https://www.acacamps.org/resources/criminal-background-checks-issues-resources-camps
Criminal Background Checks - Issues and Resources for CampsACA believes that camps should utilize multifaceted screening and hiring programs and support practices appropriate to the clientele, staffing, supervision, and program consideration of each camp.
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/youth-objects-or-partners-advancing-opportunities-camper-leadership-decision-making
Youth as Objects or Partners? Advancing Opportunities for Camper Leadership and Decision MakingDisenfranchised by Design? Nearly 40 percent of ten- to eighteen-year-olds report insufficient levels of involvement in camp (ACA 2006). That statistic surprised most camp...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/time-our-lives-how-summer-camp-tames-transition-trouble
The Time of Our Lives: How Summer Camp Tames Transition TroubleIt is a common refrain that the college years best represent "the time of our lives," replete with newfound independence and denoting fulfillment of academic, social, emotional, and workforce...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/children-need-play-can-they-get-it-camp
Children Need Play: Can They Get It at Camp?When I was a child, in the 1950s, children were far freer than they are today. By the time I was five, I could go anywhere in town, on foot or bicycle, without adult accompaniment. My family moved...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/yes-only-means-yes-until-something-better-comes-along-making-camp-best-offer-gen-z-staff
Yes Only Means Yes Until Something Better Comes Along: Making Camp the Best Offer for Gen Z StaffStaff sign a contract, then inform you the week before camp begins that they won’t be coming after all. Or staff commit to working the entire season only to tell (not ask!) you they are leaving for...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/play-ball-innovative-staff-training-helps-campers-acclimate
Play Ball: An Innovative Staff Training Helps Campers Acclimate“They threw you a curveball,” suggests a brave staff member, after thinking it over for a moment. “Be sure you cover all your bases,” offers another. Thanking them for getting the ball rolling...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/project-real-job-moving-forward-together
Project Real Job — Moving Forward TogetherIn the early ’80s, I graduated from high school and made a simple but life-changing decision. It was May and I hadn’t yet made plans for the summer. My mom encouraged me to call my former camp...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/meeting-minds-camp-directors-higher-ed-college-students
A Meeting of the Minds: Camp Directors, Higher Ed, and College StudentsCamps need staff to run their programs; colleges/universities have various requirements for students regarding coursework and internships; and students are usually pulled between what they want to do...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/signing-dotted-line-commitment-two-way-street
Signing on the Dotted Line: Commitment Is a Two-Way StreetCongratulations! You committed to working at camp this summer, and the director and/or team who hired you have been anticipating your arrival since you signed on the dotted line! It is completely...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/been-there-done-got-t-shirt-challenges-seasonal-return-camp
Been There, Done That, Got the T-Shirt: The Challenges of the Seasonal Return to CampWelcome back! In most camps, returning staff are an important part of a successful summer, bringing knowledge, perspective, and opportunities to broaden the camp experience for the campers. It's also...