https://www.acacamps.org/blog/celebrating-indigenous-peoples-heritage-month

In honor and acknowledgment of Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month, this blog post discusses the work of ACA's Indigenous Peoples Task Force. For the month of November, we are also offering...

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

ACA’s Character at Camp Initiative is a six-year effort to expand, strengthen, and celebrate character development at camp. Funded in 2023 by Lilly Endowment, Inc., the initiative includes the...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/promoting-character-education-parents

Most parents want their children to develop traits like honesty, responsibility, kindness, empathy, respect, perseverance, self-confidence, curiosity, creativity, and compassion; essentially aiming...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/strategic-planning-rooted-character

Every camp reaches a moment when it has to ask itself: Are we still serving our mission in the most impactful way? Are we ready for the future? How do we ensure long-term sustainability...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/more-character-less-risk

Risk management is a significant part of any camp professional’s role. Reducing risk at camp requires committing to a combination of approaches, such as regularly updating policies and procedures,...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/safe-try-safe-fail-cultivating-courage-growth-camp

“Can I try again?” I heard those four words one morning at archery, spoken with shaky confidence by a 10-year-old named Jordan. He’d missed the target, not just the bullseye, but the entire hay...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/fostering-positive-character-camp

The “fun” started on the very first day of camp. I was helping some of my 10-year-old boys put their belongings into their respective cubbies when I turned to help a youngster we’ll call “Jake.” As I...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/moving-forward-together-character-camp

At any given point in the summer, I can stop what I am doing and listen. Through the distance and the noise, I can hear the laughter and play of millions of children at camps across the country. As I...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/character-cultivation-character-controversy

Let’s be honest: as camp leaders, you deal with a lot of controversy. And it can be exhausting! Controversy may stem from drama with staff, parents, or your board — and camper drama is ever-...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/character-time-place-culture-meditation-growth-camp

The word character carries weight. It evokes images of resilience, courage, and kindness under pressure — qualities we hope to develop in our children and refine in ourselves. Yet character, like the...