ACA, New England Donor Story – Amanda Zoellner
March 21, 2023
Camp is a community. Organizations, like ACA, New England, that carry missions related to the growth and longevity of camp rely on the membership, participation, and support of folks in that community.
Whether it’s time, money, resources, ideas, social media, etc. ACA, New England is consistently overwhelmed with the kind words, gestures, and donations that help us continue to help the camp community ensure better camping for all.
Throughout the year, we are going to share stories and testimonials from people who embody the word “donor”, and ultimately we hope their inspiring words will arouse fond feelings towards camp and encourage our readers to get involved however they can.
As always, continue to be there for one another, and remember that ACA, New England is always here for you.
I believe in the value of accreditation, professional development, and networking, but the thing that’s most important to me is supporting a community of camp professionals.
Donor Story – Amanda Zoellner
How did you first become involved with ACA, New England?
I first became involved with ACA, New England when I started working for Mass Audubon’s Wildwood Camp in 2005. My first week of work, I attended the ACA, New England conference. After that, I attended local events, volunteered in various capacities, became a visitor in 2007, and served two terms on the board, concluding after I moved to California in 2014. I made lots of connections – and friends! – within the ACA, New England community, and I feel like I had access to the resources and network that turned me from a camp employee to a camp professional (It was also physically easy for me to be involved – I lived in Lexington, just down the bike path from the office!).
Why is it meaningful or important for you to invest in ACA, New England?
I started to give because one person asked me; the funds development chair at the time was someone I liked and respected, and who genuinely wanted me to be involved, and when he asked me to give, I said yes. My early contributions were modest, but I kept making them. Other dedicated volunteers and staff saw potential in me and asked me to get involved in more ways, and now when I give, I hope I am honoring them too. It was a wrench to leave New England and my camp people in 2014, and one way I consoled myself was through continuing to give to ACA, New England. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to make somewhat larger gifts now than I could when I started!
The most impactful part of [ACA, New England’s] mission for me is providing resources and increased access to camp however one defines “camp”. Volunteering allows me to stay engaged, help those who need helping out, and [continue] to grow professionally and personally. I see ACA, New England as the ‘Camp Resource’ for ALL so that we can ALL collaborate together [and] continue to elevate camping at large.
Which aspects of ACA, New England’s mission are more important to you?
After I moved to California, I took a job with ACA, Inc., as an accreditation manager, for the five years before I retired. I worked with camps, camp professionals, and ACA volunteers all over the country, and that was an amazing job to have. I believe in the value of accreditation, professional development, and networking, but the thing that’s most important to me is supporting a community of camp professionals. I know firsthand that those camp communities are slightly different all over the country! Even though I don’t live there any more, ACA, New England still feels like “my” community in a lot of ways, and I want to continue to support that community for other camp professionals. I want everyone to have that group of “camp friends” like the ones I treasure!
For more information or to make a donation of time, money, resources, etc. please reach out to camp@acanewengland.org or head to our Annual Fund Page.