Award Nominations
Thank you for taking the time to submit your colleagues for ACA, NY and NJ awards. We accept awards on a rolling basis so you are welcome to submit nominations at any time. In order for an award to be considered for the current year, you must submit the nomination by October 15th.
The Tri-State/Thelma Hurwitz Leadership Award
Purpose & History: This award is named in honor and memory of Thelma Hurwitz, the “Queen of Camping”, a leader in the New York Section, and one of the founders of the Tri-State Camp Conference. A true visionary, Thelma along with Morry Stein and Ben Appelbaum conceived and ran the first Tri-State Camp Conference in 1983. Thelma was a glass ceiling breaker in many respects, establishing herself as a successful multi-camp female private resident camp director in the 1960s. Thelma had many distinguishing characteristics that elevate her to the highest acclaim in the camp industry such as her willingness to serve, to always be present, take charge if needed, and make everyone involved feel important along the way. As a result, Thelma was part of the very distinguished first class of the Legends in Camping.
This award named after Thelma serves as a celebration of those individuals who have taken a lasting leadership role in ACA, NY and NJ from all fields of camping as well as recognizing exceptional work on behalf of the Tri-State Camp Conference, the ACA, NY and NJ Affiliate and the entire Camp profession.
Qualifications: This is the highest honor for a member of the ACA, NY and NJ Affiliate. Recipient(s) is a member of the ACA, NY and NJ Affiliate and must have done exceptional work on behalf of either the Tri-State Camp Conference, the ACA, NY and NJ Affiliate, and/or the entire Camp profession for a period of at least ten years.
This award will be presented annually at the Tri-State CAMP Conference.
Michael Gordon Young Leaders Award
Purpose & History: To recognize and honor continued and increasing dedication to the Camp profession by or on behalf of younger Camp professionals. This award was established in memory of Mike Gordon who was a supporter of private camps in ACA, NY and NJ. This award is open to young professionals in all fields of camping.
Qualifications: Recipients should be individuals who have done exceptional and continued work on behalf of the Section to enhance the Camp profession and who are either: age 30 and younger, or have done such work in service of emerging Camp professionals within the ACA, NJ and NJ.
The winner of this award will be automatically nominated for the Jack Weiner Leadership Award (National) if the nominee meets the criteria.
This award will be presented at the ACA, NY and NJ Fall Conference.
Howard Patton Award
Purpose & History: Given to one or more persons who epitomize the spirit of organized camping leadership and whose work has benefited campers and camping. This award is given in loving memory of Howard Patton. Howard knew every aspect of camping and was the "guiding light" in many camp directors' careers.
The winner of this award will be automatically nominated for the Service Award (National) if the nominee meets the criteria.
This award will be presented at the ACA, NY and NJ Fall Conference.
We are currently not accepting nominations for 2023. Check back in 2024!
Harold Breene Youth Education Award
Purpose & History: Recognition of Continued Dedication to the Development and Education of Youth through Camping. This award is given to a person or program or camp that actively promotes positive youth development in a unique and creative camp environment. It will be given to a person or program or camp that is helping young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values while developing positive self-esteem and healthy relationships.
The winner of this award will be automatically nominated for the Eleanor Eells Award (National) if the nominee meets the criteria.
This award will be presented at the ACA, NY and NJ Fall Conference.
Legends of Camping
Purpose & History: The Legends of Camping Award is a lifetime achievement award that is given annually to one or more camp professionals based on their life’s work in the field of organized camping. This includes sharing with peers, mentoring both those in their organizations and out of their organizations, service to the camp profession, and inspirational leadership in the advancement of camping.
Qualifications: Since the Legends of Camping Award is a lifetime achievement award, nominees should have substantially completed their contributions to the world of camp. In general, this means that nominees should no longer be the chief operating officer of their camps although camp professionals that continue in the profession well beyond traditional retirement are eligible for this award. All nominees should be inspirational leaders in camping, and have mentored and served the camp industry beyond their own camp. All nominees must also be an ACA Member Camp Director from any Section and served as director of a camp for no less than 20 years.