https://www.acacamps.org/research/camp-research/history

View all our past research initiatives.

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/article/camping-magazine/impetigo-what-does-it-look-what-should-you-do

John presented to the camp health center begrudgingly, after his counselor requested he get a blister on his heel looked at by one of the nurses. The nurse at health check happened to be a new...

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/press-room/camp-trends/family-camps

Summer camps for children, adults, families, and seniors operate under trained professionals and have volunteer or paid staff to work with their special client groups. Camps may be found in rural,...