About Us

Overview

As one of the only independent organizations in the country to locally administer the accreditation program of the American Camp Association, we are proud to be here for you, to serve you, to advocate for you – to support you in the birthplace of our industry.

Doing business as American Camp Association, New England, we are a local Affiliate of the American Camp Association, Inc. incorporated in the state of Massachusetts as New England Camping Association, Inc. – providing local support and services to New England members of ACA, accredited camps, and the public since 1949.

View our history to see how New Englanders have been supporting the camp experience locally since as early as 1910.

Mission

ACA New England advances the camp community by providing resources and fostering partnerships, which support professionalism, safety, excellence, and increased access to camp experiences.

Values

• Fairness: Consistency, transparency, and equity-focused decision making
• Integrity: Professionalism, honesty, and authenticity
• Connections: Growth, community, empathy, support, and belonging

Purpose

The American Camp Association, New England is a community of camp professionals who, for more than one hundred years, have joined together to share knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. ACA, New England accredits nearly 400 day and overnight summer camps in the six New England states.

ACA, New England fulfills its mission and advances camp excellence by:

• Promoting the value of a quality camp experience.
• Providing comprehensive and reliable camp-related resources.
• Administering and promoting the importance of the ACA Accreditation program.
• Providing education opportunities for camp owners, directors, and staff to further best practices in the industry.
• Providing resources to the camp-seeking public on how to choose a well-suited camp, and the benefits of a summer camp experience for children.