The American Camp Association is thrilled to announce Cory Harrison has been named chief operating officer and Betsy Kelder as chief engagement officer. The depth of experience and expertise that Cory and Betsy bring to the ACA leadership team positions ACA to achieve the bold vision we have for the future of ACA and the full field of camp.

Harrison will support many of the programs and services that ACA provides for the public, the field of camp, and ACA’s members. His responsibilities include accreditation, professional development, innovation, research, communications, and marketing to support day and overnight camps and camp professionals across the country.

He brings more than 20 years of professional experience in camping, having spent nearly his entire career in the field — first with the Salvation Army, and most recently 15 years with the YMCA, where he served as vice president of overnight camping at the YMCA of Greenville, directly overseeing one of the top 10 largest YMCA overnight camps in the country.

Cory lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his wife Stacie, director of Camp WeHaKee for Girls in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, and their son Caleb. He is also the father of Mason, Elijah, and daughter Cate. Stacie and Cory met at an ACA conference and honeymooned at an ACA national conference — a fitting origin story for someone who has spent his career inside this community. With camp woven into every part of his life, personal and professional, he is eager to bring that same commitment to his work at ACA.

Kelder will be responsible for human resources, leadership development functions, volunteer engagement, ACA field teams, the IT department, and ACA’s enterprise risk management portfolio. 

Betsy grew up in the Boston area attending day camps from a young age. At 9, she had her first overnight camp experience, and at age 10 she found her home away from home at Hidden Valley Camp (HVC). She spent 17 summers (five years full-time) at HVC filling almost every role from camper to associate director. Betsy served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for ACA prior to joining as a full-time employee and served on the Board of Directors for the American Camp Association, New England affiliate for 10 years including as the board’s president from March 2020–2023.

Betsy lives in the Boston area with her husband and two girls, who are following in their mother’s shoes attending overnight camp at Hidden Valley.  She loves to spend time with friends and family and be outdoors as much as possible.