBENY
Outdoor Center Director, YMCA Camp Sloper jhubeny@sccymca.org After working there for many years, Justin became the Outdoor Center Director for YMCA Camp Sloper (A program area of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA) located in Southington, CT. Together with Adam Dubois, he owns Camp 365 Consulting.
KACIE LUKASIK
Staff Supervisor, YMCA Camp Bernie klukasik@campbernieymca.org Kacie has been with the YMCA in a professional capacity for 2 years, but her love of the Y and it’s programming spans over 15 years, from her first summer as a camper at YMCA Camp Bernie. With 9 years of Customer Service under her belt, she is now currently Camp Bernie’s Outdoor Education Staff Supervisor, having previously been involved in their CIT program, but also working as a Program Instructor and most recently their Day Camp Coordinator. She finds great joy in enabling staff to find passion and purpose in their work.
KATH DAVIES
Associate Executive Director, Camp Hazen YMCA kdavies@camphazenymca.org Kath is your typical international staff member that never left. She has worked through the ranks of camp, and building a life long career along the way. Her biggest “claim to fame’s” are taking Hazen from 80% capacity to 100%, being a trainer for a number of YMCA classes, speaking at the Eastern European YMCA Camp Conference in Belarus and of course being the 2016 Chair of NEYCC.
KENN DRANOFF
Owner, Mr. D’s Tees, mrdstees@aol.com I am the owner and founder of Mr. D’s Tees, an in-house embroidery, screen printing and promotional products company. 2020 is our 40th year in the camping industry. I am a Temple University graduate.
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KIM BURROWS
MEGAN CHENEY
Kim Burrows has been working at the YMCA of Montclair since 2004. She leads outdoor family programming and Adventure Guides, serves as the director at Camp at the Lake, and is the association wide camping administrator. Although quiet and reserved, Kim loves to share her passion for and knowledge of camping with others. She is most proud of seeing participants who grew up as campers join the summer camp staff.
Megan is the East Valley Ranch Director at Frost Valley YMCA. Megan started her journey at Frost Valley back in 2013 as a counselor and riding instructor at East Valley Ranch. Over the past summers, Megan has worked as the Village Coordinator, Barn Manager and Assistant Director of EVR and now as the East Valley Ranch Director. Megan oversees the summer programs at East Valley Ranch as well as welcoming the many guests at East Valley Ranch throughout the rest of the year. Megan is from the UK and graduated from Cardiff University in 2016 with a BSc in Psychology with Professional Placement.
Senior Director of Camping and Outdoor Education, YMCA of Montclair, kburrows@montclairymca.org
LAURA RODRIGUEZ
Camp Director, Hillsborough YMCA Camp Star lrodriguez@somersetcountyymca.org Laura began her career at the Hillsborough YMCA as a camp counselor and has been there ever since. She began her full time camping career in 2015 as the Associate Program Director and worked her way up to Program Director. Laura is passionate about camp and Youth Development, enjoys spending time with friends.
LINDA LUDWIG-TISCH
Director of Human Resources, Frost Valley YMCA lludwig-tisch@frostvalley.org Linda Ludwig-Tisch has been employed at Frost Valley as Director of Human Resources since 2005 with prior experience in employee relations.
LIZ KRYZNEFSKI
Camp Directors, Madison Area YMCA Quest Camps Ekryznefski@madisonymca.org Liz began her career as a camp counselor at Frost Valley YMCA as a J-1 Visa Participant and has been in love with camp ever since. She worked her way up to Assistant Activities Director for the summers of 2013 and 2014. Once she emigrated over to the USA permanently, she began a position at the Somerset County YMCA where she served as their Associate Program Director for 2 years before joining the Madison Area YMCA in February 2018 as the Youth and Teen Director. Liz is passionate about Diversity and Inclusion and is an ACA Associate visitor. She oversees camp for preschool through 11th grade as well as Teen and Enrichment programs at her YMCA.
MAC WALLACE
Director of Youth Programs/Camp Director, Children’s Island Day Camp/Lynch/ van Otterloo YMCA wallacem@northshoreymca.org Mac Wallace is originally from Florida where he Directed Day Camps for pre school age children. He is currently the Camp Director/Youth Program Director for Children’s Island Day Camp and Lynch Van Otterloo YMCA in Marblehead, MA. Mac also worked in Residential camps for 5 years as the Head Counselor for Greenwood Trails Summer camp in Winsted, CT. For Mac camp is the place where you can truly be yourself, and feel supported by the people around you.
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East Valley Ranch Coordinator, Frost Valley YMCA mcheney@frostvalley.org
MICHELE ROWCLIFFE
VP of Camp Services, YMCA of Greater Rochester micheler@rochesterymca.org Michele has worked professionally for the YMCA since 1994, with over 20 years experience in the field of camping. She is currently the Vice President of Camping Services for the YMCA of Greater Rochester, overseeing two overnight camps (Camp Cory and Camp Gorham) and providing best practices to seven day camps within the association. Michele is an inaugural member of the YUSA Camping Cabinet and currently serves as the Staff Development Chair, working on creating additional overnight camp trainings, streamlining conferences, and lifting young camp staff within our field. Michele also serves as a Partner Y Day Camp resource to the movement. NEYCC is one of Michele’s favorite conferences to be a part of, having served as the marketing chair, program chair and conference chair not so long ago.
MICHELLE DUFFY
HR Representative, Frost Valley YMCA mduffy@frostvalley.org Michelle has experience in camps and related non-profits across the country spanning about 15 years, beginning as a counselor at Girl Scout camp, and now working in HR at Frost Valley. She remembers what it was like to look for jobs, and thinks we can do better at getting the right people into our awesome organizations. She has worked at Frost Valley for the past three and a half years, where she currently lives with her husband and young son.
MIKE OBERMAYER
Asst. Camp Director, YMCA Camp Chingachgook mobermayer@cdymca.org Mike currently serves as the Asst. Camp Director at YMCA Camp Chingachgook on Lake George, NY. While working as a seasonal summer camp and outdoor education leader, he went on to study at the University of Vermont and the National Outdoor Leadership School. Mike started his professional career with the Greater Burlington YMCA and served in various leadership roles with BBL Hospitality before joining YMCA Camp Chingachgook in his current role in 2017. Mike spends most of his free time running, with a goal to run a marathon in every state.
MORGAN COTTER
PATRICK CONNELLY
Morgan has loved camp and the outdoors since she was a little kid. Growing up going to Girl Scout camp in Texas, she learned the importance of the friendships, values, and memories that camp creates. When she was old enough, she worked Girl Scout and Boy Scout camps, and then worked in outdoor education and conservation through a majority of her 20s. With the Student Conservation Association, she was given the opportunity to lead outdoor youth programs all over the United States, including Rocky Mountain National Park and Glacier National Park. This led her to working two great seasons for the Park Service at Zion National Park on the Trail Crew.
Patrick Connelly is the owner and operator of Connelly Consulting Company (CCG) a team of specialized youth development professionals helping youth service organizations reach their full potential. Patrick has been a camp director for over 20 years and was one of the founders of the Connecticut Camp Guys. Patrick has provided training, coaching, planning, evaluation and assessment support to hundreds of camps and thousands of camp staff.
Team Lead, Camp Leaders morgan@campleaders.com
In 2017 Morgan moved back to Austin and joined Smaller Earth and entered the camping world once again. As a Relationship Manager on the Camp Leaders team, she helped camps to hire their international staff and bring them to the US. She has recently moved into the Team Lead on the Camp Leaders program and is enjoying the new role. Morgan has been very inspired by the purpose of the program- to bring cultural exchange to camp and make the world a more understanding and tolerant place.
NICK LOMAURO
Director of Camp Wawayanda, Frost Valley YMCA nlomauro@frostvalley.org Nick Lomauro is a lifetime lover of camp, the outdoors, mindfulness, sports, and the arts. Nick grew up in the YMCA and discovered his passion for working in with youth as a summer camp counselor at Frost Valley YMCA. Immediately following graduation from Montclair State University Nick set off to Spain to hike the 500 mile ancient pilgrimage trail, El Camino de Santiago. Nick then returned to his childhood YMCA in NJ, of over 20,000 members, as the Director of Youth Development. In this role he designed, developed, and implemented day camp and teen programs. Currently back at Frost Valley YMCA, Nick is the Director of Camp Wawayanda.
NICOLE LAUHON
Village Director at Camp Stomping Ground, Program Instructor at YMCA Frost Valley nicole.lauhon26.2@gmail.com Nicole is a program instructor at Frost Valley YMCA, as well as a village director at Camp Stomping Ground in upstate NY. She has worked the past seven summers at summer camp, making her way to her goal of spending a decade worth of summers at camp. She believes in Big Magic, intentional moments of gratitude, and forming positive relationships with kids. She also appreciates a great game of capture-the-flag, an afternoon at the waterfront, and a rainy evening talent show program.
OLIVER GREGAN
Summer Camp Director, Camp Jewell YMCA olive.gregan@GHYMCA.org Oliver has worked at YMCA Camps in the US and Canada. Last year he returned to YMCA Camp Jewell to serve at their Summer and Family Camp Director. He is in development of a counselor training podcast with GoCampPro and looks forward to learning new and interesting ways to train Summer Staff.
Trainer, Connelly Consulting Group pconnelly@webeccg.com
PATRICK GIZINSKI
Assistant Director - Land Programs, YMCA Camp Tockwogh pgizinski@ymcade.org Pat has been working for the YMCA for 8 years, he currently resides at YMCA Camp Tockwogh as the Programs Director in charge of Land Programs. Over the years he has had the opportunity to train lifeguards, further develop youth leadership programs, and revitalize Camp Tockwogh’s land programs. Pat is a self-proclaimed comic nerd and movie junkie, and he has an addiction to spicy food.
RHINO MERRICK
Camp Director, YMCA Camp Tockwogh rmerrick@ymcade.org Rhino Merrick is the Camp Director at YMCA Camp Tockwogh, part of the YMCA of Delaware. Rhino started with the Y in 2000 as part of a round-the-world trip that saw him stop in Connecticut to spend the summer as a camp counselor. He spent a total of 17 years with Camp Hazen YMCA, where he launched his professional Y career. Rhino is a graduate of Springfield College and has also spent time as an instructor with Outward Bound. He has served on the American Camp Association New England and Connecticut Camping Association Boards, the Northeast Y Camp Conference Committee and was a long time volunteer with a Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.
RYAN ENDE
Program Director: Day Camp, Teens, Family Programs YMCA Buffalo Niagara - Camp Eggert rende@ymcabn.org Ryan has worked at the YMCA since 2006, predominantly in summer camp roles and is currently the Program Director for YMCA Camp Eggert in Buffalo, NY (Go Bills). He has dabbled in a little bit of everything at the YMCA and believes that anything can be made better by bringing some of that summer camp magic to the table.
SARA DAVIS
Outdoor Center Program Director, YMCA Camp Mason Sara@campmason.org As the Outdoor Center Program Director for Schools, Sara helps oversee the staff and programming for more than 6,000 visitors to Camp Mason throughout the year. Sara has a passion for outdoor pursuits with an emphasis on education. Sara ensures that students, both young and old, have opportunities for life-changing experiences at the Mason Outdoor Center.
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SCOTT MULLINS
Sports Camp Director, YMCA of Montclair scottfmullins@gmail.com Scott Mullins has been working at Camp at the Lake, of the YMCA of Montclair, since the summer of 2015, a camp which he attended as a child. Scott currently serves as the sports camp director, assisting youth in building their athleticism, skills, and confidence through a multitude of sports. In addition, he is known for his dynamic energy, as he has led his color games team to a spirit victory for three summers in a row! Scott attended American University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in American Studies in 2018. Using his understanding of the cultural, social, and political landscape of the United States, he works to build an environment where youth can be unrestrained and feel comfortable to grow as their true authentic selves.
SCOTT WEIGLEY
Executive Director and Program Director YMCA Buffalo Niagara-Camp Weona & Camp Eggert sweigley@ymcabn.org Scott has been working in YMCA for 16 years and has managed three camps across Pennsylvania, Ohio and currently New York. His experience managing camps under a million dollar budget has allowed him to be entrenched in most operational aspects of camping like summer programming, staff hiring, food service, administration, and facility management.
SUSAN COKER
Senior Vice President of Marketing/Communications, YMCA of Northern Colorado susan.coker@ymcanoco.org For over 25 years, Susan Coker has been providing Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications for a myriad of organizations. She has worked as a Marketing Executive for a regional magazine, a ski resort, the in-house ad agency for the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, the Illinois State Hospice Association, and as a Marketing Executive for the YMCAs of St. Louis, Houston and Central Connecticut Coast. She is currently Senior VP of Marketing and Communications for the YMCA of Northern Colorado, sits on the YMCA Collective Marketing Initiative Committee for YUSA, worked for YUSA for 2 years on the rollout of the new brand and voice guidelines and is a marketing/communications partner for the Y movement working with Ys across the country on their marketing/communications needs. She has a particular talent for working with resident camps since she lived on YMCA camps for over 14 years! Susan is equally creative and organized. This has given her the unique ability to have the vision for large scale marketing plans and the ability to execute them with a creative flair that is unique to each organization and area. Susan lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband, Chris, 3 kids, 2 dogs and the beautiful mountains as their backdrop. She and her family enjoy the outdoors including all snow sports.
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TOMMY DONALDSON
Camp Director, Metro YMCA of the OrangesSouth Mountain Branch tdonaldson@metroymcas.org I have worked in many capacities for the South Mountain YMCA but currently am the Director of Social Responsibility and Teens. I have been part of the YMCA movement since 1994 for a volunteer for three years before becoming a staff member is 1996. I have been working in the camp field since 2001. I am excited to be entering my 20th season of camp.
TONY CALCIA
Vice President of Child Protection and Social Responsibility, Hockomock Area YMCA tonyc@hockymca.org Tony has worked at the Hockomock Area YMCA in Southeastern Massachusetts for the past 18 years, serving as Chief Operating Office for 11 years and Vice President of Child Protection and Responsibility for past 7. Previous to the YMCA Tony was the Director of Park and Recreation in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.
TORI STALEY
Adventure Director, Frost Valley YMCA tstaley@frostvalley.org Tori has been working in the Adventure Department of Frost Valley for five years, leading trips, leadership development programs, trips logistics, and more. She has developed and implemented trainings on gender roles and leading with a social justice perspective in her work at Frost Valley and while teaching history and outdoor education in Colorado. She also comes to this work with the perspective of a Masters degree in Gender Studies.
TYLER KATZ
Program Instructor, Seasonal Summer Camp Director, Frost Valley YMCA, tkatz@frostvalley.org Tyler (they/them/theirs) grew up going to Frost Valley YMCA, and over 14 years has been a camper, counselor, summer camp Seasonal Director, and an outdoor education Program Instructor. They have a background in biology, entomology, and sexuality and gender studies. In their free time, they enjoy collecting insects, taking care of their pet preying mantis, and looking through the telescope at Frost Valley’s observatory!
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors! PLATINUM SPONSORS ACA NEW ENGLAND • Bette Bussel
ACA, NY AND NJ • Susie Lupert
The American Camp Association, New England enriches the lives of children and families through quality camp experiences.
The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey (ACA, NY and NJ) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the quality of the summer camp experience.
www.acanewengland.org • 781-541-6080 • camp@acanewengland.org
BOLDUC’S APPAREL • Todd Adelson www.bolducs.com • 413-786-9960 • todd@bolducs.com Bolduc’s Apparel is a provider of summer camp apparel. We provide full service art/design and all products are produced in our Agawam, MA production facility. Bolduc’s is able to complete orders in season in a timely manner. We also provide a full apparel consultation “Roadshow” at your camp. This enables our clients the ability to design their summer camp apparel right on site.
www.acanynj.org • 212-391-5208 • susie@acanynj.org
MANIC MERCH • Greg Ross
2017 Teall Ave. Syracuse, NY • 315-925-5222 info@manicmerchpromo.com
GOLD PLUS SPONSORS CAMP LEADERS/SMALLER EARTH • Jennifer Caiafa www.campleaders.com • 866-803-7643 • usa@campleaders.com Camp Leaders has been providing opportunities for participants to have meaningful cultural exchange opportunities at American summer camps since 1999. Our reputation as market leaders has been built through our talented pool of applicants and our exceptional service, value, and innovation.
GOLD SPONSORS 3 ADVENTURES (IENA) Jeff Daly
www.3adventures.com • 888-724-4292 jeff.daly@iena.org IENA/3 Adventures is a US Department of State Designated J1 Visa Sponsor. We match qualified, motivated people from across the globe with summer camps in the USA. Our recruiters have extensive camp experience and select only the most qualified applicants. The 3 Adventures Camp Program of IENA is run by Camp Directors who provide a high quality, personal service at a fantastic price.
CAMP BRAIN Wakako Dillon www.campbrain.com • 416-485-8885 admin@campbrain.com At CampBrain, we are passionate about management and online registration software for camps and conference centers. Since 1994, we have served more than 1100 organizations with our fully-featured software that is accessible from anywhere. Our team of over 35+ is dedicated to providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software. Chat with Josh about how we assist our YMCA camps every day.
MTI ADVENTUREWEAR • Lili Colby www.mtilifejackets.com • 800-783-4684 lilic@mtiadventurewear.com MTI stands for Marine Technologies International. We specialize in one thing: designing and building USCG approved life jackets for what we like to call “human powered boating”. Paddle, Sail, or SUP - MTI makes a life vest for it. Founded over 20 years ago on the East Coast, we’re a family owned business located near historic Plymouth, Massachusetts. Coastal New England and beautiful Cape Cod are our back yard. The opportunity to canoe, kayak, SUP, sail, fish, and enjoy time on the water is all around us and inspires our life jacket designs. Owners Lili and Gordon Colby met working for Mad River Canoe in Vermont. Before that Gordon was a camper, councilor, program and village director for Camp Hazen in Connecticut. So “Y” buy from MTI? We understand what camps are looking for in a life jacket! MTI Life Jackets is proud to be a Gold sponsor of NEYCC 2020. YMCA staff can save 40% on any MTI model at www.mtilifejackets.com. Just enter YMCA40 in the promotional code box in the shopping cart before checking out. MTI also offers a discount program for camps. Contact Lili Colby at sales@mtiadventurewear.com or 1-800-783-4684 for more information.
VITAL CAMPS • Thomas Christensen
www.vitalcamps.com • 778 239 5477 • thomas@vitalenglish.com Help your campers and counselors prepare for the best summer of their lives – before they arrive. Vital Camps take your staff and camper handbooks and deliver them online. “We spent hours in the past reviewing the staff, risk management and camp handbooks. This year [Vital Camps] took our handbooks, broke them into easy online training modules; complete with tests for information retention throughout! We were able to take our staff-training time and focus on more deeper and important instruction and in the end had by far our best prepared staff ever!” - Jon Kazanjian, Camp Tahattawan
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SILVER SPONSORS FWM DOCS Mike Barry www.fwmdocks.com • 603-578-9699 mdbarry@fwmdocks.com The EZ Dock Modular Dock System is the most durable and versatile floating dock system available today. Environmentally friendly EZ Docks can remain in the water year-round and are perfect for a wide range of waterfront needs.
CAMP AMERICA Sam Roberts www.campamerica.aifs.com • 800-727-8233 sroberts@aifs.com Camp America has been the nation’s leading provider of international staff to summer camps since 1969. We take great pride in providing excellent customer service and offering a wide selection of exceptional staff. CA will provide qualified staff for virtually every position at your camp, from qualified activity leaders and specialist and general counselors to kitchen, maintenance, and office staff. We serve every type of camp, from not for profit to profit, special needs to faith based, day to residential. We aim to be your easiest and friendliest option for quality matches and smooth logistics. We specialize in serving camp directors who are new to the international staffing process and those who have done it for over 30 years.
CAMP DOC NETWORK Elise Brantley
734-619-8095 • ebrantley@docnetwork.org
MR. D’S TEES Kenn Dranoff www.mrdstees.com • 888-343-8337 mrdstees@aol.com Mr. D’s Tees is a screen print and embroidery company celebrating its 37th year in the camping industry. Our in house art department has many unique designs for you to choose from or we can help you create a design with your ideas. Quick reorder time and competitive pricing.
NOVA CRAFT CANOE • Steve Porcunier 866-882-2663 • sales@novacraft.com
OUTFIT YOUR LOGO, LLC • Sarah Williams www.outfityourlogo.com 315-446-5252 • sarah@outfityourlogo.com For nearly 25 YEARS, YMCAs in every state have faithfully relied on Outfit Your Logo to provide the most innovative, comprehensive, high-quality product line of logoed products. Coupling unparalleled customer service and free camp store consulting, we can “ Outfit Your Logo” with the perfect imprinted products specifically for camps: T-Shirts, Jackets, Nalgene Bottles, Camelbak Bottles, Backpacks and Totes, Carabiners, Journals, Patches, Wristlets, Stuffed Animals, Staff Gifts, Retail Novelties, and more!
POND HILL RANCH • Harry O’Rourke www.pondhillranch.com • 802-353-6636 horses@pondhillranch.com The East’s Largest Horse Leasing Service, in the horses business since 1955. Family owned and Operated. The O’Rourke family takes great pride in leasing horses to Children’s camps throughout the Northeast, it is our only business, so therefore we will offer you personal attention, at all times you will be speaking with a member of the family. Please feel free to contact at anytime for information.
SOBEL INSURANCE • Morris Gold www.sobelins.com • 516-745-0000 • mgold@sobelins.com Sobel Affiliates has insured camps for more than 75 of our 100+ year history. Today, we are among the top two largest camp brokers in the United States and we believe that our experience and knowledge in the camping field is unmatched by virtually anyone.
SPIRIT ADVENTURES • Mark Miller www.spiritadventuresllc.com • 570-620-3400 spiritadventuresllc@gmail.com
Spirit Adventures is the collaborative work of Mark and Diane Taber-Miller. Mark and Diane met in 1988 when they were both ski instructors. Soon, they were sharing adventures that involved paddle sports, marriage, climbing, parenting, biking, fostering, hiking, and facilitating experiences for other adventurous souls.
ULTRACAMP • Gregg Morrow
http://ultracamp.com • 888-791-2080 • gregg@ultrcamp.com UltraCamp provides online registration and comprehensive program management tools, but we are more than our payment processing, form collection, retreat and rental management, custom reporting, and Point-of-Sale. Our team of support technicians provide prompt, personal, responsive assistance and training. Through our individualized training combined with our online help tools, you can feel confident launching your next season’s online registration with UltraCamp.
BRONZE SPONSORS THE ALEXON GROUP Susan Mascaro
www.alexongroup.com • 877-827-5363 x 1018 smascaro@alexongroup.com
CORCL • Carter Brigham
443-610-4045 • carter@corcle.com
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THURSTON FOODS • Matt Thurston www.thurstonfoods.com • 203-915-0734 • matt@thurstonfoods.com Thurston Foods is your professional FULL LINE - FULL SERVICE wholesale foodservice distribution specialist. Servicing Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Call us for all your needs including: Bakery Supplies, Fresh Meats, Fresh Produce, Grocery, Frozen Goods, Paper Goods, Cleaning Supplies, Smallware and Equipment. Over 15,000 Items!
Your most reliable source for custom camp apparel.
Todd Adelson Todd@bolducs.com Greg Donovan Greg@bolducs.com
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One-stop shop for all your promotional needs! Manic Merch is here to make your shopping a breeze. We have everything from apparel, pens, totes, drink ware and so much more, all in one place!
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Software that camp administrators love. Find out why. Visit us in the Vendor Hall or at www.campbrain.com and find out how CampBrain can help run your camp more smoothly.
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THE
individualized training combined with our online
2020 NEYCC COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEYCC CHAIR: Courtney Hoy, YMCA Camp Cassey VICE CHAIR:
John McNair, YMCA Camp Coniston
PAST CHAIR:
Chris Burke, Camp Becket YMCA
PROGRAM COMMITTEE:
Chair - Adam Van Vught, YMCA Camp Abnaki Vice-Chair – Sally Wright, Camp Bernie YMCA Jason Gottfried, YMCA of Greater Rochester Jessie Emmons, Frost Valley YMCA Mike Obermayer, YMCA Camp Chingachgook Oliver Gregan, Camp Jewell YMCA Anne Whalen, Merrimack Valley YMCA Anthony Amalfi, Camp Jewell YMCA Mark Cadman, YMCA Camp Huckins
MARKETING COMMITTEE:
SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE:
Scott Weigley, YMCA Camp Weona Matt Brown, YMCA Camp Ingersoll Keith Hubbard, Deer Valley YMCA Claire Greenwood, Frost Valley YMCA Ryan Brun, Springfield College
Kacie Lukasik, YMCA Camp Bernie Nick Charnysh, YMCA Camp Sloper Rhonda McNamara, Frost Valley YMCA
Chair – Amanda Hinski, Frost Valley YMCA Vice-Chair – Jiné Andreozzi, YMCA Camp Chingachgook
PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Chelsea Ammerman, YMCA Camp Arrowhead
Blake Van Horn, YMCA Camp Cory Tommy Donaldson, South Mountain YMCA Patrick Gizinski, YMCA Camp Tockwogh Kim Merchant
Co-Chair – Ben Silliman, YMCA Camp Ingersoll Co-Chair – Jon Kuypers, YMCA Camp Abnaki
RECOGNITION COMMITTEE: Chair – Berta Sinclair, Chimney Corners Camp YMCA
SITE HOST COMMITTEE: Chair - Danielia Barron, Frost Valley YMCA
Program Design - Sara Munoz, Frost Valley YMCA
NEYCC AWARDS Each year at NEYCC we recognize those camps and individuals that are helping to innovate, lead and inspire our movement. Congratulations to our 2020 Award Winners who will join this distinguished list:
Program Innovation Award
Rising Star Award
2016 – YMCA Camp Sloper, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA
2017 – Zac Broomfield, Camp Frank A. Day, West Suburban YMCA
2017 – Lindsay Hutchinson, Frost Valley YMCA
2018 – Heather Hayes, YMCA of Greater Rochester
– YMCA Camp Chingachgook, Capital District YMCA
2019 – Sarah Mikiewicz, YMCA of Greater Rochester
2018 – Zach Eigenbrodt, Frost Valley YMCA 2019 – YMCA Camp Sloper, Southington-Cheshire YMCA
Legend in Camping Award 2016 – Gary Forster
Social Responsibility Award
2018 – John Snowden
2017 – Claudia Soo Hoo, Merrimack Valley YMCA Camps
2019 – Debbie Parker
2018 – Trisha Kline, YMCA Camp Zehnder, The Community YMCA 2019 – Antonio Thornton, Bear Glasgow Family YMCA
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NORTHEAST YMCA CAMP CONFERENCE
SAVE THE DATE: Conference to Connect
January 25-27, 2021
at FROST VALLEY YMCA http://neycc.org/
FROST VALLEY YMCA 2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 12725 TEL 845-985-2291 FAX 845-985-0056 WEB frostvalley.org Frost Valley YMCA is a values-driven organization that fosters youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility through outdoor educational and recreational programs for all.