e-Institute Training Site

ACA's e-Institute is an online learning center providing self-directed and group learning experiences. Designed for child and youth development audiences, from camp professionals to afterschool staff to community based program leaders, the e-Institute provides a mechanism for personal professional development and for training large groups of paid and volunteer staff. Certificates of completion are available for all courses and CEUs are available for selected courses.

	Camp Is for the Camper ACA’s #1 selling e-course! Camp Is for the Camper gives staff a jumpstart in considering their roles and responsibilities before arriving at camp. The program's four interactive modules address counselor responsibilities as role models, stress reduction while working at camp, and demographics of today's campers and behavior management techniques. The program content draws from the popular booklet, Camp Is for the Camper. Learn More.
	Marketing Essentials for the New Economy (Three Part Series) Tough economic times require that you turn up the marketing heat and attract new customers to your doors, while increasing current customer loyalty and repeat business. Courses in the series can be purchased as a package (highly recommended) or individually. Learn More.
	Connecting Children with Nature Developed in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, this course explores the causes of “nature-deficit disorder” and strategies for exposing children to authentic nature-based experiences. National leaders and initiatives in the movement to connect children and nature are highlighted. CEUs available. Learn More.
	Criminal Background Checks - Dispelling the Myths and Confronting the Realities Screening and hiring practices for paid and volunteer staff should include criminal background checks. However, there is much confusion about the kinds of background checks, both criminal and non-criminal, that are available to youth-serving organizations. This course provides an overview of criminal background checks critical for anyone in a human resources or staff hiring role. Learn More.
	Camp Administrator 101: Preparing for Your New Role Based on the American Camp Association's popular New Director Orientation program, this course teaches the fundamentals of leadership, staff training, and supervision; risk management; and child development and behavior. This three-hour course is perfect for new directors and for those with less than three years of experience. CEUs available. Learn More.
	Communicating in a Time of Crisis: Are You Prepared? A one-hour course designed for camp directors and staff. Based on the popular books Crisis Communications Weathering the Storm and Risk Management Planning, this course covers crisis identification, key messages, and media communications. Learn how to prepare in advance by developing a Crisis Response Team and proper procedures for reporting and responding to crises. CEUs available. Learn More.
	Designing Quality Youth Programs If you believe your program offers a quality experience for your participants but also think doing even better is ideal, this course is for you. Designing Quality Youth Program takes you through an eight step process focused on a rewarding journey of organizational improvement that recognizes each setting is different, every program is unique, and each improvement requires a targeted set of strategies. Learn More.
	Fiscal Management: An Overview of Camp Budgeting and Finance Designed for new camp directors and staff responsible for budget and finance functions at camp, this course addresses budgeting, purchasing and receiving, handling cash, fundraising, and store management. Prepare new budget managers before they start work at camp. This course is a perfect complement to the Camp Administrator 101 e-course. Learn More.
	Health and Safety: Preventing Injuries and Illnesses (Four Part Series) The emergence of H1N1 flu highlights the importance of preventative behaviors and practices. These four mini-courses target prevention strategies that camps can use to reduce the likelihood of camper and staff injuries and illness. Learn how to minimize the spread of communicable diseases, reduce slips and falls through the use of proper footwear, increase the use of protective equipment in youth activities, and improve safe knife-handling techniques. Learn More.
	Creating Positive Youth Outcomes ACA’s #2 selling e-course! The era of accountability is here. Youth program providers are increasingly asked to identify specific programs outcomes and to justify resources, funding, and support. Based on ACA’s Creating Positive Youth Outcomes workbook, this course teaches program staff how to intentionally target positive youth outcomes using a series of simple steps. Exercises, guiding questions, and camp-specific examples will help you think about, identify, and design your program to meet and achieve positive youth outcomes. Learn More.
	ACA's e-Standards Course The ACA Standards Course provides an in-depth overview of the ACA accreditation process. This course provides participants the opportunity to examine and clarify standards that serve as the infrastructure for the ACA Accreditation Program. This course is required for camp administrators with camps new to the accreditation process and for new administrators in currently accredited camps. Learn More.
	ACA's e-Visitor Update Course The e-Visitor Update Course will only be offered the spring of 2008. This course informs participants on the new and revised standards and other information pertinent to the accreditation visit process. This course is intended for current ACA Visitors. Visitors are required to attend an update to remain an eligible Visitor. Learn More.
	Other Online Educational Content Other educational content available from ACA Business Affiliates. (please choose "Education - Online" from the category list) This educational content is not endorsed by ACA