YMCA Camps Make a Difference

The American Camp Association (ACA) and Y-USA has an agreement to support your work in providing the highest quality camp experiences possible. ACA, in partnership with Y-USA and the YMCA Camping Cabinet, has curated a list of resources that will help support YMCA camps in this effort.  

Considering Accreditation for the first time? Check out this free webinar on kick-starting the process and learn more about what it will take to prepare. 

ACA Free One-Year Membership

Never been a member of ACA? Curious what ACA has to offer? Interested in becoming one of the next camp leaders?

Take advantage of ACA's trial one-year free membership. We know you'll find something you love. We value you as an important part of the camp and youth development community, and we believe so strongly in what ACA has to offer and in our partnership with Y-USA, we're willing to offer you one free year of ACA membership.

Join online and use the promo code YMCA-ACA at check-out.

Join Now

Resources for Beginning the Camp Accreditation Process

Resources for Camp Program Quality Improvement

  • Camp Program Quality Assessment (CPQA short form) – the CPQA is a free downloadable PDF designed for use by your staff team to examine, discuss, and plan improvements to the quality of your camp program
  • CPQA Staff checklist – free downloadable 1 page PDF that lists the best staff behaviors to use in programs that contribute to positive youth development
  • ACA Program Improvement Toolbox – a 3-hour online course that provides (1) background on the characteristics of quality programs and positive youth development, (2) lessons learned from the ACA National Program Improvement Project, (3) easy-to-use observation forms (C-PQA short form) that help identify and recognize exemplary staff behaviors and interactions, (4) ways to collect and document your improvement process, (5) tips on how to use resources in staff training

Certificates of Added Qualification (CAQs)

Developed in collaboration with Y-USA, ACA’s Camp Director CAQ is a 20-hour online course for directors with fewer than six years of experience or for seasoned program staff and site managers. This intensive self-directed course provides learners with skills in all 13 core competencies required to run a camp successfully. Four other CAQs have been developed for day camp directors, middle managers, experienced program staff, and entry-level program staff. Each covers the competencies required for those positions and includes curriculum components suited to a variety of learning styles. Learn More.

Create Your Own Staff Training Package

Co-brand an online learning portal for your staff. Choose from among ACA's online courses, live webinars, recorded webinars to build a custom online package that your camp can access before they arrive at camp. Will add your branding, and you can add your own materials, including staff manuals, video clips, safety activity checkpoints, articles, assignments, quizzes, forums, and glossaries. Learn More.

Ready to Learn More?

Want to learn more about other services and benefits ACA has to offer? Trying to determine when you'll be ready for accreditation or want to learn more about camp youth outcomes? Looking to maximize discounts from vendors or additional resources from ACA? Don’t wait — set up a consultation today!

Consultation is available to YMCA camp staff to help connect you to the best learning, training, and information on accreditation opportunities for your camp.

Contact the ACA Membership Team or call 765-342-8456 and press 1.

Photo courtesy of YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir.