The American Camp Association (ACA) would like to acknowledge and honor two past presidents of the ACA Board of Directors who passed away in November.

Charles “Chuck” Ackenbom

Chuck Ackenbom passed away on November 8, 2023. Chuck was the founder and director of Camp Friendship in Palmyra, Virginia. Chuck joined ACA in 1970 and was a life member. He served on the ACA Board of Directors (including serving as chair from 1990–1993) and was a founding member of the International Camping Fellowship. He was also a member and president of the Association of Independent Camps (AIC), the predecessor of the Camp Owners and Directors Association (CODA). He was very active in ACA, Virginias and served as an accreditation visitor and on the Virginias “section” board in a variety of positions. He was a member of ACA’s Acorn Society and Pioneers in Camping Club, and he was a recipient of ACA’s Distinguished Service Award. Chuck was 86 years old.

You can view Chuck’s full obituary and upcoming service information at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/charles-ackenbom-obituary?id=53577362.

John Howe

John Howe passed away on November 6, 2023. John was the previous owner-director of Skylake Yosemite Camp in Bass Lake, California, after taking it over in 1958 from his parents, who founded the camp. John joined ACA in 1949 and was a life member. He served as the past president of the ACA Board of Directors from 1978–1980. John was a past accreditation visitor and legislative chair for ACA, Northern California. He was a member of ACA’s Acorn Society and the Pioneers in Camping Club. John was 88 years old.

John’s full obituary is not yet available online.