Featured Speakers
The ACA, Southern CA/HI Spring Leadership Conference Program Committee
is
excited to introduce an outstanding line-up of featured speakers. Read on to get to know
Bob Ditter, Ashley Merryman, Scott Arizala and Bertram Chatham!
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Bob Ditter is a senior level child, adolescent and family therapist from Boston who works extensively with organizations that work with young people. His clients include Sea World, the Disney Channel, the Salvation Army, Girls Scouts of America, YMCA, American Camp Association, Jewish Community Centers, private and public schools and others. |
Times, Parent Magazine, the Ladies Home Journal, Money Magazine and USA
Today. Sports Illustrated called him “…camping’s most articulate spokesman”
because of his work with children’s summer camps since 1982.
Bob has visited over 500 summer camps in the United states and has authored three books for camp professionals and has produced 7 brand new training DVDs. He is
best known in camp circles as the author of the popular column, In the Trenches, which appears regularly in Camping Magazine. About Bob's keynote...
Ashley Merryman   |
ACA, Southern California/Hawaii is pleased to introduce award-winning journalist Ashley Merryman to the Camp Industry. Her best-selling book, NutureShock: New Thinking About Children, with Po Bronson explores cutting edge research in child development and parenting, turning on its ear the most current conventional wisdom on best parenting practices. At the podium, Merryman brings the research to life with wit, first-hand experience, and a journalistic appetite for the truth. Delving into NutureShock, she covers a variety of parenting techniques, topics and addresses all stages of childhood, from toddlers to teens. Her insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children’s (and adult's) lives will change how camp professionals interact and work with youth today. Merryman holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, a J.D. from Georgetown University’s Law Center and a Certificate in Irish Studies from Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. About Ashley's keynote... |
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Scott is on the Board of Directors for the American Camp Association Oregon Trail section and serves |
on summer camp and youth development, S’more Than Camp.
As a professional speaker and educator, he has given keynotes, workshops and educational sessions at numerous professional conferences, training events, and
with organizations. He is currently the CEO of The Camp Counselor, a consulting
and training company working with hundreds of camps and thousands of staff & administrators across the country. About Scott's keynote...
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Bertram has over thirty-five years of experience in professional camp leadership and, from 1989 until 2003, served as the Director of Camps for the University of the Pacific. He also directed the |
What's Bertram doing now? He has developed and is marketing a line of camp staff training tools called "The Camp Game". And in his spare time, he's the owner/operator of a chain of family-oriented Halloween retail stores. This October, look for a "Halloween Express" near you! About Bertram's keynote...
