ACN Board of Director Elections
Post 1 of 3
Every 3 years ACN elects a new Board of Directors to oversee the organization, develop a strategic plan and guide the mission. Elections will be held in April for the 2022-2024 term.
The ACN Board includes nurses, and has 2 non-nurse positions. All ACN members with current membership are eligible to vote, a link to the ballot will be in member inboxes soon.
Get to know the candidates, elections are coming up in April! (candidates listed in alphabetical order)
Dr. Barry Garst
South Carolina
Non-Nurse Participant
Published for CompassPoint
Speaker at ACN Symposium
Dr. Garst is an Associate Professor of youth development leadership at Clemson University and the former director of program development and research application with the American Camp Association. His applied research focuses on critical and emerging issues within out-of-school time settings such as summer camp. Recent projects have explored parent anxiety associated with camp experiences and factors impacting injuries and illnesses among camp participants.
Why I want to continue on the ACN Board? The short answer is, “the work isn’t finished.” After serving 2 terms as Chair of ACN’s research committee, I feel that much has been accomplished yet there’s so much more to do. Over the next 3 years I want to continue to advance work that our committee has started, including research into camp-related workplace fatigue among camp healthcare providers and the impact of COVID-19 on camp health care practices.
The longer answer is, “the work isn’t finished…AND…the experience of working with ACN’s staff and Board is awesome!”
Aviva Gluck RN
New York
ACN Member – 1 year
Camp Nurse – 12 years
I became a nurse in 2009, and have worked a myriad of jobs in a diverse range of settings. The day after I passed the boards, I began work as a camp nurse and have been there every summer since (including this past year, working in the office and kitchen since the health center and there was family camp due to COVID). I worked in homecare and urgent care for almost four years. I also completed a short stint in a nursing home, taught health, nutrition and CPR at a local high school, and have worked per diem as a flight nurse. I completed my BSN this past December. Currently, I am working full time as a school nurse.
I am passionate about camp. I have been all my life. I have given the last 12 summers to camp as a nurse, and would love to help other camps out.
John Hamilton, MA
California
Non-Nurse Participant
Published for CompassPoint
Speaker at ACN Symposium
John Hamilton is the Director of Camp HOPE America. He collaborates with the Camp HOPE America team, human services organizations, and camps or conference centers to bring a hope-filled experience to children around the country. John works with experts in several industries, learning from their perspectives, and working to bridge the gap between the camp industry and social work field to incorporate trauma-informed care in the camp setting. John holds a master’s degree from Western Seminary. He specializes in forging unlikely partnerships, developing unified teams, and moving people from theory into practice.
I believe I can utilize my perspective from ten plus years of camp leadership and my current seat as the National Director of Camp HOPE America to increase Hope, Resiliency, Members, and Well-Being in the ACN movement. Trauma and adversity were relevant in our work prior to COVID and have been exacerbated since. In an age of trauma, we need collective hope and healing more than ever before! I will support ACN’s growth and presence across the country while contributing to a more coordinated and effective path for professionals to consider each child’s whole being when providing care.