There are four (4) recognition awards: The Oak Leaf Appreciation Award, the Friends of Camping Award, Program Excellence Award and the Buckeye Award.

The Nominating Committee of the ACA Ohio Section Board administers the Award Program. Annually, the membership will be given the opportunity to nominate individuals or organizations for awards and the Nominating Committee will determine the award winners. All nominations are due to the Vice President by December 15th.

The Buckeye Award is the highest honor presented to a member of the American Camp Association Ohio Section. To qualify, a candidate must:

• Be known for his/her outstanding service in the field. It should be easily recognized that no other award would do justice to the magnitude of the contribution of this nominee.
• Have an affiliation with the American Camp Association for at least ten (10) years and with the Ohio Section for at least five (5) years.
• Have high moral character, personal integrity and exemplify a spirit of devoted service to the field.
• Be an active participant in National and Section ACA programs

Program Excellence Award

The Program Excellence Award is designed to honor programs that:

• Develop effective, creative responses to the needs of people and/or societal problems using the camp environment and encourage continued development of such ideas
• Stimulate the exchange of creative ideas
• Present to the public examples of positive contributions camp has made on the well being of individuals and society.

To be eligible for nomination, a program must have been in operation for at least one year (planning and development time does not count) and be part of an accredited camp.

Nominations will be judged on creativity and imaginative planning; relevance to the needs of participants; involvement of the target participants in the planning or implementation; adaptability and potential for replication; cooperative efforts with other organizations, agencies, or camps; and the ability of the program to meet stated objectives.

Friends of Camping Award

The Friends of Camping Award is presented to an individual, group or organization that has made significant contributions to camping through related fields. Membership in the American Camp Association is not a requirement. Contributions or relationships can be administrative, legislative, professional, or specific participation in Section development.

2007	Schmidt Copeland Parker Stevens, Inc.
2000	Christ Child Society of Cleveland
1999	ACA National Risk Management Team
1998	Markel Insurance

Oak Leaf Appreciation Award

The Oak Leaf Appreciation Award is presented to an ACA Ohio Section member who has demonstrated service or special contribution to the overall philosophy of the American Camp Association movement and the Ohio Section.