https://www.acacamps.org/blog/connecting-nature
Connecting with Nature"Camp is a time to explore, a time to let your brain grow, and a time to connect with the outside." In this video blog, former ACA CEO Tom Holland explains the benefits of getting outside at...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/conversation-katie-how-one-camper-handles-mental-illness
A Conversation with Katie — How One Camper Handles Mental IllnessThe thing about mental, emotional and social health (MESH) is that you never know when, and you never know how, it is going to affect you...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/making-sense-mesh-partnerships-parents
Making Sense of MESH: Partnerships with ParentsAs we tackle mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) issues in our programs, we must use every tool possible to help the struggling person. ...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/want-improve-your-response-mental-health-challenges
Want to Improve Your Response to Mental Health Challenges?Camp professionals often ask what they might do to more effectively respond to staff and camper mental, emotional and social health (MESH) needs. This often arises from a desire to be as inclusive as...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/instilling-meshages-marginalizes-toxic-stress-camp
Instilling MESH'ages Marginalizes Toxic Stress at CampAs the Healthy Camp Education and Monitoring Program (HCEMP) committee studies MESH and its implications, I was interested to see some foundational work in this area. In...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/talk-set-success
The Talk That Set Up SuccessLike many camps that are hiring college-aged staff to work during the summer, over the past few years I have noticed an increase in staff that are being treated for (or have recently been treated for...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/choosing-camp-dont-forget-data
Choosing a Camp: Don’t Forget the Data!Hello camp parents! My name is Laurie, and I recently joined ACA as the Director of Research. In this role, I facilitate Research 360, which is ACA’s new...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/noticeable-impact-camp-kids
The Noticeable Impact of Camp on KidsHi parents! My name is Deidre Pettinga and I’m the Chief Marketing Officer for the American Camp Association (ACA). In this role, I work with our communications, business development, and...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/what-greater-gift-gift-camp
What Greater Gift Than the Gift of CampLet me introduce myself. My name is Harriet Lowe and I’ve worked for the American Camp Association (ACA) for almost 16 years—first as the director of communications and now in a part-time role as...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/most-important-question-you-can-ask-alumni-staff-applicant
The Most Important Question You Can Ask an Alumni Staff ApplicantWe love having alumni apply to work for our program. Following their years of participation as campers, we ask them to step away for a year or two before they can reengage as a staff member. We...