Reclaiming Childhood: Insights from the 2026 Tri-State Camp Conference
March 24, 2026
Every March, the Winaukee leadership team joins over 3,300 youth development experts at the American Camp Association (ACA) Tri-State Conference. While the world outside often sees camp as just a summer getaway, this conference is a reminder that Winaukee is a purposeful space designed specifically to help the next generation thrive.
This year, inspired by keynote speaker Catherine Price and her groundbreaking work on The Amazing Generation, we’ve returned with more than just new game ideas. We’ve returned with a blueprint for fostering resilience, safety, and deep connection in every camper.
While “True Fun” is our North Star, our team spent the week diving into the most important issues in child development today. Our biggest takeaway? The “Magic of Camp” doesn’t happen by accident, it’s created by a staff that is trained to be as intentional as they are high-energy.
Here are the core themes and training strategies we are bringing back to the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee:
The Power of Presence & Digital Wellness:
Building on Catherine Price and Jonathan Haidt’s research, we explored the concept of Intentional Presence. In a world where kids are constantly pulled toward screens and digital distractions, summer camp offers a rare, high-value alternative. We are training our staff to be “Presence Leaders” who help campers rediscover the freedom of the physical world—empowering them to choose real-world mastery and face-to-face brotherhood over the digital grind.
Elevating the Staff Experience with Elevation Nation:
To ensure our counselors are equipped for the modern needs of our campers, we are transforming our Staff Orientation into a world-class learning experience. This summer, we are thrilled to bring in outside professionals from Elevation Nation to lead workshops on mental fitness, leadership, and emotional intelligence. By bringing in guest speakers who specialize in young adult development, we ensure our staff feels supported, inspired, and ready to lead your sons with excellence.
“Newstalgia” and Analog Connection:
The conference highlighted a trend called “newstalgia”; a craving among today’s kids for the simple, analog experiences of the past. We are training our counselors to lean into these moments. Whether it’s the quiet focus of writing letters home or the rowdy, unscripted joy of a campfire, we are proving that these “old-school” experiences are actually the most powerful tools we have for building focus and patience.
Building a Culture of Intention:
A major theme of the conference was “Culture over Compliance.” We are moving beyond just a list of rules and focusing on building a deep-seated culture of brotherhood and respect. By being intentional about how we onboard our team, focusing on the why behind every tradition, we create a staff that is unified, motivated, and ready to protect the unique magic that makes Winaukee feel like home.
Why This Matters for the Winaukee Family
Fun is our foundation, but a world-class staff is the heart that makes it beat. Catherine Price reminded us that the “Amazing Generation” is waiting to be unlocked. They don’t want to be tethered to devices; they want to be tethered to each other.
By investing in expert speakers like Elevation Nation and refining our training methods, Winaukee remains a place where boys can put down the phone, pick up a ball, and discover exactly how amazing they can be.
