Better Camping For All

Since 1865, summer camp has provided outstanding development and learning opportunities for children and young adults, and it all got started here in of New England. For the majority of camp’s history, ACA, New England has supported camps, professionals, and families to ensure quality camp experiences are operated and staffed by highly-trained camp personnel.

As a thriving non-profit, ACA, NE continues to evolve and seek ways to increase the resources we provide. One way we, as a membership, can collectively support this effort is through gifts to the Annual Fund.

The Annual Fund is designed to address the greatest needs of the organization which include:

Expanding leadership education and trainings for our membership
Providing scholarships for camp professionals
Increasing marketing to expand the ACA, NE network and brand
Strengthening the breadth and depth of development opportunities in our region and beyond

As we continue ensuring quality camp experiences, a robust Annual Fund provides opportunities to support the camping industry and to deepen our impact on the lives of campers and camp professionals.

With your help, camp can grow and thrive as we harness our collective resources for future generations.

🐾ACA, New England’s “Dog Days of Summer” 2026 Calendar🐾

Pre-order your 2026 ACA, New England Camp Dog Calendar today!

This 12-month desk calendar features pictures of canine friends submitted by ACA Accredited Summer Camps & Organizations in New England. Proceeds go towards the ACA, New England Annual Fund which provide scholarships & learning opportunities for camp professionals in the New England camp community. As this calendar features camp dogs, partial proceeds from calendar sales will also go towards local New England animal rescue, Animal Rescue Network of New England. Learn more about them HERE.

➡️ Calendars are available for Pre-Order TODAY! You can pre-pay at the payment link here: ACANewEnglandPaymentForm

Calendars cost $25 and will be sent to you later this year (Fall / Winter 2025) just in time for the Holidays and the Season of Giving!

Questions? Email Ayla Gudelsky, our Marketing & Content Coordinator at ayla@acanewengland.org

Where it all Started

For over 160 years, New England camps have been summer homes to thousands of children, families and young adults. Supporting the Annual Fund ensures consistent educational opportunities for camp professionals and better camping for all.

Timeline

1861

The Gunnery

The Gunnery Camp, a former program of The Frederick Gunn School, considered to be the first American summer camp, is held in Connecticut.

1922

The First Annual Convention

The first annual convention (now the New England Camp Conference) is held by the New England Section of the NADGC.

1935

CDAA changes its name to ACA

CDAA changes its name again, to become the American Camping Association, Inc. (ACA) This name would not change again until 2004.
New England Camp Directors Association returns as a Section of ACA.

1945

New England Section Members Send Representatives to Washington D.C

New England Section members send representatives to Washington D.C. to arrange war-time transportation of campers. Members voiced the need for a full-time person and office to plan the annual convention.

1946

Mrs. Ruth H. Griffin is Appointed Executive Secretary

New England Section appoints Mrs. Ruth H. Griffin Executive Secretary for 3 Months and opens office on December 1 at 14 Beacon Street, Boston, MA.

1947

Marjorie S. Conzleman is Hired as Executive Secretary

New England Section hires Marjorie S. Conzleman as Executive Secretary. The office began offering assistance and education to those seeking camps for their children.

1949

Incorporated as NECA

The New England Section of ACA is officially incorporated as New England Camping Association, Inc. (NECA).

1952

Barbara Learoyd Becomes Executive Secretary

Barbara Learoyd takes over as Executive Secretary on May 1st.

1954

NECA conducts ‘Camper Census’

NECA conducts ‘Camper Census’ – 65,000-75,000 campers are served by NECA camps. 250,000 attend camps in New England.

1955

The National Office of ACA Moves to Martinsville, Indiana

The national office of ACA moves to Martinsville, Indiana – where it remains today.
NECA Offices move to 110 Tremont Street, Boston, MA.

1959

Velma Stone as Executive Secretary

Velma Stone takes over as Executive Secretary.

1963

NECA Moves to Boston

NECA Offices move to 120 Tremont Street, Boston, MA.

1966

Terry Phinney Becomes Executive ‘Director’

Terry Phinney takes over as Executive ‘Director’.
NECA Offices move to 687 Boylston Street, Boston, MA.

1967

NECA Offices Move

May 15, NECA Offices move to 29 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA.

1980

ACA/NES

Though still incorporated as NECA, people began referring to the organization as the American Camping Association, New England Section (ACA/NES).

1982

ACA/NES Moves to Waltham

ACA/NES offices move to 643 Moody Street, Waltham, MA.

1986

$1.3 Million Donated for the Phinney Wing

ACA members donate $1.3 million to fund an addition, the Phinney Wing, to the ACA National Office in Indiana to honor ACA/NES Executive Director Theresa (Terry) Phinney.

1990

Bette Bussel Becomes Executive Director

Bette Bussel takes over as Executive Director.

1995

ACA/NES Offices Move to Natick

ACA/NES offices move to 214 North Main Street, Suite #104, Natick, MA.

2004

Now Known as American Camp Association

The American Camping Association changed its name to American Camp Association to clarify the mission and purpose of the organization.
ACA/NES becomes known as American Camping Association of New England (ACANE).

2005

Officially Named ACA, New England

Though still incorporated as NECA, “ACANE” officially begins doing business as American Camp Association, New England. (ACA, New England or ACA, NE)
ACA, New England launched its first capital campaign to raise funds for new office space to meet the growing needs of its service area.

2006

ACA, New England Offices Move to Lexington, MA

After a successful capital campaign, ACA, New England moved its offices to 80 Westview Street, Lexington, MA.

2020

Michele Rowcliffe Becomes Executive Director

After three decades of leadership, Bette Bussel retired, but not before welcoming Michele Rowcliffe as the new Executive Director for the American Camp Association, New England. Michele previously spent nearly 25-years in camping and camp leadership with the YMCA of Greater Rochester.

2024

100th New England Camp Conference

In 2020, we celebrated the longest running camp conference in the country.

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Annual Fund

Better Camping For All

Expanding leadership education and trainings for our membership

Providing scholarships for camp professionals

Increasing marketing to expand the ACA, NE network and brand

Strengthening the breadth and depth of development opportunities in our region and beyond