ACA Keystone Conference-Nov. 3-Expert Speakers on Bed Bugs, Bullying, Concussions, Nutrition, Time Mgmt, Tree Mgmt, Marcellus Shale, Green & Solar Power, Teaching Ecology, Leadership, Profitability

Summer camp trainer Scott Arizala-"The Camp Counselor"-will deliver Keynote Session and two workshops at conference venue, Harrisburg Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center

October 17, 2011 (Glenside, PA)-The 15th annual Keystone Conference, presented by the Keystone regional office of the American Camp Association (ACA) with generous support from sponsors AMSkier and The Dime Bank, packs 14 educational sessions by industry experts, plus lunch and vendor exhibits, into a powerful one-day format on November 3, 2011. The ACA Keystone Conference, geared to summer camp and youth development professionals but open to anyone, will be held at the Harrisburg Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center at 148 Sheraton Drive, New Cumberland, PA 17070 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Complete conference details and registration information can be found online at www.acacamps.org/keystone/conference.

An ACA Educational Endorsed Program, the Keystone Conference will kick off with a Keynote Session by noted summer camp consultant and trainer Scott Arizala, who will posit that "Black is the New Green." Following the Keynote, attendees may choose sessions from among the three conference topic tracks of Eco/Sustainability, Health/Safety, or Programs/Training. Sessions include:

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite; Sandy Rubenstein, Pure Heat

Making Menus Nutritionally Sound and Camper Approved; Marlo Mittler, MS, RD

Concussions and Head Injuries: What Camp Directors Need to Know; Dr. Robert Dohner, Northern Wayne Family Health Center

Reduce Stress with Better Camp Time Management; Debra Zvanut, Recreational & Leisure Services Consulting

An Introduction to the Marcellus Industry; Mikal Zimmerman, Marcellus Shale Coalition

Green Power for Eco-Friendly Camps; James Innes, Carrier Class Green Infrastructure

Campground Tree Management for Safety, Fun and Profit; Max Burton; BS, ISA Certified Arborist, SavATree

Capitalizing on Solar at Camp; Mark Major, Camp Director, International Sports Training Camp and Trout Lake Retreats

Save Time, Save Money and Get Organized; Ed Metzendorf, Bunk1.com

The New Boss: Skills and Techniques for the Best Camp Leaders; Scott Arizala

Practical Leadership; Scott Arizala

Do the Twist-Teaching Ecology with Classic Camp Games; Ellen Will, Director, The Outdoor School, Shaver's Creek Environmental Center

Beyond Bullying-Breaking the Cycle of Cruelty and Aggression; Mara Yacobi, MSW

The Conference's affordable registration fee structure is designed to allow multiple attendees from the same organization, so that a camp or agency might send enough people to cover all three program tracks. Registration for ACA members is just $60 for the first person and $40 for each additional individual from the same organization; for non-ACA members the first person fee is $75 with $55 for each additional registrant. Online registration is available through a link at the conference website: www.acacamps.org/keystone/conference.

Cheryl Magen, president of the nonprofit ACA Keystone regional field office serving Pennsylvania and Delaware, said, "In planning the 15th annual Keystone Conference, we've aligned the conference tracks with three areas that are critical to camp owners and directors. In order to earn ACA Accreditation, camps must first and foremost be safe and well-run. Every camp director knows that beyond a safe facility, the secret to ensuring a successful summer for campers lies in the quality and training of the staff, as well as creative programming that engages children while teaching them important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication. Like any educator, camp professionals focus on youth development. This conference will be beneficial to anyone who works with children or operates youth-centered or outdoor facilities."

Michael Chauveau, executive director of ACA Keystone, added, "Each year we ask our members what will be most helpful to them and plan the conference around that input. This year, the range of topics demonstrates the many hats that camp directors must wear in order to operate effective programs that best serve children. For example, to help camps-and particularly nonprofit camps-with Marcellus Shale acreage understand the potential rewards and risks associated with drilling leases, we've included an educational session on this topic. Running a camp is a business, but we are in the business of creating meaningful outdoor and developmental experiences for all children. Offering professional development for camp owner/operators and youth development professionals furthers ACA's mission of ensuring that there is a camp for every child."

About ACA
The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACA-Accredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are more than 2,400 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards. For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.

Contact: Michael Chauveau, 765-349-3526, toll free 800-428-CAMP x 526, mchauveau@acacamps.org.