Winter Workshop 2025 Program

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Maine Summer Camp Winter Workshop Agenda: Summer Camps and Climate Change

9:00-9:15    Welcome / Awards / Sponsor Thank you

9:15-10:45  Speaker Presentations

    • 9:15-9:45 – Dr. Casey Ivanovich
    • 9:45-10:15 – Colin Holme
    • 10:15-10:45 – Shane Duigan

10:45-11:15  Q&A

11:15-11:40  Breakout Sessions facilitated by Education Committee members(suggestions for topics of conversations below)

Facilities 1: Discuss how to adapt and maintain your camp facilities in the face of climate change
  • Impact of Climate Change on Camp Facilities: Discuss how climate change affects buildings, bunks, tennis courts, and athletic fields
  • Cooling Methods: Discuss effective ways to keep facilities cool during hot weather
  • Hydration Methods: Discuss strategies to ensure campers and staff stay hydrated
  • Erosion Techniques: Discuss techniques to prevent and manage erosion on campgrounds.

Facilities 2: Discuss strategies for protecting and managing your camp's natural resources in the face of climate change
  • Impact of Climate Change on Natural Resources: Discuss how climate change affects trees, lakes, and other natural resources at camp
  • Severe Weather Events: Discuss how to prepare for and respond to events like tornadoes and storms
  • Water Levels in Lakes: Discuss the challenges of managing high and low water levels
  • Tree Management: Discuss strategies to handle fallen trees and maintain forest health.

Staff and Camp Culture: Discuss staff training and integrating climate consciousness into camp culture
  • Training Staff on Appropriate Conversations: Discuss how staff can talk about climate change with campers in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner
  • Handling Weather Events: Discuss equipping staff with strategies to manage and respond to weather-related incidents at camp
  • Staff/Camper-Led Initiatives: Explore ways to involve staff and campers in community service projects, such as partnering with small farms
  • Integrating Climate Issues into Camp Culture: Discuss ideas to make climate awareness a core part of your camp’s values and daily activities.

Health and Safety: Discuss health and safety protocols
  • Nurses’ Knowledge: Discuss essential information nurses need to ensure camper health and safety
  • Risk Mitigation Procedures: Discuss necessary updates to risk mitigation strategies
  • Generators: Consider the need for and/or use of generators in emergency situations
  • Emergency Preparedness: Discuss best practices for shelter and safety during various emergencies, such as tornadoes
  • Programming Changes: Explore adjustments to camp programming to enhance safety.

Programming 1: Exchange ideas to enhance your camp’s nature education program
  • Interactive Nature Walks: Discuss guided walks that highlight local flora and fauna, encouraging campers to observe and ask questions
  • Hands-On Environmental Activities: Discuss activities like planting trees, building birdhouses, or creating nature art projects
  • Wildlife Education: Discuss lessons about local wildlife, their habitats, and conservation efforts
  • Ecology and Sustainability: Discuss lessons to teach campers about ecosystems, the importance of biodiversity, and sustainable practices they can adopt
  • Outdoor Survival Skills: Discuss lessons to introduce basic survival skills such as identifying edible plants, building shelters, and understanding weather patterns.

Programming 2: Discuss experiential learning opportunities and community service
  • Designing Experiential Learning Activities: Discuss how to develop hands-on activities that immerse campers in real-world experiences, enhancing their learning and personal growth
  • Identifying Community Service Projects: Discuss ways to connect with local organizations and create impactful community service opportunities for campers
  • Integrating Learning with Service: Explore methods to combine educational objectives with community service, making both more enriching and relevant for campers
  • Building Partnerships: Discuss strategies for forming partnerships with local businesses, farms, and nonprofits to support experiential learning and service projects
  • Reflecting on Experiences: Discuss how to facilitate reflection sessions that help campers process and learn from their experiences.

Trip/Travel: Delve into the intricacies of planning and managing trips in the face of weather and climate challenges.
  • Deciding on Trip Departures: Discuss criteria for determining whether trips should proceed or be postponed due to weather conditions
  • Adjusting Trip Itineraries: Explore strategies for modifying trip plans in response to climate events, ensuring safety and continuity
  • Proactive Expedition Behavior: Discuss how to teach staff to be proactive rather than reactive, emphasizing leadership and preparedness in facing weather and environmental challenges and decision-making

Budgeting/Fundraising: focus on the financial aspects of planning and implementing climate-related projects at camp.
  • Budgeting for Climate Initiatives: Discuss how to allocate funds effectively for projects addressing climate change impacts, such as road erosion and building climate-conscious structures;
  • Understanding Insurance Costs: Examine how climate change affects insurance rates and explore strategies to manage these expenses;
  • Fundraising Techniques: Discuss effective fundraising methods tailored for both nonprofit and for-profit camps to support climate-related projects;
  • Building Donor Relationships: Explore ways to engage and maintain relationships with donors who are passionate about climate initiatives.
  • Communication Protocols: Establish clear communication protocols for updating itineraries and when camp should be notified.

11:45-12:05  Share Outs

12:10-12:20  Wrap Up from Dr. Ivanovich

12:20-12:30  Thank You to Speakers / Business Extravaganza Info / MSC Announcements

 

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