Latest ACA Blog Posts
March 22, 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.
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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 15, 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!
February 23, 2011
In 1935, during Herbert H. Twining's presidency, the name of the association was changed from Camp Directors Association of America to the American Camping Association, Incorporated. This name would not be changed again until 2004.
February 16, 2011
In the 1930s, the National Park Service developed Recreation Demonstration Areas as part of the Federal Government's work relief programs — thirty-four of which were organized camp facilities made available for lease by camp groups that did not own camp grounds. These sites were later turned over to state agencies, particularly state parks.
February 9, 2011
In 1979, the ACA national conference was moved to an annual event after having rotated biennially with regional conferences for many years. The conference was called "Northland Calling, 1979 International Convention", and was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The conference was co-hosted by the Minnesota Section and the Canadian Camping Association.
February 2, 2011
In 1876, Dr. Joseph Trimble Rothrock founded the North Mountain School of Physical Culture near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. For about $200, boys from Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre came for four months over the summer. According to Dr. Rothrock, the idea was to take "weakly boys out into camp life in the woods . . . so that the pursuit of health could be combined with the practical knowledge outside usual academic lines."
January 26, 2011
In 1874, the Philadelphia chapter of the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) founded Sea Rest in Asbury Park, New Jersey. This summer boarding and vacation house was for "tired young women wearing out their lives in an almost endless drudgery for wages that admit no thought of rest or recreation."
January 19, 2011
In 1902, camp pioneer Laura Mattoon founded Camp Kehonka for girls. A revolutionary for her time, Mattoon believed that all students, even girls, needed to interact with the natural environment. Although the bifurcated skirt was originally debuted at a fashion show in 1892, Mattoon was the first to include them as part of a girl’s camp uniform, allowing girls to move freely in the outdoors.
In her book, History of Organized Camping: The First 100 Years, Eleanor Eells stated that:
"[Mattoon] understood the place that women were to occupy in the twentieth century and that the camp experience would prepare them for it. Her ideas about camping, education, and a woman’s role were in advance of her time." (p. 14)
Over 100 years ago, something as simple as the bifurcated skirt helped lay the foundation for women in the twentieth century and beyond.
January 12, 2011
The Gunnery Camp was founded in 1861. It is considered the first organized American camp. Frederick W. Gunn and his wife Abigail operated a home school for boys in Washington, Connecticut. In 1861, they took the whole school on a two-week trip. The class hiked to their destination and then set up camp. The students spent their time boating, fishing, and trapping. The trip was so successful that the Gunns continued the tradition for twelve years.
