This coming November, the global outdoor education and camp movement converges in the scenic mountains of Chongli, Zhangjiakou. The 13th International Camping Congress (ICC 2026) will take place at the Thaiwoo Ice & Snow Resort, bringing together camp directors, educators, researchers, and youth leaders from every corner of the globe.
Under the overarching banner of international collaboration and innovation, ICC 2026 is designed around six core pillars:
- Camp & Technology
- Camp & Culture
- Camp & Education
- Camp & Diversity and Inclusion
- Camp & Industrial Economy
- China Camp & Global Insights
Inspiring Keynote Addresses
The keynote stage at ICC 2026 will address critical shifts facing the next generation—from AI and algorithms to emotional resilience and international unity. Below is the list of the international keynote speakers.
| Keynote Speaker | Country | Topic |
| Henry DeHart | USA | Global Campfire – The Power of We |
| Jeff Bradshaw | Canada | International Camping Fellowship Awards |
| Igor Dinner | Russia | Reverse Mentorship – Intergenerational Communication as the Foundation of Effective Camp Management |
| Pep Esteve | Spain | Beyond Fun – Building Emotional Competence Through the Camp Experience |
| Heena Patel | India | From Camps to Catalysts – Transforming Youth Development Through Research, Innovation, and Global Collaboration |
| David Strickland | Australia | Partnering for Impact |
| Alexander Dzheus | Russia | Oases of Humanity – Raising Generation Alpha in the Age of Algorithms |
| Gabrielle Raill | Canada | #ThankstoCamp – Turning Camp Stories into a Movement |
World-Class Breakout Sessions & Presenters
In addition to the main keynotes, an incredible lineup of international practitioners and researchers will share operational systems, staff training frameworks, inclusive design models, and cultural exchange methodologies.
Leadership, Culture & Operations
- Carolina Fleix Wright (Spain) – The Best Camps Are Felt, Not Explained
- Elena Filkina (Russia) – Crafting Perfection: The Hidden Camp System
- Fahrettin Gözet (Turkey) – Building Camp Culture in Emerging Markets
- Francisco Labiaga (Mexico) – The Formula to become an Extraordinary Camp Leader: 4 Systems That Turn Chaos Into a 5-Star Experience
- Irina Lotova (Russia) – Culture, Succession, and Leadership in Camps
- Jane McCutcheon (Canada) – Fifty Years of Camp Leadership Reflections
- Jeff Bradshaw (Canada) – ICF: Past, Present, and Future
- Jim Cain (USA) – Team Building Without Borders
- Pablo Casas Alatriste (Mexico) – The Thank You Economy
- Polina Eletskaya (Malaysia) – Scaling Camp Internationally – From Local Success to Global Growth
- Sarah Vanasse (Canada) – The Magic of the All-Camp Gathering
- Steve Haines (USA) – People Over Product
- Tennant Kiu (Singapore) – Beyond the Experience Assumption
Staff Development, Training & Well-being
- Andrea Veloz Blanco (Venezuela) – 7 Keys for Talent Attraction and Retention
- Andrey Bereznikov (Russia) – Preventing Counselor Burnout
- Federico Rivero (Venezuela) – Making Every Moment an E.P.I.C. Experience
- Juan Mario Gutierrez (Colombia) – Rethinking Seasonal Staff Capabilities
- Oksana Savelieva (Russia) – Multi-Level Counselor Training
Diversity, Inclusion & Social Impact
- Ulmas Muminov (Uzbekistan) – Camps as Social Elevators
- Fr Mark Obayi (Nigeria) – Igniting Camp Movements in Unfunded Regions
- Gabrielle Raill (Canada) – Women in Camping
- Jacob Waiswa (UK) – Outdoor Camping as Socio-culturally Informed Trauma Care
- Kurt Podeszwa (USA) – Beyond Disability: Accessible Camp Design
- Masako Harigaya (Japan) – Inclusive Camps: From Teaching to Living Together
- Rayyan Affan Bin Basir (Singapore) – Adventure Without Barriers
Global Relations, Research & Outdoor Education
- Kiky Reski Amrullah (Indonesia) – Beyond Sustainability – Regenerative Learning in Outdoor Education
- Natalia Solovei (Russia) – Inclusive Patriotism & Global Connections
- Xenia Bezhenar (Russia) – Global Leadership Pipelines
- Jorge Meizner (Mexico) – Designing for Youth Development
- Irina Serebriakova (Russia) – Designing Cross-Cultural Camp Exchanges
- Zoya Lavrentyeva (Russia) – Axiological Foundations of Camp Communities
- David Berkey (USA) – Spirituality and the Camp Experience
- Kaory Rios (Mexico) – From Camp to the Big Screen
- Larisa Shilova (Russia) – Public and Children’s Relations
- Svetlana Petrova (Russia) – Program Diversity and Modern Trends
- Tamara Vikhareva & Nailia Utesheva (Russia) – From Celebration to Sustainable Dialogue
- Elena Zhivoglyad, Anastasiia Gorokhova & Anna Mamykina (Russia) – The Artek Mission in a Multipolar World
- Valeriy Dolgikh (Russia) – Camp & Government Partnerships
- Teresa Tucker (USA) – S’mores, Stories, and Safety
- Dr. Simon Sambrano, Luciana Contreras & Laura Martinez (Venezuela) – Nature’s Wake-Up Call: Camp Staff as First Responders
Join Us in Thaiwoo!
Beyond the structured sessions, the congress serves as a vibrant global hub where lifelong professional connections and international partnerships are forged around shared campfires, informal discussions, and collaborative workshops. It is a rare opportunity to engage directly with peers from every continent, exchange local insights, and build lasting friendships that strengthen the global camp community long after the congress concludes.
Visit icc2026china.org to register as a delegate and secure your place among leaders from around the world this November in Thaiwoo, China!
ICC2026 registration link here
