https://www.acacamps.org/blog/homesickness-dos-donts-parents-preparing-camp

Homesickness is a fact of life.  It is human nature to pine for what is known and comfortable.  And a stay at summer camp — even for a seasoned camper — can generate pangs of longing for...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/campwire-episode-10-staff-training-michael-brandwein

The ACA professional development team interviews Michael Brandwein for the 10th episode of CampWire. Get some great staff training tips as the summer season begins.

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/challenges-wired-parent-raising-wired-kid

Hello Camp Parents! My name is Missy and I am the database administrator for ACA. In this role, I work with a number of our teams to manage information related to the association’s members. But I am...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/how-camp-crisis-hotline-can-help-you

Sometimes, despite best efforts to be prepared in case of emergencies and expect the unexpected, crises occur. For just over thirty years, the American Camp Association (ACA) has been helping...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/no-generation-left-behind

Without a doubt, the most popular comment I get from clients in my public speaking work is (some variation of) “’Kids today have absolutely no initiative or basic work ethic! I ask them, ‘Well, how...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/its-best-part-camp-camper-views-smartphone-policies

As camp directors, we instinctually know that the experience is much better without smartphones and technology, but what do the campers themselves think?

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/your-staff-are-hired-now-what

You have hired your staff, but training does not begin for another few months. For our camp staff to be prepared to work with children on Day 1, their training must begin well before the buses pull...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/evaluating-your-camp-staff-orientation-during-orientation

You did it! You’ve checked all the boxes and hired a full team of staff for the summer — counselors, lifeguards, ropes experts, and everything in between. As spring fully begins its transition into...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/sponsored/creating-camp-culture-includes-safety-seasonal-staff

These are 10 tips to help you enhance the safety mindset and boost your camp culture at the same time.

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/value-discomfort-creating-learning-environment-camp-staff

“I don’t feel safe discussing this topic, and if a camper wanted to discuss it, I would just tell them that and redirect them to something else.” – Camp Staff 2023 I was leading an...