Finding Your People

By Ben Esposito, Director of Camp Alvernia and Tri-State CAMP Conference Chair

Why should someone new to the industry get involved or attend EPIC events? What did you learn from your time as an EPIC and how did it shape your career? 

I remember attending an ACA, NY & NJ event as a newly hired full-time Assistant Camp Director and thinking, “how do all these people know each other?” I was thrown right back to my first day of 8th grade, in a new school, wondering who to sit with at lunch. Camp people are wonderfully friendly, but even that can feel a little intimidating when you don’t know who people are and how things work. But being in leadership at a summer camp is also a big, lonely, scary job, and I wanted to connect with people who would help me learn to be the best camp leader I could be. 

Joining EPIC was the best thing I did at that stage of my career. I found myself immediately surrounded by a fantastic group of young professionals who cared deeply about summer camp and youth development. We met regularly, worked together on events, went out for drinks, and dreamed about running our own camps. The crowd at ACA events went from intimidating to people I knew and cared about - Laurie, Josh, Britton, Luke, Adam, Jason, and on and on. These people became friends and colleagues who inspired me to be a better camp professional and person.  

Years later, I look back on my EPIC days as not only formative but special and meaningful. It was those things for me because of the people and what we all put into it together. I would advise any young professional to start with EPIC, join, attend events, and volunteer. You have something special to offer, and EPIC is the perfect place for it. 

Connect with the EPIC Community at Tri-State!