The Conference Floor – Where the Camp Magic Happens
For at least the past four years that I’ve been in attendance, Degy has held strong with our Booth #519 right in the center aisle across from giant inflatable water slides and toys. As you walk through the exhibit hall at Tri-state, you may encounter a wide range of exhibitors from bunk bed providers, to insurance companies, food providers, customizable merchandise, background check companies, turf providers, information about head-lice (yes, you read that correctly), and more. The colors are bright, and ‘FUN’ is really the main theme across the board.
For a camp, stopping by the Degy booth means more than fresh entertainment for the summer – they also get to restock on their Degy sharpies, pick up Degy coasters, and participate in a mini silent disco demo!
A fun highlight reel of Degy's featured summer camp entertainment:
● 🎧 Headphone Disco - Silent disco meets dance party madness; campers go absolutely wild for it. Live showswith DJs OR budget-friendly equipment rentals.
● 🎨 PaintU - DJ dance party where the campers dance and get blasted with vibrant paint!
● 🤜 Free Daps - High-energy performers bringing the hype. Summer Camp legends! Improv comedyrappers who have impressed crowds at Disney Springs, NBA halftime games, colleges, and camps.
● 🎤 Michael Kent - Crowd favorite combining comedy and magic that camps can't stop raving about
● 🫧 Foam Drop - Because what's summer camp without an epic foam party? An easy one to say YES to.
● 🥏 Ultimate Toss Tour - Test your corn hole game against the ACL Pros!
● 👒 Miss Savannah Belle's Southern Stomp - Y'all, this one steals the show… a charming, foot-stomping southern experience that's totally unique. Line dancing for all ages!
Conversations, Connections & Coffee: Building Camp Relationships
Tri-state is always special because I get to catch up with returning camp clients and meet new ones. Many clients stay in touch from October up until March, and some are very ahead of the game with their events reserved for the summer by the time we meet up at Tri-state. Which means we can chat in person and sort of fill in any gaps or questions they have about their upcoming events!
This year, one of my interns, Dorothy Trusty, joined me in the booth to get the real hands-on experience ofwhat we do here at Degy when we’re at a conference. While Tri-state is certainly a family feel with lots of familiar faces each year, I’m proud of how Dorothy jumped right in to meet new camps herself and introduce them to our trending camp acts.
Why This Camp Conference Always Delivers
The camp industry's passion and energy is contagious. You can feel how much each director and staff member cares about their campers, and wants to bring the best they can offer them. Camp really is a community, and the Tri-state Conference is one where you can attend knowing you’ll walk into a room of smiling faces with the same drive and passion for keeping Camp safe, fun, and memorable for campers year over year.
The Value of Tri-state for Camp Programming Professionals
What makes Tri-state National Camps Conference essential for camp directors and programming professionals is the concentrated marketplace of camp-specific vendors and entertainment, the opportunity to see and experience acts in person before booking, networking with fellow camp professionals sharing similar challenges, discovering trending camp activities and entertainment options, and building relationships withtrusted vendors for long-term partnerships. Whether you're programming for overnight camps, day camps, specialty camps, or family camp experiences, Tri-state provides invaluable resources and connections.
See You This Summer!
Following the Tri-state Conference, I am so excited about new ideas and events that will be happening for campers this year. Here at Degy, we have a strong commitment to making camp summers unforgettable (Our CEO’s kids are 2 of the many that we look to impress each year).
Camp directors, reach out to hear about the events we can help with and reserve your summer entertainment!
What is the Tri-state National Camps Conference?
The Tri-state National Camps Conference is an annual camp industry conference held in Atlantic City bringing together camp directors, owners, and staff from overnight camps, day camps, and specialty programs. The conference features an exhibit hall with camp-specific vendors including entertainment, equipment, food services, insurance, and more, plus educational sessions on camp programming and operations.
When and where is the Tri-state Conference held?
Tri-state Conference is held annually in mid-March at the Sheraton in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The timing makes it ideal for camp directors finalizing summer programming decisions, as it occurs after APCA and NACA conferences and provides last opportunities to book summer camp entertainment before the season begins.
What types of entertainment are popular at the Tri-state Conference?
Popular camp entertainment at Tri-state includes interactive experiences like Headphone Disco and Silent Disco, high-energy activities like PaintU paint parties and Foam Drop, comedy acts like Free Daps and Michael Kent, unique experiences like Southern Stomp line dancing, sports activities like Ultimate Toss Tour, and themed dance parties appropriate for all camp age groups.
How far in advance do camps book summer entertainment?
Most camps book summer entertainment 3-6 months in advance (January-April for summer programs). The Tri-state Conference in March represents one of the final major booking opportunities before summer. Some popular acts and peak summer dates book as early as fall or immediately post-conference season, so early planning is advantageous.
Can camps book multiple entertainment acts at Tri-state?
Yes! Many camp directors use Tri-state Conference to book their full summer entertainment calendar, including welcome events, mid-summer specials, visiting family weekends, staff events, and end-of-session celebrations. Degy Entertainment helps camps build comprehensive programming packages with multiple acts at package pricing.
What's the difference between Headphone Disco live shows and equipment rentals?
Headphone Disco live shows include professional Degy DJs who travel to your camp, provide all equipment, and run the entire experience. Equipment rentals provide wireless headphone systems that camps can use independently with their own music sources or DJs. Rentals offer budget-friendly options for camps wanting silent disco experiences without full production costs.
How do camps with different age groups choose appropriate entertainment?
Degy Entertainment helps camps select entertainment appropriate for specific age ranges. Acts like Southern Stomp and Michael Kent work across ages (6-16), Headphone Disco appeals to older campers and teens, PaintU and Foam Drop work best for active8-14 age groups, and Free Daps connects particularly well with teens. We customize recommendations based on your camp demographics.
What is the typical cost for camp entertainment?
Camp entertainment costs vary by act type, date, travel distance, and group size. Equipment rentals like Silent Disco start around $2,000-$4,000, while full production shows range $3,000-$8,000 for most acts, and premium experiences or multiple-day engagements may cost more. Degy works with camp budgets of all sizes and offers package pricing for multiple bookings.
Can entertainment be booked for staff training or family weekends?
Absolutely! Degy entertainment works for all camp events including pre-season staff training and team building, visiting family weekends and parent events, counselor appreciation nights, director retreats and conferences, and specialty camp programs. Many acts adapt programming for adult audiences or mixed family groups.
How does Degy support camps after Tri-state Conference booking?
After Tri-state, Degy provides complete event support including advance logistics coordination, technical requirements and setup details, promotional materials and marketing assets, day-of-event communication and support, and post-event follow-up. We maintain year-round relationships with camp clients, not just conference-week connections, ensuring smooth execution when summer arrives.
What makes certain entertainment "camp-tested"?
Camp-tested entertainment means acts have extensive experience performing at overnight camps, day camps, and family camps, understand camp culture and camper engagement, can adapt to outdoor venues and unpredictable conditions, maintain age-appropriate content and energy, and consistently receive positive feedback from camp directors and campers. Degy's camp roster includes only proven performers.
Can camps still book entertainment if they didn't attend Tri-state?
Yes! While Tri-state Conference provides valuable in-person connections, camps can book Degy entertainment anytime by contacting us directly at 732-818-9600 or info@degy.com. We work with camps nationwide regardless of conference attendance and provide video demos, references, and detailed information to help you make confident booking decisions.