The Green Camps Certification Pathway

1. Sustainability Snapshot & Needs Assessment

The process begins with the Green Camps Sustainability Snapshot and Needs Assessment, which helps camps understand their current practices and identify opportunities for improvement.

This assessment collects information about camp operations including areas such as:

• energy use
• water management
• waste and composting
• food service operations
• purchasing and daily practices

The goal is to establish a baseline understanding of sustainability at your camp and identify potential opportunities for action.

2. Build a Green Team

A Green Team helps lead sustainability efforts at camp by bringing together staff and leadership who are committed to exploring and implementing new ideas.

The Green Team helps:

• guide sustainability discussions
• engage staff and campers
• evaluate opportunities for improvement
• support implementation of sustainability initiatives

Many camps begin this process internally, while others choose to work with Green Camps to facilitate a Green Team workshop.

3. Create a Sustainability Strategic Plan

Once priorities are identified, camps develop a Sustainability Strategic Plan outlining goals, actions, and timelines for advancing sustainability initiatives.

Plans often focus on areas such as:

• energy conservation
• water stewardship
• waste reduction and composting
• land stewardship
• sustainability education for campers and staff

The strategic plan becomes the roadmap for implementing sustainability initiatives at camp.

Becoming a Certified Green Camp

Camps that complete the following steps may receive the Green Camps Certified designation:

✓ Complete the Green Camps Needs Assessment
✓ Establish a Green Team
✓ Develop a Sustainability Strategic Plan

This certification recognizes camps that have established a clear framework for advancing sustainability within their organization.

Accelerating the Process

Some camps choose to complete the certification framework independently, while others work with Green Camps through consulting programs that guide the process.

Programs such as the Green Summit help camps complete the assessment, build a Green Team, and develop a sustainability plan in a focused workshop experience.

Start the Process

The first step toward certification is the Green Camps Sustainability Snapshot.

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Help Shape the Future of Camp Sustainability

Green Camps continues to refine tools, resources, and funding strategies that support camps in implementing sustainability initiatives.

If you’re interested in contributing ideas, participating in pilot programs, or helping advance sustainability across the camp industry, we welcome you to connect with us.