Character.

This word is, as our guests on this episode will say, a "big tent" concept. As the American Camp Association has been exploring, building, and developing the Character at Camp Initiative and the Character at Camp Grant Program, the word character has had a galvanizing, unifying effect. We can be aligned in seeking to create experiences that develop something deeper beyond the outdoor-driven fun, even as we differ in method, model, and even mission.

On this episode, we're joined by two members of the team at ACA that strategizes and implements Character at Camp. Brian Massey serves as Director of Innovation for ACA, and Dave Bollen serves as a Character at Camp Grant Success Manager.

These dynamic leaders will share where the initiative is now, where it's going, and they'll peel back the curtain a bit on what it takes to successfully be a part of this mission as Character at Camp moves forward, including some keys to submitting a compelling grant application.

Quick Links: Character at Camp Initiative, Character at Camp Grant Program, Wave 2 Application Information, Upcoming Webinars, Contact the Team, ACA Now Newsletter

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They're coming. And then, they're staying, and working, and playing, and praying, and connecting, and serving, and living this moment of their lives together at camp.

Your staff, when fully equipped throughout the summer with three things they need to thrive, will be a difference-making, camper-retaining, relationship-forging, joy-slinging force at your camp. This is true for "classic" summer youth camps with young adult staff and remains true for hosts and hospitality teams at camps or retreat and conference centers.

We're borrowing from educators in sharing 10 things in 5 categories: a person, place, thing, idea, and action. You'll find each of these 10 concepts actionable now, and able to get plugged in and/or contextualized for your community still before this summer.

Our #StatOfTheWeek reminds us how deeply summer staff tasks must be connected to your mission, and they should know it.

Quick Links: Summer Staff Findings, Holy Ground 2026, Downloadable Staff Resources, #StatOfTheWeek Graphic

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This episode features good friends of ours, Jess and Jessica, who lead vibrant associations of camps, conference centers, retreat centers, and farms. We'll hear where, how, and why generating insights and then using them well is becoming increasingly impactful and consistently critical to decisions, actions, and strategy at each layer of outdoor ministries.

Jess Elfring-Roberts serves as the Executive Director of Episcopal Camps & Conference Centers and Jessica Gamache serves as the Executive Director of United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries. These bright voices bring different perspectives, experiences, skill sets, and organization models, and yet deeply aligned missions.

As a camp leader, you are living and working in the "both/and" often, with a focus on ensuring your individual ministry is thriving, while also knowing you're part of something bigger, spanning geography, theology, and praxis.

Quick Links

ECCC

UMCRM

Camp Research Hub (project findings)

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Connect with our team. Support the podcast. Ask about advertising opportunities. Find us on Facebook & Instagram.