ACA Mission and Vision Statement
/This summer, Sound View Camp will host accreditation visitors from the American Camping Association (ACA). We are always excited to share our camping programs for youth and families with other camping professionals. Meeting the high standards outlined by the ACA have been an important part of what we do. Please read the letter below from ACA leadership.
“Dear Friends,
We are thrilled to share with you our new mission and vision statement:
Mission: Empowering camps to create quality experiences.
Vision: Building a world of belonging and growth.
Together, we say: Empowering camps to create quality experiences that build a world of belonging and growth.
Our hope is that you will join us in our endeavor to empower quality camp experiences that build a world of belonging and growth.
At the heart of the camp experience lies a foundational belief: that everyone deserves to belong. Camps provide an environment where every camper and staff feels valued, accepted, and celebrated for who they are. In a world that often emphasizes differences, camps stand as sanctuaries where diversity is celebrated as a source of strength.
We believe belonging is not a passive outcome; it’s an intentional experience. It’s found in shared laughter around a campfire and in art shared among new friends. It’s the sense of being part of something larger — a community that supports, challenges, and uplifts one another. It’s the counselors who become mentors and the campers who become lifelong friends.
An incredibly important element of the magic of camp lies in our ability to foster growth. Camps are not mere places of recreation; young minds explore, experiment, and evolve. Campers discover their potential and learn to overcome challenges. They leave camp with a broader perspective and the confidence to take on the world.
We also believe that camp professionals are the architects of these transformative experiences. Their dedication, passion, and commitment are what elevate camps from places on a map to places of purpose. They possess the power to inspire and create an environment where belonging and growth thrive.
As we look forward to the next stage of ACA’s growth and our strategic plan, let’s embrace this chapter together. Let us build a world of quality, inclusion, belonging, and growth. Let’s continue to innovate, adapt, and evolve as members of an organization ready to grow and thrive. We are capable and ready for exceptional growth.
In the landscape of today’s society, it is important to provide kids with physically and emotionally safe spaces. Let us provide hope and solace for young minds, inspiring them and equipping them with the tools they need to make the world a better place.
The future beckons us to embrace our new mission and vision with grace and innovation — to create a world where every school-aged individual has access to quality camp experiences.
Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our new mission and vision.
Together, we will continue to empower quality camps and build belonging.
Warm regards,
Liz Fogel, EdD
Chair, National Board of Directors
Tom Rosenberg
ACA President/CEO”
