National Camp Association

- 74 Call Hollow Rd, Pomona, NY 10970

For parents and guardians across the New York metropolitan area, the annual decision of where to send a child for a quality summer experience is paramount. Safety, programming, and professional standards are critical considerations. This is where the National Camp Association (NCA), which operates as a regional chapter of the American Camp Association (ACA), plays a vital role. While the name "National Camp Association" might suggest a single recreational campground, the organization in Pomona, NY, is, in fact, a crucial not-for-profit resource dedicated to advancing the entire camp industry, guiding families, and ensuring quality experiences across the region.

The local NCA/ACA office acts as a primary resource for camp professionals and families throughout New York and New Jersey, providing essential services that enhance the camp experience and give local parents peace of mind. Their focus is not on operating a single campsite but on upholding the highest standards of safety, health, and program quality for member camps—the very places your children might attend. By advocating for and accreditating camps, the NCA/ACA helps local users navigate the often-complex choices in summer programming.

The mission extends beyond simple administration; it is rooted in youth development, providing camp professionals with the latest training and resources to foster compassion, contribution, commitment, and character—the four "C's" of the ACA experience—in campers. When you choose an ACA-accredited camp, you are selecting a program that voluntarily goes beyond minimum state licensing requirements, adhering to up to 290 stringent national health and safety standards verified by professional peer reviewers. This commitment to excellence ensures that a "nice place" is also a safe and enriching one.

The reviews provided, while brief—"Nice place, cold shower" and "Nice"—likely refer to a specific physical location or facility (perhaps one of the organization's regional conference or training centers), rather than the association's core service of accreditation. Nonetheless, the primary value of the National Camp Association to a New York user lies in its robust, professional standards and comprehensive guidance for finding the right camp.

The physical address provided for the National Camp Association is located just north of New York City, making it accessible to professionals and families in the metropolitan area.

Address: 74 Call Hollow Rd, Pomona, NY 10970, USA

Pomona is situated in Rockland County, New York. For local residents in New York City, the location is a straightforward drive, typically less than an hour from the Bronx or upper Manhattan, or easily reached via the Palisades Interstate Parkway and the New York State Thruway (I-87). This central location allows the regional chapter to serve the broad community of camp professionals and to host local training events, conferences, and meetings that impact the quality of nearby camps.

For parents seeking guidance on selecting a camp, the ACA’s resources are primarily available online and via phone consultation, making the services highly accessible regardless of one's exact location in the New York region. This digital accessibility is often more important than the physical office location, as the main 'product' is information, accreditation, and professional support.

As a non-profit association, the NCA/ACA’s services are primarily geared towards educational support, accreditation, and guidance for both camp professionals and families.

• Accreditation Program: Provides the only national, peer-reviewed, external accreditation for youth camps, ensuring compliance with up to 290 health, safety, and programming standards.
• Camp Professional Development: Offers conferences, workshops, and continuing education credits for camp owners, directors, and staff on topics like emergency management, staff training, and child development.
• Parent and Family Resources: Provides individualized assistance and expert advice to help families in the New York area find the right day, overnight, or travel program for their child based on their unique needs.
• The "Find a Camp" Directory: A comprehensive, searchable database of ACA-accredited and member camps throughout New York and the country.
• Public Policy and Advocacy: Engages with government bodies to support laws and regulations that enhance the camp experience and provide resources to the camp community.
• Community and Networking: Fosters a community among camp professionals for sharing knowledge, experience, and best practices.

The most significant features of the National Camp Association are its role as a quality-assurance provider and its educational outreach.

• Voluntary Exceedance of State Standards: ACA accreditation goes beyond basic state licensing by auditing areas critical to a child's experience, including staff qualifications, training, emergency management plans, and program quality.
• Expert Camper Placement Services: Local families can access dedicated Camper Placement Specialists for free, personalized consultation, offering one-on-one advice to navigate the numerous options available in the New York and New Jersey camp markets.
• Focus on Child Development: The programs championed by the ACA focus on experiential education to build crucial life skills, self-esteem, confidence, and leadership abilities in children.
• Rigorous Safety Audits: Accreditation involves an on-site visit at least every three years by an external team of trained professionals to verify compliance with standards, ensuring ongoing vigilance in risk management.
• Industry-Leading Resources: ACA collaborates with organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Red Cross to ensure its standards reflect the most current, research-based practices in youth-serving operations.

The following is the address for the regional office serving New York and New Jersey, and the primary contact for parent inquiries to the American Camp Association.

Address: 74 Call Hollow Rd, Pomona, NY 10970, USA

Phone: Please refer to the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey (ACA, NY & NJ) website for the most current phone numbers for specific departments, such as their dedicated Camper Placement Specialist, who can provide direct assistance to parents. The American Camp Association's main contact for the NY & NJ region is typically available via a dedicated phone line and email for individualized guidance.

For New York families, the National Camp Association (ACA) is an indispensable, objective partner in the search for a safe and enriching summer camp experience. New York parents value professional credibility and rigorous standards, and the ACA provides exactly that through its gold-standard accreditation process. Knowing that an independent, not-for-profit association is overseeing the health, safety, and operational excellence of a camp provides a level of assurance that cannot be matched by basic state licensing alone.

The convenience of their resources—from the easily searchable online camp directory to personalized, free consultation with a camp placement expert—saves time and reduces the stress of making such an important decision. In a region with thousands of day and overnight camp options, the ACA acts as a quality filter, enabling local users to confidently choose a program that is committed to professional excellence and, most importantly, the positive development of their child. The physical office in Pomona further underscores the organization's deep roots and dedication to the local New York and New Jersey camp community, ensuring that the best summer experiences are always close to home. Choosing an ACA-accredited camp means choosing quality assurance right here in the Tri-State area.

National Camp Association

74 Call Hollow Rd, Pomona, NY 10970, USA