Build Stronger Staff. Deliver Better Programs. Help Campers Thrive.
Great camp experiences don't happen by accident. They're built through intentional programming, skilled staff, and a commitment to continuous improvement. ACA's Camp Program Quality (CPQ) Training equips camp directors, supervisors, and youth development professionals with practical tools and proven strategies to strengthen staff practices, improve program quality, and create meaningful experiences for every camper. Through this interactive, cohort-based learning experience, you'll explore how to use the Social Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment (SEL PQA) for Camps to evaluate program experiences, identify opportunities for growth, and make improvements that support positive youth development. Whether you lead a day camp, overnight camp, or multi-site program, CPQ provides a framework to help your team create safe, supportive, inclusive, and engaging environments where campers can thrive.
Learn Together. Grow Together. Improve Together.
Camp Program Quality is offered through a facilitated cohort model, bringing camp professionals together to learn, exchange ideas, and explore real-world strategies for strengthening their programs. Rather than learning on your own, you'll have opportunities to connect with fellow camp leaders, share experiences, and consider how to apply what you're learning at your own camp. Through the training, you'll explore how to:
- Assess program quality: Use the SEL PQA for Camps to better understand the quality of camper experiences.
- Strengthen staff practices: Identify strategies that support positive interactions, engagement, and youth development.
- Create meaningful experiences: Build environments where campers feel safe, supported, included, and empowered.
- Turn insights into action: Use assessment findings to identify priorities and guide program improvements.
- Connect with peers: Learn alongside other camp professionals who share your commitment to quality.
Upcoming Camp Program Quality Training
Join fellow camp professionals for an interactive learning experience designed to help you take the next step toward stronger programs and better camper experiences.
FREE Webinar - December 10, 2026 - join us to learn more!
Spring 2027 Cohort - Dates Coming Soon!
Continuous Program Quality Improvement
Improvement of program quality at ACA is not linear—it isn’t easily accomplished for an organization as a checklist. Instead, our program quality work is inspired and framed by continuous improvement. Through a supported , annual cycle of Prepare-Assess-Plan-Improve, camp programs can sustainably integrate continuous program quality improvement into their internal systems and cultures.
Because of the ongoing and subjective nature of this work, ACA has systems of support to ensure camps of all types can engage in each step of the continuous program quality improvement cycle in ways that are accessible and relevant to them. These systems include access to tools, trained program quality assessors and coaches, professional development workshops and trainings, and a community of practice centered around peer learning and support.
Community of Practice
Anyone is welcome to join the Community of Quality Practice. It is an open space for those who have been trained and have already integrated continuous quality improvement into their programs or are new to program quality improvement. This space is for Community of Quality Practice members to discuss how quality is showing up in their programs, what improvements they are making, and to connect with each other. Ideally, this community will turn into a space that is member driven. Our Program Quality Community of Practice convenes monthly from September – April each fiscal year.
Program Quality Community of Practice
Workbooks
Our Continuous Improvement: Organizational Quality Improvements and Continuous Improvement: Improving the Youth Experience workbooks are standalone resources that can be handed directly to camp and youth serving practitioners. Each workbook is intended to be interactive and offer opportunities for readers to engage with sections as needed.
Purchase the individual workbooks:
Creating Inclusive Camps
The Creating Inclusive Camps tool is designed to help you and your camp identify the work you already do to make your camp an inclusive space. It does this by supporting you in identifying where you are on a five-stage scale of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advancement.
For more information or questions about camp program quality, email us at [email protected].