Membership
Membership for Camps & Programs
Why Camp Membership?
ACA supports your camp or program with staff training resources, risk management tools, quality assessment tools, advocacy, experts, networking, savings, and more!
As a member of ACA, your camp will become part of a dynamic and knowledgeable community that will support your work toward professionalism, qualified staff, and superior programming. You will be better equipped to serve your campers, participants, and families.
Organizations who become members of ACA may also choose to accredit their camps or programs. ACA-Accredited® camps and member camps enjoy many benefits.
Get Inspired! Get Empowered! Get Connected! Gain Critical Insight, Knowledge, and Experience!
Benefits of Camp Membership
- Individual member benefits plus all of the following
- Camp Gives Kids a World of Good logo
- Find a camp listing, indicating “member”
- Post year-round jobs and seasonal jobs at a discount
- Movie licensing at a discount
- Youth outcomes research and tools at a discount
- Camp quality assessment tools at a discount
- Access to resources by section of standards
- Access to more template documents
Does a Member Camp Need to Become Accredited?
No. The member camp category is for camps that are not currently pursuing accreditation. Interested in knowing more about accreditation? Learn more.
Camp Membership — Rates begin at $395
Interested in your camp becoming an ACA member camp? Want more information? Please contact the membership team or call 765-342-8456 press 1. To apply and pay by credit card, you can apply online. If you would like to pay with a check, please download the PDF application or contact us and we'll email one to you.
Paying Your Renewal Dues/Fees?
Please do not pay with the online application.
- Have your renewal notice and are ready to pay? You can pay online.
- Don’t have your renewal notice, contact membership@ACAcamps.org.
ACA Membership Join & Renewal
Individuals
- Renew online. Or call us at 800-428-2267.
- Benefits & Rates
Camps
- Renew your camp's membership or get a copy of your camp's renewal notice. Call 1-800-428-2267 or email membership@ACAcamps.org
- Renew your camp's accreditation or get a copy of your camp’s renewal notice. Call 1-800-428-2267 or email membership@ACAcamps.org
- Transfer your Camp’s Primary Contact
Businesses & Business Affiliates
- Renew online or have my renewal notice sent to me
- Benefits & Rates
Facts about Free Memberships
Who is this free membership for?
This program was originally designed to help connect as many frontline staff (or counselors) as possible with their first professional association. However, we are happy to have you connect as many of your staff members and board members with ACA as you wish. Don't forget your unit leaders, team leaders, program leaders, midlevel staff, counselors, food service staff, health care staff, maintenance staff, and board members.
I don't work for a camp. Can I use this coupon?
Yes, if you work for an afterschool program or other youth organization, or if you are a board member of a youth program or camp, we are happy you are joining ACA.
I heard I can give ACA memberships to my staff at no cost to me or my camp. Is it true?
Yes. This program is designed to share the benefits of ACA's professional development opportunities.
I'm a camp director. How many memberships can I give away?
You may give away an unlimited number of ACA individual memberships to your camp staff. However, recipients must be new to ACA. This offer is not for current or expired ACA members.
May I pay for my camp’s additional memberships with the coupons?
Yes, as long as they are new ACA members.
This sounds complicated. How does it work?
You give your staff members the coupon or even just the promo code; they go online and sign up. Easy. We can even provide language to support this.
How long is the coupon valid?
Until the end of the calendar year. The free year of membership begins when the staff person signs up.
What happens when the free year is over?
The individual will receive a renewal notice asking him or her to join ACA. If that individual still works at your camp and you’d like to pay his or her ACA member dues, you may do so. If you choose to pay for your second-year membership, you'll receive a coupon for half of the amount you pay. This coupon can be used toward the ACA educational offering of your choice. For example: If you pay the regular rate of $210, you'll receive a coupon for $105 to spend.
Will these staff members receive Camping Magazine?
All free members will be able to access the digital version of Camping Magazine.
My camp is not currently affiliated with ACA, may I use this coupon?
Yes, use it for yourself first if you've not been a member. Then give the promo code or coupons to your staff.
I'm a counselor and I just got this coupon. What do I do?
Go online and sign up. Don’t wait. Take advantage of a free full-year of membership in ACA – read Camping Magazine online, access the professional development opportunities, resume-building tools, a free online course, purchase Chaco's at 40 percent off, and more.
I heard there was a free online course, too. Is that true?
Yes. Once you sign up online and become a member, you’ll receive an e-mail telling you how to access the free course, “Critical Things Staff Need to Know about Bullying Prevention.”
My ACA membership is expired. Can I still use this coupon?
The coupon is for new members, not individuals who have been members in the past. If your membership has expired, please call us at 765-342-8456 and we’ll talk about renewal options. Flexible rates may apply to you.
Instructions for setting up a free membership and connecting yourself to your camp.
It is best if each person creates their own individual profile rather than the director making it for them, so they can set their own password and add their own personal information. Camp directors may send these directions to staff. If staff have any issues, we are here to help!
- Create New User
- Screen 1: Fill out the fields on the right side and click the button at the bottom to Create a User Account and Sign In.
- Screen 2: Mid-page, at the top of the active section, there is search box to look for my camp. Rather than setting up a new camp, look for “YOUR CAMP NAME” and hit Save.
- Screen 3: Click Join/Renew at the top of the page.
- Screen 4: Click Join on the left.
- Screen 5: ACA Membership – Click on a category. Select Continue.
- Screen 6: Select Continue again.
- Screen 7: Elective Dues. Choose and Continue.
- Screen 8: Contribution/Donation. Choose Continue.
- Screen 9: Membership Summary page, check the I AGREE Checkbox. Choose Continue.
- Screen 10: Enter the Promo Code ACAfree and click Apply Promo (the little gift box).
- Screen 11: The order total will go to zero dollars (if it doesn’t, click the gift box again). Click Next. Click Next again.
- Screen 12: Click Done.
Promoting Your Camp - Recommended Language
Many camps like to promote their accreditation status and their relationship to ACA. We encourage you to do this. There are specific words we prefer you use and not use when describing your accreditation or membership.
Camps that Are Accredited: Words to Describe Your Relationship with ACA
- Camp XYZ is accredited by the American Camp Association. We have chosen to complete this peer review process and meet the requirements for accreditation.
- Camp XYZ is accredited by the American Camp Association, the only nationwide organization that accredits all types of organized camps.
- Camp XYZ is a member of the American Camp Association and has achieved accreditation status.
- Camp XYZ is a member of the American Camp Association and has achieved accreditation status, by completing a voluntary peer review process of standards applicable to our program.
Camps that Are Working to Become Accredited: Words to Describe Your Relationship with ACA
- Camp XYZ is currently working to become accredited by the American Camp Association and anticipates completing the process in [insert year]. The purpose of ACA accreditation is education, and being accredited means a camp owner/director has chosen to complete a peer review process and has met the established criteria.
Camps that Are Members (including accredited camps): Words to Describe Your Relationship with ACA
- Camp XYZ is a member of the American Camp Association. Being a member is not the same as ACA accreditation
- Camp XYZ is a member of the American Camp Association (ACA). Membership in ACA provides us with many outstanding resources for our staff and campers. For more information on ACA please visit www.acacamps.org.
Camps that Are NOT Accredited: Words to Describe Your Relationship with ACA
- If you use the ACA standards in the development of policies and procedures and have them guide your practices, you may state the following: The standards of the American Camp Association inform our policies, procedures, and practices.
Individuals Who Are Members of ACA: Words to Describe Your Relationship with ACA
- Jane Doe, director of Camp XYZ, is a professional member of ACA.
- John Rogers has been an individual member of ACA since [date].
- Sally Jones is a student member of ACA.
I am a professional member of ACA. I believe in the work ACA does to educate camp professionals about quality and safety at camp, and educate the public about the value of camp.
Please do not abbreviate ACA unless you have already spelled out "American Camp Association" in your message. There are other organizations with the acronym "ACA."
More About Rights and Responsibilities
More About Logos
Camps Seeking Accreditation
Ready. Set. Go.
We recommend you know as much about accreditation as possible before getting started. Please attend the free one-hour webinar called Ready. Set. Go. to learn more about what to expect. Learn more about the accreditation program and the benefits of accreditation.
Deadlines for Camps Seeking Accreditation
To Do List — To receive an accreditation visit, a camp must do the following.
- Fall - Attend a Ready. Set. Go. informational webinar. Submit an application and fees as early as possible. We suggest no later than September or October. If you submit your application after February 1, your camp will not receive a visit that summer. If your program occurs primarily outside of the summer months, please contact ACA.
- Fall/Winter - Complete an Accreditation Process Workshop as soon as possible. The sooner, the better. If you haven't taken a course by March 31, your camp will not receive a visit that summer.
- Fall/Winter - Prepare materials and written documentation required by the standards; review and evaluate each area of your camp's operation using the guidelines noted in the standards.
- Fall/Winter - Take advantage of all preparation resources in the Accreditation Academy to support your work in preparing materials.
- Spring - By mid to late March, you'll have your visitor assignment.
- Spring - Submit the written documentation required in the Written Documentation Review before April 1.
- Summer - Participate in the peer review process (the "visit").
- Fall - In early November, you'll receive notification of your accreditation.
Reminders
- Begin early! It can take up to 18 months to prepare for your first ACA accreditation visit. Significant written documentation is required.
- Your ACA accreditation visitor will reach out for the Written Documentation Review and to set a visit date.
- ACA's Accreditation Program is not intended to circumvent the licensure required to operate your primary business.
- Compliance with legal requirements of the jurisdictions within which a camp/program is located is the responsibility of the camp.
Application Details
Applications for accreditation must be received by ACA by February 1 if you are seeking a visit in the upcoming summer.
If your camp is interested in seeking accreditation, please contact the membership team.
- We will help you understand requirements, time commitment, and work involved
- We will discuss eligibility with you
- We will discuss camp fees and the application process with you
We look forward to assisting you! Send us an email or call us at 765-342-8456 press 1.
If you'd like to find out more about rates or think you are ready to apply, please email or call us at 800-428-2267, option 1, so we can have a conversation with you.
Paying Your Renewal Dues/Fees?
Please do not pay with the online application.
- Have your renewal notice and are ready to pay? You can pay online.
- Don’t have your renewal notice, contact membership@ACAcamps.org.
Share the Value of ACA Membership
Looking for a way to increase professionalism and retention among your staff? Here's an incredibly affordable way to do just that.
When you give an ACA membership, you're offering a bonus to worthy staff, you're supporting their professional development, you're increasing the possibility staff will return to your program.
Share the Value of ACA Membership with All Your Key Staff
If your camp is a member of ACA or accredited by ACA, you may purchase multiple individual memberships for your staff at the following rates. (Individual membership is regularly $210.) All memberships are effective for a year after date of purchase.
- 1-19 individual memberships at $150 each.
- 20+ individual memberships at $50 each!
Here's How It Works
- Provide ACA with your staff members' names and contact information.
- Call us with payment and questions.
- We'll take care of the rest.
- If any of your staff are eligible for ACA's first-year free membership, they can sign up online.
Benefits for Your Staff!
- All members receive all ACA publications, e.g., Camping Magazine and The CampLine. (Members who are registered as part of this program will receive all publications electronically.)
- All members receive discounts on books and educational events, and access to current research.
- Student members receive FREE registration to the ACA National Conference! (Valid student ID required when registering for conference.)
If you have questions about this program, please call the membership team at 800-428-2267.
Show your staff that you believe in their future, and give them the opportunity to grow in our professional community.