Reflections from Tri-State: The Impact of Connection and Community

Each year, the Tri-State CAMP Conference serves as a hub for learning, networking, and inspiration for camp and youth development professionals across the industry. For some, it’s a return to a familiar and supportive community, while for others, it’s their first step into this dynamic space. This year, we spoke with two attendees, Ricky MacGregor, an Emerging Professionals in Camping (EPIC) community member and Assistant Director at The Nature Place Day Camp, and Jake Guth, a first-time attendee from Pocono Springs Camp, about their experiences at Tri-State. Their reflections highlight the power of connection, the kindness and collaboration of the camp industry, and the meaningful takeaways they will carry into the upcoming summer. 

Learning Goes Beyond the Sessions 

Both Ricky and Jake found some of their most impactful moments outside of the scheduled sessions. Ricky shared, “One of the best moments I had was a hallway conversation between sessions. I was catching up with an old friend, and he introduced me to one of his team members. The biggest takeaway from that conversation was discussing how we can give veteran staff members the opportunity to take more ownership and responsibility at camp without necessarily having a title change.” 

This simple yet significant discussion sparked ideas for how to empower experienced staff, allowing them to contribute in ways that extend beyond their day-to-day roles. As Ricky explained, “Giving them opportunities to plan and coordinate all-staff events outside of camp hours, to be peer mentors for other staff (especially those in their first summer at camp), and so many other possibilities—this was one of the biggest takeaways I got from Tri-State this year. I’m excited to try and find ways to implement these ideas this summer.” 

Jake, attending Tri-State with fresh eyes, also found learning opportunities both within and beyond the structured sessions. “As someone new to the style of camps most represented at the conference, my number one goal in attending was to learn as much about these camps as possible. I have neither attended nor worked at these kinds of camps, and learned so much from informal conversations and sessions... Another big goal of mine was to get to know my team better. The vibe of the conference was so social and collaborative, which made it both fun and conducive to bonding.”

A Community Rooted in Collaboration 

Despite camps often competing for staff and campers, the spirit at Tri-State is one of camaraderie and shared purpose. Ricky captured this sentiment perfectly: “The camp community is such a unique community. In many ways, camps are competing against each other for campers and staff each summer. You wouldn’t realize that was the case if your only knowledge of camp came from Tri-State. The community at Tri-State is so focused on helping each other out, providing ideas and new ways of thinking to help camps become even better.” 

Jake echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unexpected level of openness among attendees. “I had no idea there were so many connections between camps, and I loved being surrounded by such enthusiastic, authentic, and compassionate people!” The conference served as a reminder that the success of one camp is a win for the entire industry, fostering an environment where professionals freely share insights and support one another.  

Practical Takeaways for the Summer Ahead 

Both Jake and Ricky walked away from Tri-State with tangible strategies to apply this summer.  Jake found great value in the sessions he attended. “One session that really stood out to me was a final session on Thursday morning with Clayton Dodson of Camp Kippewa Point. The session focused on how to have more productive accountability conversations, and many of the strategies he shared resonated with me both in my work as a camp counselor and academic teacher,” he shared with us. Jake continued, “I knew that Tri-State self-identifies as a great professional development opportunity not just for camp employees, but also for teachers. This session, amongst many others, definitely confirmed this! I kept Clayton’s handout and plan to use his recommended strategies in my classroom this spring.” 

Ricky shared a similar value in what he took home from the conference, reflecting, “Tri-State is such a unique conference, where the people who are typically at the front of the room during the camp season can learn and participate, finding the nuggets to inspire new ideas to bring home with them.” 

Advice for First-Time Attendees 

For those considering attending Tri-State for the first time, the experience can be overwhelming. Ricky and Jake both emphasized the importance of leaning on seasoned attendees for guidance. Ricky advised, “For choosing sessions, lean on the people you work with who have been to the conference before. Oftentimes, they can help steer you towards a great speaker they’ve really enjoyed seeing or a topic that’s relevant to your day-to-day responsibilities.” 

Jake’s advice was all about pacing yourself. “Be prepared for a VERY full three days! Rest as much as you can during the downtime in the early evening so that you’ve got the energy to get as much out of the sessions as possible, and definitely save some social battery for the in-between moments to get to know the people you meet!” He also recommended debriefing sessions at the end of the day with friends to better absorb and apply what was learned. 

The Magic of Tri-State 

When asked to summarize the conference in one sentence, both Jake and Ricky spoke to the profound impact of the event.  

Jake emphasized the inspiring nature of the event, saying, “It’s a conference made and attended by passionate, deeply kind, and forward-thinking people, and the experience is one that will uplift you in many areas of your life—not just camp!” 

Ricky described it as “Camp for the camp professionals.” Sharing further that, “After a full day of learning, we then get to unwind and have fun with our peers at the different social events offered throughout the week, really allowing us to build up our networks and make lasting connections to carry with us throughout our careers. I’ve never experienced another conference like this and feel very fortunate I get to attend year after year.” 

For those who have never attended or those considering returning, these reflections serve as a testament to the impact of the Tri-State CAMP Conference, not just as an educational event, but as a place where lifelong connections are made, ideas are sparked, and the spirit of camp is alive and thriving. A huge thank you to Ricky MacGregor, of The Nature Place Day Camp, and Jake Guth, of Pocono Springs Camp, for taking the time to share these thoughtful reflections and bits of inspiration with us!