Awards
ACA Awards
In 1965, the ACA Board of Directors established a means of paying tribute to those who make an extraordinary contribution to the advancement of the camp movement in the United States and who have played an important role in creating today’s association. In 1991 the board updated all award criteria. Six recognition awards are currently presented at our national conference each year: the Distinguished Service Award, the Hedley S. Dimock Award, The Jack Weiner Award (approved in 2002), the Honor Award, the Service Award, and the Special Recognition Award. Another national award, the Eleanor P. Eells Award that honors outstanding programs, is also presented at that time.
The deadline to submit award nominations is October 26.
We will only accept nominations via the online form.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is ACA’s highest award. This award honors a lifetime of service to ACA and camp.
National Honor Award
This award is for individuals who have given exemplary service to ACA; work is regional and national in scope through committees, addresses, or research.
Hedley S. Dimock Award
Awarded to individuals who contribute to the field of camp from related professions, such as outdoor education, medicine, or social sciences.
National Service Award
Given to recognize continued and increasing service to ACA beyond the local level.
Special Recognition Award
Designed to honor groups, organizations, or individuals for their efforts to promote camp.
Jack Weiner Leadership Award
This award is given annually to a young professional who is pursuing a career in camp.
Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence
The Eleanor P. Eells Award will focus on recognizing program excellence at camps.
Eleanor P. Eells Award for Excellence in Research in Practice
The Eleanor P. Eells Award will focus on recognizing research in practice at camps.
J. Wendell and Ruth T. Howe Golden Quill & Golden Lens Awards
These awards—which are funded through a memorial established in J. Wendell and Ruth T. Howe’s name—encourage excellence in writing and photography
The Marge Scanlin Outstanding Research Award
This award recognizes one student each year for his/her research related to the camp experience.
Pioneers of Camping
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 are affiliated with ACA.
Do you have a great story to share, but don’t see an award category that fits your story?
- Consider nominating an individual/camp for a local award
- Share your story with us by emailing Andrea Stearley at [email protected]
- For information about ACA Awards, contact ACA at 765-342-8456 ext. 305.
Awards in ACA, Oregon Trail
We need you to help us recognize some of the amazing people and programs in Oregon Trail. We are currently seeking nominations for the Phyllis M. Ford Creative Programming Award, as well as the Scotty Washburn Service Award.
The Frank M. “Scotty” Washburn Award for Outstanding Service is awarded to an individual or team.
Marty Beck was awarded this distinction for his continued support of ACA, Oregon Trail as a Visitor, Instructor, Standards Committee Chair, District Chair and National Council of Leaders Alternate.
To qualify for nomination, the candidate(s) must:
- Be known for his/her/their outstanding service and leadership in the profession of organized camping.
- Exemplify the best in service, research, teaching, administration, funds development, mentorship and/or leadership within the organized camping profession.
- Have been a member of the American Camp Association for a minimum of two years.
Nominate an individual for the Frank M. “Scotty” Washburn Award for Outstanding Service award
The Phyllis M. Ford Award for Creative Programming is given to an ACA accredited camp or program.
Camp Westwind was awarded this distinction for their program serving children of incarcerated parents and providing a special approach to reunification.
Camp Namanu was awarded this distinction for their work divesting from Native American cultural appropriation, their Centennial year of operation, and classification as the first camp to receive National Cultural Landscape Designation.
YMCA Camp Horsetheif Reservoir was awarded this distinction for their collaboration with other Boise area nonprofits to provide camp for first generation Americans, refugees and the unhoused.
To qualify for nomination, the program must have documented evidence of the development of effective, creative responses to the needs of people using the camp environment. Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Integrating campers of various physical abilities, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, religions, home environments, etc.
- Developing a program for a camping population not previously marketed to.
- Creating innovative and effective youth, adult, and/or staff development programs.
- Addressing the emerging needs of children and teenagers in innovative and effective ways.
Nominate a camp for the Phyllis M. Ford Award for Creative Programming award
Spotlight Award
The Cascadia Camp Conference Spotlight Award honors a camp program for their innovative, inclusive and inspiring design and activities.
Learn More and Nominate a Program Today
Nominations deadline: October 20, 2024
See a list of past recipients.
Questions? Please contact Janette Kunkel, ACA, Oregon Trail LCOL Chair or John Beitner, ACA Western Region Director.