There are a number of awards available to be presented to worthy individuals, camps and organizations each year at the ACA Annual Conference. Individuals or camps may submit a nomination for consideration by the Awards committee of either the Alberta Camping Association or the Canadian Camping Association.

Thanks for your interest in the ACA Awards Program.  Nominations for the 2023 awards are now open.  Submission deadline is February 1. Awards will be presented at the 2024 Annual Conference.

ACA Awards for Individuals

In Honour of William Donald (Don) Smith

PURPOSE
To recognize service and/or dedication to Camping Alberta – be it professional, lay or philosophic. It may be awarded to recognize long service, professional improvement, or significant involvement in support of camping endeavours.

THE AWARD
The Award shall consist of a handcrafted sculpture which will be displayed at the ACA office and inscribed with a plaque regarding the recipient’s name and contribution. A citation honouring the achievements of the award winner shall be published in the ACA Awards Program and the ACA’s newsletter. The Don Smith Award recipient will also become an honorary life member of the Alberta Camping Association and this membership will carry all rights and privileges of regular membership.

SELECTION CRITERIA
The nominee must have made a significant or outstanding contribution through long service, professional improvements or personal involvement in support of camping endeavours.

BACKGROUND
Known for his philosophy of “living and giving”, Don served as a model for us all. He came to teach at the University of Alberta in 1947 and was active in the community until his death in 1976.  Known as the finest practitioner of Physical Education, he had a deep- rooted concern for people.  Don was instrumental in the development of Outdoor Education at the University of Alberta. The course first started in the mid 60’s as a series of non-credit lectures on basic outdoor education and camping skills.

Don believed in the promotion of opportunities for all children. Thus he became involved in the Red Cross, and was instrumental in the development of national standards for swimming, and the development of the National Small Craft Safety Program.

It was well known that Don would work on any committee in any capacity. Although he never sought Presidency, his work was so sound, and he was so well liked, that he inevitably became president of the Alberta Camping Association. In camping alone, Don served as President of the Alberta Camping Association, Chairman of the Edmonton YMCA Camp, and the President of the Canadian Camping Association. Don’s concern for the outdoors was not just professionally based but also played a big part in his and his family’s recreation. In fact, if individuals did not share Don’s zeal for the outdoors, he would simply go about converting them.

In the late 1970’s, in honour of his love for the outdoors, his great concern for people and his dedication to the field of camping, the Alberta Camping Association initiated the Don Smith Address, an inspirational address given at the Annual Conference. In 1990, the Don Smith Award was introduced.

Don Smith Award Past Recipients
2022 Gerrit Leewes, Camp Warwa
2021 Jana Reed, Camp Chief Hector
2019 Leighana Shockey, Camp Kindle
2018 Christine McIver, Camp Kindle
2017 Brad Andrews
2016 Les Waite
2015 Laureen Wray
2014 Doug Saul
2008 Kathy and Gary Koehler
2007 Wayne Perkins
2006 Cindy Simpson
2005 Jake Doerkson
2004 Mike Nelson
2003 Marlene Flynn
2002 Rev David Larsen
2001 Douglas Ritchie
2000 Mike Walters
1999 Allen Crozier
1998 Jean Funk
1997 Bob Schwartzenberger
1996 Bob Williamson
1995 Phyllis Davis
1994 Nestor Kelba
1993 Scouts Canada Alberta Council
1992 Eveline Freethy Goodwin
1991 Jan James
1990 Margaret Seel

PURPOSE
To annually recognize the outstanding contribution, commitment, dedication, and service to an ACA member camp by one (1) front line program staff member.

THE AWARD
The award shall consist of an engraved plaque, which lists the annual recipients, to be hung in the ACA Office, as well as a Certificate of Recognition awarded to the recipient.

HOW TO NOMINATE A CANDIDATE
The nominator should outline the reasons why this front line staff member is a worthy recipient of the Tim Ross Memorial Award. The nominee must be an employee of a current ACA member camp.

Tim Ross Memorial Award Past Recipients
2022 Hazel Brandreth, Camp Chief Hector YMCA

Kevin Brunnen, Camp Amicus

Douglas Webb, Camp Whitney

2021 Jordyn Wright, Camp BB Riback
2021 Mariann Bierman, Camp BB Riback
2019 Micah Allen, Camp BB Riback
2018 Derrick Clarke, Camp Ursa
2017 Erin Krysko
2015 Trevor Trefananko
2014 Craig Torry
2010 Kari Enns
2009 Matt “Forest” Gale
2008 Kelly Kerr
2007 Nadim Chin
2006 Jeff Siddle
2005 Tim Ross – posthumously

PURPOSE
The Margaret Seel Award of Merit is an annual award designated to honour individuals or groups who have significantly contributed to the ACA and to camping development in Alberta.  Nominees may be practitioners, volunteer leaders or board members in any camping organization.

THE AWARD
The Award shall consist of a framed certificate of recognition as well as a citation honouring the  achievements of the Award winner. This citation shall be published in the ACA Awards Program, and in the ACA’s newsletter.

Margaret Seel Award of Merit Past Recipients
2021 Kathleen Gurski, Camp Amicus
2020 Callum Monteith, YMCA Calgary
2020 Kendra Freeland, Camp Kuriakos
2016 Brad Andrews
2015 Gerrit Leewes
2014 Jon Olfert
2010 Scott Lister
2009 Carly Steiger
2008 Sara Middleton
2007 Laureen Wray
2006 Chris Wick

PURPOSE
To recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to a Member Camp, and thereby have raised the quality of organized camping in Alberta. This nomination should come from someone within your camp.

THE AWARD
The award shall consist of a framed Certificate of Recognition and a Selection Criteria Citation, honouring the achievements of the Nominee.

Award of Achievement Past Recipients
2022 Anouk Kraemer, Camp Chief Hector YMCA

Nick Taven, Kamp Kiwanis

Kristen Palagian, Kamp Kiwanis

2021 Jon Gartly, Ellis Connelly
2020 Allen Kreller
2019 Charlie Bell
2015 Christine Fisher, Chris Sheasby, Nikki Thompson
2014 Courtney Armstrong, Paul Kopjar
2011 Leone Johannson
2010 Mike MacKay, Aly Topping
2009 Dale Kiselyk, Jana Reed
2008 Rowena Morris, Laura Spruyt
2007 Ray Tamera Coller & Family, Paul D’Angelo, Dan Grassick
2006 Kinsmen Club of Calgary
2005 Mike Horembala, Ernest Klaus, Terry Garrett
2004 Collene Finkbeiner
2003 Mervyn Pedde
2002 Denzle & Betty Laporte, Norm Motkosky
2001 Roy Raymond, Rafael & Victoria Aguilar, Steve Hill – Action Septic
2000 Ruth Smillie, Gloria Wilson, Loreen Jacobs, Dorothy Violini, Betty Slater,               Leroy Overacker
1999 Glenn & Marion Krausnick, Marian Sczesny
1998 Valerie Caldwell, Kathleen Koehler, Rick Krushelnicki, Jerry Muench,             Wayne Perkins, Michael Walters
1997 Father Eric Nelson, Henry Kieser, Rev David Crawford, Hank Flemmer

ACA Awards for Camps & Organizations

Over the years the topic of environmental concern has increased. As the land, water and air is slowly destroyed by manmade pollution, we must realize how important nature is in sustaining our existence. In order to contribute to the protection of the environment, the Alberta Camping Association has implemented an awards program which recognizes the camp(s) which can provide  sound evidence in the contribution to the protection or conservation of the environment.  Alberta Camping Association’s Environmental Protection Policy will be used as a standard in choosing the camp(s) who is most deserving of this reward. Unexpected visits to the chosen camp(s) may also occur. Either one or both methods will be implemented in obtaining the final decision.

The ACA has created the Environmental Award Program to help camps make a positive contribution to the environment. It provides well deserved recognition to the camp(s) chosen and allows campers to participate in the education and contribution to the environment.

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE AWARD?
We are looking for projects that follow the ACA’s Environmental Protection Policy in improving
environmental quality or conservation of resources. Some examples are camps that:

  • Protect & conserve the land
  • Practice water conservation
  • Use bicycles instead of vehicles by staff
  • Has plant a tree program
  • Protect wildlife
  • Education that will lead to action in any of these areas

HOW DOES THE AWARDS PROGRAM WORK?
The first step is to carefully complete the application guidelines giving as much information as possible and send it to the ACA Office. The decision in choosing the most deserving camp is determined by a number of factors:

1. How large of an impact does the program have on the environment
2. The ability to educate people about the program
3. The uniqueness of the program
4. Staff or organizational input

The programs sent to us are important because we would be able to share ideas with other camps who are interested in making a contribution to the environment. The ACA believes that solutions to today’s environmental problems will come from ideas and actions of concerned people like you.

PURPOSE
The ACA Award of Merit is an annual award designated to honour individuals or groups  who have significantly contributed to the ACA and to camping development in Alberta.  Nominees may be practitioners, volunteer leaders or board members in any camping organization.

THE AWARD
The Award shall consist of a framed certificate of recognition as well as a citation honouring the achievements of the Award winner. This citation shall be published in the ACA Awards Program, and in the ACA’s newsletter.

PURPOSE
To annually recognize the commitment, dedication, and service to the Alberta Camping Association, its members, and to the organized camping industry in Alberta by a Commercial member of the Alberta Camping Association.

THE AWARD
The award shall consist of an engraved plaque, which lists the annual recipients, to be hung in the ACA Office, as well as a Certificate of Recognition awarded to each recipient.

HOW TO APPLY
The application should outline the reasons why this business or organization is a worthy recipient of the Annual Award of Service. The nominee must be a current commercial member of the ACA.

Award of Service Past Recipients
2014 Adventureworks! Associates

Challenges Unlimited

2011 Rocky Mountain Adventure Medicine
2010 Roy Francoeur
2008 Back Check
2007 West
2006 Lifesaving Society of Alberta/NT
2005 Spark Printwear
2004 Arrow Tipi

CCA Awards

The CCA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE recognizes outstanding contributions to camping within a province.  The award recognizes individuals, volunteers, camps, agencies or corporations.

CCA Award of Excellence Past Recipients

Available on the CCA website. Click here for a full list.

CCA also presents several awards recognizing national service.