Inclusion and Belonging

In this interview, the American Camp Association (ACA) sits down with Rev. Sarah Kientz, minister to youth and director of Camp Akita, to discuss Camp Akita’s gender diversity and inclusion statement, which was published in spring 2022, and their trans*-inclusive camp practices.

Are boys in crisis? Popular literature (Raising Cain, Lost Boys, Boys and Sex) and theater (Dear Evan Hansen) seem to suggest so. Terms such as “boy code” and “toxic masculinity”...

During the past few years, camps worked hard to find new ways to connect with campers. Some camps offered virtual meet-ups, video tours of camp, or online activity tutorials. Many...

If you’ve been thinking about adding behavioral or mental health supports to your program, you’ve also probably realized that the devil is in the details. Supporting mental...

There are numerous benefits to incorporating outdoor music into camp itineraries, especially for guests with disabilities

Overview:

The camp experience produces many positive outcomes for children--- self-identity, self-worth, self-esteem, leadership, along with growth in personal skills and...

Chaco interviews Jessica Weissbuch, cofounder and executive director of Brave Trails, a nonprofit organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth leadership. It was 2015, and Camp Brave...

In this interview, the American Camp Association (ACA) sits down with Eric Meier, director of camps and outdoor programs of Camp Fire Green Country, to discuss Camp Fire’s statement of inclusion and how they have worked to successfully host an LGBTQ+ session each year at their Tulsa Camp Fire affiliate camp.

Avoiding tough conversations can hold your team back and erode the culture you're working hard to build. Whether it's addressing a racially insensitive comment, navigating...