Did You Know?

The American Camp Association (ACA) has an array of products and services that can support the development of your day and resident camps. In partnership with JCC Association, ACA has curated a list of resources that will help support the JCC Camps mission of providing the highest quality camping experiences while engaging campers in Jewish learning. 

Considering Accreditation for the first time? Join us for this free webinar on kick-starting the process and learn more about what it will take to prepare.

Free One-Year Membership

Curious what ACA has to offer? Interested in becoming one of the next camp leaders?

Take advantage of ACA's trial one-year free membership. We know you'll find something you love. We value you as an important part of the camp and youth development community, and we believe so strongly in what ACA has to offer, we're willing to offer you one free year of ACA membership.

Join online and use the promo code JCC-ACA at check-out.

Join Now

Resources for Camp Program Quality Improvement

  • Camp Program Quality Assessment (CPQA short form) – the CPQA is a free downloadable PDF designed for your staff team to use to examine, discuss, and plan to improve the quality of your camp program
  • CPQA Staff checklist – free downloadable 1 page PDF that lists the best staff behaviors to use in programs that contribute to positive youth development
  • ACA Program Improvement Toolbox – a 3 hour online course that:
    • provides background on the characteristics of quality programs and positive youth development
    • lessons learned from the ACA National Program Improvement Project
    • easy to use observation forms (C-PQA short form) that help identify and recognize exemplary staff behaviors and interactions
    • ways to collect and document information on how you are doing with your improvement process
    • tips on how to use these resources as a part of your staff training

Certificates of Added Qualification (CAQs)

ACA’s Certificate Courses are more than just online training! These intensive, self-directed online courses are excellent professional development opportunities that help build the added qualifications your staff and volunteers need. Each certificate course covers all 13 core competencies required to run a camp successfully and includes curriculum components suited to a variety of learning styles. Learn More.

Create Your Own Staff Training Package

Choose from among ACA's online courses, live webinars, recorded webinars, or even the certification course to build a custom online package for your camp. You can also add your own logos or other branding, as well as your own materials, such as your staff manual, safety activity checkpoints, articles, assignments, quizzes, forums, and glossaries. Learn More.

Training is available for everyone, from volunteers taking on leadership responsibilities at a day camp to members of the executive staff team gaining broader knowledge of camp-specific operations.

Ready to Learn More?

Want to learn more about other services and benefits ACA has to offer? Trying to determine if accreditation is right for you or learn more about our outcomes and research work? Looking to maximize discounts from vendors or additional resources from ACA? Don’t wait — set up a consultation today!

Consultation is available to JCC Camps employees to help connect you to the best learning, training, and information on accreditation opportunities for your camp.

Contact Grechen Throop 765-349-3517.