The Alberta Camping Association is a not-for-profit organization and a community of camp professionals, seasonal employees, volunteers, and supporters of organized summer and youth camps. We are committed to the highest standards of quality and safety, offering a Standards & Accreditation program, education and resources for member camp programs and facilities in Alberta. Businesses that offer goods and services to camps and campers form our Commercial Members!
OUR VISION
Enriching the lives of all Albertans through high quality, safe, inclusive and fun camp experiences.
OUR MISSION
The Alberta Camping Association facilitates networking and professional development, advocates for the camping industry, communicates the value of camp and mandates high standards of quality and safety through accreditation.
The Alberta Camping Association is guided in its mission and vision by 5 core values:
SUSTAINABLE
The Alberta Camping Association must be sustainable in its existence, level of support for camps, brand recognition, environmentally and in its actions. Actions in line with this value create long term success and ensure the Alberta Camping Association is able to keep supporting summer and youth camps into the future.
COMMUNITY
The Alberta Camping Association is a professional association. We must create a safe, positive and productive environment from our community to succeed.
QUALITY
The Alberta Camping Association must provide high quality programs and experiences to our members and to the general public. We are committed to supporting the provision of high quality camp experiences across Alberta. Sustainable high quality experiences is the key to maintaining community and creating impact.
IMPACT
The Alberta Camping Association must be impactful for our members and for the general public. Impact is a core part of value and needs to be sustainable to ensure value to our members and stakeholders. Without impactful experiences, we would not be able serve our community appropriately.
GROWTH
The Alberta Camping Association must embody the spirit of continuous improvement to benefit members and our community. Growth cannot be achieved without an engaged community, quality programs, and impactful experiences. Sustainable growth is the key to supporting our community and benefitting summer and youth camps across Alberta.
WHAT WE DO
The Alberta Camping Association is the accreditation body for summer and youth camps in Alberta. We are committed to supporting camps provide high quality, safe, fun and inclusive experiences to all. Our standards ensure camps and parents understand what makes a high quality camp. Our accreditation program ensures that camps are following the standards and providing high quality, safe, fun and inclusive experiences.
As a professional association the Alberta Camping Association is dedicated to continuous improvement. We provide members with resources to support the growth of their organisations and bring together our community to provide professional development experiences.
The Alberta Camping Association brings together summer and youth camps from across Alberta to work as a community. With opportunities to problem solve collaboratively and learn from each other, we can build forward towards even better camp experiences for all.
VIEW OUR ANNUAL REPORTS
MEET THE ACA TEAM
Meet the Board
Callum Monteith
Board Chair
Callum grew up in the UK where he spent 12 years involved with the Scouts. He worked seasonally in summer camping during university, experiencing frontline work and out-tripping programs. Upon moving permanently to Canada in 2019, Callum directed day camps for YMCA Calgary before moving into his current position as YMCA Calgary’s Senior Health & Safety Manager. Callum joined the Alberta Camping Association in 2019 as part of the membership committee, and held the Membership chair before becoming Board Chair. Callum is committed to high quality member engagement and accreditation programs to continuously improve summer and youth camping in Alberta.
Aurora Anderson
Secretary
Coming soon.
Trent Diaz
CCA Rep
Nick Taven
Board Vice Chair
TBD
Andrew Dreger
Standards & Accreditation Chair
TBD
Jordan Laturnus
Education Chair
Jordan has been on the full time staff team at Southern Alberta Bible Camp since 2015 and is currently in the Program Director role. He has done camp every summer for as long as he can remember and has attended as a camper, support staff, cabin leader and summer leadership staff. He is passionate about providing great camp experiences for everyone who comes on site and is always looking at new and exciting ways to make camp better. Jordan is excited to be on the ACA board and connecting more with others in Alberta camping.
Kathy Koehler
Treasurer
Coming soon.
Tara Huxley
Membership Chair
Coming soon.
Kip Whelpley
Director at Large
Meet the Staff
Jessica Miller Switzer
Executive Director
Coming soon.
Rachel Richards
Membership & Communications Coordinator
Rachel is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for helping children find joy in movement, play, and time outdoors. She has a BA in Public Relations and a B. Ed in Physical Education. During her career she has worked in public relations and marketing, substitute teaching, and teaching physical education. When she’s not working, she’s dragging her two toddlers to the mountains for hiking, paddle boarding, and as much outdoor play as possible. Rachel is excited to work with an organization that shares her passion for ensuring Alberta children and teens find joy in the outdoors.