About ACA

Welcome to the Southern California / Hawaii Field Office. We provide local connections, resources, and professional development to camp & youth development professionals throughout the region.

Resources

Members of the American Camp Association (ACA) are encouraged to participate in ACA’s governance process and have the opportunity to do so in several different ways:

Local Council of Leaders (LCOL) – Each field office has a Local Council of Leaders. Each affiliate office has a board of directors. Contact your field or affiliate office for more information.

National Council of Leaders (NCOL) – This group is representative of the Association, with one member from each field and affiliate office. The NCOL provides a forum for the membership to address both internal and external emerging issues, as well as providing feedback on ACA Board of Directors actions, meeting in person, usually in conjunction with the ACA National Conference. Members of the NCOL engage in generative thinking and influence the work of the Association throughout the year, as they meet via electronic means on a year-round basis.

Any member of the Association may submit names for consideration as members of the ACA Board of Directors. While there are specific times that recommendations for board membership are sought, recommendations are accepted at any time for future classes.

The American Camp Association (ACA) is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, individuals who are charged with hiring the association’s chief executive and overseeing the business and affairs of the corporation. The purpose of the Board is to see to it that ACA determines and accomplishes appropriate results for the appropriate people at an appropriate cost, while avoiding unacceptable situations and conditions. The Board also serves as the link between the organization and the people who are interested or potentially interested in the camp experience.

ACA’s Board consists of 15 to 21 members, elected by the Board to three-year terms.  Members may serve two consecutive terms, but must then be off the board for at least a year.  There is an exception for the president, who may have his or her board service extended for up to an additional three years.

The Board believes that all board members, present and future, must:

• understand and value the vital role camps play in the development of healthy children and young people;
• advocate articulately for ACA and its vision in political, social, community, and business forums;
• access, activate, and lead volunteers through corporate, civic, and governmental connections;
• engage philanthropic or corporate networks to solicit and secure immediate and long-term financial resources for ACA;
• advance the mission, vision, values, and ends of ACA by extending personal and professional credibility, expertise, and leadership to the organization; and
• think broadly and strategically about the role of camps and of ACA.

ACA is committed to having half of its board members from the public, recruiting board members from ethnically diverse communities, and having board members from throughout the United States and from a broad spectrum of professions.

ACA is further committed to recruiting board members who can connect the association to individuals and organizations of influence outside of ACA who also believe in youth development and the camp experience.