https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/nobody-ever-tells-me-anything-communication-camp

Growing up, my sister’s catch phrase could have been, “Nobody ever tells me anything!” because she said it so often. More and more, this sentiment is being shared at summer camp, too. Our camp staff...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/what-camp-staff-can-do-help-children-excerpt-homesick-happy

Dear Colleagues, When I sat down to write my new book, Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow, I wanted to answer three questions: 1) Why is it...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/camp-not-school-no-tests-judgment-or-evaluation-excerpt-homesick-happy

Dear Colleagues, For the past thirty years, I have consulted to independent and public schools all over the United States, as well as to international schools. My work has given me a...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/how-speak-so-others-listen

When you speak, do people listen? More importantly, do they remember what you’ve said? Or, do you feel others simply tolerate or ignore you? If you’ve found yourself repeating messages or fighting to...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/risk-management-health-center-log-rich-source-risk-management-data

As camp professionals become more effective risk managers, the need to periodically review camper and staff injury and illness events is a given. One of the best sources of this information is a...

https://www.acacamps.org/press-room/how-to-choose-camp/homesickness

How to Prevent Helping with Homesickness What is it? Homesickness is, above all, a normal feeling. It is the natural result of separating from home and loved...

https://www.acacamps.org/resources/2026-january-february-camping-magazine

2026 ACA National Conference preview issue.

https://www.acacamps.org/research/get-involved-camp-research

The ACA research team considers itself a hub that connects researchers and youth development professionals from a wide variety of organizations.  We are small but mighty! Read more about the...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/character-culture-community-creating-powerful-staff-recruitment-retention-tools

Together, character, culture, and community set camps up for strong staff recruitment and retention success — two things many camps struggle with. The Cs provide a solid foundation and become part of...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/campfire-kitchen-table-communication-builds-trust

Trust doesn’t just happen — it’s built, word by word, conversation by conversation, long before the first camper ever steps onto the property. Why Communication Matters We’ve all had those...