https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/fight-flight-or-form-use-brain-research-connect-campers

We are lucky to be at camp, in the modern world, and not living in a jungle where each new thing might kill us. The fight or flight response comes from ancient times when a person encountered a...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/parachute-pants-pokemon-ipods-understanding-your-campers-various-ages-stages

Rewind to the time in your life when you were seven, ten, or thirteen (or any other desired childhood age). Who was your best friend at that age? What style clothing did you wear? What did you like...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/dreamteam

What makes a great camp counselor? It’s not what you think. The 2004 U.S. Olympic basketball team had just as many all-stars as the original Dream Team. They had superstars like Carmelo Anthony,...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/so-you-got-promoted-now-what

The camp experience is a very powerful learning process, which is both personal and challenging. It provides children the chance to grow in a protected environment controlled by caring, knowledgeable...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/inside-joke-worth-having

There are many different kinds of relationships you will have in your life. The relationship you will have with your campers this summer, though, will be among the most unique, powerful, and...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/place-share-i-said-i-think-i-am-disposable

At a 2014 ACA National Conference session, I was asked by seasoned camp professionals, “Why do young staff ask us so many questions when we give them a task?” Without hesitation, I replied, “Because...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/peg-you-speak-think

There is a saying that advises, “Before you speak — think.” Ask yourself: T = Is it true? H = Is it helpful? I = Is it inspiring? N...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/risk-management-open-letter-camp-staff

Team, This letter is addressed to all camp staff / team members — whether this summer is your first or your twentieth, and whether you have primary responsibility for supervising campers, are an...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/building-principles-getting-more-out-construction-projects-without-paying-more-maybe-even-paying

We’ve explored construction contracts before and the idea that they set the rules for a short-term “marriage of convenience” — from proposal through amicable divorce. But this month, we’re going to...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/play-camp-talking-funders-versus-preaching-choir

Camp professionals just get it! Play is a valuable aspect of childhood and, of course, camp. It’s a given, an easy sell. But that’s just preaching to the choir. Explaining to funders the need to...