FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Camp and Youth Development Professionals meet in Orlando, Florida
Martinsville, IN (January 12, 2023): The American Camp Association® (ACA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 National Awards. The award winners will be recognized at ACA’s National Conference in Orlando, Florida, from February 21–24.
2023 Award Winners
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor presented to a member of the American Camp Association. The award recognizes an individual for outstanding service in the field, as well as leadership within ACA.
2023 Recipient:
Tish Bolger, Northland
National Honor Award
The National Honor Award is designed to recognize meritorious service by an ACA member or former member for noteworthy contributions to the advancement of camp through leadership and industry.
2023 Recipient:
William “Bill” Jones, Northland
National Service Award
The National Service Award is designed to recognize continued and increasing service to ACA at the national level.
2023 Recipients:
David Petersen and Nancy Garran, New England Mike Stillson, Southern California/Hawaii
Maria Horner, Southern California/Hawaii Elizabeth “Liz” Young, New England
Sterling Nell Leija, Rocky Mountain
Nancy Hartmann, New England
Andrea Yenter, Wisconsin
Anne Weinberg, Heart of the South
Hedley S. Dimock Award
The Hedley S. Dimock Award is given to one who contributes to camping through related fields such as outdoor education, conservation, recreation, medicine, education, architecture, or social sciences.
2023 Recipients:
Matt Buczek, New York and New Jersey
Rachel Fendell Satinsky, Keystone
Jack Weiner Leadership Award
The Jack Weiner Leadership Award is designed to support a young person who is pursuing a career in the camp field. The award ensures professional development by providing financial support for the recipient to attend and fully participate in the ACA National Conference.
2023 Recipient:
Jordan Christine Pugh, Texoma
Special Recognition Award
The Special Recognition Award is designed to honor groups, organizations, or individuals for their efforts to promote camp on a national level.
2023 Recipients:
Terry Ackley, Southeastern
Michelle Koplan, Oregon Trail
Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence
The Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence is designed to honor programs that develop effective, creative responses to the needs of people and/or societal problems using the camp environment or programs which demonstrate the positive contributions the camp experience has on the well-being of individuals and society.
2023 Recipients:
MedCamps of Louisiana, Inc. — Pennies on the Dollar: Creative Partnerships in Camping, Heart of the South
DC Department of Parks and Recreation — DPR Boost Camp, Chesapeake
Camp Aldersgate — Kota Camps, Heart of the South
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit — Camp Ozanam, Michigan
Camp Hometown Heroes/Camp Reunite: Grief Therapy and Healing through Camp Experiences, Wisconsin
Roundup River Ranch — Joy, Delivered, Rocky Mountain
Eleanor P. Eells Award for Research in Practice
This award recognizes excellence in research practices that improve program practice or evaluate the outcomes of the camp experience.
2023 Recipient:
Tim Hortons Foundations Camps: “Continuous improvement and program quality assessments,” Heart of the South
Marge Scanlin Research Award
Marge Scanlin was a driving force behind many of the research efforts of ACA. Upon her retirement, this award was established as an ongoing tribute to recognize Marge’s contributions. The monetary award is given annually to a student in recognition of their completed research efforts that result in originality, innovation, and significant contribution to the advancement of the body of knowledge concerning the camp experience. In addition to being presented with the award at the national conference, the winner will present the research at the Research Symposium.
2023 Recipient:
Meagan Ricks, University of Utah, Southwest
- Wendell and Ruth T. Howe Golden Quill and Golden Lens Awards
These awards, which are funded through a memorial established in J. Wendell and Ruth T. Howe’s name, encourage excellence in writing and photography. The awards recognize those individuals who contribute their talents to Camping Magazine through quality articles that address the needs of camp professionals and outstanding photography.
2023 Golden Quill Recipient:
Kathleen “Mo” Taylor, OTR/L, Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the article “Life and Autism: How Camps Can Support Campers and Staff on the Autism Spectrum” (published Jan/Feb 2022).
Runner-up:
Kim Aycock, MST, and Jolly Corley, MS, for the article “Commitment: How Do We Earn It — and How Do We Keep It? (Published March/April 2022), Southeastern
2023 Golden Lens Recipient:
Luke Coxhead for the photo “Wings of Wonder”; Camp Chinqueka, New England
Runner-up:
Sasha Calderon for the photo “Riding the Camp Wave”; YMCA Camp Surf, Imperial Beach, Southern California/Hawaii
During the conference, members of the news media will have the opportunity to interview featured presenters, keynote speakers, and ACA spokespersons. For additional information, interview requests, and press credentials, please contact us at pr@ACAcamps.org or 812-269-2819.
About ACA:
The American Camp Association® (ACA) is a national organization serving the more than 15,000 year-round and summer camps in the US who annually serve 26 million campers. ACA is committed to collaborating with those who believe in quality camp and outdoor experiences for children, youth, and adults. ACA provides advocacy, evidence-based education, and professional development, and is the only independent national accrediting body for the organized camp experience. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp’s voluntary commitment to the health, safety, risk management, and overall well-being of campers and staff. For more information, visit ACAcamps.org or call 800-428-2267.
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