Tri-State CAMP Conference:
2024 Social Events
Don't just go back to your hotel when sessions are over! We have tons of fun social events planned for the evening hours. Social events at the Tri-State CAMP Conference allow for time to kick back and spend time with colleagues and meet new friends - a great place to network with conference attendees, speakers, and exhibitors, join us to let loose after a day in the convention center.
Monday, March 11th
Welcome Happy Hour
Join us as we kick off an incredible week at #TSCamp2024! Perfect for first-timers (hop over after the First Timers’ Orientation happening from 5 pm-6 pm at the convention center), any pre-con attendees, and those coming down early to beat the Tuesday morning check-in lines. Get to know fellow attendees and start the week off making new friends! All are welcome!
Where: Tun Tavern (attached to the Sheraton Atlantic City)
When: 5:30 pm
EPIC Social: Dueling Pianos (presented by Magen Boys Entertainment)
Come ready to jam out with us! The ACA, NY & NJ EPIC Committee is excited to present Dueling Pianos courtesy of Magen Boys Entertainment. Come with your favorite songs in mind and prepare to sing along, dance, and have a blast. This event is free and open to all! Cash bar available (the kitchen will be closed so plan to eat before you arrive).
Where: Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
When: 8:30 pm (music starts at 9:00!)
Tuesday, March 12th
Shop and Schmooze with Our Vendors!
Where: Vendor Hall
When: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Join us in the exhibit hall for an hour of unopposed time to shop and schmooze with our 300+ exhibitors. Have a snack at a food vendors booth, try your hand at one of the many games or attractions, swing on a Ninja Warrior Course rig, create at one of the many arts & craft vendors’ booths, and get your vendor “passport” stamped for your chance to win $250*!
*Raffle winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 15th at 4:55 pm back in the exhibit hall. Must be present to win.
“Italian Night” at Carmine’s (is BACK!)
Where: Carmine’s Restaurant; The Quarter at the Tropicana
When: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Benvenuti! The authentic Italian aromas swirling from the kitchen at Carmine’s may draw you inside, but the warm hospitality and flavorful, home-style recipes will keep you in your seat. Family-style plates and a camp-style atmosphere have made this the most popular dinner at the conference.
Cost: $59 per person
Menu: Mixed Green Salad, Chicken Parm, Rigatoni & Broccoli w/ Garlic & Oil, Garlic Bread and Chocolate Covered Cannoli w/ Pistachios. Soft drinks included (all other drinks paid for by participant).
Post-Dinner Happy Hour
Where: Lucky Snake Arcade at the Showboat
When: 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Join fellow #TSCamp attendees at a new Atlantic City venue, Lucky Snake. Part arcade, part bar, and lots of fun to be had. Bring your badge and the venue will give you a complimentary $5 play card for the arcade games. Free entry for all; cash bar available.
Wednesday, March 13th
5K Fun Run/Walk for SCOPE
Where: Atlantic City Boardwalk, meet outside of Bally’s
When: 7:15 am
Cost: $10 per person
Join us as we start the day right with a 5K run on the pristine Atlantic City Boardwalk. A $10 entrance fee will go directly towards SCOPE whose goal is to send 6 children from low-income families in the Atlantic City area to summer camp. Learn more about SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education). Stop by registration to sign up if you have not done so already.
Coffee Club with Renee Flax
Meet up with other attendees for a casual coffee chat in the center aisle of the Vendor Hall! Meet someone new, network, and explore the convention center with your new companions. AND ask our camp expert, Renee Flax all of your burning questions!
Location: Vendor Hall Center Aisle
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Happy Hour Meetup at Shoe Bar
Location: The Shoe Bar at the Sheraton
Time: 5:15 pm
ADDITIONAL NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES/AFFINITY SPACES
TUESDAY
ACA Accreditation Volunteer Gathering
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Room 320
Calling all ACA Visitors! Join us for a roundtable hosted by the ACA, NY & NJ Standards Committee that will focus on saying “Thank You” to our amazing volunteers. We’ll have tips, tricks, camaraderie, and door prizes, so you’re guaranteed to leave with something good (besides the satisfaction of being an integral part of the standards program). Bring your lunch and help us celebrate and support our amazing community of visitors!
EPIC MEET AND EAT
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Room 402
EPICs have the opportunity to meet and eat together, not after hours and not during a session. A time for networking and casual conversation that is relevant to EPICs.
Access at the ACA Forum
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Room 202
Calling all camp individuals who identify with a disability to come together for an enjoyable, interactive forum with their peers. We’ll be discussing access at Tri-State and within ACA. Fun activities will be provided, and we’ll make sure everyone’s access needs are met, including American Sign Language interpreters. Allies are welcome to come and listen.
DAY CAMP COMMUNITY MEET AND GREET
3:15 PM - 5:30 PM Room 304
URBAN CAMPS MEET AND GREET
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Room 401
Network with fellow camp professionals who are operating summer programs in an urban environment for a meet and greet. This is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and discuss common challenges in running camp, as well as share successful practices. Join us to discuss transportation and operations, staff recruitment, and unique program ideas!
FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS MEET AND GREET
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Room 404
Calling all faith-based camps! Meet your neighbors who are doing what you are doing: outdoor nonprofit ministry! Join us for a conversation around joys and challenges, and let’s provide support to one another. See you soon!
SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPING MEET AND GREET
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Room 410
Join us for a gathering of camp professionals who serve children with special needs. This meeting is open to directors, program leaders, and any staff who provide programs for the special needs population. Attendees will share successful practices and resources, as well as discuss strategies for improvement for the upcoming summer. This will be a great opportunity to learn about other programs, network with colleagues, and take away tips for enhancing your camp!
ANNUAL GIRL SCOUT GATHERING
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Room 418
Please join Westex for its annual Girl Scout Gathering. Relax, network with others, and enjoy!
WEDNESDAY
PARKS AND REC ORGANIZATIONS MEET AND GREET
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Rooms 405/406
Attention Parks & Rec Camp pros! Come network with your colleagues at a meet and greet to discuss the best practices in Parks and Rec camps, as well as some of the challenges you face. Learn from each other while chatting about facilities, staffing, programming, and more!
BIPOC IN CAMPING MEET AND GREET
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Room 410
Join us in gathering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in camping for an evening of discussion and community building!
ACA Upstate New York Gathering
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Room 315
Day Camp Administrators: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tips to Make your Camp Day Easier
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Room 401
We are all looking for ways to make camp days just a little bit easier. Join your fellow Day Camp Administrators as we discuss tips, tricks, and off-the-wall ideas to help you do more than survive the day. Together we will tackle the chaos around Communication, Organization, and Self-Care while growing a community of resources and support. Be sure to bring your own ideas and questions.
NONPROFIT CAMPS
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Room 403
Nonprofit camp professionals are encouraged to use this meeting space as an opportunity to connect with other nonprofit folx throughout the conference!
YMCA CAMPS MEET AND GREET
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Room 419
Come one, come all—join us for an informal networking opportunity open to Y staff, volunteers, and friends! Y-USA staff will be on hand and would like to connect and be of support! Let’s join together for some good Y fun!
2SLGBTQIA+ CAMP COMMUNITY MEET AND GREET
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Room 401
Come join the queer camp community meet and greet! Whether you're coming to problem-solve, build community, self-heal, or socialize, this meet and greet will have options for all of those things, and more. This session is planned à la "choose your own adventure," with plenty of options for different experiences to match your desired level of engagement.
ACA Keystone Regional Gathering
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Room 415
ACA Virginias Gathering
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Room 418