ACA


American Camp Association ACA's Vision, Values, Mission & Ends (from the ACA website) Vision Enriching Lives, Changing the World Values The American Camping Association is a community of camp professionals who, for more than 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Just as our membership is diverse and our programs distinct, so are the children who come to us to participate in the camp experience. Through what we teach, the opportunities we offer, and the example we set, children become part of a sharing community. As an organization we value the world, the people who live in it, and the contribution each individual can make. These are not separate values, but concentric circles. The values that are important to us as an organization are the same as those we strive to instill in the children we guide. Contribution We believe that the camp experience is essential to every child’s growth and education. Through our membership in the ACA, we contribute by working together to promote and articulate our association as a leading authority in child development. We contribute to the lives of the children and adults who participate in our programs and to their families and our communities, and, in turn, we encourage them to contribute to those who are part of their lives and to the world in which they live. People We believe in all the children and adults who come to our camps. They are the reason we exist. Through positive child development and partnering with parents, we encourage children to value their uniqueness and to understand and appreciate their part in the larger community. We help children develop self-esteem, character, courage, responsibility, resourcefulness, and cooperation. Quality camp experiences help children develop the healthy emotional and social skills necessary to grow into strong, considerate, competent adults. The World We believe that each of us plays an important role in the stewardship of our environment—both natural and manmade. We help children grow into committed, responsible citizens by teaching them to appreciate, respect, and care for the world in which they live. Mission The mission of the American Camp Association is enriching the lives of children, youth and adults through the camp experience End Statements There will be greater public understanding of and support for the value of the camp experience. An increasing number of children, youth, and adults of all social, cultural, and economic groups, will have a camp experience. The camp experience will be of high quality. Why is it important that Camp Lake Stephens hold accredidation through ACA? Because ACA sets the standard for the summer camping community, we want to follow that standard. It is our intention to hold high the esteem of every single possible camper in regards to safety in instruction, thoroughness in programming, and deference to all areas of risk management. Thus, we find it not only helpful, but part of our calling as a religious camp to hold true to the high standards of the summer camp community. We trust ACA to help us make wise, critical decisions to make our program the best around.

American Camp Association

aca

ACA's Vision, Values, Mission & Ends (from the ACA website)

Vision

Enriching Lives, Changing the World

Values

The American Camping Association is a community of camp professionals who, for more than 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Just as our membership is diverse and our programs distinct, so are the children who come to us to participate in the camp experience. Through what we teach, the opportunities we offer, and the example we set, children become part of a sharing community.

As an organization we value the world, the people who live in it, and the contribution each individual can make. These are not separate values, but concentric circles. The values that are important to us as an organization are the same as those we strive to instill in the children we guide.

Contribution
We believe that the camp experience is essential to every child’s growth and education. Through our membership in the ACA, we contribute by working together to promote and articulate our association as a leading authority in child development. We contribute to the lives of the children and adults who participate in our programs and to their families and our communities, and, in turn, we encourage them to contribute to those who are part of their lives and to the world in which they live.

People
We believe in all the children and adults who come to our camps. They are the reason we exist. Through positive child development and partnering with parents, we encourage children to value their uniqueness and to understand and appreciate their part in the larger community. We help children develop self-esteem, character, courage, responsibility, resourcefulness, and cooperation. Quality camp experiences help children develop the healthy emotional and social skills necessary to grow into strong, considerate, competent adults.

The World
We believe that each of us plays an important role in the stewardship of our environment—both natural and manmade. We help children grow into committed, responsible citizens by teaching them to appreciate, respect, and care for the world in which they live.

Mission

The mission of the American Camp Association is enriching the lives of children, youth and adults through the camp experience

End Statements

There will be greater public understanding of and support for the value of the camp experience.
An increasing number of children, youth, and adults of all social, cultural, and economic groups, will have a camp experience.
The camp experience will be of high quality.

Why is it important that Camp Lake Stephens hold accredidation through ACA?

Because ACA sets the standard for the summer camping community, we want to follow that standard. It is our intention to hold high the esteem of every single possible camper in regards to safety in instruction, thoroughness in programming, and deference to all areas of risk management. Thus, we find it not only helpful, but part of our calling as a religious camp to hold true to the high standards of the summer camp community. We trust ACA to help us make wise, critical decisions to make our program the best around.