Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor afforded to members by the American Camp Association.
2026 Recipient:
- Scott Brody, Director Emeritus, Camps Kenwood/Evergreen, & Owner, Camp Sewataro and Everwood Day Camp, ACA, New York and New Jersey
National Service Award
The National Service Award is designed to recognize continued and increasing service to ACA at the national level.
2026 Recipients:
- Tori Barnes Adams, risk control specialist, CMIC, ACA, Southern California Hawaii
- Amanda Wahle, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Environmental Science, University of Maryland Extension, ACA, Chesapeake
- Catherine "Cat" Curry, Director of Latin 360, Latin School of Chicago, ACA, Illinois
- Kevin R. Pettigrew, director, JM Feltner Memorial 4-H Camp, ACA, Heart of the South
Hedley S. Dimock Award
The Hedley S. Dimock Award is given to one who contributes to camping through related fields such as outdoor education, conservation, recreation, medicine, education, architecture, or social sciences.
2026 Recipients:
- John Hamilton, chief strategy and engagement officer, Alliance for Camp Health, ACA, Heart of the South
- Chris T. Rehs-Dupin, TQAMP Founder and Executive Director, ACA, New York and New Jersey
Jack Weiner Leadership Award
The Jack Weiner Leadership Award is designed to support a young person who is pursuing a career in the camp field. The award ensures professional development by providing financial support for the recipient to attend and fully participate in the ACA National Conference.
2026 Recipient:
- Chris Gibbons, camp director, Camp Nor'wester, ACA, Northwest
Special Recognition Award
The Special Recognition Award is designed to honor groups, organizations, or individuals for their efforts to promote camp on a national level.
2026 Recipients:
- SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education), ACA, New York and New Jersey
- Easter and James Maynard, CEO and board member at IMC, Camp Corral, ACA, Southeastern
Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence
The Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence is designed to honor programs that develop effective, creative responses to the needs of people and/or societal problems using the camp environment or programs which demonstrate the positive contributions the camp experience has on the well-being of individuals and society.
2026 Recipients:
- SeriousFun Children's Network: SeriousFun Leadership Fellows Program, ACA, New England
- Camp Hometown Heroes and Camp Reunite (Power of Humans, Inc.), ACA, Wisconsin
- National History Academy, a program of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, ACA, Virginias
- Camp Potosi Pines: Sustaining the Spirit, ACA, Southwest
- Camp Glen Brook: Farm to Table Program Utilizing Biodynamic Practices and Camp Sustainability Initiatives, ACA, New England
Eleanor P. Eells Award for Research in Practice
This award recognizes excellence in research practices that improve program practice or evaluate the outcomes of the camp experience.
2026 Recipients:
- Seacamp Association, Inc., ACA, Southeastern
Marge Scanlin Research Award
Marge Scanlin was a driving force behind many of the research efforts of ACA. Upon her retirement, this award was established as an ongoing tribute to recognize Marge’s contributions. The monetary award is given annually to a student in recognition of their completed research efforts that result in originality, innovation, and significant contribution to the advancement of the body of knowledge concerning the camp experience. In addition to being presented with the award at the national conference, the winner will present the research at the Research Symposium.
2026 Recipient:
- Alexandra Skrocki, Doctoral Candidate, Clemson University, ACA, Southeastern
J. Wendell and Ruth T. Howe Golden Quill and Golden Lens Awards
These awards, which are funded through a memorial established in J. Wendell and Ruth T. Howe’s name, encourage excellence in writing and photography. The awards recognize those individuals who contribute their talents to Camping Magazine through quality articles that address the needs of camp professionals and outstanding photography.
2026 Golden Quill Recipient:
- Emily Golinsky, MS, Bright Moose LLC, Training, Consulting & Advocacy, for the article “The Leadership Skill You Never Knew You Needed: Managing Decision Fatigue” (Published November/December 2025), ACA, New England
2026 Golden Quill Honorable Mention:
- Bridgette Barbera-Byrne, YMCA of Greater Brandywine, senior association director — camp, youth sports, and family programming, for the article “Unconscious Bias: The Silent Saboteur” (Published September/October 2025), ACA, Keystone Regional
2026 Golden Lens Recipient:
- Brandon S. Marshall, Rooted in Nature Imagery, for the photo “Where the Green Fern Grows”; Green River Preserve, ACA, Southeastern
2026 Golden Lens Honorable Mention:
- Katie Holmlund, Youth Programs Development & Advocacy Coordinator - Petersburg Medical Center (Kinder Skog & ORCA Camps), ACA, Northwest
During the conference, members of the news media will have the opportunity to interview featured presenters, keynote speakers, and ACA spokespersons. For additional information, interview requests, and press credentials, please contact us at [email protected].
About ACA
The American Camp Association® (ACA) is a national organization serving the more than 15,000 year-round and summer camps in the US that annually serve 26 million campers. ACA is committed to collaborating with those who believe in quality camp and outdoor experiences for children, youth, and adults. ACA provides advocacy, evidence-based education, and professional development, and is the only independent national accrediting body for the organized camp experience. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp's voluntary commitment to the health, safety, risk management, and overall well-being of campers and staff. For more information, visit ACAcamps.org or call 800-428-2267.
