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  1. Research & Evaluation

Research & Evaluation

The ACA Research Team is committed to research and innovative, special projects that enhance the youth experience in the camp and other out-of-school contexts. We aim to expand the value and visibility of these experiences to increase the relevance and accessibility of these programs for all young people. We do this through conducting our work within a continuous improvement cycle; rigorous investigations of the camp experience for campers, staff, and families; and by supporting camps and other youth development organizations in their evaluation efforts.

Campers looking at flowers  - Photo courtesy of Wyandot Camp, Dublin,Ohio

Trusted Source

At ACA, we believe that camp experiences are enriched when we gather, share, and use evidence about campers, staff, and camp programs. We work hard to make sure the evidence we gather, either as an industry or within our individual camps, is relevant, rigorous, used effectively by camp and other youth program professionals.

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Camp Research

The ACA research team supports and facilitates rigorous research in order to expand the value and visibility of the camp experience and provide research-informed resources for camps. Explore summaries, scholarly reports, research briefs, and research-informed resources from current and past research initiatives.

Learn More

Continuous Improvement

At ACA, we believe that the value and visibility of the camp industry depends largely on the extent to which our camps are evaluating their campers, staff, programs, and operations, and using what they learn through their evaluations to strive for continuous program improvement.

Explore the Tools
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Innovative Special Projects

With the support of grant funding, ACA’s Research Team is busy testing innovative ideas, tools, and systems in the camp field, ranging from program quality to camp-school partnerships, to camper and staff wellbeing.

Learn About the Projects
Group of staff and campers in a circle

Get Involved in Camp Research

The ACA research team considers itself a hub that connects researchers and youth development professionals from a wide variety of organizations. We are small but mighty! Read more about the people behind ACA’s research efforts and how you can get involved.

Learn More
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Economic Impact Study

Get the final report of the 2024 National Economic Impact Study. Free to ACA individual members.

Get the Report

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American Camp Association
5000 State Road 67 North
Martinsville, IN 46151-7902
Phone: 800-428-2267
Phone: 765-342-8456

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