ACA Illinois upcoming events

The Director's School: What You Need to Know (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

EVENT OVERVIEW

Curious about The Director's School is but not sure if it's the right fit for you? Join us for an information session where you'll get the full picture before you apply.

EVENT DETAILS

We'll cover what TDS is and how it's designed to develop the current and next generation of camp professionals, why it's worth the investment of your time (and your camp's), what the application process looks like and how to put together a strong one, and time for your questions along the way.

Whether you're considering applying for the upcoming session or just want to know more about the program, this is a great low-pressure way to get informed.

This session will be held with cameras off, but Q&A will be open throughout — feel free to bring your questions.

Please note: this session may be recorded.

LOCATION & TYPE OF WORKSHOP

This session is a live, virtual events and will utilize the Zoom Meeting platform.

Please Note: ACA Illinois may record this event.

THE FINE PRINT

Please Note: By registering and attending an ACA Illinois event or meeting, virtually or in person you are agreeing to all the event policies listed here. These policies include photo release, refund, link sharing, Code of Conduct, and other relative policies.

HOW TO REGISTER

You must have a Member Profile in our registration system to register for this event. If this is your first event with us, please click here to create a profile. It's free!

The Camp Reset: A Three-Part E-Series (Hosted by ACA New England) (Thursday, October 01, 2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

EVENT OVERVIEW

The goal isn’t to reinvent your camp. It’s to make sure every summer leaves you better prepared for the next one.

This three-part series will explore how to capture lessons while they’re fresh, identify the systems behind recurring challenges, and make intentional changes that strengthen hiring, training, supervision, and leadership practices. Along the way, you’ll discover opportunities to reduce recurring frustrations, build leadership capacity, and create a camp that is easier to lead – not because camp gets easier, but because you’re no longer solving the same problems year after year.

Whether you’re a seasoned director or stepping into a new leadership role, The Camp Reset series will help you turn summer experiences into practical improvements that support both your camp’s success and your own sustainability as a leader.

EVENT DETAILS

Part 1 – Don’t Lose Summer 2026: Capturing the Right Lessons Before They’re Gone

Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30am ET

Every summer leaves clues. Some point to systems that worked better than expected. Others reveal recurring frustrations, unmet needs, or opportunities you don’t want to miss. This session creates space to step back from the day-to-day demands of camp life and take a thoughtful look at the season you’ve just completed – while the lessons are still close enough to be useful.

Part 2 – Make It Mean Something: Finding the Systems Behind the Stress

Tuesday, November 17, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00am ET

Once you’ve identified the clues, the next step is making sense of them. This session focuses on the recurring challenges, frustrations, and successes that shape a camp season and asks a simple question: What might they be trying to tell us? By looking for patterns rather than isolated events, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the systems and practices that influence your staff experience, operational effectiveness, and leadership workload.

Part 3 – From Insight to Action: Building a Better Next Summer

Tuesday, January 12, 2027 from 10:00 to 11:30am ET

Insight alone doesn’t create change. The real value of reflection comes when it shapes the way we hire, train, communicate, supervise, and lead. In this final session, we’ll focus on translating what you’ve learned into practical action – identifying a handful of meaningful changes that can strengthen your camp, support your staff, and make next summer a little easier to lead than the last.

HOW TO REGISTER

This event is hosted and facilitate by ACA New England.

Participants can register for one individual session, or for the full three-part series bundle. If you’d like to attend two of the three sessions, please reach out to Gillian (gillian@acanewengland.org). Participation in all three parts is not required but it is recommended. This is a 200-level offering best suited for those with hands-on experience.

Part 1 Only: Member $30/non-Member $45

Part 2 Only: Member $30/non-Member $45

Part 3 Only: Member $40/non-Member $55

Series Bundle: Member $80/non-Member $125

A recording of each session will be available to registered participants for 30 days.

If you register after Parts 1 or 2 have taken place, recaps will be available to catch you up.

Registration is non-refundable but may be transferred to another member of your team prior to the start of the session. To transfer a registration please email gillian@acanewengland.org

Click here to register

Financial assistance is available. To request assistance, please fill out this form.

Please reach out to Kerry Salvo at kerry@acanewengland.org with questions.

Staffing Summit Series (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

SERIES OVERVIEW

ACA Illinois is proud to continue the partnership with ACA Inc., ACA, New York and New Jersey, and ACA, New England to present the 2026-2027!

SERIES DETAILS

October 20, 2026: Recruit & Hire
Join us for a full day of keynote, educational sessions, and collaboration hubs focused on recruitment and hiring of staff!

April 20, 2027: Train & Retain
Join us for a full day of keynotes, educational sessions, and collaboration hubs focused on staff training and retention!

Get ready to tackle your biggest staffing challenges for summer 2027 with the Staffing Summit. From recruitment hurdles to retention struggles and effective training strategies, this event gives you expert guidance and practical solutions to build and keep a reliable summer team. Plus, with 30 day access to all session recordings, you can learn at your own pace and catch all the content!

Register for one or both sessions here!

SERIES SCHEDULE

*Please note all times are EST

Tuesday, October 20

11:00am-11:30am — Collaboration Hub 1

11:50am-1:00pm — Welcome & Keynote

1:10pm-2:00pm — Educational Session One

2:20pm-3:10pm — Education Session Two

3:30pm-4:20pm — Educational Session Three

4:30pm-5:00pm — Collaboration Hub 2

4:30pm-5:00pm — E-Commerce Session

Tuesday, April 20

11:00am-11:30am — Collaboration Hub

11:50am-1:00pm — Welcome & Keynote

1:10pm-2:00pm — Educational Session One

2:20pm-3:10pm — Education Session Two

3:30pm-4:20pm — Educational Session Three

4:30pm-5:00pm — Collaboration Hub 2

4:30pm-5:00pm — E-Commerce Session

EVENT PRICING

Single Member: $60/$80

Single Nonmember: $80/$100

Package Member: $120/$160

Package Nonmember: $160/$200

*Package registration includes both full days

HOW TO REGISTER

Register for one or both session here!

The Camp Reset: A Three-Part E-Series (Hosted by ACA New England) (Tuesday, November 17, 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

EVENT OVERVIEW

The goal isn’t to reinvent your camp. It’s to make sure every summer leaves you better prepared for the next one.

EVENT DETAILS

Part 1 – Don’t Lose Summer 2026: Capturing the Right Lessons Before They’re Gone

Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30am ET

Part 2 – Make It Mean Something: Finding the Systems Behind the Stress

Tuesday, November 17, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00am ET

Part 3 – From Insight to Action: Building a Better Next Summer

Tuesday, January 12, 2027 from 10:00 to 11:30am ET

HOW TO REGISTER

This event is hosted and facilitate by ACA New England.

Part 1 Only: Member $30/non-Member $45

Part 2 Only: Member $30/non-Member $45

Part 3 Only: Member $40/non-Member $55

Series Bundle: Member $80/non-Member $125

A recording of each session will be available to registered participants for 30 days.

If you register after Parts 1 or 2 have taken place, recaps will be available to catch you up.

Registration is non-refundable but may be transferred to another member of your team prior to the start of the session. To transfer a registration please email gillian@acanewengland.org

Click here to register

Financial assistance is available. To request assistance, please fill out this form.

Please reach out to Kerry Salvo at kerry@acanewengland.org with questions.

The Camp Reset: A Three-Part E-Series (Hosted by ACA New England) (Tuesday, January 12, 2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 15:00:00 GMT

EVENT OVERVIEW

The goal isn’t to reinvent your camp. It’s to make sure every summer leaves you better prepared for the next one.

EVENT DETAILS

Part 1 – Don’t Lose Summer 2026: Capturing the Right Lessons Before They’re Gone

Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30am ET

Part 2 – Make It Mean Something: Finding the Systems Behind the Stress

Tuesday, November 17, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00am ET

Part 3 – From Insight to Action: Building a Better Next Summer

Tuesday, January 12, 2027 from 10:00 to 11:30am ET

HOW TO REGISTER

This event is hosted and facilitate by ACA New England.

Part 1 Only: Member $30/non-Member $45

Part 2 Only: Member $30/non-Member $45

Part 3 Only: Member $40/non-Member $55

Series Bundle: Member $80/non-Member $125

A recording of each session will be available to registered participants for 30 days.

If you register after Parts 1 or 2 have taken place, recaps will be available to catch you up.

Registration is non-refundable but may be transferred to another member of your team prior to the start of the session. To transfer a registration please email gillian@acanewengland.org

Click here to register

Financial assistance is available. To request assistance, please fill out this form.

Please reach out to Kerry Salvo at kerry@acanewengland.org with questions.

The Director's School (Monday, January 18, 2027)

Mon, 18 Jan 2027 06:00:00 GMT

THE DIRECTOR'S SCHOOL OVERVIEW

The Director’s School (TDS) is committed to developing the current and next generation of camp professionals.

For over 140 years, the camping movement has grown in complexity yet still serves the basic purpose to engage campers in supportive settings with caring adults. The Director’s School addresses a gap in professional preparation for those individuals developing and leading camp programs. The curricular focus will be administrative operations that are grounded in the understanding, connection, and application to the principles of positive youth development, which are at the heart of camp program design. The Director’s School will become a three-level learning experience so that students will continue to level up their skills as their knowledge and practical skills grow.

We invite you to explore the website for more information.

HOW TO APPLY

For more details on the application process, go here. To complete your application, select the registration button. You must have a Member Profile in our registration system to register for this event. If this is your first event with us, please click here to create a profile. It's free!

Great Lakes Day Camp Forum (Wednesday, March 03, 2027)

Wed, 03 Mar 2027 15:00:00 GMT

ABOUT THE FORUM

The ACA Illinois day camp conference experience returns with the Great Lakes Day Camp Forum this March. Join us for education session breakouts, keynotes, networking, and more!

Centering the voices and experiences of day camp professionals, this event will drive innovation, tackle challenges facing our camp pros, and bring together our remarkable community.

Included in your fee:

Education Sessions on a variety of Day Camp specific topics;
Keynotes from experts in field;
Networking receptions;
Lunch each day;
After Party;
And More!

Click here to learn more about the Great Lakes Day Camp Forum, including the schedule, hotel, venue, and other planning details!

Register before November 1st and receive a stainless steel water bottle!

Group pricing is available for 5+ participants from the same organization. Contact registration@acail.org to learn more.

Financial Assistance is available. Reach out to registration@acail.org for more information.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The Forum is for all who work in the Day Camp space from on the ground staff to seasoned directors and owners.

LOCATION & TYPE OF WORKSHOP

This event is a live, in-person event. ACA Illinois will not record this event.

THE FINE PRINT

You must pay for this event at time of registration. If you would like to pay by invoice/check, please contact registration@acail.org prior to registering.

By registering and attending an ACA Illinois event or meeting, virtually or in person, you are agreeing to all the event policies listed here. These policies include the photo release, refund, link sharing, Code of Conduct, and other related policies.

HOW TO REGISTER

You must have a Member Profile to register for this event. If this is your first event with us, please click here to create a profile. It's free!

Staffing Summit Series (Tuesday, April 20, 2027)

Tue, 20 Apr 2027 15:00:00 GMT

SERIES OVERVIEW

ACA Illinois is proud to continue the partnership with ACA Inc., ACA, New York and New Jersey, and ACA, New England to present the 2026-2027!

SERIES DETAILS

October 20, 2026: Recruit & Hire
Join us for a full day of keynote, educational sessions, and collaboration hubs focused on recruitment and hiring of staff!

April 20, 2027: Train & Retain
Join us for a full day of keynotes, educational sessions, and collaboration hubs focused on staff training and retention!

Register for one or both sessions here!

SERIES SCHEDULE

*Please note all times are EST

Tuesday, October 20

11:00am-11:30am — Collaboration Hub 1

11:50am-1:00pm — Welcome & Keynote

1:10pm-2:00pm — Educational Session One

2:20pm-3:10pm — Education Session Two

3:30pm-4:20pm — Educational Session Three

4:30pm-5:00pm — Collaboration Hub 2

4:30pm-5:00pm — E-Commerce Session

Tuesday, April 20

11:00am-11:30am — Collaboration Hub

11:50am-1:00pm — Welcome & Keynote

1:10pm-2:00pm — Educational Session One

2:20pm-3:10pm — Education Session Two

3:30pm-4:20pm — Educational Session Three

4:30pm-5:00pm — Collaboration Hub 2

4:30pm-5:00pm — E-Commerce Session

EVENT PRICING

Single Member: $60/$80

Single Nonmember: $80/$100

Package Member: $120/$160

Package Nonmember: $160/$200

*Package registration includes both full days

HOW TO REGISTER

Register for one or both session here!