Exclusive Benefits for ACA Illinois Camps

Camps that are accredited or members of ACA through the ACA Illinois affiliate and DFI Title XX Partner Agencies receive discounts rates for programs and services with the Alliance for Camp Health.

• MESH(+) Seal at 20% discount.
• $25 off Camp Well Level Two Training*
• $25 off Women in Camp Summit 2026*

Don’t forget to stack these savings with the perks for the ACA Illinois Visitor Crew Members!

*Discount is only for training hosted through ACA Illinois. Discounts not applicable to training being offered by other organizations.

The Alliance for Camp Health (ACH) is the leading authority on health and well-being in camps and out-of-school time (OST) youth programs. A nationally recognized thought leader, ACH advances the field through expert-led education grounded in research-backed, science-informed practices and collaborative community-building. We believe a safe, healthy camp experience is intentionally designed to promote well-being—where adults and youth thrive through connection, growth, and experiential learning.

ACH supports the professionals who care for communities—camp leaders, healthcare providers, behavioral health specialists, educators, and youth development experts—through evidence-based training, collaborative partnerships, and community-informed advocacy. Our strength comes from the shared expertise of our network and a deep commitment to truth: we honor the lived experiences of our community and center insights grounded in credible science and research.

In a learning ecosystem of complexity, ACH serves as a stabilizing force—trusted, compassionate, and credible. We confront challenges with curiosity and care, focusing on solutions that elevate the collective. By reinforcing safety, empowering leadership, and prioritizing culturally responsive practices, ACH builds resilient systems of care that help youth—and the adults who support them—thrive.

Together, we are elevating care for healthier communities building a stronger future for youth.

Access more resources & learn more about the Alliance for Camp Health here.

About the Strategic Partnership Between ACA Illinois X ACH

The Alliance for Camp Health (ACH) and the American Camp Association, Illinois (ACA Illinois) have announced a strategic partnership designed to strengthen mental, emotional, and social health practices across Illinois summer camps through coordinated support in three key areas.

The partnership centers on practical implementation of evidence-based well-being practices that help camps create environments where both campers and staff thrive. ACA Illinois member camps will gain access to expanded resources through the MESH(+) Seal program, CampWell training opportunities, and collaborative educational resources for the Women in Camp Summit.

The New Partnership Includes Three Initiatives that Address Well-being

MESH(+) Seal Program Access

The MESH(+) Seal recognizes camps that integrate mental, emotional, and social health practices across four pillars: program design, staff training, screening and intake procedures, and medication and care measures. The framework builds upon a positive childhood experiences approach that connects individual development with community belonging. Camps achieving the Seal demonstrate trained staff capacity, systematic care approaches, and programming that supports positive childhood experiences.

CampWell Training Expansion

CampWell provides expert led education designed by camp professionals for youth-serving leaders. The multi-level training program helps camps build cultures where community members are safe, supported, connected, and contributing. Training includes pre-conference preparation and two days of in-person learning, with graduates receiving CampWell Level Two Certification and implementation resources including adaptable curriculum, research citations, presentation materials, and the ACH MESH(+) Resource Guide.

Women in Camp Summit Collaboration

ACA Illinois and ACH will develop joint content and resources supporting learning, leadership, and connection for women working in camp environments.

"ACA Illinois is modeling leadership through practical pathways that improve care for campers and staff," said Dr. Tracey Gaslin, CEO of the Alliance for Camp Health. "This partnership creates systematic support for camps ready to implement evidence-based approaches to community well-being."

The partnership arrives as camps see a heightened need for intentional approaches to mental and emotional health support and training. Research in developmental psychology and youth mental health supports what camp professionals have long practiced: that connection to nature, positive relationships, and emotional safety contribute to long-term well-being outcomes.

ACA Illinois member camps will have the opportunity to engage with partnership opportunities through information sessions about MESH(+) Seal processes, staff registration for CampWell training sessions, and opportunities to register for and participate in Women in Camp Summit. The collaboration will include joint professional development sessions and access to shared resources across both organizations' networks.

"We’ve made the intentional decision to partner with the Alliance for Camp Health as their approach to serving camps is evidence-informed, science-based, and medically sound. This partnership gives camps practical, research-backed tools for creating healthy environments where young people and the adults who serve them can flourish,” reflected Colette Marquardt, Chief Executive Officer of ACA Illinois. “When organizations with shared values and different expertise work together, they create real impact, elevating care, for the camp community,"

Additional Healthcare Resources for Camps

For additional healthcare resources for your camp, head to the Alliance for Camp Health website.