CampWire

Belonging doesn't happen by chance—it's created through the relationships, experiences, and culture that make camp feel like home.

In this episode of CampWire, we're joined by Miriam Blanc-Gonnet, Senior Manager of User Strategy at Sanford Harmony, to explore why belonging is at the heart of every meaningful camp experience. Drawing on Sanford Harmony's work helping youth-serving organizations foster healthy relationships and well-being, Miriam shares practical insights for creating environments where campers and staff feel seen, supported, and connected.

As an ACA Educational Partner, Sanford Harmony offers resources that help camps strengthen community, build positive relationships, and cultivate a culture where everyone can thrive. Whether you're preparing for next summer or looking to deepen your camp culture year-round, this conversation will leave you with ideas you can put into practice.

Show notes:

• Sanford Harmony
• mylearningportal.org
• Contact Sanford Harmony
• Blog post: Belonging is the Rhythm of Camp
• Sanford Harmony Educational Partners Page
• ACA Educational Partners

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Every child deserves a safe childhood—and camps play an important role in making that possible.

In this episode of CampWire, we're joined by Belinda Swan from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to learn more about the organization's mission and the free resources available to camp professionals.

Belinda shares how NCMEC works to prevent child victimization, support families and law enforcement, and help organizations create safer environments for children. We also explore practical tools camps can use to strengthen staff training, promote online safety, support children as trusted adults, and address emerging issues like sextortion, generative AI, and child exploitation.

Whether you're preparing staff for the summer or looking for year-round educational resources, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical takeaways for anyone committed to keeping children safe.

Show notes:

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
• NCMEC x ACA Educational Partners Page
• Autism, Wandering, and Drowning Risk
• Online Safety Is Child Abuse Prevention
• NCMEC Courses and On-Demand Webinars
• ACA Educational Partners

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

What does it take to create a camp where every young person feels they belong?

 

In this episode, Emmy® Award-winning filmmakers Samuel Habib and Dan Habib explore the power of inclusion, representation, and high expectations for campers with disabilities.

 

Samuel reflects on his years at Double H Ranch, where camp became a place of confidence, friendship, independence, and belonging. Together, Samuel and Dan discuss the inspiration behind their award-winning films, The Ride Ahead and My Disability Roadmap, and how storytelling can challenge misconceptions about disability while helping young people envision what's possible for their futures.

 

The conversation also offers practical guidance for camp professionals, including strategies for preparing staff, fostering inclusive camp cultures, and creating environments where every camper is supported to thrive. Finally, they share how nonprofit camps and summer programs can access their films and free discussion guides to spark meaningful conversations with staff, campers, and families.

 

Whether you're a camp director, educator, or youth development professional, this episode offers thoughtful insights and actionable ideas for building communities where every young person is seen, valued, and empowered.

 

Show notes:

• Ride Ahead Film Page
• Summer program page to request the film for sharing
• Like Right Now Film Page

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

In the first episode of CampWire’s Research Digest series, we explore how research can help camp professionals better understand the challenges and opportunities ahead. Host [name] is joined by Katie Thurson, PhD, author of “Camps and Climate: How Maps Can Help Visualize a Changing Future,” featured in the ACA research newsletter.

Katie shares how interactive climate maps can help camps visualize the potential impacts of extreme heat and precipitation, understand regional differences, and use data to inform decision-making. Together, we discuss how climate research can move from data points on a map to meaningful conversations and practical action for camps.

Research Digest highlights the latest research impacting the camp community and explores how findings can be translated into insights, strategies, and resources for camp professionals.

Show notes:

• Camps and Climate: How Maps Can Help Visualize a Changing Future
• Interactive StoryMap
• Find more of Katie's work!

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

In this episode of the CampWire Podcast, we’re launching a new series highlighting ACA Educational Partners and the organizations that provide valuable resources, expertise, and experiences to support the camp community.

Our first spotlight features Navigation Games, a nonprofit organization that uses map-based, outdoor experiential learning to help young people develop navigation skills, confidence, curiosity, and a connection to nature.

Lauren McMillin and Jamey Pryber are joined by Barb Bryant, President of Navigation Games, to explore the power of orienteering and how navigation activities can help youth build important life skills—including problem-solving, decision-making, independence, and the ability to think and act with confidence.

Tune in to learn more about Navigation Games and discover how ACA Educational Partners are helping camps enhance their programs and better serve young people.

Show notes:

• Navigation Games
• Blog: Navigate, Explore, Empower: Orienteering at Camp
• Navigation Games ACA Educational Partner Page
• Blog: Supporting Your Summer Preparation: Introducing ACA's Educational Partners
• ACA Educational Partners Hub

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Have questions about building character through intentional camp programming? In this special companion episode to POWERFUL PROGRAMMING: How to Build Great Character Qualities with Outstanding Program Planning and Leadership, bestselling author and educator Michael Brandwein answers questions submitted by camp professionals following his webinar.

From fostering kindness, confidence, and responsibility to strengthening teamwork, leadership, and relationship-building, Michael shares practical insights and actionable strategies you can put to work right away. Whether you attended the webinar or are discovering these ideas for the first time, you'll come away with fresh inspiration and tools to create meaningful experiences that help campers grow.

Show notes: 

• POWERFUL PROGRAMMING: How to Build Great Character Qualities with Outstanding Program Planning and Leadership
• Michael Brandwein
• Buy Michael's best-selling books!
• Character Academy

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

As young people spend more time online, understanding digital safety has become increasingly important for camps, families, and communities.

In this episode of the CampWire Podcast, we talk with Rene Young and Alexandra Levi from Know2Protect (K2P), a U.S. Department of Homeland Security national public awareness campaign focused on preventing and combating online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Rene and Alexandra discuss the online risks facing youth today, warning signs trusted adults should recognize, and practical ways camps can help educate and protect young people. They also share resources available through ACA's partnership with Know2Protect and explain how camp professionals can support safer online experiences for campers and staff alike.

Whether you're a camp leader, educator, or parent, this conversation offers valuable insights and actionable resources to help keep young people safe online.

Show notes:

• Know2Protect
• Build T.R.U.S.T.: How2Be a Trusted Adult | Homeland Security
• Tips2Identify: Fake Profiles
• Understanding Online Addiction in Kids and Teens
• #DigitalBoundaries: Gaming Safety
• Tips2Protect Against AI and Deepfakes for Parents and Trusted Adults
• How2Spot Peer-on-Peer Risks: A Guide for Teens
• Exit Strategy Checklist
• Financial Sextortion Informational Bulletin
• Internet Safety Checklist

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Camp leaders are passionate about creating meaningful experiences, but sustaining and growing a camp requires more than great programming.

In this episode, tune into a conversation with Mark P. Fisher of Inspiring Growth and Carl Lefever of Improve & Grow, co-hosts of the Grow Your Camp Podcast.

Together, they discuss the challenges camps face in filling programs, increasing occupancy, and building long-term sustainability. They share practical strategies, common pitfalls, and lessons learned from working with camp leaders across the country—all with the goal of helping camps strengthen their impact and thrive for years to come.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Jayhawk Hospitality.

Show notes:

• Grow Your Camp Podcast
• Grow Your Camp Podcast Episode 7: How One Camp Used Better Follow-Up to 5X New Registrations
• Inspiring Growth
• Improve & Grow
• Book a discovery call with Carl & Mark

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Looking to strengthen your staff training before summer begins?

In this episode of CampWire, Michael Brandwein joins us to walk through three upcoming events designed to help camp professionals build stronger, more effective teams:

• Super Staff SuperVision (May 15)
• ACA Virtual Staffing Summit (April 28)
• ACA Character Academy Webinar (May 7)

Michael shares what each event will cover, who should attend, and how these sessions can support your staff training goals. Along the way, he also offers practical takeaways you can start implementing right away - no waiting required.

Whether you’re finalizing your training plans or looking for fresh ideas, this conversation will help you head into the summer with more confidence and clarity.

Show notes:

• Michael Brandwein
• Michael's books

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Coach BE (Bryan E. Stephens) believes in a simple but powerful truth: programs don’t transform young people—people do.

In this episode, we sit down with Coach BE, a keynote speaker for the upcoming Spring Leadership Conference in Palm Springs. He shares the story behind his work in youth development, his people-centered approach to leadership, and why the everyday choices adults make can have a lasting impact on young people.

Tune in for a preview of the energy and perspective he’ll bring to this year’s conference.

 

Thanks to our sponsor, Percussion Play.

 

Show notes:

• Spring Leadership Conference
• Coach BE
• Follow Coach BE on Instagram

The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.