About ACA
ACA, Northwest
ACA Northwest is a newly established field office created through the merger of ACA, Evergreen and ACA, Oregon Trail. It encompasses camps and camp professionals from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Volunteer Leadership
2025 - 2026 Western Awards
Your Local Council of Leaders want to recognize exceptional individuals and camps for their achievement in the summer camp world. Nominations can be for a program, work in inclusive practices, outstanding mentoring, service, and so much more! Remember that summer camps are overnight/sleepaway, day, and camps on campus. Nominate a person or camp to be recognized for the amazing work they are doing. Awards are considered on a rolling basis.
- You may still view previous award information for ACA, Evergreen and ACA, Oregon Trail.
- You may still view public policy information for ACA, Evergreen and ACA, Oregon Trail.
Cascadia Fall Campference
November 3-5, 2025
Coeur d'Alene, ID
https://www.acacamps.org/events-education/event/cascadia-fall-campferen…
Contact ACA Staff
Janette Kunkel, Western Region Director
Direct line: 765-349-3523 | [email protected]
Anna Danila, Membership Manager
Direct line: 765-349-3530 | [email protected]
Anne Izard, Professional Development Manager
Direct line: 765-349-3537 | [email protected]
Accreditation [email protected]
American Camping Foundation
The Foundation Board includes members who serve on the ACA Board of Directors and are appointed by the ACA Board of Directors. ACF also elects independent members to serve on its board.
ACF meets three times a year to address issues facing ACA and to determine how best the foundation can support ACA. We are fortunate to have the foundation as a resource and guide for the benefit of our membership association.
2025-2026 ACF Leadership
- Anne Derber, Chair
- Will Pierce
- Andy Shlensky
- Tony Stein
- Steve Suddeth
- Liz Fogel
- Steve Baskin, Chair, ACA Board of Directors
- Don Cheley, Emeritus
The Acorn Society
The Acorn Society is our membership society that recognizes donors who have made an outright gift to the foundation or included ACA in their estate plans.
Kruger Endowment
The Kruger Endowment is part of ACF and was established to honor Joe Kruger, a camping great and volunteer who brought a child-centered approach to camp.
Pioneers of Camping
Who We Are
The Pioneers of Camping Club was founded in 1985 by Marvin and Annette Black in honor of Marvin's father, Edwin "Hughie" Black, who started Pine Forest Camp in 1931. The Club offers special recognition for ACA members with at least thirty years of professional camp experience and for camps that have been in operation for at least thirty years and affiliated with ACA.
This exclusive club's membership now includes over 130 individuals and over 165 camps. Each year at ACA's National Conference, new Pioneer members are presented with a Pioneers of Camping plaque symbolizing their commitment to the field of camping. All Pioneer members are invited to join together at a luncheon meeting or other event to share and learn from each other.
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 historical 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. Learn more about the ACA National Mentorship Program, 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
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 Marna Redding at [email protected].
Strategic Plan
Get Involved with the Strategic Plan
ACA needs your help to ensure the children, youth and adults we serve thrive. Join us on our journey to equip generations of youth for a bright future!
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 [email protected] with any questions.
Annual Impact Report
2021 and older reports are in PDF format.
- 2024 Annual Impact Report
- 2023 Annual Impact Report
- 2022 Annual Impact Report
- 2021 Annual Impact Report
- 2020 Annual Impact Report