https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/staff-retention-recruiting-revving-season
Staff Retention, Recruiting, and Revving Up in the Off-SeasonBy this point in the year, you've processed your staff evaluations, and you've been thinking about those difficult decisions: "Should I hire her back?" or "This person just didn't cut it; is it time...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/research-parents-perspectives-resident-camp-experiences-dimensions-predict-retention-word-mouth
Research — Parents’ Perspectives on Resident Camp Experiences: Dimensions that Predict Retention, Word-of-Mouth Marketing, and SatisfactionA primary challenge for any business is recruiting and maintaining customers. In 2012, 27.2 percent of camps surveyed reported camper enrollment that was lower or at its lowest point compared to the...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/belonging-backbone-leadership-what-staff-wellness-data-taught-us-2025
Belonging as the Backbone of Leadership: What Staff Wellness Data Taught Us in 2025“I see how hard you’re working.” That was all it took. One counselor described this simple recognition as the highlight of their entire week. In the swirl of noise, energy, and long camp days,...
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/when-staff-mesh-impacts-camp
When Staff MESH Impacts CampEveryone has a mental, emotional, social health (MESH) profile. For most of us, our MESH profile is within a “normal” range. Some days are better than others. Some things push our buttons, others don...
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/new-data-staff-compensation-benefits-how-does-your-camp-compare
New Data on Staff, Compensation, and Benefits: How Does Your Camp Compare?Here's a snapshot of new data we collected from ACA camps about all things staff-related.
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/evidence-informed-guidance-summer-camp-staff-training-part-3-structure-transferability
Evidence-Informed Guidance for Summer Camp Staff Training, Part 3: Structure and TransferabilityPart three of this Research 360 blog series discusses how to structure summer camp staff training so it can transfer to camp work.
https://www.acacamps.org/blog/evidence-informed-guidance-summer-camp-staff-training-part-2-competencies-training-effectiveness
Evidence-Informed Guidance for Summer Camp Staff Training, Part 2: Competencies and Training EffectivenessPart two of this Research 360 blog series covers what competencies summer staff should learn during training and how training effectiveness is influenced by characteristics of camp staff.
https://www.acacamps.org/resources/2026-january-february-camping-magazine
2026 January/February Camping Magazine2026 ACA National Conference preview issue.
https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/meet-staff-where-they-are-not-where-you-wish-them-be
Meet Staff Where They Are — Not Where You Wish Them to BeUnanswered emails. Requests (demands) for time off. Over-involved parents. What's the matter with young people today? Most likely nothing! We have more in common with this cohort of staff than one...
https://www.acacamps.org/resources/staffing-compensation-benefits-report
Staffing, Compensation, and Benefits ReportEach year, the American Camp Association (ACA) surveys its members about specific areas of their camp operations and makes the results available so camps can benchmark their business practices.