Spark 2 Ember Consulting

02/13/2026

I am excited to announce that I will be speaking next week at the 2026 ACA National Conference in San Diego.

Balancing Camp Life: Changing the Patterns and Perspective on Work-Life Balance.
Generational changes, social media, and life events are some of the contributing factors changing “work-life” balance perspective. We have seen these changes lead to conflict personally, professionally, within our organizations, and hiring staff. This session will examine our views on work-life-camp balance and how changing expectations of staff are driving the need for change. Receive resources, shareable tools, and the opportunity to evaluate patterns and perspectives of camp-life balance.

Thursday, February 19th
10:30-11:45 AM
Town and Country ABC

Come join me!

02/02/2026

Spark 2 Ember Consulting wants to help support you and your camp through the Camp Accreditation process!

Spark 2 Ember Consulting is passionate about the positive impact that camp can have on campers, staff, and families. We love providing training opportunities, consulting about all things camp and afterschool, and renewing professionals' passion for their work.

Are you currently an ACA (American Camp Association) accredited camp or looking to become accredited?

Let us help you navigate the process!
Reach out to [email protected] to set up a time to meet or visit spark2ember.com for more information.

*Spark 2 Ember Consulting LLC. is independent of the American Camp Association*

01/12/2026

Was your camp awarded an ACA Character Grant? Interested in possibly applying for the next round, but don't know who to reach out to for help implementing the grant?

Well, are you in luck because today there is an amazing opportunity for you to meet some cool consultants that may be able to help you out! Sign up! It's Free!

👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dKqDv3aV
(Can’t attend live? You’ll still get everything.)

07/08/2025

ACA has collected various ways you can help the Texas Hill Country in the wake of the devastating floods.

07/08/2025

This has been really hard to process. I’m so heartbroken for the families, staff, directors, community, etc. I think about who we are in this space and who we hire. The staff who fought to save these campers, the campers helping each other, the staff/directors who ran to help the people, the emergency services, etc. We train and rehearse for this and hope it never happens. There is nothing to be said that can take away the sorrow, the hurt, the loss. We can donate, help with recovery, send thoughts and prayers…..

What else can we do? How can we make sure this never happens again? I don’t have the answers and it’s too soon to have all the answers.

What I do know is that the camp community is hurting and wants to help anyway that it can. Because that is who we are and who we will always be. I will send along ways to help as we know more. Thanks for caring. ❤️

While the coming days will bring grief and heartbreak, the strength of the camp community lies in its unity. From Hill Country to the Heartland, in camps from coast to coast, this community has always found strength in connection and support.

05/14/2025

So I wrote a thing for Project Real Job with the American Camp Association. Check it out!

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Gearing Up for a Wild Ride!

You might be thinking…“How is it May already?”

You are not alone in that thought! Summer is looming large for everyone.

Stress management and burn-out have been consistent topics where staff are concerned for the last several years. We want to help staff manage stress experienced at camp to prevent crashing and burning.

Thank you, Kelly Coulthard ( 2 Ember Consulting), for sharing tips and strategies to help staff set realistic goals, realize the importance of rest and sleep, make connections at camp while keeping connected to people at home, and plan ahead for the unexpected to make for a successful summer!

Learn how to manage stress and prevent burnout while working at camp this summer.

11/12/2023

So I won an award from the American Camp Association Wisconsin. I am so honored to be recognized. I still can’t believe it and this has definitely put a little pep in my step the last week.

The Acorn Award is the highest honor presented to a nominated member of ACA, Wisconsin.

1. Highest standards of character and moral standing.
2. Membership with ACA for a period of at least 10 years and with ACA, Wisconsin for at least 5 years.
3. Service rendered by individual is outstanding, beneficial to camping, and reflected in benefits to ACA, Wisconsin.
4. Participation and/or leadership in ACA national events, trainings/workshops/institutes, outstanding programs, or chairing national committees.
5. Articles for publications, research efforts, and/or public presentations related to camping.
6. Active participation in other organizations: civic, fraternal, religious, or professionally related.

09/28/2023

I am so excited to be presenting on Friday at the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association Fall Workshop!

Who's coming to discuss family engagement strategies and developing community partnerships??

See you tomorrow!

08/01/2023

And it begins…..

Happy August everyone! I hope your summer is going well so far and getting ramped up for school year to start!

Excited to soon share some cool things happening here at Spark 2 Ember! Now is the time to book your trainings for your OST programs! I have a few open days left! Let me know how I can inspire and train your teams to start the school year off right!!

[email protected]

04/21/2023

Thanks for having me to chat about how to focus on our late hired staff and how to make sure we invite them to dance at the party we threw them into and that they stay! (There is still good cheese left😆)

It was an honor to meet and chat with your SoCal camp leaders! Thank you! ❤️

04/19/2023

Here in Cali at the conference with . So excited to be here! And I get to show my hubby why camp is awesome(he is new to camp life!)

04/07/2023

Thank you for the beautiful stickers! The whole process was easy and very quick! Thank you so much!

I’ll be in Palm Springs at the Spring Leadership Conference April 18-21! Come to my session on Thursday, April 20th called Late to the Party: Ideas for onboarding late hired staff and grab a cool sticker!

Artwork by