10 Takeaways From the Restorative Justice Conference (Might help sell your boss)

What is Restorative Justice?

Trust me, I know professional development dollars are tight. At The Summer Camp Society we work super hard to make sure we are delivering huge ROI for every dollar you might spend. The Restorative Justice Conference, an in person gathering in September will be jam packed with learnings as well as connections.

Below are a few examples of takeaways you will learn in our community. Check it out and see you in September.

1) How to support campers with mental health needs 

Learn from youth development professionals to support kids with mental health needs and best practices for care. We’ll be in both small and large group settings talking best practices and narrow in on specific needs and diagnoses like neurodiversity, trauma, grief and loss, and more. 

2) How to address staff conflict and staff dynamics 

Learn about best practices to provide feedback to staff, support them through challenges, and address staff conflict. If our staff are angry or not working as a team, this trickles down to our kids. We’ll talk about communication practices, conflict mediation with staff, and proactive steps we can take to keep our staff engaged. 

3) Working with parents and caregivers 

Learn from professionals in the field involving families and community members in every step of the way of the restorative practices they implement with kids. In small group sessions, you’ll get to experience role plays and best practices for communicating with parents every step of the way when it comes to the restorative process. 

4) Developing support plans for campers 

Learn from other professionals how to best support individualized camper needs and set all kids up for success. All kids are worthy of a fun, dignified, and safe youth program experience. 

5) Staff training techniques 

Learn best practices for onboarding staff to new and/or existing ideas, and best tips for

Engaging staff throughout the summer. We’ll dive into mistakes made at piloted restorative justice programs in the past, and talk about steps you can take BEFORE your program begins to onboard staff to restorative values. 

6) How to handle tough situations

Learn best practices for difficult conversations, safety, mandated reporting, and how to best support your camp community. We’ll hear from social workers and other mental health professionals who address youth crises in action and best steps to take when it comes to documentation, supporting those in crisis, communicating with families, and practicing community care after a crisis has occurred. 

7) Changing your camp infrastructure to match your program values 

Learn from “systems” experts in how to tinker with your program and make sure your mission and vision are implemented and embraced in daily

practices of your program. In small groups, design the program changes you want to see and get feedback from other youth professionals. 

8) How to enhance social emotional learning in your program 

Learn how  to give kids invaluable, lifelong tools they need to effectively communicate, identify their needs and express themselves. At the conference we’ll learn how to bring these skills to life and support kids’ social emotional needs. 

9) Academic research relating to youth and mental health

Learn about the most up-to-date data pertaining to youth and their mental health needs and how our programs can best support them. We’ll have different youth professionals present their findings in youth mental health and how our identities each play a role in our experiences. 

10) The best learning happens in person. 

Above all else, network, get feedback, feel inspired, and connect with others in your field. This conference will be a powerful way to discuss our impact on youth and thus better our communities. The work you do is important. If you have felt burned out, overwhelmed, or unsure about how to take your hopes and goals into actionable programs and see real impact, this conference is for you. Let’s disagree, get messy, learn, connect, and come together to build a space for youth to belong. 

11) BONUS! - BEST $$s YOU Can Spend

For $999 you can bring 3 people, all food and housing is included. Going to a standard conference you will spend that much just on registration and still have to pay as much again in lodging and food for just 1 person. Basically, you are losing money if you don’t come! LOL

I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US!

Honestly, I can’t wait to meet you and spend time with you. If you have any questions or need help making this possible send me an email and let’s make it happen. klee@campstompingground.org

Allison Klee
Faculty at The Summer Camp Society
MSW Candidate 2023
Restorative Practices Trainer
Former Camp Director Stomping Ground
klee@campstompingground.org