Latest ACA Blog Posts
May 4, 2011
In 1975, Camping Magazine was brought in-house after being edited and published by Howard Galloway in Plainfield, New Jersey, for over thirty years.
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April 27, 2011
In 1950, the Program Committee and the Inter-cultural Committee presented resolutions to the effect that ACA, in the future, use facilities in which all hospitality and privileges were extended to all members of the Association, regardless of race, creed, or color. In October of 1950, there was a motion to uphold this resolution and change hotel venues for the 1952 National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The motion was passed.
April 20, 2011
In 1892, Camp Arey in Arey, New York, became the first camp to admit girls. By 1902 the camp was serving girls exclusively. Other camps serving girls made their appearance in 1902 as well, including Camp Kehonka in New Hampshire, Pinelands of Center Harbor, Maine, and Wyonegonic Camps in Denmark, Maine.
Others quickly followed, such as the Aloha Camps in 1905 and Alford Lake Camp in 1907 as well as the Gulick Wo-he-lo Camp in 1910. As the movement spread, 125 girls camps were established by 1925.
Wyonegonic is the oldest continuously running camp for girls in the United States.
April 13, 2011
Due to "the critical transportation problem" resulting from World War II, the Board of Directors decided to cancel the 1943 annual conference. Instead, sections were urged to hold regional conferences. The proposed theme of the conferences was "Camping, a Wartime Asset."
April 6, 2011
The latest issue of Counselor Now is available online. Read The Seven Absolutes of Camp Counseling, by Jeffrey Leiken. He writes it is always better to be thought of as a great counselor by your director than to be thought of as a cool one by your campers. Working with children should be fun, and being able to access your playfulness in order to connect with your campers is essential to your success. Just make certain that you always remember that you are the adult and that you are hired to be professional in all your decisions
Also take a moment to read Words of Encouragement to the Camp Counselor: Ideas and Tips for a Successful Summer.
April 6, 2011
In 1894, Keewaydin Camp was organized on Lake Temagami in Ontario, Canada as a canoe and wilderness camp. Today it is the oldest camp to continuously operate on the same site in North America, and the oldest canoe-trip camp in the world. The camp family has expanded to include two additional camps and a robust environmental education program.
March 30, 2011
Day camps became an accredited camp option for families 55 years ago. ACA had developed standards for resident camps in 1948. It was decided that a closer look at day camps was necessary. From 1950-54, the National and Section Standards Committees formulated Day Camp Standards for use and study. The Day Camp Standards were officially adopted by the Council of Delegates at the 1956 National Convention in Detroit, Michigan.
March 23, 2011
In 2011, ACA and partner New Dimensions offer all members of the camp community a chance to celebrate 150 years of camp in style — with hats, t-shirts, tote bags, and posters. The commemorative images used on the products were designed by Bruce Dean, the same artist who designed ACA’s updated logo in 2005, and feature stylized reproductions of actual photos submitted by camps! Representing an artistic rendition of the progression of camp from the past (1910s, 1930s, and 1950s) to the present day, the merchandise is available for purchase online, and items can be customized with specific camp names.
March 21, 2011
ACA’s CEO Peg Smith was featured on Lifetime Television’s morning program, The Balancing Ac, on March 11, 2011. This segment consisted of a conversation about the benefits of camp, choosing a camp, experiential education and the camp experience, and much more. Lifetime Television has 96 million subscribing households nationwide!
March 16, 2011
In 2007, ACA cemented its commitment to environmental stewardship and developed the Green Spoken Here initiative, offering online resources, including the "Green Spoken Here" pledge for camp and youth development staff, as well as parents and families, to encourage outdoor activity and environmental awareness.
March 9, 2011
In January 1930, the name of the Camp Directors Association (CDA) magazine was changed from Camping to The Camping Magazine. The Camping Magazine was the official publication of the CDA, under the authorization of the National Board of Directors. Its purpose was to inform and educate camp professionals and others in related fields so they can successfully serve their clientele. In 1946 the name was shortened to Camping Magazine. The magazine is still published by ACA, and serves as the resource for camp and youth development professionals, with articles on topics such as public policy, research, trends, and best practices.
The special May/June Staff Training issue features the foremost camp trainers and consultants for staff orientation. The 2011 Staff Training issue includes articles from Bob Ditter, Stephen Wallace, Jon...
March 3, 2011
Check out our premier issue of the Counselor Now newsletter, designed for you, the frontline camp staff. This newsletter offers job-specific resources for everything you'll need this summer — from Camping Magazine articles and training advice to job opportunities, Counselor Now will help you be at your best.
"Tips for Camp Counselors: Sage Advice from a Veteran Camp Director" offers the advice you need to nurture your campers' development and guide positive behavior. "...
March 2, 2011
Check out ACA's Camp Counselors Facebook Page built for you, frontline staff at summer camps! Check back here for advice and tips, fun activity ideas, job opportunities, and much more. Use this page along with our other resources like this blog and the Counselor Now monthly email for finding the tools to make a positive impact in the lives of your campers and have a great summer at camp!
March 2, 2011
On March 4, 1983, the first meeting of members of The Acorn Society was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Society was created as a fellowship of individuals who believed in the purpose of organized camping and wanted to ensure that camping continues as a growing, educational opportunity. Each year, the Foundation board hosts an Acorn Society celebration dinner to honor those individuals who have made provisions for bequests to ACA in estate planning through wills, insurance policies, unitrusts, or other avenues.
February 28, 2011
Welcome to ACA's new blog for you, the counselor! Check back here for counseling advice and tips, fun activity ideas, job opportunities, and much more. This counselor blog will give you the tools to make a positive impact in the lives of your campers and have a great summer at camp!
