2024 New England Annual Awards
April 10, 2024
Presented annually, ACA, New England is honored to thank some of our incredibly generous and thoughtful industry leaders and volunteers. Meet this year’s awards recipients below. If you have a statement of support you’d like to share for anyone honored this year, please email bud@acanewengland.org.
Thank you to everyone throughout the New England camping community. To learn more about the New England awards or nominate someone, please visit our Awards page.
Presidential Honor – Eric Arnold, Hale Education
On rare occasions a member of our community exceeds our expectations in his/her commitment to the organization. This award represents a unique opportunity to recognize an individual whose work for the benefit of camping and ACA, New England has had a profound impact. This award honors a member who has dedicated the majority of his/her life or career to the camping industry. The recipient’s remarkable service is acknowledged as unusually devoted, outstanding, selfless and noteworthy in ACA New England.
We asked some people who know Eric for their reactions upon hearing he’s receiving New England’s Presidential Honor. This is what they had to say:
Bette Bussel Distinguished Service Aware – Paul Davis, Camp Avoda
The Bette Bussel Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor regularly given by ACA, New England. It is awarded to an individual who has given outstanding leadership and service to ACA, New England for at least 12 years. It is easily recognized that no other award would do justice to the magnitude of this nominee’s contributions. This volunteer has devoted time above and beyond the normal volunteer commitment. The recipient should be a current or past member of ACA for a minimum of 8 years.
George Marcus Award for ACA Accreditation Education Service – Wendy Berliner, Camp Lindenmere
Given to a Standards Volunteer who exemplifies their role as the face of ACA, New England, and the ACA Accreditation process. They champion the education of the Accreditation process through mentoring multiple camps and going above and beyond the call to help. They are an ambassador of ACA and the Accreditation process to camps. They advances change with regard to the Accreditation process or specific standards by bringing awareness to the National Standards Commission, and they demonstrate unusual dedication and leadership in their role as a Trainer, Instructor, Visitor, and/or Standards Committee member.
Peter Kerns Award for the Advancement of Professional Development – Nick Teich, Fairwinds Camp Consulting
This award is given to an individual, group or organization that has shown extraordinary commitment to the development of camp professionals. This award celebrates the life of Peter Kerns who inspired and challenged us to continually enhance the camp experience for all..
Leadership and Service – Luke Joines, YMCA Camp of Maine
These awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate individuals, groups, or organizations for their significant contributions to ACA, New England in leadership roles or in service to ACA and the New England camp community. They are visionary trailblazers, emerging leaders, mentors, outstanding volunteers, and a value-add to the New England Camp Community.
Leadership and Service – Megan Lynch, Camp Aldersgate
These awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate individuals, groups, or organizations for their significant contributions to ACA, New England in leadership roles or in service to ACA and the New England camp community. They are visionary trailblazers, emerging leaders, mentors, outstanding volunteers, and a value-add to the New England Camp Community.
Community Honor Award – The Alliance for Camp Health
This award is given for outstanding contributions to organized camping or to ACA, New England. It is presented to individuals, groups or organizations that may or may not be members of ACA to recognize their support of quality camp experiences.