Conference Information
Our goal is to make sure you have the most enjoyable experience possible- we want to keep you informed of the need-to-knows in order to make your conference experience a success. Please click each drop-down below to learn more, and ensure you take advantage of everything the conference has to offer!
Conference check in
Conference Check-In: 10:30a January 9th, 2024
Check-In Location: Kellogg Hall Conference Room
All registrants must be paid in full by Tuesday, January 9th. Checks from your association can be handed in at check in, we just ask that you include the last name of each participant or invoice number with the payment. Credit card payments can also be made at check-in.
Check-In Location: Kellogg Hall Conference Room
All registrants must be paid in full by Tuesday, January 9th. Checks from your association can be handed in at check in, we just ask that you include the last name of each participant or invoice number with the payment. Credit card payments can also be made at check-in.
Early arrival (onsite housing)
Early arrival begins at 4:00pm on Monday for those staying onsite at Sherman Lake YMCA. There is an additional fee of $45/person which includes Monday night lodging, Monday dinner (5:30p) and Tuesday breakfast (8:00a.) This option should be added at the time of registration or as soon as possible to ensure we’re prepared for your arrival.
Forgot to book your early arrival? Click here to let us know you’re coming early.
Early Arrival Check-In Location: Kellogg Hall Conference Room
Looking to make the most of your early arrival? Check out our Pre-Conference offerings!
Forgot to book your early arrival? Click here to let us know you’re coming early.
Early Arrival Check-In Location: Kellogg Hall Conference Room
Looking to make the most of your early arrival? Check out our Pre-Conference offerings!
packing list
• Pillow, Linens or Sleeping Bags (or you can register for linens for a $20 fee – click here to add linens)
• Clothes— Conference is casual (jeans are fine)
• Winter clothes & footwear—for outdoor activities and traveling between buildings
• Toiletries
• Shower shoes- some showers you must travel outside to access!
• Towels for showering
• Flashlight
• Reusable water bottle
• Face coverings (optional)
• Business cards
• Notebook and pen (or other form of note-taking!)
• Donation of at least one Auction Item (see Silent & Live Auctions section below for more info)
• Cash, check or credit card to purchase items from Silent & Live Auctions as well as items from vendors at the Resource Fair
• Backpack for day use of conference materials
• Any materials you want to share (Camp Brochures, Song Book, Vendor Information of any great deals, etc)
• Job Posting information if you’re an employer looking for staff or a resume if you are a job seeker
• Clothes— Conference is casual (jeans are fine)
• Winter clothes & footwear—for outdoor activities and traveling between buildings
• Toiletries
• Shower shoes- some showers you must travel outside to access!
• Towels for showering
• Flashlight
• Reusable water bottle
• Face coverings (optional)
• Business cards
• Notebook and pen (or other form of note-taking!)
• Donation of at least one Auction Item (see Silent & Live Auctions section below for more info)
• Cash, check or credit card to purchase items from Silent & Live Auctions as well as items from vendors at the Resource Fair
• Backpack for day use of conference materials
• Any materials you want to share (Camp Brochures, Song Book, Vendor Information of any great deals, etc)
• Job Posting information if you’re an employer looking for staff or a resume if you are a job seeker
directions
Address: 6225 N. 39th St. Augusta, MI 49012
Airports: Sherman Lake YMCA is about 25 minutes from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), 60 minutes from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), and 2.5 hours from Chicago’s Midway (MDW) and O’Hare (ORD) International Airports.
Airports: Sherman Lake YMCA is about 25 minutes from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), 60 minutes from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), and 2.5 hours from Chicago’s Midway (MDW) and O’Hare (ORD) International Airports.
shuttle information
AIRPORT SHUTTLE INFORMATION
Sherman Lake will be offering shuttles to and from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport for attendance of the conference for $10 single trip and $20 round trip. Participants can select and pay for shuttle services during through the Shuttle Registration page.
Arriving shuttles will leave Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport at the following times:
Departing shuttles will leave Sherman Lake YMCA at the following times:
Rideshare options, such as Uber and Lyft, are also prevalent at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and the Kalamazoo Amtrak Train Station.
Find more information on shuttles and Shuttle Registration on the Host Site page.
Sherman Lake will be offering shuttles to and from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport for attendance of the conference for $10 single trip and $20 round trip. Participants can select and pay for shuttle services during through the Shuttle Registration page.
Arriving shuttles will leave Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport at the following times:
- 8:00pm Monday, January 8th
- 9:30am Tuesday, January 9th
- 11:00am Tuesday, January 9th
Departing shuttles will leave Sherman Lake YMCA at the following times:
- 8:00am Friday, January 12th
- 10:00am Friday, January 12th
Rideshare options, such as Uber and Lyft, are also prevalent at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and the Kalamazoo Amtrak Train Station.
Find more information on shuttles and Shuttle Registration on the Host Site page.
lodging
Sherman Lake YMCA has wonderful dorm style cabins onsite which will be assigned and communicated upon arrival. Linens (sheets, blanket, pillow, pillowcase, towels) are available for a $20 fee. Please reserve before arrival, click here to add now. There is no private housing available onsite.
Should you select the offsite housing option at registration and reserve a condo at Gull Lake View Golf Resorts, shuttles to and from Gull Lake will operate daily to ensure participants are able to fully attend the conference.
You can learn more about both housing options on the Host Site page of our website.
If you have questions or concerns about housing arrangements, please contact MACC registrar, Shelly Hilton, at maccregistrar@gmail.com.
Should you select the offsite housing option at registration and reserve a condo at Gull Lake View Golf Resorts, shuttles to and from Gull Lake will operate daily to ensure participants are able to fully attend the conference.
You can learn more about both housing options on the Host Site page of our website.
If you have questions or concerns about housing arrangements, please contact MACC registrar, Shelly Hilton, at maccregistrar@gmail.com.
meals
Registration includes meals from lunch Tuesday through breakfast Friday, and Sherman Lake YMCA is well known for fabulous food services and accommodations for any dietary needs. Serving over 20,000 guests each year means they are well-equipped to handle any special diets!
Help us ensure we are able to suit your dietary needs by filling out the form during registration, and visit the Host Site page for more information.
Help us ensure we are able to suit your dietary needs by filling out the form during registration, and visit the Host Site page for more information.
Silent & live auctions
Don’t forget about the Camp Service Auction Night! The recipient of these funds will be announced in the months leading up to the conference.
Please bring your donation item to check-in. We are looking for unique, high-end items of varying styles and sizes for the auction and raffle- coffee mugs are great, but sweatshirts, jackets, fleeces, blankets, and backpacks are even better! Bring the type of items that you would be interested in bidding on.
Don’t forget to bring money to spend… after all, it is for a great cause! We accept cash, checks and credit/debit cards, so there is no excuse for you not to spend! In addition to all the great camp gear, many of our vendors have donated amazing items this year that we know you are going to want to bid for!
Please bring your donation item to check-in. We are looking for unique, high-end items of varying styles and sizes for the auction and raffle- coffee mugs are great, but sweatshirts, jackets, fleeces, blankets, and backpacks are even better! Bring the type of items that you would be interested in bidding on.
Don’t forget to bring money to spend… after all, it is for a great cause! We accept cash, checks and credit/debit cards, so there is no excuse for you not to spend! In addition to all the great camp gear, many of our vendors have donated amazing items this year that we know you are going to want to bid for!
Awards
As we come together as peers in camping, we take a moment to recognize individuals in our field who have made an impact through two different presentations- the Legend of Camping and Spotlight on Camping awards.
The Legend of Camping Award (also known as “The Skippy Award”) recognizes professionals who have given over and beyond to the YMCA Camping Movement in the Mid America region.
The Spotlight on Camping Award recognizes YMCA Camp professionals within the Mid America region who are doing important, groundbreaking or recognition-worthy work.
To learn more or nominate someone for one of these awards, please visit the Awards page of our website
The Legend of Camping Award (also known as “The Skippy Award”) recognizes professionals who have given over and beyond to the YMCA Camping Movement in the Mid America region.
The Spotlight on Camping Award recognizes YMCA Camp professionals within the Mid America region who are doing important, groundbreaking or recognition-worthy work.
To learn more or nominate someone for one of these awards, please visit the Awards page of our website
schedule
The MACC strives to be a source of information, motivation and connection for our attendees. We provide a fast-paced and interactive schedule, filled with opportunities to grow and learn in a collaborative environment, attend high-quality interest sessions and keynotes, and built a community of support.
To view an up-to-date version of the conference schedule, please visit the Schedule page of our website
To view an up-to-date version of the conference schedule, please visit the Schedule page of our website
guidebook
The Mid America Camping Conference is mobile and paperless! We use the app "Guidebook," which allows us to post schedules, participant lists, interest sessions and more in one easy location.
The guide will be ready-to-use in the months leading up to the conference.
Before you arrive, check out our conference schedule and interest sessions via your Android or iOS device. Download the Guidebook App and search “Mid America Camping Conference 2024” or Click Here!
Andriod and iOS users:
Find more information on this and other specific MACC Lingo!
The guide will be ready-to-use in the months leading up to the conference.
Before you arrive, check out our conference schedule and interest sessions via your Android or iOS device. Download the Guidebook App and search “Mid America Camping Conference 2024” or Click Here!
Andriod and iOS users:
- Tap the “Download” button to download the free Guidebook app
- Open Guidebook and you can find our “Mid America Camping Conference 2024” guide in the search function
- Tap “Enter Passphrase” and enter macc2024 to download our guide
Find more information on this and other specific MACC Lingo!
Special Thanks to our 2023 Conference Sponsors: |
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© YMCA Mid America Camping Conference, 2024