What American Camp Association does

The American Camp Association (ACA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association founded in 1906 and headquartered in Martinsville, Indiana. It functions as the only nationwide accrediting body for organized camps in the United States, operating a voluntary third-party peer-review accreditation program grounded in health, safety, and risk-management standards that are referenced by government entities including FEMA and the CDC. ACA serves a community of more than 10,000 camp professionals across roughly 20,000 camps reaching an estimated 7.2 million campers annually in a $26 billion industry.

ACA's product surface is built around four pillars: (1) Accreditation, the core peer-reviewed standard applied to day, overnight, medical-need, faith-based, and low-resourced camps; (2) Professional Development, delivered through 150+ online courses, certificates covering 13 core competencies, custom online staff-training platforms, and the New Director Orientation blended-learning program; (3) Member Services, including a job board, Find a Camp directory, ACA Now newsletter, Camping Magazine, Camp Crisis Hotline, National Mentorship Program, and the annual ACA National Conference (1,700+ professionals, 750 camps); and (4) Programs and Advocacy, including the Character at Camp Initiative, Disaster Preparedness and Response, CampWell, camp-school partnerships, and public-policy representation in Washington, D.C. and state legislatures. Technology is conventional association infrastructure: a learning management system, accreditation portal, member portal, and Find a Camp search tool.

ACA's revenue model combines recurring annual membership dues (individual $210, camp $405+, accredited-camp $808+, business $345–$645), accreditation fees, paid professional development and event registrations, foundation grants (notably $45.5M from Lilly Endowment Inc. in 2024 plus Cargill, Pony Barnes, SMBC, and other foundations), and individual/corporate donations through programs such as the Disaster Assistance Scholarship Fund and the American Camp Foundation endowment. Customer segments span camp professionals, parents and families, business members (vendors and service providers to the camp industry), emerging professionals, and youth-serving organizations such as 4-H, YMCA, and JCC.

Name

American Camp Association

Legal name

American Camp Association, Inc.

Website

https://acacamps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

American Camp Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1906 that serves as the only nationwide accrediting body for U.S. camps, providing accreditation, professional development, and advocacy to 10,000+ camp professionals across roughly 20,000 camps serving millions of youth annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development / Camp Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)

Keywords

• Camp accreditation services
• Youth development programs
• Membership association services
• Professional development training
• Summer camp industry

Headquarters

HQ city

Martinsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ACA generates revenue through membership fees from individual, camp, and business members. Individual memberships start at $210, camp memberships begin at $405, and business memberships range from $345-$645.
2. Accreditation Fees: Camps seeking ACA accreditation pay fees for the accreditation process, with accredited camp rates starting at $808 based on operating budget.
3. Professional Development and Events: Revenue from online courses, webinars, staff training certificates, and national conferences including the ACA National Conference.
4. Grants and Donations: ACA receives significant grant funding from foundations including Lilly Endowment ($45.5 million), Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies ($400,000), Pony Barnes Foundation ($685,000), and SMBC Global Foundation ($500,000) to support various camp initiatives.
5. Donations and Fundraising: The organization accepts donations through various programs including the Disaster Assistance Scholarship Fund, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, and the American Camp Foundation endowment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The American Camp Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the only nationwide accreditation program for organized camps, complemented by tiered membership for camp professionals and businesses, online and in-person professional development (courses, certificates, conferences), research and evaluation services, and a family-facing Find a Camp directory. Its mission is to enrich the quality of camp experiences through accreditation, education, advocacy, and community.

Product overview

The American Camp Association (ACA) is a nonprofit association serving as the national accrediting body and professional organization for camps. The organization offers a platform-plus-services architecture centered on its Accreditation Program (voluntary third-party peer review for health, safety, and risk management), combined with a suite of professional development offerings including Online Learning with courses and certificates, the ACA National Conference, Custom Online Staff Training, and New Director Orientation. Additional products and services include the Find a Camp search tool, Job Board, ACA Bookstore, Membership programs, ACA Now Newsletter, Research & Evaluation Services, Camp Crisis Hotline, Disaster Assistance Scholarship Fund, and the Character at Camp Initiative grant program. The organization also provides Core Competency Toolkits, Safety at Camp Resources, and Inclusion & Belonging Resources to support camp professionals. ACA connects camps with 10,000+ members impacting 7.2 million campers annually through education, accreditation, research, and advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ACA Accreditation Program Voluntary third-party peer review accreditation process for camps focusing on health, safety, and risk management standards. The only nationwide accrediting organization for all types of year-round and summer camps in the United States.
• ACA Membership Professional community membership offering benefits including professional development, education, research, peer-to-peer connections, and advocacy. Serves individual professionals, camps, and businesses with 10,000+ members impacting 7.2 million campers annually.
• Online Learning / Professional Development On-demand courses, certificates, recorded webinars, and staff training programs that equip camp professionals with knowledge and skills for safe, high-quality, inclusive experiences. Includes access to the ACA Learning Center with 150+ courses.
• Find a Camp Search Tool Searchable directory allowing families to find summer camps by zip code or camp name, with filters for programs and sessions offered. Helps families locate ACA-accredited camps.
• ACA National Conference Annual national conference offering quality education, networking, professional trade-show access, and special events. 2026 conference held in San Diego, CA; upcoming conferences in Louisville, KY, New Orleans, LA, and Denver, CO.
• Job Board Platform for posting and finding camp jobs including summer/seasonal positions and year-round camp positions. Includes job fairs and recruitment/retention tools.
• ACA Bookstore Online bookstore offering books and merchandise reflecting ACA's values, elevating camp professionals' voices, and inspiring learning and action.
• Research & Evaluation Services Research tools, evaluation services, and studies related to youth development and out-of-school time experiences. Includes National Economic Impact Study and National Camp Impact Study.
• Custom Online Staff Training Fully branded, trackable online training program using ACA's library of camp-focused courses. Allows camps to combine ACA courses with their own files, videos, and camp-specific materials. Includes logo, branding, progress tracking, and completion certificates.
• New Director Orientation Course for seasonal or newer camp directors covering all aspects of the director's job with primary focus on summer operation. Offered in-person/hybrid or online blended learning formats with 7 continuing education credits.
• Camp Crisis Hotline Crisis support hotline providing assistance to camps in emergency situations.
• Staff Training Certificates Certificate courses for camp staff at various levels: Camp Directors, Day Camp Directors, Middle Managers, Experienced Program Staff, and Entry-Level Program Staff. Covers all 13 ACA core competencies with continuing education credits.

Quantifiable outcome

• ACA members impact 7.2 million campers and 11,000+ learners annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 4-HcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner4-H runs youth programs and operates day and overnight camps and conference centers. ACA and 4-H work together toward providing campers and staff with a higher quality experience.
• Bowline HQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmpowering camp leaders with accessible, affordable, and modern back office solutions and CFO support so camps can invest their time in campers and administrative tasks.
• Camp Hope AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUses camp to mentor children and teens impacted by trauma. Subject matter expert on trauma-informed care at camp, using the science of Hope and evidence-based perspective to support ACA and summer learning.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelops and disseminates health information concerning youth safety and health. Collaborates with ACA on research and guidance for camps. ACA is a partner in CDC's Heads Up concussion prevention program.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs part of FEMA's ongoing catastrophic planning efforts to expand national sheltering, feeding and evacuation capacity, FEMA is developing agreements with private sector and voluntary organization partners including ACA to lease facilities during Presidentially declared disasters.
• GeneracminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading provider of backup and renewable energy solutions. Partnership reflects shared commitment to safety, reliability, and innovation, aligning Generac's expertise in power solutions with ACA's mission to support camps nationwide.
• International Camping Fellowship (ICF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes camp experiences worldwide through online networking and international events.
• JCC AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates to provide resources to support quality day and overnight camps of the JCC network and their work toward ACA accreditation.
• National Recreation and Park AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelops and offers online courses and webinars as well as national programs/initiatives promoting youth health and wellness.
• National Summer Learning AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes summer learning experiences for all children; provides communications, marketing, and outreach to improve youth development outcomes in out-of-school time settings.
• Trinity/HPSIminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational purchasing group offering substantial discounts for ACA camps including food services, propane, office supplies, building supplies, mattresses, pool supplies, and ropes.
• YMCA of the USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerY-USA has made a commitment that all YMCA camps will ultimately become ACA accredited. Y-USA and ACA are education resource partners and collaborate on advocacy and public policy for the safety of campers and staff.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Camp Fire: National youth-development organization operating a national network of camps and out-of-school programs; directly comparable to ACA in serving as a national umbrella for camp-style youth experiences and member-driven programming.
• National 4-H Council: National youth-development organization operating camps, clubs, and out-of-school programs; ACA lists 4-H as a core partner and the two share overlapping member camps, content, and youth-development mission.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth membership organization delivering out-of-school programming to millions of youth; comparable to ACA in scale, membership-driven model, and focus on youth development outcomes.
• Girl Scouts of the USA: National youth membership organization running summer camp, outdoor, and out-of-school programs; comparable in operating camps at scale, credentialing program quality, and serving a national youth audience.
• National Recreation and Park Association: National professional membership association for park and recreation professionals; directly comparable to ACA as a peer professional association delivering training, certification, advocacy, and resources to a recreation-services membership.
• Boy Scouts of America: National youth organization with a deep summer camp and outdoor-education tradition; comparable to ACA as a national youth-development organization running camps and credentialing program quality at scale.
• International Camping Fellowship: International association promoting camp experiences worldwide; directly comparable as a peer camp-industry association focused on networking, research, and advocacy for camp professionals.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: Large, established national youth-services organization that operates day and overnight camps and has committed to ACA accreditation; comparable as a major camp operator and youth-services incumbent that sits at the intersection of ACA's accreditation and member bases.

Emerging players

• JCC Association of North America: Network of Jewish community centers operating day and overnight camps and pursuing ACA accreditation; comparable to ACA as an affiliated camp operator that overlaps with ACA's membership and accreditation programs.
• National Summer Learning Association: National nonprofit focused on summer learning and out-of-school-time programming; comparable to ACA in mission (expanding access to summer experiences), membership base (program providers), and advocacy focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/acacamps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-camp-association
• Xx.com/acacamps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments7 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Camp Association