Keynote & Workshop Topics

Organizations such as schools are full of different problems, right? Effective educators identify these problems, brainstorm solutions, and motivate others to adopt a fix, right? If you answered yes to either of these questions then you haven’t adopted a success mindset. Learn a radically different “change management” approach that will reset your attitudes and behaviors by teaching you to capitalize on strengths.

Diagnosis or not, the symptoms of impulsivity and distractibility are so prevalent in children and teens that every professional educator needs techniques to promote focus and complance. This workshop dispels myths about attention deficits, explains effective behavior management strategies, and provides realistic practice in strategies that help young people attend, retain information, and inhibit impulses.

Day and overnight camps are powerful, positive developmental experiences for children. Their growth hinges on the quality of their relationship with energetic youth leaders, so it is essential that they see themselves as professionals. This honest workshop pushes all staff to make the transition from focusing on themselves to focusing on the needs of the young people they serve.

The paradox of hazing–which may be happening right under your nose–is that it creates superficial bonding while eroding genuine social connections. Tragically, hazing endangers youth leaders and creates deep rifts in any leadership team. By distinguishing hazing from healthy tradition, this workshop promotes authentic feelings of group membership. An excellent choice for returning and senior staff.

Classic problem solving is a powerful way to use the group’s wisdom to find a solution that works for everyone. In this insightful workshop, participants will learn the step-by-step approach successful that successful leaders use to solve all sorts of common problems. No professional educator should be without this fundamental conflict resolution toolkit. Far superior to blaming and shaming.

Extend your skills beyond the old-fashioned problem-solving rubric of identification, brainstorming, and trial-and-error. Because this outdated method neglects genuine empathy and identification of needs, it can backfire or escalate conflict. This workshop draws on new research that gives parents powerful tools to identify needs, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts durably.

This individualized crisis management workshop for directors is an off-season must. Chris will work with you one-on-one to be sure that you know how to support families, campers, and staff should a tragedy occur at your camp. The workshop also includes free information from media relations and communication with insurance professionals.

This individualized crisis management workshop for heads of schools is a crisis-management must. Chris will work with you one-on-one to be sure that you know how to support families, students, and your fellow educators should a tragedy occur at your school. The workshop also includes free information from media relations and communication with insurance professionals.

All people speak two languages: What-they-say and What-they-mean. But even if you could hear both, why bother? Because learning to hear the underlying message in what a young person says is the fastest way to cultivate the kind of respectful relationship that increases compliance and decreases behavior problems. Entertaining video clips will give leaders practice using this advanced technique.

All people speak two languages: What-they-say and What-they-mean. But even if you could hear both, why bother? Because learning to hear the underlying message in what a young person says is the fastest way to cultivate the kind of respectful relationship that increases compliance and decreases behavior problems. Entertaining video clips will give educators practice using this advanced technique.

All people speak two languages: What-they-say and What-they-mean. But even if you could hear both, why bother? Because learning to hear the underlying message in what a young person says is the fastest way to cultivate the kind of respectful relationship that increases compliance and decreases behavior problems. Entertaining video clips give parents practice using this advanced technique.

Whether you want a better exit survey or a new camper satisfaction questionnaire, Chris can put his geeky expertise to work for you by helping you design reliable and valid assessment tools. Stop operating your camp on hunches, impressions, and personal biases. Instead, base your program improvement on scientific evidence. Links to the ACA’s expansive assessment tool database will be provided.

Whether you want a better exit survey or a new student satisfaction questionnaire, Chris can put his geeky expertise to work for you by helping you design reliable and valid assessment tools. Stop operating your school on hunches, impressions, and personal biases. Instead, base your program improvement on scientific evidence. Links to commonly used student assessment tools will be provided.

No parent does their best thinking or problem solving when they’re upset, but it’s human nature to try. Learn cutting-edge communication techniques that quell anger and anxiety as a first step toward solving problems. Effective communication hinges on a combination of listening and self-expression skills few leaders possess. A perfect prerequisite to the Collaborative Problem Solving workshop.

Ready to move past a don’t ask; don’t tell stance on substance use? Already know that publishing your policy in the staff training manual isn’t enough? Then you’re ready to join other enlightened camp directors who’ve chosen to take a proactive stance by intentionally crafting a realistic, enforceable policy with necessary staff buy-in.

Symptoms of disordered eating often emerge in boys and girls who are away from home for the first time. The symptoms can even become socially contagious. Sadly, any feelings of order, control, and self-reliance are overshadowed by malnutrition, depression, and anxiety. This workshop focuses on ways that front-line staff can prevent and recognize disordered eating.

It’s OK…we’ve all said things we don’t mean. The fact is that when parents get stressed, their behavior regresses. Not knowing how best to manage anger and other strong emotions, adults may revert to rhetorical questions, coercion, and threats they can’t possibly act on. This humorous workshop blends stress and anger management techniques with communication and discipline strategies that really work.

Many youth leaders wish they were accomplishing this or that, but very few know the distinction between a wish and a goal. The practice of executive coaching teaches that goals are written, have specific methods and measurable outcomes, and are shared with others. Learn how clarity and accountability boost staff performance. End the mythical mid-summer slump once and for all.

Celebrating the differences among people introduces a whole new level of enjoyment and insight to the experience of school. It may be human to fear differences at first, but a skillful educator can guide the group toward a deep appreciation and sharing of differences. This pioneering workshop cleverly reveals educators’ own perspectives on diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural agility.

Celebrating the differences among people introduces a whole new level of enjoyment to the experience of day or overnight camp. It may be human to fear differences at first, but a skillful leader can guide the group toward a deep appreciation and sharing of differences. This pioneering workshop cleverly reveals professional educators’ own perspectives on diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural agility.

Boys in many cultures are socialized to be emotionally cold and macho; girls to be deferent and sexualizied. This challenging workshop will sensitize youth leaders to recognize and undo these harmful patterns of cultural cornering. An enlightened camp experience can help all young people form authentic relationships and express their true voices.

Boys in many cultures are socialized to be emotionally cold and macho; girls to be deferent and sexualizied. This challenging workshop will sensitize professional educators to recognize and undo these harmful patterns of cultural cornering. An enlightened school experience can help all students form authentic relationships and express their true voices.

Stop putting your staff to sleep by reading pages from your staff training manual! It’s time to overhaul your entire training program by using the MAP-IT technique. (M=Masterful meetings; A=Arc [logical temporal arc]; P=Practical; I=Individual time; T=Together time) This creative workshop for senior camp management will push the group to re-think and re-design staff education from the bottom up.

Every summer youth program needs an electronic technology policy for campers and staff, but few have one. Evaluate the pros and cons of everything from smartphones to fitness watches and emerge with a coherent, mission-driven policy that young participants, youth leaders, and even parents can adhere to. Sidestep market pressures and stay true to your camp’s roots.

Based on fascinating research in emotional intelligence, this enlightening workshop teaches parents to examine their emotional leadership style–the extent to which they tolerate and understand children’s emotions. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of children’s feeling states builds the interpersonal connections that increase compliance…and who does’t want their job to be a little easier?

Occasionally a case of homesickness is so severe and so chronic that the only ethical thing to do is arrange a shortened stay for a child. Exercising this option, after thoroughly exploring all other treatment plans, is complex. Learn a systematic approach that leaves families settled, staff relieved, and campers eager to return next summer.

Nearly 70% of homesickness can be prevented in the months before camp starts! Join the enlightened group of educational professionals who have implemented Chris’s carefully researched methods. Watch your homesickness rates plummet right along with parental anxiety and staff frustration. Upgrade your prevention program with a powerful combination of program design and pre-arrival, online engagement.

Nearly 70% of homesickness can be prevented in the months before camp starts! Join the enlightened group of camp directors who have implemented Chris’s carefully researched methods. Watch your homesickness rates plummet right along with parental anxiety and staff frustration. Upgrade your prevention program with a powerful combination of program design and pre-arrival, online engagement.

Are your students and employees using the Internet responsibly? Too often, the perceived anonymity of sitting alone with a screen lowers people’s inhibitions and leads them to post lascivious content, sometimes accompanied by your school’s logo. Educate to protect with some timeless parameters of integrity and respect.

Camps Internal leadership development (ILD) can become your primary-or even your sole-source for the highest quality staff. This design workshop is for directors of day camps, overnight camps, parks & recs, and other summer youth programs who are committed to an multi-year process of refinement, tradition, promotion, and staff training that will revolutionize their current hiring practices.

Camps Leader-in-Training (or Counselor-in-Training) programs have 10 common flaws that usually lead to their collapse within a few seasons. This workshop for directors of day camps, overnight camps, parks & recs, and other summer youth programs is based on the radical success of the few camps in the country that have a completely homegrown staff. It’s not magic; it’s intentional, intelligent, and innovative.

Junior leaders follow the example of senior staff and head counselors, but frequently face two problems: Either they become intoxicated with their newfound authority or they become disillusioned by the antics of senior leaders. This workshop teaches junior leaders to learn with humility and senior leaders to set a sterling example. An excellent workshop to promote collaboration up and down the organizational chart.

No ILD system is complete without time-tested procedures for hiring, evaluation, and promotion. These are the techniques that eclipse any interview + criminal background check combination. Hire only those staff members whose performance you personally witness and promote only those who are truly deserving. Learn advanced techniques for feedback and in-service training that bring out the best in your staff.

Bullying behavior is both prevalent and misunderstood. Did you know that most bullies actually have high self-esteem? Or that most bullies are themselves also targets? Using contemporary data and some classic movie clips, this workshop will enlighten caregivers and their children. Create a culture where bystanders become upstanders and where normative conflict and obvious differences bring out the best in kids.

Understanding the maturational milestones for boys and girls of different ages, in different cultures is essential for any youth leader. This workshop examines the social, emotional, cognitive, moral, and spiritual development of children between ages 4 and 16. A must for younger, less experienced staff about to shoulder the awesome responsibility of caring for other people’s children.

Self-mutilatory behavior is provocative, taboo, and on the rise at camps and schools across the country. Learn how this disturbing behavior develops, how to assess its dangers, and how to respond sensitively. Instead of having staff panic when they witness cutting for the first time, prepare them for the inevitable. Bonus information will be provided on the best ways to contextualize media, such as 13 Ways.

We can’t arrest our over-anxious, over-involved parents, but we can do lots to soothe their anxiety and curb their micromanagement impulses. This practical session gives you and your staff realistic, effective tools to help parents manage stress so you can get on with the business of running a camp and promoting youth development. Coach parents to let go for a bit and allow their child to blossom.

Boys and men can bring powerful leadership to their roles as participants and youth leaders, but what about the corrosive side effects that can take hold, such as harassment homophobia, and bravado? This workshop uses case studies of unhealthy masculine stereotypes to extract enlightened methods for setting boundaries and leading by example when boys and men start to cross the line.

If a young person in your school felt suicidal, engaged in cutting, became psychotic or appeared to be in psychological crisis, would you know what to do? This advanced workshop guides you through the ethical and clinical decisions behind handling mental health crises in setting of an independent school.

For anyone who has wondered how to get more horsepower out of their campers or colleagues, this is the workshop to ground and inspire radical new approaches. Forget carrots on sticks and start thinking about instilling intrinsic motivation by igniting the human needs for connection, autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Theory and research buttress the practical strategies in this transformative workshop.

The Internet is public space. How professional educators behave in that space—like all their other behavior—should set a sterling example for students to follow. This focused workshop gives educators practical skills for creating an online persona and social media presence that everyone can be proud of. This content is the ideal complement to the longer workshop on Internet policy development.

The Internet is public space. How staff behave in that space—like all their other behavior—should set a sterling example for young people to follow. This focused workshop gives staff practical skills for creating an online persona and social media presence that everyone can be proud of. This content is the ideal complement to the longer workshop on Internet policy development.

Too timid to try? Sheltered, shaking, or shy? Here are the best strategies for engaging cooperation, coaxing participation, and moving the anxious or hypersensitive camper out of their comfort zone one gentle step at a time. No more tears and fears…just lots of smiles, laughs, and newfound confidence.

Too timid to try? Sheltered, shaking, or shy? Here are the best strategies for engaging cooperation, coaxing participation, and moving the anxious or hypersensitive boy or girl out of their comfort zone one gentle step at a time. No more tears and fears…just lots of smiles, laughs, and newfound confidence.

Too timid to try? Sheltered, shaking, or shy? Here are the best strategies for engaging cooperation, coaxing participation, and moving the anxious or hypersensitive student out of their comfort zone one gentle step at a time. No more tears and fears…just lots of smiles, laughs, and newfound confidence.

Culled from more than 30 summers as a youth leader, this hugely popular workshop is a collection of witty, effective, and enduring leadership techniques. Presented in a visual format that gives youth leaders a clear view of the consequences poor leadership can have as well as the wonderful outcomes of patience, initiative, and consistency. An ideal closing keynote following a full day of workshops.

Common conceptions of peer pressure peg it as wholly negative, when in fact peers can have a tremendously positive influence on one another. This insightful workshop forces youth leaders to take an honest look at how group dynamics influence their competitiveness, creativity, concentration, and integrity. Be persuasively positive.

News Flash! Psychologists no longer focus narrowly on pathology and problems…and neither should your staff. Instead, focus on positive psychology, which emphasizes personal strengths and optimal experiences. Problem children and staff evolve into model campers and leaders when they tap into their signature strengths, engage in gratifying activities, and act in service to others.

News Flash! Psychologists no longer focus narrowly on pathology and problems…and neither should you. Instead, focus on positive psychology, which emphasizes personal strengths and optimal experiences. Problem family members evolve into model children and favorite relatives when they tap into their signature strengths, engage in gratifying activities, and act in service to others.

News Flash! Psychologists no longer focus narrowly on pathology and problems…and neither should you. Instead, focus on positive psychology, which emphasizes personal strengths and optimal experiences. Problem kids and colleagues evolve into model students and educators when they tap into their signature strengths, engage in gratifying activities, and act in service to others.

Youth leaders can sometimes enter a grey area in which personal information is over-shared, physical touch becomes inappropriate, and emotional connections creep beyond what’s comfortable. This essential workshop details key responsibilities and boundary-preserving strategies. No youth program should begin the season without explicit coverage of this cornerstone of professionalism.

Professional educators can sometimes enter a grey area in which personal information is over-shared, physical touch becomes inappropriate, and emotional connections creep beyond what’s comfortable. This essential workshop details key responsibilities and boundary-preserving strategies. No school should begin the year without explicit coverage of this cornerstone of professionalism.

Staff at any level can burn out when negative attitudes, maladaptive behaviors, and unwise use of time off take hold. Using an ecological model, this workshop teaches just the right combination of cognitive and behavioral strategies so that all youth leaders can maintain peak performance and sprint across the finish line stress-free.

A favorite among professional educators, this workshop blends management, communication, etiquette, and conflict resolution skills into a powerful package that eliminates laziness, backstabbing, resentment, and negativity that can plague organizations. Transform pettiness to professionalism though the intentional practice of humility, leadership-by-example, and open dialogue.

We all remember the times at camp when we had so much fun we almost peed our pants. What was the magic combination of challenge, enthusiasm, novelty, and achievement that made it all come together so nicely? This workshop compels staff to shed mundane coaching and supervision techniques in favor of innovation and spunk.

All professional educators deserve honest feedback about their performance. In addition, heads and deans need to document the results of evaluations to fulfill legal requirements and inform next year’s hiring. This workshop showcases an intriguing variety of assessment methods. Learn how to set your faculty and staff up for success with concrete goals, achievable benchmarks and measurable outcomes.

Whether you’re in a supervisory position or not, providing feedback to your colleagues is an essential skill for leadership growth and development. Of course, the barrier to providing feedback is that relationships are at stake. This advanced workshop teaches youth leaders how to preserve good relationships while providing clear, in-person feedback in ways that boost everyone’s performance.

Psychiatric medication management presents unique challenges at independent schools Participants in this intriguing workshop will get facts about how common psych meds work, what their side effects are, how to effectively communicate with parents and prescribers, and which policies work for medication administration. A must-see session for anyone with students on psychotropic medications.

Some youth leaders will make camp their life’s work; most will choose other careers. Precious few will be able to communicate the awesome responsibility of caring for other people’s children and leading diverse groups toward meaningful goals. Learn how to convince a future employer why camp experience makes you an ideal hire.

This classic workshop has been imitated but never replicated. A favorite among camp directors, and sure to promote months of discussion among your senior staff, this workshop draws on Chris’s 35+ years of camp experience and 15+ years of consulting to the finest camps in the country. Intended only for camp professionals with a long-term vision of positive transformation.

Ask most parents to label their style and they can do it in a word. This is unfortunate, because outstanding parenting defies one-word descriptions. This engaging workshop uses video clips to teach all kinds of primary cargivers how to rapidly assess the demands of any situation and flexibly adapt their responses to suit. The result is a measured, patient, and effective approach to parenting.

The biggest concern that every new camp staff has is that the children won’t listen and follow directions. No wonder! If the campers aren’t compliant, their job gets pretty tough. This innovative workshop teaches staff six prevention strategies they can use to promote good behavior. Then, they’ll learn six easy behavior management strategies to use for any misbehavior.

Seven more prevention strategies and seven more intervention strategies make this hugely helpful workshop the perfect companion to “Skillful Discipline, Part I.” Give your teachers and boarding staff the tools they need to succeed with even the most obstinate students The better prepared they are, the less likely they are to burn out.

The challenge for professional educators in this captivating workshop is to produce desired behavior changes in students without expending more than 1½ calories, the energy in a single breath mint. Talented educators will learn to rely on simple directions, clear consequences, and students’ intrinsic motivation to enhance the camp experience. Manage the classroom while preserving your sanity and stamina.

The challenge for youth leaders in this captivating workshop is to produce desired behavior changes in children and teens without expending more than 1½ calories, the energy in a single breath mint. Talented leaders will learn to rely on simple directions, clear consequences, and kids’ intrinsic motivation to enhance the camp experience. Manage groups while preserving your sanity and stamina.

The challenge for parents in this captivating workshop is to produce desired behavior changes in children and teens without expending more than 1½ calories, the energy in a single breath mint. Talented parents will learn to rely on simple directions, clear consequences, and kids’ intrinsic motivation to enhance the camp experience. Manage your children while preserving your sanity and stamina.

Suicidal thoughts, emotions and behaviors can be difficult to predict and uncomfortable to discuss. However, completed suicides are permanent and devastating, so parents and other caregivers share a responsibility to assess youth who may be at risk. Learn four sensitive practices that could save a life.

You might try to shoehorn a few more things into your schedule, but the world will still rotate relentlessly once every 24 hours. So although we cannot actually manage time, we can manage our lives in a way that takes full advantage of the time we have by protecting our priorities and being mindful of our choices. The perfect workshop for anyone who hasn’t had time to read a book or take a course on time management.

You might try to shoehorn a few more things into your schedule, but the world will still rotate relentlessly once every 24 hours. So although we cannot actually manage time, we can manage our lives in a way that takes full advantage of the time we have by protecting our priorities and being mindful of our choices. The perfect workshop for anyone who hasn’t had time to read a book or take a course on time management.

Prevent accidents and promote safe practices by implementing these ten waterfront enhancements before next summer. Using video clips for inspiration, participants will be challenged to work different angles of the safe waterfront equation, including construction, instruction, supervision and maintenance. Refine your practices for staff training and lost bather drills and discuss the merits applicable laws and standards.

Take the mystery out of children and teens’ most perplexing behaviors by exploring the links between nature, nurture, objective events, and subjective interpretations. Once professional educators see how nearly all behavior is driven by predictable emotions, their ability to confidently coach positive, alternative behaviors will increase tenfold.

Whether you work at day or overnight camp, you’ll need to spend your time off wisely so when you’re on duty you’re ready for anything. Working at camp takes energy and patience, but if you return to camp exhausted or hung-over, you’re likely to burn out quickly. This candid module provides solid advice on managing stress and returning refreshed from time off.

Professional educators deserve practical information about student mental health. To complement workshops on specific illnesses and injuries, this revealing workshop provides guidelines for boosting students’ resiliency, gathering accurate information from parents, managing mental health crises, and consulting professionals. Critical information for maximizing the mental health of the young people you serve.