https://www.acacamps.org/research/special-projects/camp-program-quality-initiative

Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., ACA began a special project to explore and develop systems that support camp professionals in promoting positive youth development through camp experiences.

https://www.acacamps.org/research/continuous-improvement

At ACA, we believe in continuous improvement. We believe that our work for young people is not conceptualized in boxes or checklists; instead, we think about our work in a cyclical way—a way that...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/what-know-about-demographic-evaluation-questions-how-make-them-count-part-1

Wheewww! Summer is about over, if not over for most camps, which means that it's time to reflect on another eventful and exciting season. Along with a bit of a breather, this time of year brings lots...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/sponsored/focus-growth-learning-how-implement-aquatic-test-mark-protect-practices-camp

In the past decade, aquatic facilities across the country have adopted Test, Mark, Protect policies as a core set of strategies to reduce risk, and to set clear expectations for anyone wanting to...

https://www.acacamps.org/resources/summer-camp-therapeutic-tool-reducing-anxiety-youth

This study provides the first preliminary evidence that overnight summer camps—including those with and without specific treatments for anxiety, and youth with and without diagnosed behavioral and...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/program-outcomes-resident-camp-youth-serious-illnesses-disabilities-life-challenges

In 2005, the American Camp Association (ACA) published the first large-scale national research project assessing the youth development outcomes of children who attend day and resident camps in the...

https://www.acacamps.org/research/our-research-innovation

The ACA research team supports and facilitates rigorous research in order to expand the value and visibility of the summer camp experience and provide research-informed resources for camps. ...

https://www.acacamps.org/resources/camp-bring-whole-family

When the kids come back from camp bouncing with stories of new friends, fun activities, and favorite memories — you might think, wouldn’t it be great if your entire family could have the bonding, fun...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/family-camp-impacts-family-functioning

Introduction Families are a foundational structure of society that play a critical role in the health and well-being of communities. Every aspect of the American family is experiencing change,...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/good-bad-ugly-issues-camp-providers-face-when-providing-family-camp-programs

Family camps have become increasingly prevalent over the past several years. The number of camps offering family programs has exploded since the early 90s; reports of increases in family camps range...