Awards

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.

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.

Criteria:

• Outstanding leadership/service for at least 12 years as evidenced by 2 or more of the following:
  • Sustained impactful commitment to ACA, New England that goes above and beyond expectations of volunteerism.
  • Vision and achievement as a leader who has been instrumental in transforming the camp experience in New England.
  • Contributions impact to the broader camp community, not just individual camp, program, etc.
  • Provides volunteer leadership that significantly contributes to the advancement of the ACA, New England mission.

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.

This award is for meritorious service to ACA, New England, and the organized camp community. This individual has made outstanding contributions to ACA, New England in a multitude of areas. Recipients must have been a member for a minimum of 7 years.  The recipient should be a current or past member of ACA for a minimum of 5 years.

Evidenced by the following criteria:

• Contributions should be of exceptional benefit to ACA, New England’s efforts.
• The benefits of the candidate’s service may go beyond the local area to ACA on a regional and/or national level or other noted organizations.
• Bringing benefit and honor through good, faithful and efficient service
• Nominees must have established a pattern of excellence, normally demonstrated by the receipt of other awards.
• Provided unusual initiative and skill in leadership

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.

Given to a Standards Volunteer who exemplifies their role as the face of ACA, New England, and the ACA Accreditation process.

Awarded to an individual who demonstrates at least two of the following criteria:

• Champions the Education of the accreditation process through mentoring multiple camps or going above and beyond the call to help camps through the accreditation process.
• Is an ambassador of ACA and the Accreditation process to camps throughout the process and/or active recruiter of new camps to Accreditation.
• Advances change with regard to the Accreditation process or specific standards by bringing awareness and attention to the National Standards Commission.
• Demonstrates unusual dedication and leadership in their role as a Trainer, Instructor, Visitor, Standards Committee member, etc.

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.

Awards should be chosen from the following categories, or if desired one created specifically to better highlight the recognition.

• Visionary Trailblazing: has made significant efforts addressing a problem or improving a situation. Has created a better world/community because of efforts.
• Excellence in Leadership: exemplifies a commitment to individual leadership
• Emerging Leader: fewer than three years of experience.
• Outstanding Volunteer Service
• Board Service
• Outstanding Mentor
• Other