We know that time and money are limited for all camps and organizations. We also know that when an organization invests in training and developing its professional staff, it opens itself up to increased opportunities for success!

Getting approved starts with thinking through why you believe you should attend before talking with your supervisor. Going into these conversations proactively by addressing potential concerns and highlighting areas for growth can be the difference between approval and rejection.

We have assembled some tools to help guide you through conversations with the decision-makers at your camp:

Key Points that Typically Drive Decisions

• Connecting what you will learn to the organization’s strategic priorities or challenges.
• Addressing how much the school costs and how it fits into the budget and goals.
• A plan to implement what you learn upon returning. (Report, presentation, plan, etc.)
• Sharing how this will help advance the mission of the organization.

How is The Director’s School (TDS) different from other conferences?

The Director’s School differs from conferences in two distinct ways.

1. TDS is designed to be an immersive learning experience that is centered on business operations. Most conferences might include a few sessions dedicated to one or two business-related topics, whereas this school is completely focused on all aspects of business operations. 
2. TDS is designed so professionals attend the level related to their career position and trajectory. Young professionals can begin with level one and progress through levels two and three as they grow in their career. Mid-career or advanced professionals can jump to high levels to gain new knowledge and skills for executive-level responsibilities.

What do you get for the registration fee?

The registration fee is all-inclusive, except for travel to and from the venue. The fee includes four nights' hotel stay (private room with ensuite bathroom), 12 meals (able to make dietary accommodations), two books, snacks, and all learning materials. Click here for more information about the location.

What will you learn at The Director’s School?

The Director’s School includes three levels, and attendees will remain at their level for all learning during the program.

• Level 1: Camp business operations - fiscal, human resource, and risk management.
• Level 2: Organizational planning - strategic, risk mitigation, and operational plans.
• Level 3: Organizational sustainability - strategic management, financial stability, organizational culture.

Will I earn CEC’s?

Students who wish to earn CEU/CECs will have the opportunity to obtain those credits. Full completion of the entire course level will be required for any credits earned.

What are the benefits to attending a professional education experience outside your camp organization?

Learning from within an organization has many benefits, and so does learning from peers at other organization types. When we connect with peers from other camps and organizations, we are able to learn novel ways of addressing situations. If we are a small camp, we can learn about unique resources that large camps utilize. If our camp is part of a larger organization, we can learn how specific areas of operations are addressed in different settings. Ultimately, the biggest benefit from attending an educational experience outside our organization is twofold: sharing our techniques with others and learning new techniques. We call this benchmarking.

Sample Email

Dear [insert Name];

As we close out our busy summer season and look toward 2027 soon, I am requesting the opportunity to attend The Director’s School as my professional development opportunity. The program will be held January 18-22, 2027, in Chicago, Illinois.

We know that camp operational decisions require more strategic financial, staffing, and risk management knowledge. The American Camp Association Illinois created this innovative school solely dedicated to the business operations of camping. While many worthwhile educational opportunities exist, there is no other educational experience like this available. Click here for a full description of The Director’s School.

The Director’s School is an investment in both our camp’s operations and my skill development. The program is an intentionally small (20 max per school level) cohort design. The registration fee of $2,000 includes: 4 nights hotel stay, all meals, practitioner textbooks, and learning materials. [If you are local or within driving distance, you should indicate that commuter pricing is available]. More detailed information regarding pricing is available here.

Besides the distinct instructional focus, I believe the content will enhance our camp’s operations. I will be able to learn from professional educators with industry expertise, network with new camp professionals, and be able to immediately share and use the information learned at our camp.

The camping industry will continue to be affected by economic shifts, trends, and evolving societal needs. I want to enhance my ability to serve our population responsibly while also growing my career expertise.

[Choose one of the following questions based on your situation]

What additional information would you like to receive before finalizing a decision?

When can we discuss this opportunity in more detail?

How can we adjust our budget so that I may take advantage of this educational opportunity?

Thank you for the consideration you will give this request,

[insert your Name]