ICF Academy Season 6

Episode

Date

Topic

Speaker(s)

S6E1

October 22, 2025 @9am (Melbourne)

Global Learnings: Key Takeaways from the Australian Camps Association Conference

Simultaneius translation in Spanish & Mandarin provided!

Peter McDougall – CEO, Australian Camps Association

Leading Forward: ACA’s Progress, Advocacy, and Vision for Camps in Australia

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW:   With almost three years as CEO of the Australian Camps Association (ACA), Peter’s presentation will highlight the key take outs from the recently completed ACA Conference, and an update on the challenges and opportunities that Australian Camps face and how ACA has been working to advocate, support and assist all ACA Members and all camps within Australia. Peter will cover topics such as Government Relations & Advocacy, National Insurance Program, Census, Accreditation, Stakeholder Engagement, ACA Strategic Plan, Resource Support plus other related topics.

Dwight Hulme – Membership and Partnerships Manager, Australian Camps Association

Strengthening Standards: Accreditation, Bunks, Ropes & Operational Updates Across the Camps Sector

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW:   Dwight’s presentation will provide an update on a number of matters around sector standards and projects.

Lizzy Pugh – Senior Manager Educational Delivery, The Outdoor Education Group

The Gift of Feedback: How Leaders Build Culture Through Honest Conversations

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW:   Feedback can be scary! Its connotation is overwhelmingly negative. In her presentation, Lizzy asks us to “turn that around – how can we create a space that encourages positive and constructive feedback to be delivered in a non-contrived way”.

Speakers: Peter McDougall – CEO, Australian Camps Association, Dwight Hulme – Membership and Partnerships Manager, Australian Camps Association, Lizzy Pugh – Senior Manager Educational Delivery, The Outdoor Education Group

@8am ET (Toronto)

Staffing Solutions: A Deep Dive into 2025 Survey Results in the USA

Session description:

Join Dan Weir and Jack Schott for a focused analysis of the 2025 Staff Survey results.
This session is designed for camp owners and directors seeking a data-driven approach to their 2026 workforce strategy. By reviewing current trends and best practices, we will provide you with the critical information needed to stabilize and strengthen your camp’s team.
In this episode, we will provide a comprehensive look at three vital areas:
• Hiring & Retention Trends: An objective review of the forces influencing the talent market and effective strategies for staff retention and recruitment velocity.
• Sourcing New Staff: A structured discussion on identifying and accessing diverse talent pools to meet future staffing demands.
• Process Optimization: Guidance on streamlining your hiring and onboarding processes to improve staff engagement and compliance from the initial application.

FOR THE SLIDES, CLICK HERE

Speakers: Dan Weir, Jack Schott

@8am ET (Toronto)

Leading Under Pressure: A Global Masterclass in Crisis Management

Description: How do you lead when the unexpected strikes? Join us for an exclusive look behind the curtain at how camp leaders navigate the complex “triple threat” of political shifts, economic instability, and natural disasters. This session features a high-level panel of global camp professionals who will share their battle-tested strategies for maintaining operational excellence during the most challenging circumstances. To conclude, Tony Tan (Singapore), Dr. Simon Sambrano (Venezuela), and Carolina Fleix-Wright (Spain) will lead an interactive discussion, offering personal insights into what works when the stakes are high and the path forward is unclear.

Featured Panelists

Tony Tan (Singapore) CEO, Innotrek Pte Ltd.

Carolina Fleix-Wright (Spain) Co-Owner & Director, English Summer S.A.

Dr. Simon Sambrano (Venezuela) Director & Owner, Iguanas Outdoor Education.

@8am ET (Toronto)

Staff Training Solutions from the Mexican Camp Association

“The first 48 hours of staff training define the next 8 weeks of summer.”

How do you set the tone? Daniel Casillas, Lulu Fragas, and Ana Paula Perez share the “Mexican Way”— using passion and intentionality to create a culture that lasts.

Speakers: Daniel Casillas, Lulu Fragas, and Ana Paula Perez

March 17, 2026

@8:30am ET (Toronto)

Summer Camps in China: Current Status and Challenges in AI Era

Join us for a global deep dive into one of the world’s fastest-growing camp markets.

Explore the rapid evolution of China’s multi-billion dollar summer camp industry. This session tracks the market’s transformation from basic supervision to high-quality educational programming driven by shifting national policies and parent expectations.

A primary focus will be the impact of Artificial Intelligence on youth development. Speaker Robert Qian will address critical challenges, including cognitive reshaping, the risk of social skill degradation, and the urgent need to redefine “core competitiveness” through soft skills like leadership and complex problem-solving. Join us to learn how camp organizers are navigating these technological shifts to prepare the next generation for an AI-driven future.

Speakers: Robert Qian