Character Grant Process Timeline Update

The American Camp Association (ACA) team is hard at work on the Character at Camp grant application and portal! As we continue to align the process with our funder, we anticipate the opening date to be in early March. While this is a shift from our original timeline, we’re excited about the progress and remain fully committed to supporting the growth of camp programs. Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm as we work to simplify the process and maximize the impact this initiative will have — great things are coming!
 

Volunteer Grant Reviewers Needed

ACA is seeking volunteers to review Character at Camp grant applications in the spring. We are especially seeking more volunteers who have experience as a camp program specialist or educator. If your camp is not applying for a grant, consider volunteering! Learn more about this volunteer position and apply. Applications will be accepted through February 7, 2025.
 

Initiative Overview

The Character at Camp initiative will be conducted during the next six years. ACA will make available in-person and virtual training opportunities, educational tools, and other resources to camps to strengthen, expand, or establish character development programs at the more than 15,000 year-round and summer camps across the US. As a direct result of this new initiative, ACA will invite camp leaders to participate in educational and peer-learning opportunities, networking, training, other experiences to learn how to help develop character skills and traits at camp. ACA will work with camp professionals, youth-development experts, and others to create new educational resources, training, and assessment tools to provide camps with opportunities to engage in this important initiative.

Starting in 2025, all eligible nonprofit camps will have the opportunity to apply for competitive one-, two-, or three-year grants to support their character development programs. Eligible organizations will be able to apply for funding in amounts ranging from $5,000 to up to $300,000 based on the length of the grant period. Funds may be used for staffing, training, curricula, assessment, communications, and/or outreach and partnership efforts to support camps’ specific goals related to character development. The initiative will support a broad range of camps serving young people from varied backgrounds and experiences, including under-resourced and underrepresented youth, as well as provide funding for developing character-based programming that is culturally relevant and values the diverse perspectives of youth and families.

Upcoming Events

ACA will host a series of in-person and virtual engagements for the camp community to learn, share, and network with other camp professionals supporting the development of skills and traits of character at camp. Save these dates, and stay tuned for additional details to come, including an exciting new Character at Camp virtual event.

In-person Events

Camp Spotlight

We invite you to document and share highlights from character development programming at your camp this summer for the opportunity to be featured in Character at Camp educational and inspirational content.
 

Contact Us with Questions

Please submit any questions to us.

Learn more with our Character at Camp blog series.

Read the press release.

Not a member? Take advantage of a one-year complimentary individual membership.