ACA Signature Courses

Basic Camp Director Course (BCDC)

The BCDC course is an "in-person" training that provides the basics for camp directors with fewer than six years of experience or for seasoned program directors and site managers. This professional development opportunity is an excellent training that provides you with knowledge of the ACA thirteen core areas and helps you to begin building your personal network of camp professionals.

The expertise, knowledge, and diversity of the participants are integrated into highly interactive learning sessions that focus on real situations, problems, and solutions important to the camp director.

The registration for the four and a half day BCDC course typically ranges from $300 to $400 — member and nonmember pricing is available. Fees include the Basic Camp Management textbook by Armand and Beverly Ball. There are additional costs for room & board. Transportation is the responsibility of the participant. Additional information and course dates. 

New Director Orientation (NDO)

NDO is a special seven hour course (7 CECs) for seasonal or new camp directors, assistant directors, program directors, or persons that have been in other administrative positions and are considering directing a camp. NDO is designed to be offered at the section or regional level. The NDO course helps directors and supervisors develop the skills they need to be effective leaders for their camp program. The course covers five critical areas: camp management leadership, risk management, camper behavior, staff training, and staff supervision. Contact your local ACA office for more information on scheduled courses. This course is typically held in all seasons except for summer.
 

ACA Standards Course
ACA's Standards course serves as an introduction to ACA's Standards Program and helps participants prepare for accreditation visits. The course describes the purpose and value of standards and accreditation, and gives an explanation of how the process works and what resources and materials are available. The course offers specific discussion about the requirements of the standards, including: application of the core and specialized activity standards, mandatory standards, and written documentation requirements. Please contact your local ACA office for course dates.

ACA Associate Visitor Course
ACA's Associate Visitor course helps participants identify the purpose and structure of ACA's accreditation programs and understand the steps of the process at the camp, section, and national levels. Participants become familiar with the legal implications of visitor actions, as well as develop skills in gathering information, making compliance decisions, and consistently applying the standards in a variety of situations. This course stresses the awareness and acceptance of the intent of the standards to represent accepted practices of organized camping. Prerequisite: Participants in the Associate Visitor Course must be at least twenty-one years of age, a current ACA member, and have completed the Standards course and an application endorsed by their local ACA office. Please contact your local ACA office for course dates.