2021 Keynotes
Click Photos to Watch Recorded Keynotes and Workshops
Aimee Copeland
Aimee is a 29-year-old adventurer, lover, and community advocate. Aimee enjoys whitewater kayaking, listening to live music, and reading. She also holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Georgia and a Master of Arts from the University of West Georgia, where she concentrated on Ecopsychology.
In May of 2012 a tragic zip lining accident led to the amputations of Aimee's left leg, right foot, and both hands. As a quadruple amputee and necrotizing fasciitis survivor, Aimee is an advocate for the community of individuals with disabilities, serving on the Advisory Council for Tools for Life and on the Board of Directors for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. Aimee's goal is to create accessible opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to enjoy outdoor recreation and other holistic therapeutic options.
Jeff Wozer
Before joining the speaking circuit Jeff, while based out of Denver’s Comedy Works, spent more than 20 years working as a nationally touring stand-up comedian.
Today Jeff is an in-demand keynote speaker who addresses one of today’s most pressing issues - digital distraction. He shares his own screen-struggle story to deliver an impactful, informative, and wildly entertaining presentation that helps us understand what we’re up against in regaining control of our attentions from our electronic devices. Jeff’s articles have appeared in more than 40 publications including ESPN’s active.com and the prestigious Explorers Club’s Explorers Journal.
When not writing about himself in the third-person Jeff spends his time skiing, kayaking, backpacking and fleeing short-tempered bears.
Eboné Mitchell
Eboné is a 2014 graduate of North Carolina State University. It was in college that she was first introduced to a career at the YMCA. Ebone’ spent 2 years working for the YMCA of the Triangle in various part-time roles before she began working full-time for the YMCA of Greater Richmond post-graduation.
Today, Ebone’ currently serves as a Senior Program Director of Community Engagement, and seeks to empower those around her to be the best version of themselves.
When she is not immersing herself in all aspects of the YMCA, Ebone’ enjoys photography, playing basketball, and learning Beyoncé choreography!!
11 am EST Workshops
Chuck Steinfurth
"Doing More With Less: Ideas for Games and Activities with a Limited Budget"
In this session we will share low-cost options for keeping campers engaged. Participants will learn ways to re-use materials, re-imagine supplies, and brainstorm the best items to get donated. Just because supply budgets might be small, doesn't mean the fun can't be big!
Chuck has been working for the YMCA for over 20 years in Youth Development. He is currently the Afterschool Executive at the First Coast Y, and has previously held positions with the South Carolina Alliance of YMCAs, Central Florida YMCA, and his hometown Y in Erie, Pennsylvania. Chuck served on the Campfire Planning Committee for five years, including two as the Chair. He is now the Chair of the Youth Development Summit at Blue Ridge Assembly. Chuck was also part of the SDPY team and Peer Community Leader with YPN in the areas of Afterschool and Summer Camp.
Gwynn Powell and Theresa Tucker
"Candid Talk About Your Questions and Finding the Elusive Male Staff Member"
If you had a group of college students, what would you want to ask them right now? We will start by sharing ideas from the student panel about how to recruit male staff and then open it up to your questions.
Meet sophomores and juniors from the Clemson University Park, Recreation and Tourism Management department. The students will be supported by Dr. Gwynn Powell and Dr. Teresa Tucker who are both of the faculty and years of camp experience.
Kimberly Green
"Coaching Staff After 2020"
Regardless of where you or your staff land on masks vs no masks; real or fake pandemic; black lives matter or all lives matter... 2020 has been a crazy year for EVERYONE, but an especially unpredictable and frustrating year for frontline staff. Not only are our staff working through these issues at home and in their personal lives, they are also being the mentor, mediator, facilitator, and counselor for their campers and the staff they themselves supervise. In this workshop we will discuss strategies, practices, and resources for coaching staff who have been through a pandemic, a tumultuous election year, and a lifechanging year of civil rights movements. The YMCA has always been a place "for all", and in this workshop we'll work together to continue to support and serve our staff as they serve our families.
Camp, Teens, and Tie Dye. If I got to have my own tagline, thats what it would be. I have been with the YMCA for 13 years in 8 different states. I love the "for all" piece of our mission and try to work everyday to ensure that I am an example of those words. I started working for the YMCA in College with the YMCA of the Triangle and got a taste of EVERYTHING YMCA; Annual Campaign, Day Camp, Resident Camp. Teens, Mission Based Work... you name it! I have been very blessed to serve in my passions which are teens, camp programming, and coaching staff. Though the conference looks different this year, I am so excited to engage with everyone during Campfire. See you there!
Aimee Copeland
""Courage Through Chaos"
Learn concrete skills for regulating body, mind, and spirit during times of stress and chaos in your life. As as yoga teacher and psychotherapist, Aimee will help you find a centered place you can always return to, as well as build your knowledge base so that you can share these techniques with any camper who becomes emotionally dysregulated.
Aimee Copeland is a psychotherapist, activist, certified yoga instructor, competitive swimmer, and executive director of Aimee Copeland Foundation. She is also owner/operator of Grant Park Counseling Group in Atlanta, GA. Aimee holds dual masters in psychology and social work, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and attended UGA for undergraduate studies in psychology.
Eboné Mitchell
"Everyone's Invited to the Campfire"
In this workshop, participants will discuss skills and resources needed to create a camp environment that is welcoming and inclusive to all.
Ebone’ Mitchell is a 2014 graduate of North Carolina State University. It was in college that she was first introduced to a career at the YMCA. Ebone’ spent 2 years working for the YMCA of the Triangle in various part-time roles before she began working full-time for the YMCA of Greater Richmond post-graduation. Today, Ebone’ currently serves as a Senior Program Director of Community Engagement, and seeks to empower those around her to be the best version of themselves. When she is not immersing herself in all aspects of the YMCA, Ebone’ enjoys photography, playing basketball, and spending time with friends!!
Joy Winchester
"Understanding the Brain to Understand Behavior"
Each day we interact with children and adults. How many times have you wondered why a child acted a certain way or why an adult said something "crazy". Well it can all be explained by understanding the brain (we all have one and they all function the same way) and then we know how to handle behaviors that seem odd or "bad". Conscious Discipline is a tool which integrates neuroscience into everyday practices to understand the brain of others and quite possibly even yours!
Joy Winchester has been in the field of education for over twenty years with a focus of supporting adults dealing with challenging behaviors through a trauma-informed and researched based neuroscience lens. This approach gives educators usable science as a foundation to tackle tough children and keeps emotions from running high between children and adults. Joy Winchester is actively pursuing a doctorate from the University of Alabama in the area of Educational Psychology with a concentration in Educational Neuroscience. As the Director of the Office of Early Childhood Development, she has the flexibility to support a wide range of systems in Alabama including birth through 5, K-12 system, educator programs with the college system and also working one on one with families.
1:15 pm EST Workshops
Jeff Wozer
"Experience Famine: Too Much Viewing, Not Enough Doing"
Kids today, on average, spend more than seven hours on their screens per day, while only spending, on average, four to seven minutes outdoors (Yikes!) leading to an experience famine. Experiences are what bond us, what color our lives with authenticity, what museum our memories. This bears especially true with outdoor experiences. But today experiences are being replaced by screen diversions that promote sedentary lifestyles and rob kids of the wow of life.
Before joining the speaking circuit Jeff, while based out of Denver's Comedy Works, spent more than 20 years working as a nationally touring stand-up comedian. Along the way he performed with some of comedy's biggest names - Jim Gaffigan, Dave Chappelle, John Oliver - and on some of comedy's biggest stages - Red Rocks, the Las Vegas Strip, the Great American Comedy Festival. Today Jeff is an in-demand keynote speaker who addresses one of today's most pressing issues - digital distraction. He shares his own screen-struggle story to deliver an impactful, informative, and wildly entertaining presentation that helps us understand what we're up against in regaining control of our attentions from our electronic devices. Jeff's articles have appeared in more than 40 publications including ESPN's active.com and the prestigious Explorers Clubs Explorers Journal. When not writing about himself in the third-person Jeff spends his time skiing, kayaking, backpacking and fleeing short-tempered bears
Nicholas Patton
"Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready To Make the Call?"
Emergency situations are random and unpredictable. Are you prepared to face one at your facility? Do you have Emergency Action Plans in place? Do you and your staff know when to call 911 and how to aid emergency responders when they arrive? Through discussion of real life experiences, insight into the interworking of emergency response methods, and practical application and tips, this workshop will challenge you to analyze your Emergency Action Plans and will help you prepare for the worst.
Nicholas Patton has been in the camp industry for over ten years and currently serves as the Director of Operations at YMCA Camp Greenville. He is also the Rescue Lieutenant and Training Officer for Cedar Mountain Fire and Rescue. Through his years of experience, Nicholas has dealt with numerous large and small scale incidents, both at camp and in the community. His knowledge and experience has been vital in strengthening the emergency preparedness of YMCA Camp Greenville.
Andrew Corley
"What's In a Name: Upgrading Camps for Appropriation"
We will take a dive into what the Sioux Y has done to upgrade the language at camp. How a simple title change can advance the amount of applicants for positions. How a simple schedule change can boost camper numbers. We will take a look at some nationwide examples of success other camps have done to revamp their camp language.
Andrew Corley is the CEO of the Sioux YMCA located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation. He believes in empowering communities through mutual partnerships, cultural competence, and equity for all. Through Andrew's leadership, the Sioux Y continues strengthening their impact through their strong and trusted roots with the community for nearly 140 years. In 2007, Andrew joined the YMCA movement in Boston, MA and continued to leverage his commitment by relocating to the Sioux Y in 2014. Being globally minded is an asset Andrew brings to his remote Y and has since graduated from the World Alliance YMCAs program "Change Agent" in the second cohort. Andrew holds a Bachelors of Arts in Exercise Science from Bridgewater State University. His passion for empowering young people and communities, along with his education, continues to enhance the YMCA's core strategies of healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility for all.
Jim Cain
"Best Practices in Virtual Facilitation"
Navigating the Transition from Facilitating in the Real World to Facilitating in a Virtual One
Teambuilding Guru Dr. Jim Cain is the author of 22 books filled with team and community building activities from around the world. His real-world in-person workshops are legendary in the adventure-based learning field and he is getting better at the virtual stuff with each passing day.
Passcode: 032217
Geraldine Calvache Hernandez
"Connecting youth with the Leadership Hub"
The Youth Leadership Hub is a program that aims to train teens between 14 and 19 years old into philanthropic leaders who will contribute to responding to the needs of youth at local, regional, national, and global levels while learning about relevant glocal* leadership experiences and exchanging cultural information with international peers. Moreover, participants have the opportunity to understand volunteerism and youth leadership experiences locally and globally considering the Sustainable Development Goals.
Geraldine is the Integrated Education and ICCP-SW&T (International Camp Counselor Program and Summer, Work and Travel) coordinator at the YMCA Colombia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Specialization in Pedagogy and a Master's Program in Language Didactics. She was part of the ICCP-SW&T program and was a trainee at Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center in Michigan. She was part of the creation team of the Youth Leadership Hub and took over the coordination of the program.
Karen Friedman
"Caring for Ourselves as We Care for Others: Mental Wellness for Staff"
Supporting the mental wellbeing of our staff is critical to advancing our mission at the Y. This session will present tools and resources that support the effective management of stress and build resiliency amongst staff. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about what it takes to foster a culture that supports mental health and wellbeing of all staff.
Karen Friedman is the Senior Manager of Access and Ability with the Diversity & Inclusion department at Y-USA. Karen provides strategic and technical leadership to Y-USA’s ADA compliance and inclusion portfolio and supports the engagement of underserved communities as part of the Diversity, Inclusion and Global (DIG) team. Karen works to support Y-USA departments and local Ys towards ADA compliance, enhanced awareness for mental health and advancing inclusion, equity and access for all. Prior to Y-USA, as the Senior Director for Inclusion at the Hockomock Area YMCA in Massachusetts, Karen provided support and inclusive opportunities for members and participants with disabilities.
2:30 pm EST Workshops
Reuben Smith
"Operation: Operate! Takeaways from Running Camp in 2020"
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan safely served over 3000 weeks of day camp programming in summer 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic. Learn about the philosophies and tactics we implemented to minimize our risk and serve the large numbers of campers in day camp and the strategies we developed for overnight programs.
Reuben began his YMCA camping career two decades ago, serving in a variety of roles. He is currently the Day Camp Director at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Nashville, TN. A Berea College graduate with a degree in art education, Reuben is a film aficionado, drawer, painter, motivational speaker and Jeep enthusiast. His most recent project is launching SPORE CLAY WERX with his wonderful wife Laura. Together they make mugs and sell them to people all around the country. Reuben passionately instills confidence and inspiration in today's and tomorrow's leaders.
Michaux Crocker
"Time Management: Set Yourself Up For Success"
There are numerous concepts and ways to manage your time. This workshop will explore the concept of weekly planning to help you make steady progress toward completing your to do list and managing projects. Remembering what you need to do, managing your time, and staying organized will all be discussed. The workshop will give you a roadmap to setting yourself up for success.
Originally from Greensboro, NC and a UNC graduate, Michaux Crocker has called High Point home since 1989. He has served as the Executive Director of YMCA Camp Cheerio and Cheerio Adventures for the last 25 years, welcoming over 3000 children into the gates of camping each summer. His career began with the YMCA in 1989 and he has served the High Point Community as the VP of the High Point YMCA. Camp is Michaux's life work, but he also enjoys Golf, Soccer, and Carolina Basketball. Michaux's wife Michelle, two sons, Jack and Luke, and his Golden-doodle and running companion, Sutton, are truly the most important part of his life. Michaux has been honored to attend the Campfire Conference for over 20 years and has served on the Campfire Committee.
Jim Cain
"Connection Without Contact - Activities with Physical Distancing"
Activities and Techniques for Maintaining Physical Distancing at Real-World In-Person Gatherings
Teambuilding Guru Dr. Jim Cain is the author of 22 books filled with team and community building activities from around the world. His real-world in-person workshops are legendary in the adventure-based learning field and he is getting better at the virtual stuff with each passing day.
Passcode: 391928
Karen Friedman
"Welcome Back: Supporting Campers Mental Health "
Our families and campers across all dimensions of diversity are feeling increased stress, anxiety, and grief as our communities struggle with the effects of COVID-19, economic disruption, and social unrest. How can we intentionally create a camp environment that supports the mental wellbeing of our campers? This session will provide resources on different tools and strategies to support the social emotional wellbeing of campers and an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences and plans for 2021.
Karen Friedman is the Senior Manager of Access and Ability with the Diversity & Inclusion department at Y-USA. Karen provides strategic and technical leadership to Y-USA’s ADA compliance and inclusion portfolio and supports the engagement of underserved communities as part of the Diversity, Inclusion and Global (DIG) team. Karen works to support Y-USA departments and local Ys towards ADA compliance, enhanced awareness for mental health and advancing inclusion, equity and access for all. Prior to Y-USA, as the Senior Director for Inclusion at the Hockomock Area YMCA in Massachusetts, Karen provided support and inclusive opportunities for members and participants with disabilities.
Wendy Feliz
Mike Van Haelewyn
Mohammed Naeem
"Belonging Begins With Us, Through Camp"
On December 3, the national Ad Council (Ad Council) launched a national-wide media campaign to foster inclusion and social cohesion. Entitled 'Belonging Begins with Us', the campaign is designed to build-bridges across our socially-divided nation. It creates a narrative that celebrates diversity, promotes belonging, and activates inclusion for all. Camp - whether day camp or over-night camp, is ideally positioned to transform the message of "Belonging into the action of Belonging. This workshop will walk attendees through the Ad Council campaign, and explore ways in which your camp can activate the campaign locally.
Sunny Brown
"Fostering Racial Reconciliation in Camping"
An interactive module to create and protect equitable spaces in the camp world.
Sunny Brown is a 13 year veteran of the YMCA. She is a trainer for Cultural Lenses, Dimensions of Diversity, Facilitation Skills, and Y Guard. She has served as an Aquatics Director, Family Services Director, and Senior Program Director in the Y system. She has experience with multiple associations and works tirelessly to advocate for justice. Sunny is currently a full-time Connections pastor at The dReam Center Church of Atlanta.