The American Camp Association (ACA) is a community of camp professionals who, for more than 100 years, have been working together to help ensure the highest quality camp experiences for our nation's youth.
ACA believes that camp is critical to the education and development of the whole child, and serves as a place for positive youth development. ACA works to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience for children, youth, and adults.
By providing educational resources, research, policy work, outreach to parents, families, and other professionals, ACA members can provide safer, healthier, more fun environments where children and youth can become leaders, environmental stewards, and a healthier population.
Camp Affiliation/Accreditation
The American Camp Association Accreditation program educates camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and the health and safety of campers and staff. The Standards establish guidelines for needed policies, procedures, and practices. The camp, then, is responsible for on-going implementation of these policies.
Become an ACA member
Membership is available to anyone who is interested in advancing the Mission of ACA, wants to receive our full benefit package, and wants to keep informed of the issues affecting the camp community.
- Click here to download an ACA, NY and NJ Camp Affiliation Application (pdf)
- Click here to download an American Camp Association, NY and NJ Individual Membership Application (pdf)
- What does ACA Accreditation mean?
Membership Rates
Individual Membership Rates
| Individual | $200. |
| Individual with an International Address | $200. |
| ACA Standards Visitor | $95. ($105 discount) |
| Volunteer to my Organization | $95. ($105 discount) |
| Educator | $95. ($105 discount) |
| Expanded Learning Staff | $95. ($105 discount) |
| Retiree | $60. ($140 discount) |
| Student | $35. ($165 discount) |
Benefits of being an ACA, NY and NJ Member
Professional Development
The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey has always provided a tremendous amount of educational and professional development opportunities to camp professionals and individuals involved with youth and educational development.
The Public Guidance Service
PGS offers free, one-on-one personal guidance to help parents select an appropriate summer camp for their children. Camps that are accredited by the American Camp Association, NY and NJ and choose to enroll in this service pay NO ENROLLMENT FEE.
Search for a Camp
Search for a Camp offers parents a camp database which includes only ACA accredited camps from Pennsylvania to Maine. When parents register on the site, they will receive an emailed list of customized camps base on their needs and those that best fit for their child.
Staff Placement Website
The American Camp Association, NY and NJ developed the Staff Placement website to make the hiring process as easy as possible for Accredited camps. It works to increase interest in prospective staff by raising awareness of the professional and personal benefits of working at a summer camp.Camps accredited with the American Camp Association, NY and NJ have FREE access to this web based service.
Emerging Professionals in Camping
EPIC is a rapidly expanding group for professionals in the camp industry. Those who participate in EPIC are camp professionals, emerging directors, evolving "strong seconds" at camp or young professionals just entering the camp profession, whose growth and development is continual.
Through a series of conference experiences, social gatherings, professional conversations, round tables and increased communication, EPIC educates and connects these emerging professionals.
Legislative Monitoring
Throughout the year, camps affiliated with the American Camp Association, NY and NJ receive FREE legislative updates for Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge
SCOPE makes summer camp available and affordable to every child by funding camps with "camperships" for children in need. Residential, not-for-profit camps that are Accredited by American Camp Association, NY and NJ are eligible for these "camperships". Please call 646-278-4557 for more information on SCOPE.
Business Affiliation
Expand your connection with thousands of camp and youth professionals who spend more than $20 billion in camp products/supplies /services every year. Having an ACA Business Affiliate status is the easiest introduction to the unique camp community. Access to exclusive benefits is only available through Business affiliation. Available to businesses that supply goods or services to camps.
