About ACA

• List of Members of the Pioneers of Camping Club
• Brochure/Paper Application to Join (PDF)

The Past Will Preserve the Future

Pioneers leave a legacy for others to follow. Our legacy is the knowledge we share that will help others promote and preserve the camp experience for the next generation.

Members are asked to record and document their accomplishments, programs, and contributions to the camping profession. This documentation process preserves our heritage and offers a valuable historic perspective to others in the field. Through the club's Pioneer Partners project, members also have the opportunity to assist and encourage young camping professionals. Please use this application form to state your interest. There is too much talent here to lose. Please offer to share your wisdom with others and encourage other Pioneers to do the same.

Pioneers Club Benefits

• An annual, inspiring event where ACA Pioneers are recognized
• Opportunity to preserve and promote the camp experience with rich tradition and history
• Strong network of dedicated camp enthusiasts
• Opportunity to counsel young professionals in camping
• Pioneers of Camping plaque
• Photograph and history kept at the national office
• Listing in one issue of ACA's Camping Magazine each year

Who Can Join

• Any individual who has been a practicing camp professional for at least thirty years and is currently a member of the American Camp Association. (Includes those currently working and retirees. Memorials for deceased members are acceptable.)
• Any camp who can document that it has been in continuous operation for at least thirty years and is currently affiliated with ACA.

Questions about Pioneers? Contact one of us:

Amanda Carter 765-349-3506
Grechen Throop 765-349-3517
 

Volunteer with ACA

Advocate for quality camp experiences as a vital and enriching developmental experience

Strategic Outcomes

• ACA will implement a comprehensive communications strategy so that all stakeholders have an increased understanding of the value of a camp experience and ACA’s role in supporting health, safety, wellbeing, and quality in camp programs
• ACA will proactively foster and grow relationships and partnerships to extend ACA’s ability to advance our strategic goals
• ACA will implement proactive public policy strategies through engagement and relationship building at the federal level. ACA will also provide resources and support to volunteers at the state and local levels

Advance the reach and relevance of camp experiences by expanding equitable access to camp and developing culturally responsive practices that foster a strong sense of belonging at camp for people from all backgrounds.

Strategic Outcomes

• ACA will implement strategies to identify, engage with, and build an understanding of the communities that are under-represented as campers and camp staff to develop strategies for increasing their participation
• ACA will secure new funding that supports strategies to increase equitable access to camp experiences and to support increasing the number of people who have a camp experience each year
• Working with trusted partners, ACA will develop strategies and resources to help camps increase the diversity of campers, staff, and professionals

Advance and cultivate quality camp experiences through evidence-informed best practices, foundational accreditation standards, industry-leading evaluation tools, and exceptional professional development.

Strategic Outcomes

• ACA will expand resources and programs that identify and address educational priorities of the field and address the critical issues facing camps
• ACA will leverage research, evaluation, and evidence-informed best practices to develop educational programs, resources, and leading practices to empower camps to provide quality experiences for all
• As a foundation for quality, ACA will ensure that accreditation and the accreditation process continue to provide relevant national standards related to health and safety at camp while expanding the number of camps participating in the program
• ACA will continually grow membership

Ensure the ability of ACA to grow and achieve its mission by improving organizational strength, capacity, and alignment.

Strategic Outcomes

• ACA will increase member engagement and volunteerism and recruit new and diverse people to support the delivery of core programs
• ACA will establish a strong culture of philanthropy across the organization and deepen relationships with partners, resulting in expanded individual, corporate, and grant funding
• ACA will strengthen and deepen organizational effectiveness by increasing alignment, strengthening communication and collaboration, and clearly defining roles at the national, regional, and local levels

Email us at strategicplan@ACAcamps.org with any questions.

2023 Annual Impact Report

2021 and older reports are in PDF format.

• 2022 Annual Impact Report
• 2021 Annual Impact Report
• 2020 Annual Impact Report
• 2019 Annual Impact Report
• 2018 Annual Impact Report
• 2017 Annual Impact Report
• 2016 Annual Report
• 2015 Annual Report
• 2014 Annual Report
• 2013 Annual Report
• 2012 Annual Report

Building Belonging and Empowering Camps

The American Camp Association (ACA) believes in our mission and vision of empowering camps to create quality experiences that build a world of belonging and growth. It's a mission that we believe will impact lives and transform the way we view education, professional development, accreditation, government relations, and community engagement.

The heart of the camp experience is built on a foundational expectation that we all deserve the opportunity to feel like we belong. We believe camp is about fostering a healthy and safe environment where every camper feels valued, accepted, and celebrated for who they are. In a world that often emphasizes differences, camps have been a sanctuary where diversity is viewed as strength.

Belonging doesn't just happen; it's intentionally nurtured. It's the feeling of being part of something bigger — a community that supports, challenges, and uplifts each other. It's the counselors who become mentors, the campers who become lifelong friends, and the lessons that shape us.  

We believe camp staff are the architects of safe and transformative experiences. We see how your dedication, passion, and commitment are what make our camps not just places on a map, but places of purpose.

As we look ahead to the next stage of growth for ACA, let's lean into this engaging new chapter — to empower camps to create quality experiences that build a world of belonging and growth. Let's continue to innovate, adapt, and evolve.

Together, as members, volunteers, and stakeholders of our shared success, ACA is a place to connect and thrive, building careers and mentoring the next generation of leaders. In a time when our society sometimes feels polarizing and unfocused, let us be the shining example of unity through diversity.

The future calls on each of us to commit to our new mission and vision with grace and innovation — to build a world where every school-aged individual has access to quality camp experiences.

Join ACA Today

Nominations for 2024 member‐at‐large positions are due by October 13, 2023.  If you have a nomination, please complete the Board Prospect Form. 

Any member of the American Camp Association may submit recommendations for nomination to the ACA Board of Directors.  Members may submit their own names, if desired.  The ACA Board Development Committee (BDC) is charged with maintaining a database of persons interested in board service.  The BDC is appointed by the Board of Directors and meets throughout the year to complete its work, which includes monitoring the terms of board members, developing a gap analysis related to Board needs, reviewing and cultivating potential candidates for service, interviewing potential candidates, and developing a slate of officers and members for election by the Board of Directors. 

The steps for recommending candidates and election to the ACA Board of Directors are as follows:

Step One

Skill Set Evaluation:  In conjunction with the Board of Directors, the BDC will assess the Board’s skill set requirements and needs on an annual basis in the fall of each year.

Step Two

Evaluation of Current Board Members: The BDC will review the self-evaluations of current members of the ACA Board who are eligible for reelection and wish to serve a second term, evaluate their skill sets in comparison with the needed skill sets as identified by the Board.  The BDC may request assistance from a third party in evaluating current Board members.

Step Three

Receiving Recommendations for Potential New Board Members:  Based on the Board’s identified skill set requirements, the BDC will consider nominees recommended by Board members, ACA members, ACA staff, and other recommendations that may come to the committee’s attention and will review profiles already in the Board's prospect database. Recommendations should be made using the Board Prospect Form. 

Step Four

Reviewing Candidate Resumes:  The BDC will meet to review candidates and their resumes in fall of each year.  After consideration and approval by the full committee, a BDC member will be assigned to interview prospective board members.  The BDC will assess the individuals for a high level of personal and professional integrity and commitment to promote the long-term interests of the American Camp Association.  Finally, the BDC should be convinced that the potential candidate can commit adequate time to serve as a Board member.

Step Five

Additional Interviews and Due Diligence:  With the prospective candidate’s concurrence, a due diligence process and evaluation will be conducted.  

Step Six

Voting on New Members: The cumulative results of the interview process will be discussed with the entire BDC and a formal vote will be taken to recommend candidates to the ACA Board for election. The BDC chair will draft a cover sheet for review by the Board with brief biographical information about each recommended candidate.  The ACA Board will vote at the Board meeting just prior to the ACA National Conference.  New Board members take office immediately following the National Conference and attend a virtual orientation shortly there after. They will also attend an in person orientation just prior to the spring board meeting. 

Join us for future virtual conversations among peers. Support and be supported by others. 

Previous Conversations 

• Being Heard & Making a Difference: Tips for Getting Your Session Proposal Accepted – April 2023 – Recorded Session
• Mental Health and Faith-based Camps with Cara Morales – March 2023 – Recorded Session
• Board Development with Ann Sheets – December 2022 – Recorded Session 
• Managing Donor and Alumni Relations with Dail Ballard – March 2022 – Recording | Nonprofit Resources
• Spirituality and Environmentalism with Maggie Braun – December 2021 – Recording | Slides | Resources Mentioned
• Staffing Challenges with Project Real Job – October 2021 –  Recording | Project Real Job Resources

Membership in the Faith-based Camp Professionals Group

The Faith-based Camp Professionals is an affiliate organization of the American Camp Association (ACA) and operates within guidelines created by ACA to serve the special interest of the religiously affiliated camp community. Membership in this community is open to any individual or camp that is a current member of ACA. Contact ACA's membership team for more information about joining at 765-342-8456. 

• Connections to a network of peers
• Newsletter supporting your work
• National voice
• Professional development on issues important to the faith-based camp community
• Professional development in volunteer management

Faith-based Organizations with Camps

Looking for other camps just like yours? Here are some of the denominational groups that operate camps. Many of these organizations offer resources that might support your work, too. 

• Association of Independent Jewish Camps
• Catholic Youth Organization
• Cedarbrook Camps
• Episcopal Camp and Conference Centers
• Evangelical Covenant Church
• Jewish Community Center Association
• Jewish Day Camp Network
• Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
• NCSY – formerly National Conference of Synagogue Youth
• Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association
• Ramah Camping Movement
• Salvation Army USA
• Seventh-day Adventists – North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Camp Professionals
• Union for Reform Judaism Camps
• United Church of Christ
• United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries
• YMCA of the USA