Professional Development
Special Course Packages
ACA has created a variety of special bundled packages to save money and allow you to access multiple courses. Some packages are content specific, some target a job type. Some packages contain content only available via our special packages.
Our special packages help you by providing the perfect virtual pre-camp training solution for you and your staff.
Redwoods Training Packages
- Aquatic Safety Package
- Camp Safety Trainings Package – Redwoods Training Courses
- Employee Safety Training Package
- Sexual Abuse Prevention Package
Packages $100 or Less for Members
- Camp and Gender Institute
- Camp Is a Business! Featuring Our Best Business Operations Course Package
- Celebrate Culture and Diversity Package
- Communications Marketing, and Social Media Package
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Package (The first in a series.)
- Fundraising Package
Updated Packages
ACA Custom Courses
Looking for something specifically suited to the training needs for you and your staff? Consider a Custom Create Your Own Course package - designed by you for you. Contact us today pdc@acacamps.org!
Exploring the Online Learning Center
Ready. Set. Learn. Join ACA staff to learn more about ACA's Online Learning Center, courses, certificates, staff training packages, and creating your own customized online staff training. Register for the webinar.
Digital Badges and Credentials
Digital Badge Features
American Camp Association badges truly stand out with innovative and exceptional features! Each badge displays the following information by default:
- Your name, the American Camp Association logo, and the title of your course or event
- A detailed description of your course/event with links back to ACA
- The date when your badge was issued
- Because these credentials are digital, hosted, and unique, anyone viewing your credential knows that it was issued by American Camp Association and only by the American Camp Association
And you can do much more with your digital credentials:
Document your learning. With ACA, you can develop your learning portfolio without breaking the bank; keep your money and keep learning.
Add “evidence items” by link or file upload. Your imagination is the limit! Share your course notes, discussion forums contributions, quiz grades, essays, projects, personal reflections — anything that serves to prove what you have learned.
Display on your LinkedIn profile. With one click, let your LinkedIn network know that you continually pursue excellence through your “always learning” approach!
Include a personal or professional reference. Ask a course mate, employer, or friend who can vouch for your learning to share a brief statement of support.
Quickly share on social media. One-click sharing makes it easy to let your networks know about your accomplishments — and to help spread the word about ACA.
Share by link anywhere. Anyone with the link can view your public certificate and only the certificates you choose to share with them.
Set as public or private. How and when you share your certificate is up to you.
Print or save to PDF. File it away, frame it for the wall, stick it to your refrigerator door, keep an offline copy for your records, attach it to emails, embed it in your website, etc.
Useful Resources
Learn more about American Camp Association badges from Accredible:
- ACA's Digital Credential Issuer Page
- Accredible’s badge recipient FAQ
- Accredible User Tutorial on YouTube, from our partner Accredible
- Accredible’s Credential View Tool Kit
- Tips for getting the most from your course credentials
Please add our domain @acacamps.org to your safe senders list so you don’t miss any important emails about your digital credentials.
ACA Staff Training — Certificates of Added Qualifications
Each certificate course covers all thirteen core competencies required to run a camp successfully and includes curriculum components suited to a variety of learning styles. Continuing education credits available.
- Entry-Level Program Staff Certificate (15 CECs)
- Experienced Program Staff Certificate (15 CECs)
- Middle Managers Certificate (15 CECs)
- Camp Director Certificate (20 CECs)
- Day Camp Director (20 CECs)
Progression of Competencies for All CAQs
ACA’s Staff Training Certificate Courses are designed for individuals from varied audiences interested in expanding their knowledge and skills related to particular roles in camp or related youth development work. These staff training certificate courses are considered foundational for the varied audiences addressed since all thirteen core competencies are addressed within each certificate course. Individuals can complete the competency-based requirements and learning activities for one or more certificates, as warranted by their professional needs, time, and interests.
Candidates for each certificate move through the curriculum components at their own pace and complete the required learning activities when ready. Requirements vary by certificate but can include reading articles, posting to an online forum, completing journal entries, viewing videos, conducting observations, and having discussions with a colleague.
A digital badge suitable for use with social media and electronic communication as well as a certificate suitable for printing are awarded upon the successful completion of requirements and learning activities. Continuing education credits (CECs) are awarded for participation and completion of the certificate courses and vary from 15 to 20 CECs per certificate. ACA maintains an educational history for all educational and professional development activities of current members that can be reported as a transcript. Demonstrate to your boss or future employer your commitment to your own professional development or consider investing in the development of your own competent staff!