A team of Scatico’s leadership headed to Atlantic City for the largest gathering of camp professionals in the world– the Tri-State Camp Conference– which draws close to 4,000 people united in their unwavering belief in the power of camp. The three tightly scheduled conference days were spent attending professional development sessions, connecting with industry vendors (Audrey met the founder of 9 Square in the Air!), shopping for new camp products, finalizing summer logistics (all camp buses and vans officially secured!), resource-sharing with other camp “senior staff,” and enjoying Scatico staff-bonding meals out (shout out to Quinn and Mark for their inauguration into the annual tradition of eating at Atlantic City’s historic Chef Vola).

For us, Tri-State marks a turning point in the year. Our overarching “nuts and bolts” and big picture preparations are in place, and we are in full-blown, nitty-gritty, camp mode. We leave energized and eager to implement all we have seen and learned. We are here to share some of our top takeaways with you…

Our Biggest “Tri-State” Lessons and Highlights…

Camp's newest identity: “Thick Institution”

It can be challenging to describe the essense of camp, and the meaning behind the experience. David Brooks– an author who delivered the opening keynote– provided us with an apt term: “thick institutions.” Brooks explains the term in his New York Times Op-ed “How to Leave a Mark on People.” He writes:.

A thick institution is not one that people use instrumentally, to get a degree or to earn a salary. A thick institution becomes part of a person’s identity and engages the whole person: head, hands, heart and soul…thick institutions have a different moral ecology. People tend to like the version of themselves that is called forth by such places.

Brooks’ message resonates deeply with our vision of Scatico’s community and experience. And so, along with “second home,” we add “thick institution” as a way to capture camp’s identity.

Summer Shopping

An obvious Tri State highlight! Former athletics director Audrey very much enjoyed testing out all footballs, basketballs, kickballs, etc. This year's most exciting purchases include two new pyramid-like, slide Aquaglide inflatables (one for each waterfront), the physical sandwich bar to go with the new daily lunch option, and, yes, this summer’s Birthday Ball gift (no, we won’t tell)!

Food Tasting

Boy Side head counselor and assistant head counselor, Quinn and Mark, took to the food section of the vendor floor to taste test various products. Their takeaway? Scatico has the best available pizza and there may be some new snacks added to the rotation this summer…

Top Sessions

Collectively, Scatico staff attended over 15 sessions covering topics ranging from mental health and behavior management to games that promote inclusion to improved staff training techniques. The session we deemed this year’s “top” was one attended by Head Counselor Mark titled Bridging the Gap Between Positive Masculinity and Camp. For the past 4 summers, Mark has led a Boys Side staff training on how to intentionally foster a safe and positive camp culture that combats “toxic masculinity,” and so “positive masculinity” is already a topic we engage deeply with at Scatico. We were excited to see it explicitly covered during the conference for the first time! Mark’s favorite takeaway from the session was the metaphor of ‘rivers not dams’ - channeling the energy, enthusiasm and leadership of campers towards something positive and impactful rather than identifying all the “nos” or “behavior to stop”.

Audrey’s top session was with camp-industry celeb Michael Brandwein, who provided helpful frameworks for intentionally incorporating camp’s Mission, Vision, and Values into staff orientation week in ways that address top issues facing today’s children and teenagers.

Bonus highlight: Supporting our Scatico community!

A special shoutout to camp mom (and Scatico alum!) Lauren Dermody for leading her first ever Tri-State session on Staff Culture at day camps. David attended the session and reported that Lauren absolutely crushed it. Girl Side is giving her a huge “she’s got spirit, she’s got spunk” cheer from afar.

Plus, 40+ year Scaticonian John Hickey (JJ), led two sessions (no new feat). JJ’s sessions focused on valuing campers’ unique identities and how camp leaders and staff cope with difficult situations in the fast-paced environment of camp.

Camp Conference Recap!