Event & Professional Development
Events & Conferences
Each year, our organization offers numerous professional development opportunities to further your knowledge and expertise on various camp topics. From small round table discussions to the largest summer camp conference in the world, ACA, NY and NJ is your go-to for staying up-to-date on the latest trends in business and youth development as it pertains to camping.
Professional Development Scholarships and Continuing Education Credits
Professional Development Scholarships
We are committed to providing our members with the opportunity to attend our professional development offerings. If you are a nonprofit camp and a member of our organization, we are thrilled to be able to provide scholarships for professional development events.
Continuing Education Credits
You can earn continuing education credits for many of our conferences and events.
Tri-State CAMP Conference
The Tri-State CAMP Conference is the largest conference for summer camp professionals and is considered the premier conference for those looking to learn, be inspired, network and shop for the latest products and services for camps. Taking place each year in mid-March in Atlantic City, NJ, over 3,300 camp professionals from all over the country and world come together to learn at over 179 educational sessions, find new items at our 313 booth exhibit hall and network at social events and in the halls of the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Resident Camp Tours and Conference
Taking place each fall, the Resident Camp Tours and Conference offers both day and overnight camp professionals the opportunity to tour the facilities of overnight camps in a particular region. This conference is a great way to view other camps’ properties and experience how other organizations run their programs and facilities. Each night ends with cocktails, dinner and conversation with industry peers. The Resident Camp Tours and Conference is a fun, low-key event that you are sure to gain new ideas from while enjoying time with fellow camp professionals.
Ben Appelbaum Day Camp Conference
Paying tribute to camp legend Ben Appelbaum, the Day Camp Conference is a day dedicated to touring one or two day camps as an opportunity to see other camp’s facilities and bring back fresh ideas to your own camp. Whether it’s a new adventure course or the way a camp organizes their arts & crafts supplies, you are sure to walk away with ways to improve your own camp. Both day and overnight camp professionals enjoy this conference for gaining new perspectives for their own camp’s facilities.
Morry Stein Management Conference
The Morry Stein Management Conference provides a unique insight into the business aspect of a camp’s operation. Gain insight from business experts on current issues relating to management and spend a day exchanging ideas with colleagues to discover the keys to running a successful camp business.
Joe Kruger Youth Development Conference
The Joe Kruger Youth Development Conference focuses on youth development and provides understanding on topics valuable to all those working with today’s children and adolescents. The day features a keynote speaker followed by breakout sessions and lunch.
Nonprofit Conference
Our Nonprofit Conference focuses on areas of interest to those camp professionals working for a nonprofit organization. From discussions on budgets, youth development trends and common situations that often arise within a nonprofit community, this day is valuable for sharing ideas and networking with fellow nonprofit professionals.
Standards Related Courses
Whether you are a new camp looking to be Accredited, a camp getting re-accredited or interested in becoming an ACA Standards Visitor, you will be required to attend an Accreditation Process Workshop.
Additional Events
- Workshops & Roundtables – Throughout the year, we offer various workshops and roundtable discussions on particular topics of interest.
- Trainings – From staff trainings run by our expert facilitators to certification trainings for your camp staff such as lifeguarding, archery and Wilderness First-Aid, we’ve got you covered.
- CPR and First Aid Courses – ACA, NY and NJ offers CPR & First Aid Courses as do many of our member camps.
- Camp Fairs – Each year, we partner with media organizations to offer camp fairs throughout the New York and New Jersey region to help you find great camp families.