January, 2024
  • COCA Gold Ribbon Accreditation Camp Training 

    Tuesday, January 23, 2024 05:00pm - 06:30pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    The 2024 COCA Member Camps will join a virtual training session with Dr. Mike Amylon, Gold Ribbon Committee Chair, in order to prepare for their upcoming Accreditation Visit. This training will explain the foundational basis, purpose of the Accreditation program, expectations and requirements for the Camp so they can prepare, day of visit expectations, and a tutorial of the Gold Ribbon online Portal for document upload.

     Gold Ribbon Accreditation Training Materials for the Camps

    COCA Gold Ribbon Portal Tutorial Video

    Passcode: a2eK6W?+

     

February, 2024
March, 2024
April, 2024
  • Staff Training Summit Session 1- Connection Before Content . . . It's the Secret Sauce for Success! 

    Monday, April 08, 2024 08:00pm - 09:15pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Register for Session 1 of the Staff Training Summit Zoom

    In his book, Community: The Structure of Belonging, author Peter Block wrote, “We must establish a personal connection with each other. Connection before content. Without relatedness, no work can occur.” This premise applies to our camp community each and every year. In order for our best work to happen, we need to create connection on multiple levels at camp. This interactive online workshop will provide an exciting collection of exercises that camp leaders can use to build connection and empower their staff to achieve great things this summer.

     

    About Roz and Jed

     Roz and Jed Buck are experienced former Camp Directors that continue to make a difference by speaking at conferences and training thousands of camp professionals every spring. From 2004 – 2016, they owned and directed Meadowbrook Day Camp, a large private day camp in New Jersey, where they trained a staff of over 400 each summer. Since launching Roz and Jed Training & Consulting in 2016, their innovative training techniques and energetic presentations have consistently generated outstanding reviews at a wide variety of conferences including many ACA and Recreation and Parks Association conferences and workshops. They successfully provide Two Voices, Customized Content, and Real Experience. Session organizers receive comments like “Easily the BEST session of the day”, “TONS of great ideas to share with our staff!”, “Fun, active, going to use this immediately!”, and simply “AWESOME”. Roz and Jed have shared their messages in 31 different states and Canada across a wide variety of industries.

     

  • Staff Training Summit Session 2- Shifting Gears to Prepare for a Successful Summer 

    Tuesday, April 16, 2024 08:00pm - 09:15pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Register for Session 2 of the Staff Training Summit

    Preparing for the camp experience requires our staff to shift gears in a variety of ways each summer. How do we prepare our staff for the mindset shift that enables them to take care of children and recognize the difference they can make in a child’s life? How do we help our staff shift their perspective as needed to be flexible and open-minded about unexpected changes that are an ongoing reality at camp? How do we guide our staff to make important shifts in the way they communicate with their peers and their campers? This interactive online workshop will include a variety of activities to support your staff as they shift gears and prepare for success this summer.

     

    About Roz and Jed

    Roz and Jed Buck are experienced former Camp Directors that continue to make a difference by speaking at conferences and training thousands of camp professionals every spring. From 2004 – 2016, they owned and directed Meadowbrook Day Camp, a large private day camp in New Jersey, where they trained a staff of over 400 each summer. Since launching Roz and Jed Training & Consulting in 2016, their innovative training techniques and energetic presentations have consistently generated outstanding reviews at a wide variety of conferences including many ACA and Recreation and Parks Association conferences and workshops. They successfully provide Two Voices, Customized Content, and Real Experience. Session organizers receive comments like “Easily the BEST session of the day”, “TONS of great ideas to share with our staff!”, “Fun, active, going to use this immediately!”, and simply “AWESOME”. Roz and Jed have shared their messages in 31 different states and Canada across a wide variety of industries.

  • Staff Training Summit Session 3- The Power of Play: Games and Activities with a Purpose 

    Wednesday, April 24, 2024 08:00pm - 09:15pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Register for Session 3 of the Staff Training Summit

    If your staff is a cohesive team, will that make a positive difference in this summer’s experience for every member of your camp community? Do you want to empower your staff to make every minute of the camp day a unique and special part of the experience for your campers? This interactive online workshop will feature a collection of activities to help you build your team and games to help your staff turn the down-time into fun- time this summer.

     

    About Roz and Jed

    Roz and Jed Buck are experienced former Camp Directors that continue to make a difference by speaking at conferences and training thousands of camp professionals every spring. From 2004 – 2016, they owned and directed Meadowbrook Day Camp, a large private day camp in New Jersey, where they trained a staff of over 400 each summer. Since launching Roz and Jed Training & Consulting in 2016, their innovative training techniques and energetic presentations have consistently generated outstanding reviews at a wide variety of conferences including many ACA and Recreation and Parks Association conferences and workshops. They successfully provide Two Voices, Customized Content, and Real Experience. Session organizers receive comments like “Easily the BEST session of the day”, “TONS of great ideas to share with our staff!”, “Fun, active, going to use this immediately!”, and simply “AWESOME”. Roz and Jed have shared their messages in 31 different states and Canada across a wide variety of industries.

  • View from the Executive Chair-Challenges & Opportunities-Open Forum Discussion-Session 1 

    Thursday, April 25, 2024 04:00pm - 05:00pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    This session is for: Executive Directors, Senior Management, Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers

    This year, COCA is hosting virtual quarterly meetings for executive camp staff. The camp executive deals with a variety of challenges and opportunities to ensure a safe, well run and well-funded camp, managing top donors and working with Board of Director members.  From our seat in our organizations, there are a myriad of issues to deal with, and as a COCA camp executive, you are not alone! Join us for this interactive open conversation, to learn from each other and share new perspectives on challenges and opportunities that we have faced or expect to be facing and share successful approaches.

    The April session will be facilitated by Executive Directors, Melissa McNichol, Rapahope, AL and Erin Ulmer, Camp Rise Above SC. Plan to bring your questions, situations and ideas to this open forum discussion.

    To plan ahead, the second session will be held in September and the third will be held in Spokane, WA at COCAcon. Please make plans to attend. The last one for the year, will be a COCAcon follow up in December. Looking to 2025, we will plan these quarterly forums in February, May, September, and November at COCAcon.

    Please Register in Advance to Join Session 

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

  • Meet My Special Aflac Duck® – a comforting robotic companion and free resource for children with cancer 

    Tuesday, April 30, 2024 08:00pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Due to low registration, this webinar has been cancelled. For more info on My Special AFLAC Duck, please access the resource links below and reach out to Buffy Swinehart, BSwinehart@aflac.com with any specific questions or inquiries.


    My Special AFLAC Duck Info Flyer
    Order My Special AFLAC Ducks

     

May, 2024
  • Pump Up the Camp (Pump It Up!)- A Member-To-Member Forum 

    Wednesday, May 01, 2024 08:00pm - 09:00pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Please join Co-Hosts Dave Smith and Gillian Anderson for a member-to-member forum for summer 2024 planning, ideas, and questions! Come ready with activities you'd like to share, questions you'd like other camp's advice or insight on, or whatever else you feel would help you better prepare for summer camp in 2024!

     

    Register for this Forum

     

  • Camp on its Best Behavior 

    Thursday, May 16, 2024 08:00pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Hosted by Michael Amylon, M.D., Brandon Briery, PhD, Holly Senn, CCLS, and Laurel Christensen, LCSW, OSW-C

    Join this guided open forum discussion about fostering a camp culture that will positively impact camper and staff behavior. Bring your 'behavior' scenarios for discussion.

    Register for this session 

  • COCA Board Meeting 

    Wednesday, May 22, 2024 05:00pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)
September, 2024
  • COCA Board Meeting 

    Wednesday, September 25, 2024 05:00pm - 06:00pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)
November, 2024
  • COCAcon 2024 in Spokane, WA 

    Thursday, November 14, 2024 - Saturday, November 16, 2024 08:00am
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Join us from November 14-16 as COCA Region 7 hosts COCAcon 2024 in Spokane, WA!

    COCAcon 2024 Attendee Hotel Registration Link
    $179-189 USD per night
    Last day to book a hotel room at the special group rate is October 1, 2024.

    2024 COCAcon Apparel Link

    Stay up-to-date with conference news at cocacon.org

  • Conference Kick-Off Reception at Flatstick Pub 

    Thursday, November 14, 2024 06:30pm - 08:30pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Help us begin the COCAcon fun at Flatstick Pub for our Conference Kick-Off Reception! Play games such as mini golf and Duffleboard, eat, drink, and mingle with other conference attendees!

     

    618 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

  • Friday Keynote- Everyone Fundraise 

    Friday, November 15, 2024 09:00am
    (All times in Eastern Time)

    Join Friday Keynote Speaker David Phillips for his session titled "Everyone Fundraise"

    Camp professionals are typically effervescent, smart, engaging, and dynamic. This combination is a fundraising dream, so why do some Camps struggle to raise money and retain donors? The answer lies in understanding the interplay of art & science and how an authentic approach can engage philanthropists. Come prepared to interact, consider your own approach, and have fun.

     

    Immerive1st Consulting Website

    David Phillip’s CV

     

December, 2024
  • Virtual COCA Annual Meeting 

    Tuesday, December 10, 2024 08:00pm
    (All times in Eastern Time)