Tuesday Schedule Descriptions
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Keynote: Let’s get back to being relevant
Alberta summer camps occupy a unique and important position in the development of children and adults alike. They have been a crucial part of tradition, memory and friendships for decades. The summer camp itself in its structure and operations are equally unique within the spectrum of social recreation offerings in Alberta and beyond. Yet, in the recent past summer camps have struggled to regain the relevance they once occupied within their communities and as viable enterprises.
This session is about relevance. It is about understanding what it means to be relevant today in the broad space that camps occupy and how can Alberta’s summer camps regain it. What it means to be relevant today is not necessarily what it meant in the past.
About Joe Pavelka, PhD
Joe Pavelka is a professor of Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership at Mount Royal University, Calgary. He began his career working in Ontario and Alberta summer camps for almost ten seasons. This led him to conduct research and publish in summer camp operations. Today, Joe carries out research and consultancies in a variety of spaces from global tourism through to public recreation and parks. Joe is the author of two books, and he’s produced several multi-award-winning documentary films.
Breakout Sessions
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Camp Construction: When to Renovate and When to Build New
(Lakeview Chapel)
Many Alberta camps have long and storied histories, and with these histories come…aging facilities. Camps also have a tendency to use “Band-Aid” solutions to keep things running, often out of necessity, but these solutions are not always as cost-effective as they seem. In this session we will discuss some of the key considerations in deciding whether to fix, renovate, or build new at your camp. We will look at how to prioritize projects, how to perform a basic cost-benefit analysis, the importance of good stewardship (not just of financial resources!), and how fundraising ties in to all of it. We will also look at an example of how one camp built “new” to serve generations to come, while continuing to honour their history and remember where they came from.
Creating a Culture of Respect for Gender and Sexual Diversity at Camp Part 1
(3:16 Chapel)
Building on the anti-homophobia work that the Centre for Sexuality has been doing since the 1990s, this workshop defines and examines the differences between sex, gender, and sexual orientation. We discuss the impacts of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, on 2SLGBTQ+ employees in the workplace. Participants will learn about creating safer and more inclusive spaces.
Faith-based Session
(Loft)
Session Info coming soon
ABOUT BRADEN
Braden Swab is the founder of Tree Stream Consulting, which provides planning and project management services specifically to non-profits undertaking capital construction projects. He is a licensed engineer (P.Eng.) in Alberta and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a deep desire to create and facilitate positive impact in both local and international communities. Braden has helped non-profits both in Canada and around the world in the crucial early stages of project development and design, with experience in fundraising and communications as well. Camps hold a special place in Braden’s heart. As a former camper and camp staff member, he has seen many lives changed at camp – including his own. Camps are about relationships, not facilities, and Braden wants to help camps improve their space(s) with this goal in mind.
ABOUT PRAX
Prax Li (he/him) is a Training Centre facilitator at the Centre for Sexuality with a background in biomedical sciences and experience in youth work.
Breakout Sessions
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Developing junior staff into leaders
(Lakeview Chapel)
This seminar will focus on the importance and strategy of developing young camp staff into leaders. Most camps rely on young staff to run the majority of its operations: from programming to cabin leading to food service. The youth and inexperience of camp staff can be seen as either a problem to be managed or as an opportunity to be developed. Intentionally using real responsibility and proactive facilitation you can help staff develop- for your benefit and theirs.
Summer Camp Insurance
(Crossview Room)
The CCA Insurance program has been designed specifically for the unique needs of Camps. During our session we will review the scope of coverage a camp should consider and review claims examples for both property and liability risks.
Creating a Culture of Respect for Gender and Sexual Diversity at Camp Part 2
(3:16 Chapel)
Building on the anti-homophobia work that the Centre for Sexuality has been doing since the 1990s, this workshop defines and examines the differences between sex, gender, and sexual orientation. We discuss the impacts of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, on 2SLGBTQ+ employees in the workplace. Participants will learn about creating safer and more inclusive spaces.
Wilderness First Aid Splinting
(Loft)
This session will be hosted by Dave Wooldridge, owner of Ridge Wilderness Adventures and First Aid. The session with Dave will focus on the different types of bone, muscle and joint injuries. He will cover how to splint and sling these injuries, along with what types of injuries should be relocated.
How to Get Out of Reactive Functioning
(Den)
Maintaining camps is not an easy task. Typically you have limited time and resources to maintain aging infrastructures. Too often camp facilities staff find themselves trapped in a cycle, functioning reactively to important problems, without any time left over to put into creating the efficiency that goes into breaking that cycle. In this session, Jon will share how SABC has created a system of time blocking and prioritization to get out of reactive maintenance and into proactive management.
ABOUT DENNIS
Dennis Landon has been the Director of the Outdoor Leadership program at Prairie College since 2011. The Outdoor Leadership program uses outdoor based, experiential education to develop character and influence in young leaders. He has a Masters Degree in Nonprofit Management from Notre Dame University.
ABOUT NANCY
For more than 40 years Nancy Brown has demonstrated her commitment to serving the needs of her clients. She and her experienced team have built their business around the idea that long-term , good- faith relationships are not obsolete and integrity is not out of style.
ABOUT DAVE
Dave is a previous Committee Member for the First Aid Technical Advisory with the Canadian Red Cross for Wilderness First Aid. He has taught all over the world to Military, Expedition Guides, Ski Patrol, Search & Rescue teams, and simply anyone who loves the outdoors!
ABOUT JON
John Kehler has been at SABC in the Properties Manager position for 14 years. He lives at the camp with his wife and five children. Before the camp he was involved in the construction industry and owned a residential framing company.
12:00 – 6:30 p.m.
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
EXHIBITION
In between sessions be sure to visit the gym for the Alberta Camping Conference Exhibition!
Evening Social
Get ready to have some fun tonight! SABC will be hosting games for all attendees.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 CONFERENCE SPONSORS!
