On May 8–10, 2024, 80 people from 29 states participated in ACA's Camp Hill Days event.

Here is a recap of what happened during Camp Hill Days:

• Six campers provided insight into how camp has shaped their lives and the personal impact of their experiences. The camper’s voices were an incredible bonus to the experience, they were well received by hill staffers and elected officials.  
• The group of camp pros, parents, campers, and camp counselors participated in more than 150 visits.  
• The first day was spent training, covering ACA’s advocacy agenda and strategies for success, and learning about ACA’s Economic Impact Study and how to share the data with hill staffers and officials. The group heard from DC experts with Capitol Hill Partners, ACA’s government affairs chairs Scott Brody and Andy Shlensky, Chief Operating Officer Henry DeHart, and University of Michigan researchers who outlined the details from the ACA Economic Impact Study.  
• Armed with training and data, teams made their way to the Capitol for a day and a half of visits. They built relationships with staffers and elected officials, sharing their passion for camp, requesting support for the Child Protection Improvement Act, requesting support for youth workforce development in rural areas, and requesting understanding of the role day and overnight camps play in supporting the support and development of school-aged children.  
• On the first night, ACA hosted an evening “campfire” reception on the hill with invitations to elected officials, staffers, and government agency leaders.  
• On Thursday night, the social event was a Friends of Camp Happy Hour, bringing together friends of camp in the greater DC area.  
• In addition to the business, some participants enjoyed tours of the Capitol, senate and house sessions, and walking in the tunnels from building to building.  

A good time was had by all, and the seeds were sown for future government affairs work. All camps are encouraged to join us next year in DC for what promises to be an even bigger event! 

In the meantime, be sure to invite your congressional officials to camp this summer. Please reference this ACA Tool Kit Congressional Visitors and Your Camp to guide you in getting those visits set up. If you have an elected official come visit, please send us pictures at publicpolicy@ACAcamps.org