https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/innovating-elevating-camper-futures-2019-eleanor-eells-award-winners

Each year, ACA’s Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence recognizes camps that epitomize the spirit of the award’s namesake through their efforts to provide sterling programming that...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/campocalypse-seven-predictions-about-summer-youth-programs

Forget camp as you know it, because the world is changing faster than camp professionals are holding their ground. Forget camp’s unique combination of community living away from home in a beautiful...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/interface-between-camp-family-challenge-dealing-loss-bereavement

In my years as a staff trainer/advisor, perhaps one of the most challenging issues I have had to deal with is helping campers, staff members, and families deal with illness and death occurring prior...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/can-we-talk-difficult-management-conversations

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” It’s a simple question that in the blink of an eye can send the receiver on an emotional roller coaster. Take a moment and slowly read the following list. Pretend...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/through-line-caring-compassion-conflict-resolution

July’s Camp Kindness Day showcased the role that organized camping plays in promoting character traits that ultimately transcend June, July, and August, amplifying that what young people can learn...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/mesh-essential-eligibility-criteria-creating-recipe-camper-success

For generations, the family was known throughout the area as masters of making the most amazing fudge. Taking days to prepare, fudge making was an event — and those lucky enough to receive some would...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/generating-your-backup-plan

Most people recognize that generators come in different “sizes” and understand that bigger “things” require bigger generators. After that, though, eyes glaze when the discussion turns into techno-...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/inside-joke-worth-having

There are many different kinds of relationships you will have in your life. The relationship you will have with your campers this summer, though, will be among the most unique, powerful, and...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/place-share-i-said-i-think-i-am-disposable

At a 2014 ACA National Conference session, I was asked by seasoned camp professionals, “Why do young staff ask us so many questions when we give them a task?” Without hesitation, I replied, “Because...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/learning-rise-through-research-evaluation

The year was 1995. It was early September, and I was just barely back as camp director at Sherwood Forest. Our summer programs then were 12-day sessions — two for boys and two for girls referred by...