Below is a comprehensive list of COCA’s previous virtual offerings, including webinars, trainings, forums, and more!
2025
February
19th – Care Camps Foundation Innovation Webinar
Care Camps Foundation hosted a webinar highlighting several grantees from their 2024 Innovation Grant. Attendees heard from camp peers and walked away with fresh new ideas for their own programs.
26th – Pump Up the Camp, Pump It Up!
Co-hosts Dave Smith and Gillian Anderson led a member-to-member forum focused on planning, ideas, and questions for summer 2025. The session also featured camps recognized in the Best of COCA Activity category, offering inspiration for new camp activity ideas.
Gold Ribbon & Portal Training for 2025 Camps – Delivered via PDLC.
Gold Ribbon & Portal Training for 2025 Visitors – Delivered via PDLC.
March
4th – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Q&A
A Q&A session was held to address questions about the Gold Ribbon Accreditation process.
6th – Grief Through the Ages
Holly Senn, CCLS, and Laurel Christensen, LCSW, OSW-C, presented an educational webinar exploring grief across different developmental stages.
13th – Care Camps Foundation Grant Orientation 2025 – Session 1
Care Camps Foundation hosted the first of two identical sessions to provide updates on the 2025 grant cycle.
18th – Care Camps Foundation Grant Orientation 2025 – Session 2
The second session of the 2025 Grant Orientation was held, repeating the information provided in the first.
19th – View from the Executive Chair: Open Forum
An open forum discussion was held from the executive leadership perspective, allowing members to engage directly with COCA leaders.
April
2nd – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Program Q&A and Standards Review
A session was held reviewing program standards and addressing participant questions regarding Gold Ribbon Accreditation.
3rd – Wellbeing Series Session 1: Caring for Self (Contact Hour Eligible)
Janice Nuuhiwa, MSN, APN/CNS, NPD-BC, CPHON, presented the first session in the Wellbeing Series, focusing on self-care strategies.
8th – Medical Town Hall: Measles & Camp
Medical experts convened to discuss measles-related concerns and best practices for camp environments.
9th – Wellbeing Series Session 2: Caring for Others (Contact Hour Eligible)
Janice Nuuhiwa led the second Wellbeing Series session, centering on caring for colleagues and campers.
15th – Staff Training Summit Session 1: Couch to Camp
Kendra Perkins presented a personalized staff training program designed to set expectations and prepare staff for the camp season.
22nd – Membership Forum
Members gathered to exchange updates, share ideas, and build community connections.
24th – Staff Training Summit Session 2: Managing Multi-Generational Needs
Sterling Nell Leija and Kendra Perkins explored strategies for effectively managing the diverse needs of multi-generational camp staff.
30th – Staff Training Summit Session 3: Embracing Discomfort
Sterling Nell Leija presented techniques for building resilience in camp staff and encouraging help-seeking behaviors.
May
1st – COCA Mid-Year Report and Town Hall
The COCA team provided a mid-year update on organizational progress and committee work. Members engaged in open dialogue to help shape ongoing support for pediatric oncology camps.
14th – View from the Executive Chair: Open Forum
Another open forum session took place, encouraging direct engagement with COCA leadership.
20th – Medical Town Hall: Measles & Camp
Dr. Raphael Landovitz and Dr. Vinita Dubey led a medical town hall to revisit measles-related protocols and guidance.
September
10th – Financial Literacy
Ann Sheets led an educational session on financial responsibility. A former ACA National President and author of The American Camp Association’s Guide to Financial Management, Ann shared valuable insights and resources for camp professionals, including articles she has authored for ACA.
2024
January
23rd – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Training for 2024 Camps #1
COCA Member Camps participated in a virtual training session with Dr. Mike Amylon, Gold Ribbon Committee Chair, to prepare for their upcoming Accreditation Visit. The session covered the foundational purpose of the Accreditation program, camp expectations and requirements, day-of-visit protocols, and a tutorial on the Gold Ribbon online portal for document uploads.
February
15th – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Training for 2024 Camps #2
A second training session was held with Dr. Mike Amylon to support COCA Member Camps preparing for Accreditation Visits. The content mirrored the first session, including an overview of the program’s purpose, camp expectations, day-of-visit guidance, and portal navigation.
29th – Care Camps Grant Application Webinar #1
Lexi Bickford, Funding Program Manager, introduced the new 2024 Care Camps Grant Application in a live webinar. She provided guidance on the application process and answered participant questions.
March
5th – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Training for 2024 Camps and Visitors
Dr. Mike Amylon led a comprehensive session for both camps and visitors, reviewing the accreditation process, document requirements, day-of-visit protocols, and use of the online portal.
7th – Care Camps Grant Application Webinar #2
Lexi Bickford hosted a second session on the 2024 Care Camps Grant Application, providing the same insights and support as the first for those who could not attend the earlier date.
21st – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Visitor Training
Dr. Mike Amylon conducted a focused training for Accreditation Visitors, covering expectations for the visit, reviewing documentation procedures, and walking through the portal functionality.
April
8th – Staff Training Summit Session 1: Connection Before Content – It’s the Secret Sauce for Success
Roz and Jed Buck facilitated an interactive online workshop centered on building personal connections at camp. Drawing on the work of Peter Block, the session emphasized the need for establishing relationships before engaging in content. Camp leaders received tools and exercises to help empower their staff and create a connected camp culture.
16th – Staff Training Summit Session 2: Shifting Gears to Prepare for a Successful Summer
Roz and Jed Buck returned for a second session focusing on mindset shifts necessary for camp staff. The workshop offered strategies and activities to prepare staff for the demands of the camp environment, from flexibility to effective communication.
24th – Staff Training Summit Session 3: The Power of Play – Games and Activities with a Purpose
In their final session, Roz and Jed Buck led a hands-on workshop featuring games and team-building activities. The session aimed to help staff turn downtime into meaningful, playful experiences and build cohesive teams that enhance the overall camp environment.
May
1st – Pump Up the Camp, Pump It Up!
Co-hosts Dave Smith and Gillian Anderson led a member-to-member forum for summer 2024 planning. Attendees shared ideas, posed questions, and collaborated on activity planning to better prepare for the upcoming camp season.
16th – Camp on Its Best Behavior
Michael Amylon, M.D., Brandon Briery, PhD, Holly Senn, CCLS, and Laurel Christensen, LCSW, OSW-C hosted a guided open forum on fostering a positive behavioral culture at camp. Participants were encouraged to bring their own behavior scenarios for discussion and collaborative problem-solving.
2023
March
1st – Care Camps Grant Application Webinar #2
Gwynn Sullivan held a second session of the Care Camps Grant Application webinar, repeating key information for those who could not attend the first session.
1st – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Training for 2023 Camps
Brian Crater led an additional training for camps preparing for Accreditation, covering foundational program details, visit protocols, and portal navigation.
3rd – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Training for 2023 Visitors
A visitor-specific session was held, with Brian Crater guiding attendees through the expectations and responsibilities of serving as an Accreditation Visitor.
7th – Gold Ribbon Accreditation Training for 2023 Visitors
This repeat training for Accreditation Visitors provided another opportunity to learn about visit procedures, documentation, and evaluation standards.
23rd – Medical Town Hall: COVID-19 Variant Update & 2023 COVID Protocol Plans
Dr. Raphael Landovitz (UCLA Infectious Disease Clinician) and Dr. Brandon Briery (COCA President) hosted a town hall discussing the latest COVID-19 variants and camp protocol planning for the 2023 season.
April
Throughout the month, COCA offered 3 hours and 45 minutes of Staff Training Summit programming with Dave Malter, MA – Director of the Gratz College Masters in Camp Administration and Leadership. Dave also contributed to COCA’s Education Task Force and content development for the Professional Development Learning Center (PDLC).
25th – Session 1: So Little Time, So Much to Teach!
Dave Malter presented strategies for delivering condensed but high-quality staff training sessions to maximize learning outcomes in limited time.
26th – Session 2: We Didn’t Start the Fire
This session explored managing challenging dynamics and expectations during camp, using engaging approaches to training and leadership development.
27th – Session 3: Now, More Than Ever – Addressing MESH with Staff Before Camp Starts
Dave Malter led a session focused on preparing staff to support Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH) needs prior to the start of camp.
May
10th – Camper (and Staff) Behavior is Influenced by a Lot More than Cancer
Dr. Brandon Briery, COCA President, presented a session examining the complex influences on camper and staff behavior beyond their medical diagnoses.
September
12th – Open Forum: Camper Enrollment and Engagement in Post-Pandemic 2023
Region 7 Director Becky Felak facilitated a conversation on trends, challenges, and strategies related to camper enrollment and engagement after the pandemic.
19th – Open Forum: Volunteer Enrollment and Engagement in Post-Pandemic 2023
Volunteer engagement expert Barry Altland led a discussion on volunteer involvement in the post-pandemic landscape, joined by panelist Dr. Mike.
2022
January
31st – COCA-I Medical Town Hall: COVID-19 and Omicron Variant Update
COCA-I hosted a medical town hall addressing the COVID-19 Omicron variant, providing updates relevant to pediatric oncology camps.
February
16th – Town Hall I: COVID-19 Requirements for Returning to In-Person Programs
This session explored operational topics such as meals, communication, staff training, and co-horting strategies in preparation for in-person programming.
23rd – Town Hall II: COVID-19 Requirements – Medical Director to Medical Director Discussion
Medical professionals gathered for a focused discussion on medical protocols and considerations necessary to safely return to in-person camp programs.
March
2nd – Town Hall III: COVID-19 Requirements for In-Person Programs – Schedule & Activities
Attendees discussed programming strategies including schedule adjustments, managing pool time, and introducing new activity opportunities.
15th – Member-to-Member Open Forum
COCA members engaged in breakout room discussions around various camp models including day camp, overnight, family camp, and virtual formats.
23rd – Medical Town Hall: Outcomes of Children with Cancer and COVID-19
Dr. Julie Wolfson presented findings and insights on how children with cancer have been impacted by COVID-19.
30th – Town Hall IV: Virtual Camp Best Practices
A discussion was held to highlight best practices for running successful virtual camps based on recent experiences and feedback.
March – AMSkier Pre-Recorded Webinars
COCA featured four educational webinars provided by AMSkier:
Have You Experienced Campers Questioning Their Gender Identity?
Legal Issues Surrounding Hiring & Firing
International Staff – How 2022 May Be Different
What’s Happening? Conversations Around DEI – All Are Welcome!
March – Care Camps Grant Application Webinars
Three one-hour webinars were hosted to walk applicants through the Care Camps grant process and answer questions.
April
4th – Medical Town Hall: COVID-19 & New Variant Update
Dr. Raphy Landovitz and Dr. Vinita Dubey provided updates on the evolving COVID-19 landscape and implications for camp.
12th – Medical Director Open Forum
A collaborative space was offered for medical directors to connect, ask questions, and discuss the upcoming camp season.
20th – Medical Town Hall: MESH Support for Children with Cancer
Dr. Karen Long-Traynor, Pediatric Psychologist from CINJ, presented on supporting the mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) of children with cancer.
27th – Staff Training Best Practices
Dave Malter led a session on effective strategies for delivering impactful staff training in a camp setting.
May
4th – Town Hall V: Celebrating In-Person Successes from Spring 2022
COCA members shared lessons learned and success stories from their return to in-person programs.
10th – Lisa Cencula with Flashes of Hope
Lisa Cencula presented on the mission and impact of Flashes of Hope, providing inspiration and insights for camps.
25th – Kids Kicking Cancer
A session was held to share the story and methods of Kids Kicking Cancer, a program combining martial arts and mindfulness for pediatric patients.
31st – Medical Town Hall: COVID-19 & New Variant Update
Dr. Raphy Landovitz and Dr. Vinita Dubey returned for another medical update, offering the latest data and recommendations.
June
6th – Sunrise VX: Give Your Children More Weeks of Camp This Summer
Sunrise VX shared their free virtual camp option, designed to provide additional enriching experiences for campers during the summer season.
October
19th – Member Open Forum: Reflections on Summer 2022
Members came together to debrief, reflect, and share insights from their summer programs, discussing what worked and what could be improved.