Program Planning

Young Minds Inspired (YMI) is partnering with the American Camp Association® (ACA) to bring a growing collection of free educational activities to camp programs.

Why wilderness trips remain a cornerstone of camp programming — and what makes them worth the difficulty of running them.

This blog is adapted from Powerful Programming: How to Build Great Character Qualities with Outstanding Program Planning and Leadership, an ACA Webinar presented by Michael Brandwein.

Discover how summer camp archery builds confidence, focus, and lasting passion in young campers — with tips for running a great program and real success stories.

Through their partnership, ACA and Eluna collaborate to deliver resources that help camps support youth and families navigating grief, loss, and the impact of addiction.

Camp’s “magic” has a scientific basis. Learn how five neurochemicals (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins, and cortisol) drive growth and connection at camp, plus practical ways to design programming that activates each one.

Outdoor musical play builds character, resilience, and inclusion, helping campers of all abilities feel confident and connected.

Orienteering at camp can help campers learn to analyze errors, support one another and learn from mistakes.

Here are three summertime activities that are fun for campers of all ages. Moving Water About the Game: For this game you will need two containers and one sponge, cut in half, for...

Discover NASA’s Our Dynamic Sun tool kit — free activities, images, and facts to spark curiosity about the sun for camps, educators, and astronomy fans.