https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/thriving-futures-ahead-thanks-2023-eleanor-eells-award-winners

Each year, ACA’s Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence honors camps that embody the spirit of the award’s namesake through their efforts to provide exceptional programming that effectively...

https://www.acacamps.org/resources/staff-anxiety-new-normal

“Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days When the mommas sang us to sleep But now we’re stressed out . . . .” — Stressed Out, Twenty-one Pilots Mary Beth is leaving camp. After fewer...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/building-referral-machine

Algorithms change and consultants retire, change jobs, or are absorbed by other concerns. Most of it is outside of your control and will at times leave you feeling like a ping-pong ball. The constant...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/it-personal-its-business

What folks really mean when they say “it’s not personal, it’s business” is that we shouldn’t take it personally. Yet when we’re in the midst of camp and also engulfed in a swirling cloud of everyone’...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/camps-transformation-economy

What do hibachi restaurants and summer camps have in common? Before I answer that, let me provide some context. Earlier this year, I dined at a hibachi restaurant for the first time. I sat up at...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/spoiler-alert-you-wont-be-around-forever

Whether you plan to be at your camp for another 2, 5, 10, or 20 years, it’s not too early to start your camp’s succession planning. Camps are unique businesses that closely reflect their owners or...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/pulling-plug-why-teaching-campers-how-detach-their-devices-critical-summer-success

“Have you tried unplugging it?” This is a question we’ve all asked one another, typically when something we have doesn’t work. WiFi’s down. “Have you tried unplugging it?” TV won’t connect to Netflix...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/starry-starry-night

Running through a field at the base of a mountain, arms open, eyes lifted to the skies. Taking in a sea of stars (who knew there were so many?). Shoes damp from dewy grass, it was like the world...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/top-gun-art-staff-retention-appreciation

As a camp director for over 25 years, I can say with absolute certainty that every year two consistent challenges rise above all the rest. One, did I hyphenate Ga-Ga in the activities description,...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/factors-exigent-fish-allergy-vigilance-proliferation-potency

Sixth-grader Cameron Jean-Pierre was celebrating New Year’s Day of 2019 at his grandmother’s home in New York City. Cod was cooking on the stove, its smell wafting in the air when the 11-year-old...