Memberships

There are five different types of members in the OCA. All five are listed below with a description of the benefits associated to becoming a member.

Camp Membership

  • Membership in the OCA indicates to an increasingly aware public that you and your camp are committed to following and maintaining a set of standards which has been recognized for over 75 years as a sign of a good camp.
  • Membership in OCA allows you to use the OCA logo in your promotional material including the displaying of the sign that your camp is an Accredited OCA Member Camp.
  • Membership in OCA permits you to pay a reduced rate for our

      Directors and Senior Staff Annual Conference
      Camp Facilities Conference
      Counsellor Spring Training Conference
      Health Care Workshop
      June Skills Weekend
      Day Camp Workshop
      Regional Workshops

  • Membership includes automatic membership in the Canadian Camping Association/ Association des camps du Canada (CCA/ACC).
  • Membership allows you access to a camp insurance package tailored to meet the specific needs of camps, at very attractive prices. This insurance is offered ONLY to CCA/ACC members.
  • Membership provides you with updates from a wide range of OCA committees and task forces on such timely issues as the environment and year-round schooling.

OCA membership also includes

  1. A detailed online listing with the options for photos and a logo through our OCA Search Engine.
  2. A listing and description of your camp in the annual OCA Camping Guide which is distributed to 1000's of individuals a year
  3. A subscription to a number of issues of our newsletter the "OCA Bulletin" and special membership rates for advertising both online and in our Camp Guide
  4. Updates regarding government legislation and recent trends in camping
  5. Access to purchase OCA publications such as our "Crisis Response and Management Plan" and our "Guide to Camp Health Issues"
  6. Access to the OCA "Hotline" for help in case of emergencies during your summer sessions
  7. Direct access to to our wealth of Commercial Vendors for preferred purchasing power and updates on new & exciting products.
  8. Global payments and preferred credit card rates.

After Accreditation is achieved, a "Visit" is made every four years by an OCA member to share ideas and ensure standards are being maintained to continue your camp's accreditation.

Commercial Member/Camp Vendor

Commercial Members are businesses and organizations that provide goods and services to our member camps.

The OCA always recommends that our member camps use our Commercial Members over other suppliers to support their growing businesses. Therefore, becoming a Commercial Member opens the door to possible partnerships with over 300 accredited camps in Ontario!

The benefits of being a Commercial Member

  • Inclusion in our NEW OCA Commercial Vendor Search Engine.
  • Possibility of sponsoring the OCA and furthering business promotions and networks. To view our 2008/09 Sponsorship Package click here
  • A listing in our OCA Camp Guide, a magazine which is published annually
  • Access to advertisement space on our website.
  • Inclusion in our NEW OCA Commercial Vendor Search Engine.
  • Obtaining the contact information for all our summer camps to ease company promotion and sales.
  • Access to booth space at our educational events such as our Annual OCA Conference and our Facilities and Maintenance Conference.
  • Global payments and preferred credit card rates.
  • Access to advertisement space in our monthly Bulletin sent to all members.
  • Use of the OCA Commercial Membership logo.
  • Discounted member rates for OCA events and conferences

There are many ways that joining the OCA as a Commercial Member can benefit businesses and organizations and we are eager to tell you more.

Please don't hesitate to contact us at 416-485-0425, or info@ontariocamps.ca or click here to download your copy of our Commercial Membership Form.

Affiliate Membership

Affiliate membership is ideal for organizations, not-for-profit groups, new camps and community/recreation centers and programs.

We think that you will find that an OCA Affiliate Membership will offer new opportunities to meet and exchange ideas with other camping and recreation professionals, and to take part in OCA-sponsored trainings and seminars.

This year we offer OCA members more benefits than ever.

  • As an OCA member, you will be listed on our newly designed website; if you provide a link to your organization's website, we will post it in your listing on our site.
  • Two products from the OCA Healthcare Committee, the Camp Health Issues manual and the video/DVD Running an Effective Camp Health Center, are helping kids to be healthier and safer during the summer months.
  • OCA members can now post Help Wanted ads on the OCA online job board. Non-accredited camps will not be afforded this option.
  • Our educational events - the Annual Conference, the Camp Facilities Conference, the Spring Training Conference, the Healthcare Conference, the Skills Weekend, and the Day Camp Workshop and Information Day - will give your camp or recreation staff a great head start on the summer.
  • OCA members are provided with an extensive network in both camping and recreation.
  • OCA members receive a subscription to the OCA Bulletin newsletter.

As an Affiliate Member, you are invited to display our logo on your promotional materials: it tells the public that you recognize the importance of children's camping.

Please call the OCA office if you have any questions about applying for Affiliate Membership. Or email Charlie at charlie@ontariocamps.ca. Or click here to download your copy of our Affiliate Membership Form.

Individual Membership

We believe that Individual Membership offers many opportunities for you to meet with other camping professionals, to exchange ideas, and to learn more about organized children's and youth camping in Ontario.

An OCA Individual Membership is a great way for you to keep abreast of what is happening in the camping industry, and to make new contacts.

As part of your Individual Membership, you will receive

  • Member rates for high quality training events such as the annual OCA Director's Conference, Camp Facilities Conference, Skills Weekend, Health Care Workshop, Spring Training (counselor) Conference, and Day Camp Workshop and Information Day.
  • Opportunities to meet with and exchange ideas with fellow camping professionals
  • The opportunity to work on OCA committees, and to have input into the future of camping in Ontario.
  • A bi-monthly issues of the OCA Bulletin newsletter, which keeps you up-to-date on what's happening in camping and related areas both within the OCA and beyond.
  • A Copy of the 2008 Camp Guide.

For more information on Individual Membership and the benefits associated with it contact charlie@ontariocamps.ca, call the OCA office or click here to download your copy of our Individual Membership Form.

Honorary Life Members

"Camping leaders who, over the years have blazed trials and built bridges in the Ontario Camping community so that other may follow more surely. They hold a place of special significance in the traditions & successes of the Ontario Camping Association. Any new paths chosen lead forward upon the ambitious course which they have charted. Any new bridges built rest upon the solid foundations which they have laid. As Life Members in our Association these people are also a permanent part of our camping lives. May we always see and recognize their contributions in our work. May we always listen and hear their counsel in our decisions."

From the Ontario Camping Association Honor Roll

For a list of the OCA's Honorary Life Members click here
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