https://www.acacamps.org/blog/sponsored/how-i-made-2000-friendship-bracelets-4-weeks

“I have an idea . . . but it’s a little crazy.” The weekly marketing meeting began with this disclaimer from me. I proposed that we, my team of six people, would make 2,000 friendship...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/program-quality-continuous-improvement-tims-camps

Program quality (PQ) is essential to youth programs, and research shows that high-quality programs are directly linked to more positive outcomes for youth. PQ refers to the environment that is...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/research-360-quality-vs-outcomes-smackdown

If you've been following this blog you know that the Research 360 goal is to build camp evaluation capacity. Thus far I've described what...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/summer-camp-unique-environment-social-emotional-learning

As an education research organization affiliated with the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, we thought it was an exciting opportunity to investigate camp as a unique learning...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/happy-campers-how-camp-relationships-promote-social-emotional-learning

Young people are diverse and dynamic, and they have myriad pathways to success. Unfortunately, youth development research often highlights watered-down averages of sample sets that offer limited...

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/introducing-new-free-friend-camp-program-quality-staff-checklist

Before I get started, I have a confession: I lied. I said in the title that in this post I was going to introduce you to a new friend, but that’s not entirely true. The Camp Program Quality Staff...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/campwire-episode-5-outdoor-education-school-groups-tim-street

In the fifth episode of CampWire, Sam talks with Tim Street from Bradford Woods in Indiana about school groups and outdoor education at camp.

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/crafts-help-campers-develop-skills

In honor of National Craft Month in March, Amy Liikala shares her camp crafting memories and what skills she learned from crafting at camp.  When you think back to your own youth...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/campwire-episode-35-harness-power-plants-your-program

 Join the conversation about the importance and value of connecting young people to the power of plants and the rewards of growing them as a key aspect of youth development.