New York Section American Camping Association

Professional development - several conferences and round-table gatherings are held regularly to educate camp management and staff on a wide variety of subjects beneficial towards maximizing the benefits of the camp experience to the public. They include: 1) the "tri-state Camping conference", an annual event held in cooperation with other local aca chapters, which introduced approximately 3,000 individuals affiliated with organized camps to information and products that will assist them in developing facilities, programs, and management skills which meet or exceed promulgated standards. This is done through a wide variety of lectures and workshops as well as vendor exhibits. 2) the "emerging professionals in Camping" initiative which provides educational conferences and social networking opportunities targeting camp aspiring camp directors. 3) a "resident camp conference" is a two day conference available to members focused on the enhancement of operating resident (overnight) camps. 4) a "day camp conference" is a one day conference available to members focused on operating day camps.

Organizational advancement - comprised of two programs: 1) membership services to members of the Association provide educational camp event discounts, free camp related publications, access to Association resources and camp networking opportunities and 2) a camp standards program provides camp accreditation to member camps through education and observation of camp facilities/programs. The objective is to educate camp management in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, particularly those related to program quality and health and safety of campers and staff.

Public guidance service - this program provides direct access to experienced staff counselors and on-line resources to the public for assistance in their understanding and obtaining optimum benefits from camp experiences. Contact between the public and camps is facilitated as deemed appropriate based on the needs and wishes of inquiring individuals.