Hello <Insert School Administrator Name>

Date Hello , I would like to attend the 2018 Tri-State Camp Conference as Professional Development days. According to the ACA (American Camp Association), the purpose of the conference is to gather camp professionals from all over the world. The camp community of over 3,000 people will be able to come together to join in on over 170 educational sessions and spend time with like- minded people who are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children. Although the conference is centered on camp, I truly believe that the content of the lectures and activities are closely aligned with the strategies and practice pointers presented in teacher professional development sessions (e.g., interpersonal relationships, managing child behavior, parent communication, etc). We believe that the key to a successful teacher-student relationship is the ability to empathize and understand the child's mind in order to foster positive social- emotional relationships. This year, the two keynote speakers are: Dr. Shefali Tsabary speaking on "Creating Resilience and Empowerment in Children”. Here is the excerpt from the website: Oprah has hailed Dr. Shefali’s work as “revolutionary.” A NYT bestselling author of two groundbreaking books, Dr. Shefali brings a fresh perspective to the youth development and parenting landscape. Provocative, daring, and evocative, her approach teaches parents and caregivers how to raise themselves - first - into the most empowered and conscious person before they help to raise and teach children. Sports icon and activist, Billie Jean King, presenting “Lift, Learn, Lead”. Here is the excerpt from the website: With the millennial generation expected to be 75% of the global workforce by 2025, King looks at the unique opportunity in the workplace for generations past, present and future to work together in an inclusive environment. Throughout companies and organizations all over the world, leadership tends to be homogeneous, but if those in positions of power are not representative of our globalizing world, fresh ideas, diverse talent, and an inclusive work environment cannot prosper. The status quo is already shifting, as people of all backgrounds are being recognized and promoted for their varied skills, experiences, and viewpoints. But more must be done. Her mission is to move the needle on issues impacting diverse talent globally. In this talk, King ignites transformation in the conversation through three primary pillars of leadership: LIFT through action and advocacy, LEARN through research and innovation, and LEAD through insight and empowerment. OPTIONAL: These are a few sessions that could benefit teachers. Feel free to add/remove as you see fit: This year, the following sessions are geared towards teachers, I feel my attendance at these will provide me with valuable takeaways to bring to the classroom: Developing Minds - Learn How Your Younger Staff Thinks So You Can Bring Out Their Very Best Research has shown that the human brain doesn't fully mature until a person reaches their mid 20's. So the reality is that many of our staff member's brains are still maturing! What does this mean for you as a director (or even a youthful counselor)? In this session we'll take a look at current brain science and share tips and strategies to help you get the best out of each and every member of your staff team. The Skill of Reframing Behavior "See a child differently, you see a different child." Kids will do well, if they can. The words you use when you talk to your campers about them or their behavior have a strong impact on their self-image. Interestingly, your words also influence your own thoughts, perspectives, and attitudes. Reframing involves changing how you think about what you see, and enables you to view the behavior more positively with greater understanding. It is a subtle, but powerful way to promote healthier attitudes towards your campers and to raise their self- esteem. Neurodiversity and Sensory Processing: Embracing Differences The window of sensory processing empowers us to better understand camper behavior - plus it provides vocabulary that seeds self-advocacy and undermines bullying. The human neurological system manifests with as much diversity as, well, people. Come, equip yourself with information and empathy that will change the way you deal with campers, co-workers, even yourself. Help your camp be the place where campers (and staff) meet their Awesomest Version of Themself. Changing Demographics and Social Trends - How to Apply a Broader Diversity and Inclusion Framework to Support All Campers and Staff Join us for an interactive workshop focusing on how to apply a framework of Diversity and Inclusion to address challenges around trends in diversity, equity and inclusion globally on changing demographics across multiple dimensions of diversity including campers with disabilities (including mental health); transgender campers and staff; as well as navigate political discussions with campers. We will look at specific national demographic projections and key emerging social trends experienced across the YMCA camping movement. These include racial equity, ADA inclusion and compliance, new immigrant and LGBTQ inclusion. Together, participants will explore key strategies on how to operationalize a framework of Diversity and Inclusion to support and welcome campers and staff of various dimensions of diversity that are currently trending (disability, mental health, LGBTQ) as well as prepare for future dimensions of diversity that have to present themselves. In Formation: Supporting Adolescent Identity Development for Youth of Color at Camp We all know an outstanding camp experience lends itself to positive and healthy identity development for all our campers. At the same time, campers of color often arrive at camp with unique needs that are often misunderstood and left unaddressed by well-meaning counselors, administrators and owners. This presentation reflects on the issues campers of color often face around healthy identity development, and discusses how camp administrators can create a more inclusive and welcoming camp culture (hint: it starts at orientation!). This presentation shares strategies for empowering campers of color to develop a healthy sense of self as they prepare for success within and beyond the camp experience. Come for a background understanding of theories and how they relate to the camp experience, and leave with several take-aways to help you thoughtfully create an environment that truly benefits the development and well-being of all campers. Unpacking 'Isms': Facilitating Challenging Dialogues around Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation and Our Intersecting Identities In today's world, we are facing challenging conversations around race, class, gender, sexual orientation and other intersecting identities. We often become stuck with how to process conversations that inevitably linger in the air when it comes to helping people understand their own power, privilege and internalized dominance or oppression. Providing culturally competent practice is critical in this profession and by helping our staff and campers have these difficult conversations, it will subsequently benefit children and communities served. There is a body of literature that supports creating spaces that offer opportunities for practicing these dialogues in our workplace and agencies from an anti-oppressive lens which encompasses self-awareness, power and privilege dialogue and a structural analysis of oppression. Both experiential and didactic, this workshop will offer some tools and opportunities to practice challenging conversations in groups. Cultivating Resilient Girls This session explores the challenges girls face today, the reasons why we see girls struggling, and what we can do to help them. We will focus on how to help girls practice assertive self-expression, emotional intelligence and healthy relationships, preparing them for a life of personal and social leadership. The presentation covers the development of girls dynamics beginning in preschool through high school. Defining the New Alpha Male Boys and the Quest for Manhood in the 21st Century In the past decade, many age-old gender stereotypes, roles and norms have collapsed under scrutiny and a surging fight for social evolution. This past year, extremes of male sexuality and power have been exposed for the abuses it can enable. As celebrities and heroes fall and century old norms collapse, boys today are left with no clear answer about what it means to be an honorable, respectable Man. On one side athleticism, physicality and "locker room talk" still boost their testosterone and feed their inner warrior, and on the other, it has become celebrated to be intelligent, thoughtful, sensitive, creative and innovative. This session will step directly into the heart of the dialogue that is desperately needed as we update our definitions, goals and messages for today's boys. Expect a thought provoking, engaging presentation supported by some alarming statistics that calls into question some of the heavily celebrated "progress" that is actually coming at a great cost. Expect as well to leave this session with a great sense of hope that in combining the best of the past with best of the new, the best is yet to come. Effectively Preventing and Confronting Non-Performance: Your Own and Others How much time do you spend reacting to non-performance? How often do we feel like we are "putting out fires"? In this session, Diana Bloom will teach tools to effectively prevent and confront non-performance in yourself and others. This session is applicable for both the manager and the managed. The tools and strategies from this session can be implemented immediately to achieve higher productivity and efficiency in all areas of an organization. Today's session will strengthen communication by providing language and tools that can often prevent non-performance or lead to productive, non-emotional confrontation, while reducing stress and helping to create a Totally Accountable culture. Stand Up, Don't Just Stand By This interactive workshop will help camp staff learn how to take an active role in helping targeted children recognize and remove themselves from bullying situations. Specific information related to how to identify the difference between taunting and teasing and how to empower youth who find themselves in bullying situations. The session will also include concrete techniques and strategies for camp staff to assist bystanders on ways to support those being targeted by bullying behavior. Peace + Positivity: Tools for Mindfulness and Cultivating Happiness for You (and Your Campers) We all crave peace and serenity in these technology-charged days. This session will explore a variety of mindfulness tools and strategies to bring greater calm. Along with the science, benefits and impact of mindfulness meditation for both adults and kids, the session will also address the importance of cultivating happiness and prioritizing positivity. Exercises and tools, such as a gratitude journal, positivity boosters, active-constructive listening, and random acts of kindness, among others, will be covered, and the attendees will have a chance to experience a few first-hand. Ready! Set! Go!- Energizers and Games for Large Groups! Numerous studies have shown that children who are active and healthy have a lower risk of juvenile behavior, an increase in academic achievement, and tend to have a much better self-image. This workshop steps outside the box of traditional fitness activities and provides participants with innovative ideas that demonstrate how to indeed get EVERYONE up and moving! These creative fitness activities are appropriate for all ages and abilities, are a whole lot of fun, and can be taught in a limited amount of space. Come prepared to move, laugh, and have fun in this one-of-a-kind workshop! Avoiding the Parent Trap: Working with Difficult Parents Most camp parents are wonderful, but at every camp, there are a few who are some degree of difficult. From parents who demand special exceptions to parents who are wholly disengaged from their child's development, it is vital that we as camp professionals take a proactive approach when dealing with any challenging situation with a camp parent. This enjoyable (and yes, funny!) workshop will discuss techniques to help you turn your most difficult parents into loyal promoters of your camp! Optional: Below are some of the key ideas we gathered from last year’s conference program:

More information on the conference can be found on www.tristatecampconference.com. Thank you for your consideration, we look forward to hearing back from you,