https://www.acacamps.org/blog/messages-anxious-camper

Guest post by Audrey Monke “Children want to be independent, and they realize that they cannot be truly independent until they beat homesickness, even when they have a painful case of...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/place-share-your-label-embrace-giver

In life we are accustomed to being categorized by type. Some categories are obvious: men and women, children and adults. Other categories are not as obvious but just as defining: Republicans and...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/2011-eleanor-eells-award-winners-leaders-program-excellence

From biking programs to therapeutic camping programs, the 2011 Eleanor Eells Award winners certainly lived up to the criteria of “program excellence.” ACA interviewed the directors at each award-...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/camp-crossroads-americas-past-future

If you have listened to the news lately, you’ve heard that folks are upset. A recent Wall Street Journal poll suggests that upward of 70 percent of Americans feel that the country is headed in the...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/camping-magazine/human-need-belong-evolution-how-we-think-about-camps

Humans are social creatures by nature, driven by a need to belong. Camps are social institutions by definition. As camp professionals, it is critical that we take time to understand the intricacies...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/practicing-independence

At camp, some kids practice sports, some practice instruments, and some practice their belly flops. But one thing that ALL campers practice is independence! Camp provides a nurturing and safe...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/handling-campers-homesickness

According to author and psychologist Michael Thompson, PhD, 97 percent of children experience at least some occasional homesick feelings at camp. Considering that statistic, you’ll probably have...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/dear-mom-dad-come-get-me-now

Guest post by Missy Schenck        The first time I went away to summer camp I had just finished the third grade. All first-year campers have nagging...

https://www.acacamps.org/article/parents/parents-thoughts-sleep-away-camp-bunk-selection

Right now, many parents are contacting camp directors across the country trying to make sure their son or daughter gets into the “right bunk.” The only question is, what is the “right bunk?” What...

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/my-favorite-camp-counselor

Guest post by Michael Eisen When I was nine years old I spent my first summer at camp. It was a huge step for me to be away from home for that long. I remember being very homesick that...