As the philanthropic partner of the American Camp Association (ACA), the Foundation secures and stewards resources that help ACA strengthen quality and expand children's access to the benefits of camp.
While the Foundation enables that work through long-term investment and philanthropic support, ACA leads the industry by setting standards, advancing research, and supporting camps.
The American Camp Foundation focuses on three core areas:
1. Grow Resources for Greater Impact
We raise and steward philanthropic investments that expand access to camp and strengthen the entire field.
2. Support the Future of Camp
Through endowment and long-term funding strategies, we ensure that ACA’s work and the camp experience itself will endure for generations.
3. Accelerate Strategic Priorities
We invest in the initiatives that matter most: quality and safety, workforce development, innovation, and equitable access, which align directly with ACA’s strategic goals.
2026-2027 ACF Leadership
- Liz Fogel, Chair
- Lisa Mullan
- Will Pierce
- Andy Shlensky
- Steve Sudduth
- Dan Weir
- Steve Baskin, Chair, ACA Board of Directors
- Don Cheley, Emeritus
Key programs within ACF:
- The Acorn Society recognizes donors who have made an outright gift to the foundation and/or included ACA in their estate plans.
- The Kruger Endowment was established to honor Joe Kruger, an industry leader and volunteer who championed a child-centered approach to camp.
- The ACA Campership Program is for ACA-Accredited®, for-profit camps to raise funds to enable more children, youth, and adults to have camp experiences by awarding camper scholarships to cover fees.
