Tips for #TSCamp2024 First-Time Attendees

Attending a summer camp’s staff orientation…we can all smell it, hear it, and remember the feeling of being a first-time staff member. It is a time filled with excitement, nervousness, and a deep eagerness to immerse oneself in the unique culture of camp. While the Tri-State Camp Conference may evoke different sensory experiences upon arrival, the similarities between being a first-time staff member and a first-time conference attendee are striking.

For a new staff member at camp, the prospect of learning all the camp songs and watching the established relationships among returning staff may seem daunting. Similarly, those attending the Tri-State Camp Conference for the first time may encounter similar feelings of trepidation. Nevertheless, being the camp professionals that we are, the entire conference community is dedicated to providing a welcoming, comfortable, and secure environment, a sentiment we all seek to emulate during the summer.

To assist you in preparing for your first Tri-State Camp Conference, here is a brief list of recommendations:

1. Embrace the opportunity to absorb knowledge and experiences like a sponge. With everything being new, carefully select sessions, engage in social networking experiences, and more.

 2. Remember that everyone at the conference was once a first-time attendee. Witnessing the evolution of individuals between their first and second years can instill a sense of excitement for the week ahead. By the second day, you will no longer feel like a newcomer.

 3. Burn the candle at both ends! Make the most of the conference by participating in early sessions and extending your day to include the evening social events, contrary to the usual advice we have for staff burnout at camp. 

 4. Familiarize yourself with the conference mobile app and schedule before arriving. Strategically plan your week to include sessions, the vendor hall, networking opportunities, meals, and more.

 5. Identify and appreciate the abundance of transferable skills that you can acquire at the Tri-State Camp Conference, from valuable philosophies shared in sessions to engaging in creative art projects in the vendor hall, all of which you can apply back at camp.

 6. And finally, attending the First Timer’s Orientation, scheduled for Monday at 5 pm and Tuesday at 7:30 am (you only need to attend once).  Let myself and Dani Ackerman, along with speakers, guide you through the week, just as we do for our staff during orientation in the summer. This personalized First Timer’s Orientation will provide you with the necessary support to navigate the conference effectively and make the most of this enriching experience. 

The Tri-State Camp Conference is a camp for camp professionals. We anticipate that after spending the week together you will feel more connected to the camp community and re-energized about the work you do. We believe, hope, and imagine that you will enter a first-timer and by the last day will be telling us how you now feel like a seasoned Tri-State camp conference veteran.

Adam Baranker is the Assistant Director of Jeff Lake Day Camp in Stanhope, NJ.  Adam started Jeff Lake at age 4 and has been part of the community there ever since.   Baranker is a frequent speaker at the Tri-State CAMP Conference and is also the ACA, NY and NJ EPIC Director Liaison. 

Dani Ackerman is a frequent speaker at the Tri-State CAMP Conference. She is a life-long camp person, growing up at Elmwood Day Camp where she was the Associate Director for seven years. She was also previously a teacher at the Windward School and the year-round staffing director at Woodmont Day Camp.