The Great Lakes Day Camp Forum    I    March 3 - 4, 2027    I    Elgin, IL

The Great Lakes Day Camp Forum is Seeking Speakers to Share Their Expertise, Ideas, and Experiences with the Community!

The Great Lakes Day Camp Forum will center the voices and experiences of day camp professionals. ACA Illinois is seeking speakers who meet one or more of the following criteria:

The Program Committee is Seeking Speakers to Present on the Following Topics:

What Can Speakers Expect from ACA Illinois:

What the Speakers Must Provide:

• If using a slide deck or planning to use the projector, speakers must supply their own laptop, clickers, and connector cords/adapters.
• Additional supplies and equipment needed for the session.
• If attending the event as a participant, speakers must fully register and pay for their seat.
• Their own lodging, travel planning, and expenses.
• Signed contracts, w9, and required documents by the deadline provided.
• Hand outs for duplication by deadline - if any.
• Slide deck preview using branded slide deck one week prior to the event. (to ensure slide decks meet accessibility guidelines and sponsorship branding.)

Submitting A Proposal

Each proposal must be submitted through the online form.

• Speaker’s Contact Info and Headshot
• Bio (200 words max)
• Session Title
• Session Format
• Target Audience (Seasonal Staff, Emerging Professional, Mid-Career Professionals, Experienced/Executive Professionals)
• Session Description (350 words or fewer)
• 3 Learning Outcomes
• Topic Categories
• Audio Visual Plans
• Availability to Speak

Call For Speakers Form

Commitment to Inclusion

ACA Illinois is deeply committed to its values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, justice, and anti-racism. This is practiced through ACA Illinois' policies and procedures that impact every area of work, including events.

All speakers are expected to agree to support these values and the policies & procedures set forth by ACA Illinois to ensure every participant feels welcomed, comfortable, and safe. This includes using provided amplification tools, following ADA guidelines for audiovisual slide decks, considering the option for standing participants, and other procedures that support our inclusion values.

Speakers will be provided guidelines and support in this area.

Registration

Speakers must purchase their own registration to attend any part of the event beyond their session slot. Speakers are eligible to apply for financial assistance.

Speaker registration is not automatic. We encourage Speakers to register early to take advantage of the Early Bird Savings!

Pay Transparency

Transparency is a value of the American Camp Association, Illinois, including ensuring we are considering our DEIAJ & Anti-Racism values in our decision making. ACA Illinois believes all labor is labor and works to ensure fair and equitable practices and policies, particularly around payment for services.

ACA Illinois provides the same stipend to all Education Session Speakers. All Education Session speakers receive the same stipend based on length of their sessions. For 75 minute education sessions at the Great Lakes Day Camp Forum, the stipend will be $175.

Speakers will have the option to donate back their stipend to the American Camp Association, Illinois, a 501(c) charitable organization. All donations help us keep our services accessible to all camps.

Anticipated Timeline for Speaker Proposals & Notifications

Travel + Lodging

Travel and lodging is the responsibility of the Education Speaker. More information about our deeply discounted hotel block coming soon!

Questions? Contact Us.

If you have questions about The Great Lakes Day Camp Forum, please contact us at registration@acail.org.