Get Involved

There are many reasons to join ACA but the top rated perk of membership reported by current members  is the opportunity to get involved. Members have shared that having the chance to volunteer has furthered their own career through skill development and networking. ACA Illinois is a great place to develop skills in program/professional development event planning/presenting, serving on the Board of Directors and training to be the #1 rated volunteer position of Accreditation Visitor! 

Volunteering also helps your camp! Through skill development and networking while volunteering, camps gain access to new resources, innovations and top trends. Professionals have the chance to meet others who do similar work and problem solve the toughest challenges of the field. 

Volunteering helps get more kids to camp! Our volunteers help us keep our staff size small, which frees up more operational funds to be used towards sending more economically disadvantaged  children to camp through the DFI Title XX Camping Services Program and the Gordie Kaplan Campership Funds.  
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Check out the many ways to volunteer below! Have another skill or talent to share that is not on the list below? Need help determining which committee your skills would be best shared with? Call us or email us at anytime!

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Become an ACA Standards Visitor

​ Each summer camp professionals visit other camps as Standards Visitors, helping to implement the Accreditation Program for ACA, Inc. By serving as a volunteer Visitor, these professionals are able to see another camp in operation, share ideas, mentor others, learn new ideas and tips to take back to their camps and build a strong network. Serving as a Visitor is the #1 volunteer opportunity our membership takes advantage of each summer. 

​Mid States Camp Conference Volunteers
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The Mid States Camp Conference is the largest camp conference in the Midwest. ACA, Illinois staff and Conference Leadership Team would be lost without the hard work and dedication of volunteers from our camp community. If you are interested in being on the Conference Leadership Team or Volunteering at the Conference, contact Kim Steiner, Program Specialist at kim@acail.org.

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EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Camping)
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EPIC provides educational and social networking opportunities and events for individuals in the camp industry. All are welcome to join as an attendee, supporter or volunteer. For more information contact Kim Steiner at kim@acail.org.

Public Policy Committee

The Public Policy committee works to further opportunities for camps and agencies with local and state legislators. This committee is at the ready to tackle legislative challenges, advise on future bills and communicate policy changes and how they effect camps. Most importantly, this committee is charged with the great responsibility to provide a presence and knowledge of the benefits of camp to our legislators.  Thos interested in join this committee should email colette@acail.org

Office Volunteers

​ACA Illinois has a small staff and relies on volunteers to help with various projects throughout the year. Examples of projects include stuffing and stamping large mailings, filing historical materials, preparing conference name badges and more. These volunteers get lots of networking in while helping to further our mission! Sometimes Office Volunteers can only come for one project, sometimes they come in regularly - its flexible! Email kim@acail.org to learn more or sign up today!

Membership Committee

Join the membership committee and help spread the word about the great opportunities ACA Illinois provides camps and professionals! This committee often helps to lead networking events, locate new members and more. All camps benefit when more camps are accredited and more professionals are active members! Join today by emailing kim@acail.org.