Learning, Growing, and Looking Ahead to Summer: Our Trip to the Tri-State Camp Conference

March is an exciting time of year in the camp world. While summer still feels just a little way off, the energy and anticipation for the season ahead are already building. One of the highlights of the spring for our leadership team is attending the Tri-State Camp Conference — an annual gathering of camp professionals who come together to learn, share ideas, and strengthen the experiences we create for campers.

This year, members of the Wico team spent a few days surrounded by fellow camp directors, program leaders, and educators who all share a common goal: making camp the best it can possibly be for kids.

The conference offers workshops and discussions on everything from youth development and leadership to new program ideas and safety best practices. It’s an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day planning and focus on the bigger picture — how camp helps young people grow in confidence, independence, friendship, and resilience.

One of the highlights of this year’s conference was hearing from keynote speakers Jefferson Fisher and Catherine Price. Their perspectives on communication, connection, and how we interact in a technology-filled world sparked thoughtful conversations for our team. Both sessions reinforced something we believe strongly at Wicosuta: meaningful relationships and authentic connection are at the heart of the camp experience.

One of the best parts of attending the conference as a team is the chance to learn together. We divide and conquer sessions, share notes, and spend time discussing how new ideas might come to life at Wicosuta this summer. Whether it’s a fresh approach to leadership development, creative activity ideas, or new ways to strengthen our community, we always come home energized.

Just as important as the workshops are the conversations with other camp professionals. The camp community is full of passionate people who care deeply about what camp can do for young people. Sharing experiences and hearing what’s working at other camps often sparks inspiration that finds its way back to Wico.

Continuous learning is a core value for us. Camp may last only a few weeks each summer, but the planning, reflection, and growth behind the scenes happen year-round. Attending conferences like Tri-State helps ensure that we’re always evolving and bringing the very best ideas to our campers and staff.

Most of all, these few days together remind us why we love what we do. Talking about camp, imagining the laughter and friendships that will soon fill our days, and preparing for another unforgettable summer always builds excitement for what’s ahead.

Summer at Wicosuta will be here before we know it — and after a few inspiring days at the Tri-State Camp Conference, we’re more excited than ever.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Wico soon. ☀️