https://www.acacamps.org/blog/planning-mental-emotional-social-health-mesh-summer

The smiling faces and laughter heard across camps each summer result from days, weeks, and months of planning. We spend considerable time meticulously planning our themes, activities, equipment, food...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/findings-phase-1-5-year-research-project

ACA Director of Research Dr. Laurie Browne shares the emerging themes from Phase 1 of the Five Year Impact Study.  These preliminary findings point to the numerous ways camp...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/why-every-camp-should-be-teaching-practicing-meditation-campers

The wonder of a child — it’s something we strive for in adulthood. Imagination, amazement, and the simple appreciation for life’s little treasures: the gold spray of sunlight through a window, or the...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/introducing-exciting-expansion-acas-5-year-impact-study-camp-staff-experiences

The 5-Year Impact Study's recent expansion focuses on if and how camp staff experiences prepare emerging adults for college, career, and life success.

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/new-year-new-approach-evaluation

Greetings camp evaluators, and Happy New Year! The year 2018 brings with it a chance to try things or look at things you are currently doing with a fresh set of eyes. Yes, of course, I am talking...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/mental-emotional-social-health-situations-camp

Linda Ebner Erceg, RN, MS, PHN, shares some mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) situations that may occur at camp and how to respond appropriately.

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/parents-evaluation-holy-grail

Greetings Camp Evaluators, and a thousand thanks for taking a minute to read about evaluation during this busy, busy precamp season. I have a topic for you that is likely very real for you right now...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/new-camp-industry-research-series-part-3-programming-purpose

This blog is part of a series that gives a snapshot of the results of the Sites, Facilities, and Programs survey completed by 2,426 ACA-accredited camps. Check out...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/nellies-gift-story-trauma-informed-care

Nellie was a conundrum. She didn’t smile very readily and preferred hanging out at the edge of camper groups. She didn’t initiate conversation either; she generally waited until someone approached...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/how-get-kids-calm-down

Working closely and networking with other camp professionals is one of the best tools for growing our own camp programs. I am fortunate to have a dear friend, Audrey Monke, who is the owner/director...