Conferences for camp professionals are not new. We all love to attend conferences for the same reasons our campers love camp—it’s where we find and connect to our people. This year I was able to attend and present an educational session at the Women in Camp Summit, hosted by ACA Illinois and it was a different experience from any other conference I’ve attended in all the best ways. It’s empowering to be learning and getting to know people in a space with a common, often unspoken, base line.
The majority of camps in the US and Canada began as all boys camps, many eventually opening their doors for women to join as women were blazing new paths through society. Fast forward to 2026 and for so many camps, female campers now outnumber male campers and that difference is even higher for those seasonal staff members. However, as I moved up the career ladder in the camp industry I still felt like I was navigating a boys club in many ways.
The reasons, examples and ramifications of a perceived boys club have and will continue to be discussed at length. More importantly, I see the progress that has been made from when I began my career until now, which was placed front and center with the Women in Camp Summit. This conference is in its infancy and will continue to find its footing amongst the world of larger, more well known conferences. What I found is an open arm community with people who had similar perspectives and who also challenged my own.
While the Women in Camp Summit may be newer, the concept is tried and true. Creating a community of people who have similar experiences and goals to learn from and champion. It’s the reason Christian Camps, YMCA Camps and Independent Camps, to name a few, all have their own community gatherings. We want to be a part of something where we are appreciated and see ourselves reflected in others.
All this is to say, it’s often hard to see the forest through the trees or the progress that is being made in the world while you are in the middle of creating it. I was able to be at a conference for women, by women. The topic of the session I was presenting was on the financial business of camp, helping to educate the next generation of professionals. This was not a situation I would have expected when I started out. I was seeing some pretty great trees in my forest at that moment!
As I got to know so many up and coming professionals in this camp community, I left feeling encouraged for the possibilities to come and proud of the work we have done. And at the end of the day, I’m proud to be a part of an industry that doesn’t always get it right, but continues to reach out, do better and find space for anyone that wants to be a part of it.
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