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ACA Conferences

Find presentations & documentation from our most recent Conference below. If you would like any information on Conferences prior to that listed below, please contact the ACA Office on 03 9863 6822.

2023 National Conference - Thanks for Joining Us!  

 Program  |  Sponsorship & Trade  |  

The 2023 National Conference, run over the 20th - 21st September, was a great success - thanks in large part to the energy and enthusiasm of the delegates who attended from around Australia.

Our aim for this year's event was to provide delegates with an inspiring and fresh program full of opportunities for both professional and personal development. Our presenters spoke on a wide range of topics, including an awe-inspiring performance around dealing with change. We  learnt about brain chemistry to understand strategies to help enhance your team’s performance, how to take your camp carbon neutral, and how to navigate the challenges in business. We supported camps and associated providers with Reconciliation Plans, understanding micro-credentials for the sector, facilitating experiences for students presenting with behaviors of concern and it will it was fascinating to hear from Katrina Webb OAM and Paralympic Gold Medalist about the art of leading yourself for the greater good. Delegates found out why we should 'Think Big, Plan Big and Ask Big’ and were asked to rethink ‘challenge by choice'.

We are very grateful to our Sponsors and Trade Exhibitors for supporting this event; in particular PFD Food Services, our Major Sponsor and long-time supporter of the ACA and our Conference Sponsors; Wilderness Escape Outdoor Adventures and venue360. We thank all the trade exhibitors for thier support of the event also (view all sponsors and exhibitors here).

We would also like to thank the Australian Camps Association staff team who pulled the event together under the guidance of Jess Hough, our Communications and Events Manager.

Finally, we want to acknowledge the hospitality of the camps who hosted us during our post Conference camps Tour - Willow Creek Adventure Camp, Arbury Park Outdoor School and Woodhouse Activity Centre. Thanks for opening your sites up and showing Conference delegates around.

Our next conference will be held in 2025.

Kind Regards,

The team at the Australian Camps Association.

Highlights reel can be viewed below:

DTi_04_16_24_Aus_Camps_1904.jpg  DTi_04_29_51_Aus_Camps_1603.jpg

 

Find 2021 Conference Here.

 
 
 
 
 

Presentation Slides Coming Soon

Day 1: 

  • Dan Aubin - Balancing Powerful Change
  • Anna Rickards - "How humans work best" Understanding Human Performance: Neuroscience and Behavior 
  • Peter McDougall - Sector Update
  • Nick Payne - "$44 Million Reasons To Think Big, Plan Big and Ask Big"
  • Helen Hatherly OAM and Neisha Gange - "Facilitating experiences for students presenting with behaviours of concern"

Day 2:

  • Katrina Webb OAM - "Newday Leadership – the art of leading yourself for the greater good." 
  • Shawn Wilkey - Implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan: Lessons from across business, government, education and sport
  • Joel Thompson and Brendan Smith - 

    How to take your camp Carbon Neutral – a case study from Island Energy and YMCA Discovery Camps Victoria

  • Lori Modde - Navigating the Challenges in Business

  • Jeffery Lehrer​​​​​​​ - Micro-credentials for the Outdoor Sector

  • Richard Williams​​​​​​​ - Rethinking Challenge by Choice - Engaging the Fearful